bushido_man96

9-9-07 6x10 crunches 9-10-07 Chest/Triceps Bench press: 195x8, 205x6, 215x4 One-arm alt. dumbell press, followed by 2 hand press: 45x8, then 8, 3 grueling sets! Triceps push-down: 90x10, 105x6, 105x6 Bench dips: 3x10 Legs Hip sled: 230x10, 320x10, 320x10 Physio ball curls: 3x10 Abs Roman chair crunches: 3x15 Side raises: 3x20x30 lbs. Forearms Gripper machine: 3x15x25 lbs. Combat Hapkido: 9:20 - 10:50. We started out working on the curriculum from where we left off, and then modified the defenses to go from being "grabbed" to performing the technique by initiating the contact. This kind of work is very helpful for my job, as I am going to have to be the one that initiates the contact by grabbing, as opposed to being grabbed myself. Here is another note that my partner made to me about our Hapkido/DT training: I made a comment that I hadn't gotten all of the curriculum requirements memorized for the previous rank we had worked on. He told me, "Yeah, you do. You may not know them in order, but you know the basics of them. You just don't know them like you know TKD stuff"...the TKD stuff being more laid out, and easily memorized. Traditional TKD Class: 6:00 - 7:00. I was tired after basics today, especially the hand technique basics, stemming from my workout earlier in the day. However, I felt like my basics are improving a bit, getting faster with the footwork, and putting the combinations together better. I only sparred a few matches at the end of class, but it went well, and I pushed even though I was tired. One thing I need to work on in sparring is getting a technique off right after I block an attack, in order to utilize my power and the brief moment when the opponent is "stuck" between the block and setting the technique down.

Well, by taking a few weeks off, maybe I can get caught up.

I agree. When it comes to sporting events, even fighting ones, one of the most important elements to incorporate are safety measures to ensure that the fighters are able to come back and fight again. It helps to build the fan base, I think.

Hello, Descartes, and welcome to the Forums! If your main goal is improving your physical fitness, then I think that Muay Thai would suit your needs the best of the styles that are available to you. They will focus a lot on techniques/physical movement and repetitions, and the sparring is done in rounds, which is great for fitness improvement. As a side effect, you will probably pick some notes on fighting in competitions, and may find you will want to do that down the road. I imagine that the Thai training would be pretty demanding on your body at first, so taking on an additional style may overwhelm you for a time. However, if you feel that you have the energy, and more importantly, the time, to contribute to another style, then go for it. Best of luck, and enjoy the journey!

I agree with KarateEd's suggestions as well. Slowing down and breaking your technique down will definitely help. Just make sure that you know what you are breaking down. Have your instructor or a high-rank student watch and help point out to you what area it is you need to correct. Remember, practice doesn't make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect. Always ask questions, too!

Well, it is back! Did everyone enjoy week 1? I would have to say that I did not. However, I figured as much. This year, I look for the Chiefs to finish 3rd in the AFC West, and maybe win 5 or 6 games. However, we will always have the fantasy leagues to fall back on! Right, Patrick!

Huh, that may be cool. I wonder if he will play the role of Youngblood (was Jack his first name?), or if it will be some other character. A buddy of mine and I used to play BattleTech on the old IBM computer, and I got into playing Mechwarrior 2 on the computer when I was still in high school/early college years.

You mean like clinching?

It appears that the Krav Maga episode is the last for now. Does anyone know when they will pick up again?

It is a good point, but I really think that a situation like this is most likely the exception rather than the rule. You can't take complete solace in a technique like that, but you can't abandon it, either. Also, makes you think that if you do get your finger into that eye, then the next step is to dig with that finger.

I think that perhaps that comment was made in direction toward their style of competition. TKD and Karate have elbow strikes, but you don't see them done in TKD or Karate Competitions. I would guess that this is what they were getting at.

I have never heard of this term. Are you perhaps doing too much of an exaggerated movement of the hips when performing your hand techniques?

I guess that is where the proper safety equipment comes into play. That, combined with the proper training methods, should make for the right mindset.

I remember hearing about this incident as well. I was actually quite surprised when I heard about the fighter going on to win the fight, and later the sight in that eye. Very interesting, and very thought-provoking.

That was great! Thanks for the trip back...

I completely agree, if people want to learn fan techniques for their personal enjoyment go for it. But when they start making claims about it being effective and relivent in modern self defense practices (has some posts in this topic have suggested) then there is a problem. I understand. However, there may be some small applications that can be made from them, if need be. Anything can become an improvised weapon. Using a weapon as an improvised weapon does sound redundant, though.

Sure, its possible, everyone could carry around extendable batons also. But the weapon of choice on the street these days is a blade of some variety, not a fan. And unless a martial artist is carrying his fan all the time then training it for self defense purposes is pointless. You also have to look into the consideration that perhaps the fan is being chosen for aesthetic purposes, and not for self-defense purposes. Sometimes, when something interests us, we look into to learning more about it, just for the enjoyment of it.

Yeah, and Bruce Lee was a big advocate of the shin kick and instep stomp.

There is a lot of weird, freaky stuff that goes on in the world. Many people may not like to see this, and the reason is because it is a shot of reality that no one wants a part of. You have to accept that these kinds of things go on out there, and be willing to defend against such things, even if the odds that they will happen to you are slim to none.

Another nice article. I enjoy his writings. There are some very good points in this quote.

I don't think it is really fair to assume something like this when we don't actually see them performing a "traditional" form set. We know that the moves get modified somewhat for XMA, so therefore, we may not be seeing their full potential.

I would say a yellow belt would have somewhere between 2 and 4 months training.

This is where I would tend to disagree. What you state here is the ideal of what a Martial Art is according to what has been presented to us by the Eastern-types of philosophies inherent in Eastern styles. This should not be considered the hard-and-fast rule that governs whether something is a Martial Art or not. It just happens to be one culture's rule. You also mention fighting. Fighting is Martial. When you fight, you are experiencing the epitome of "Martial."

I think I may have seen that once before. Very clever, I think!

To an extent, this is true. However, low line kicks can be executed much closer than mid to high line kicks. Even if you are too close to throw a round kick to the thigh, you migh still be close enough to kick the shins with the toe of your shoe or boot. The dynamic just changes a little. Knees would also be available (I kind of consider them kicks, too).