bushido_man96

Instead of playing catch-up here with my workout log, which seems rather a pointless endeavor, I want to just hit on a few milestones that I've hit in training up to this point, mainly in the strength training aspects, and then pick up with the training log from there. 9/21/2015, I did 322 lbs for 3 sets of 5 on squats. My previous 1RM was 325 lbs, so I was pretty pumped to be hitting this weight for reps and sets. 9/25/2015, Kendall and I missed this day of training due to illness. 9/28/2015, came back from the sick day, and my body had trouble maintaining the squat weight I worked up to. I backed the weight off to 315 lbs, with my last two sets done at that weight. 10/5/2015, after feeling like I was not recovering enough from my squat sessions, I decided to switch to the 5/3/1 programming that I had Kendall working on since the start of his football season. I like the programming here because it offers me some flexibility in exercises, especially when it comes to time constraints, and part of the programming is to max out the reps on the last set of the major exercise for the day, which has been fun. On Mondays, I do squats and power cleans. On Wednesdays, I do press and assistance exercises like pull-ups and lying triceps extensions. On Fridays, I do deadlifts and power snatches. I'm still using linear progression at the novice level with the power movements, as I haven't loaded a lot of weight on them yet. What's nice about this program is that if I need to, I can slide power cleans to Tuesdays if it works out better for my schedule, and I probably will do that once the loads get heavier. For now, though, this is my program. 11/9/15, last set of squats was 279.5 for a set of 5. 11/12/15, last set of press was 128.5 for a set of 5. 11/13/15, last set of deadlifts was 294.5 for a set of 7. 11/20/15, power snatches at 97. 11/24/2015, power cleans at 127. 11/24/2015 Taught TKD Class: 6:00 - 7:00 pm. Fealt so good to be back!

We don't really have anything written down, but we do have a set of basics that is always done at the beginning of class, which helps as an organizational tool. It also provides students with a workout set to use when at home, in case they have trouble coming up with something on their own.

I'm with you here. When its cold, its harder for me to get warmed up and loosened up, and I just don't feel as good when I train. It just takes me gritting my teeth and getting to the school, and then things start to feel better.

Its tough to determine. It really depends on the kids, and how they develop physically as well as how they train. Once they start getting into the junior high age groups, you start to see how they are approaching the training outside of the school, and how it affects them in the school. At least, in my experience.

Solid post!! This is a good point, but I think its important to not let go of that experience. After all, its valuable and hard won. But setting it aside so as to have an open mind during the class is the hard part.

I have an experience based off this. I went to an "invite-a-friend" night to a class in a style the instructor called "3-in-1," where they practiced TKD, HKD, and BJJ mixed together. When I got there and spoke with the instructor, he insisted I wear my rank (I can't remember if it was 3rd or 4th dan at the time) and line up at the head of the class. I did so, but was rather reluctant to. I did appreciate the recognition of rank and the respect he showed me, but it was a bit uncomfortable. If I would have been showing up just for an open workout together or something of that nature, then it would have been cool. But to come to a class I was invited to, and line up in front of those who were his students, was an odd feeling.

That clip of GM Cho is impressive. He is really popping that thing!

I like to watch MMA. I don't like to watch pre and post fight interviews. If we did away with all that, I think the fights would be much more fun to watch. But, Rousey said a long time ago she didn't mind playing the heel. A big part of the fight game is the mental game they play, too, and so we have the face offs and the disrespectfulness. That said, I think the rematch will be a much better fight. Rousey is a competitor, and this will drive her to get better. Watch her stand-up improve.

I like these options here. It reminds me of what I've heard called the "fat man roll" in Wrestling, where you hook the arm and then roll them. My son has tried to use it quite a bit. Very good tips on checking the leg, keeping pressure on the partner, and then turning back to side control. I like it. Thanks for sharing again, Alex!

9/9/2015 Strength Training Squats: warm-ups: 45x5x2, 135x5, 185x5, 205x5, 225x3; work sets: 251x5, 251x5, 251x5. Push Press: warm-ups: 45x5x3, 95x5, 115x5; work sets: 138x5, 138x5, 138x5. Jump Chins: 6, 6, 6 (supersetted with push press). Lat Pull-downs: 120x10x3 (supersetted with push press). 45 degree Back Ext: BW+10x10x3 9/11/2015 Strength Training Squats: warm-ups: 45x5x2, 135x5, 185x5, 205x5, 225x3, 275x1; work sets: 316x5, 316x5, 316x5. I was pumped about hitting this number, getting to put three 45lb plates on each side. Press: warm-ups: 45x5x3, 75x5, 95x5; work sets: 124x5, 124x5, 124x5. Deadlifts: warm-ups: 135x5, 225x5; work set: 325x5. 9/14/2015 Strength Training Squats: warm-ups: 45x5x2, 135x5, 185x5, 205x5, 225x3, 295x1; work sets: 318x5, 318x5, 318x5. Push Press: warm-ups: 45x5x3, 95x5, 115x5; work sets: 139x5, 139x5, 139x5. Jump Chins: 6, 6, 6 (supersetted with press). 45 degree Back Ext: BW+10x10x3 (supersetted with press).

You may want to try something a bit lower intensity, like just some medium or faster speed walking for 20 to 30 minutes, until your back gets better.

I agree with you here, about starting over at white. That was one of the things I liked about my brief stint in Aikido, being a beginner again. The only time I'd have an issue with someone with much experience starting over would be in similar styles when it comes to competition settings. I think at times that can be unfair to a true beginner in the Arts. But other than that, I'm a big fan of the white belt.

Your points here are valid. I also think it is somewhat of a political move, and I can understand it from a business stand point, especially in trying to retain an established student base to keep a business running. I'm not saying I would do it the same way, but I can see why he's trying to do this. Hopefully, he does it the right way, and pulls folks along to establish them in the new style, as well as their current style. I agree with that. I'm of the same opinion that you are here; I'd be looking for the training, and not necessarily the rank (once again, rank doesn't matter, until it does). But, there are lots of egos out there, and they tend to be tender, and this can cloud the vision of some. Yes, many do miss it. I think that's why a lot of black belts quit after attaining it. They assume they've "made it," and there's nothing left. I think there comes a point in the journey where a student has to stop seeking the goals set by instructors and have to start looking into achieving goals they find from inside themselves.

Congrats to all the winners! Your awards are very, very well deserved!

Good luck to you! I'm sure you'll do fine.

It might have something to do with the intensity of the practices. My oldest son tends to get headaches during Wrestling practices. I usually try to get him some ibuprofen before hand, and that seems to help.

This is what I hear more and more as being the standard practice. Dynamic stretching during warm-ups, and static stretching at the end of a workout to help improve flexibility, seems to yield the best results.

Sometimes, I will bring it home, depending on how my sons are acting, or the things they are saying. I've done extra Wrestling practices with my sons in the past so they can get some issues cleared up in technique. Usually, I'll let them open the door for that, by complaining about how they can't get it down, or something. Then, I'll offer to do some extra work to clean it up or get better. Sometimes, it works wonders.

Thank you, Luther. I'm sorry if my post came across as though the situation was that personal to you. That wasn't my intention. I just wanted to put forward some thoughts on how to look at and approach the situation. It is definitely not a "traditional" way of doing things, that is for sure. I often think "tradition" becomes the hang-up with many Martial Artists, and it becomes difficult for them to see it any other way. I'm not saying its this way with you, though. But its something that pops up a lot. Its one of those situations where rank doesn't matter, until it does.

Well said Heidi, well said.

Work ethic is important, no matter what you are doing. Whether you are a programmer, or a dishwasher, its important that when one does a job, one works hard and to their best ability. It becomes a habit, and its a good one that transfers to any endeavor.

Like anything, concentration is something to be practiced. As you spend more time focusing on one thing, your concentration will improve, as well.

Its good to train both, and it takes time to get used to fighting with the strong side forward. Bruce Lee was a fan of it. I started out my training sparring orthodox, but then got to a point that when I stepped back, I always stepped back southpaw, and did that for a lot of years. Eventually, it became pretty natural, and I made it a point to switch around when sparring. Now that I've been in law enforcement, I try to make myself step back more orthodox, since I carry my gun on the right side, and its good practice to have the gun side back in LE defensive tactics. That all said, invest the time to make your right hand lead stance, footwork, and combinations as good as your left hand lead. You'll be glad you did.

Kids are a special case. Their interests can change so quickly. I think the main thing is that as long as he is having fun when you do go to class, keep urging him to go when he doesn't want to. I think there is a fine line in pushing a kid too far, and pulling them along when they would rather be lazy. That's kind of where I'm at with my kids, who are 10 and 6. The 10 year old wanted to start weight training to improve his athletic performance, so we did, and have kept at it. Then it got to a point where he wouldn't want to go, but I talk to him about it, saying its not something you do for a season and then stop. You get the benefits of it by making it a part of your lifestyle. So, I keep pulling him along. He saw the dividends it produced in football, and so we hope to see some in Wrestling, too. Kids are tough. Unless he gets to the point that he just absolutely hates it and dreads going AND being there, I'd say keep pulling him along. He'll thank you for it down the road.

You can respect them. Did they work hard to earn their rank? Are they good students? Does the teacher do a good job? If so, you can respect them. You don't have to like this instructor's decision here, but that doesn't mean you can't respect the instructor or his students. I'll just throw a few ideas out here to stimulate the conversation a little bit. I think the main reason the instructor is doing this is to retain students and keep his school open. Its a good strategy to keep the students that have already invested the time they have at the school, and it would hopefully prevent him from having to start over, which would be financially tough. Here's another aspect to look at. He may allow them to keep their current rank, but that doesn't mean that he won't make them "catch up" to their current rank in his teaching material. It could be that he lets them retain their current rank, and recognize it, but will only grant them appropriate rank in his system as they accrue it. Lastly, its a situation that looks hinky from the outside looking in, but do you know what his plans are, or just assume? If in doubt, heck, go talk to the guy, and determine his motivation if you really want to. But until you really know what he's about, what he's up to, and what his goals are, you really just end up making assumptions and judging him based on the assumptions you are making. When in doubt, try to gather as much information on a situation as possible and then make an informed decision. Jumping to conclusions is never helpful. Now, I'm playing a bit of the devil's advocate here, and I admit that. But, what is known about the instructor? Maybe he's really good at what he does. Maybe he's not. Maybe it is just a business ploy, and he could be more businessman than Martial Artist. Who knows? In the end, I wouldn't trouble yourself too much over circumstances you can't control. If the guy is a bad instructor, then things will probably rectify themselves after some time. Now, with all that said, you may still not respect the action he's taken. But, get to know the person more before passing a judgement of whether or not you can respect him. Who knows? You might end up making friends with a good instructor that could start the beginning of some interschool relationships, workouts, etc.