Sohan

Thank you, thank you No applause or tips are necessary. Aodhan Well, you did have a 50-50 shot. Respectfully, Sohan No, there are more muscles than those two. My main objection was what the chiropractor told him. If you knock cervical bones "out of alignment", you're going to have a lot more symptoms than a sore spot at the base of your skull. (Especially if it's the atlas, or first cervical bone as he described it). Aodhan (But yes, it was close to a 50/50 shot. Sshhh. Don't tap on the glass) Nope. A palpable pain in the region indicated would be indicative of the two muscle groups you mentioned--the only other muscle groups that would be in the region would be the scaleni and erector spinae, but they are deep muscles not easily palpable with the fingers. So you did indeed have a 50-50 chance. Respectfully, Sohan

My concern with the impact forces of breaking are joint damage leading down the road to osteoarthritis. The bones of the hand weren't created for such stress even with conditioning. Respectfully, Sohan

I've never been threatened by "effeminate" types. My concern is with the 6' 2" 240 lb guys who will use force to get what they want. Sexual abuse happens to men as well as women--just look at what goes on in prisons across this country. I've run across enough of this type in my life to know that they are the real threat--especially the ones who are still in the closet. However, homosexuals are much like any other cross section of people. There are pillars of society and there are sexual abusers, there are churchgoers and there are promiscuous lowlifes. We can't categorize them into any neat little label. Respectfully, Sohan

We had a young Wado blackbelt in our class awhile back. She was good, yet I would compare her skill level to our brownbelts. Probably more a function of her age than her system. Respectfully, Sohan

We have, and I have never considered it an issue, though I did have an uncomfortable situation in a grappling class with an overly aggressive partner who was homosexual. I spoke with the instructor and we dealt with it--although I really wanted to kick the guy's butt at the time. Respectfully, Sohan

Thank you, thank you No applause or tips are necessary. Aodhan Well, you did have a 50-50 shot. Respectfully, Sohan

Sohan, I don't mean to be rude but I achived Cho Dan in 2 years and I definatly apprectiate the value of reciving it and what it really means. One year after my Cho Dan test (which would be now) I am preparing for my Ee Dan test. I can guarntee you that I appreciate and understand it more than some people who trained for it for 4+ years. If have anything else to say about that you can PM me that way we don't make a scene in front of the others, . Aside from that thanks for posting everyone, including Sohan, you have helped give me ideas, thanks agian. I don't think you're rude at all. Rather I understand exactly what you are saying. But it seems to me that my first 2 years of Okinawan karate went by so quickly it is difficult to imagine myself as being a blackbelt at that time--we typically take a minimum 5 years to reach Shodan with 8-9 not unheard of. It's not to diminish your accomplishments at all, but it would be to me like getting a college degree in 2 years--can one possibly absorb the material necessary to be a proficient martial artist in that time? Of course, our systems are quite different, and our quantity of material is likely very different. We technically study two systems plus Hung Gar Gung Fu, and we have among other requirements more than 30 traditional kata to perform, which takes substantial time. I do wish you the best of success in your next Dan testing. You are understandably proud of your achievement, and I'm sure you will represent your belt well. Respectfully, Sohan

That's right, Aodhan. Toby, typically a warmup on a basic multijoint move is about 40-50% of your top set. For example, if I were doing 300 for 5 as a top set, my warmup would likely be 135 or so. Then increase to about 70-75% for the next set, then 80-85 for the next. Pyramids are great too (say 10 reps, 8, 6, 4, 8, 10--I usually skip the last set of 10). The heavier your top sets, the more warmup you need. A guy doing a 400 x 3 bench needs more warmup than a guy doing 175 x 4. No need for extended warmup for biceps curls or tri extensions--they usually follow multijoint movements anyway. And watch your rest periods--longer rest for building strength, shorter rest for hypertrophy (muscle building). Make sure you do workouts with longer rest periods and heavier weight. As you get stronger your training volume will increase which will help you get bigger. Many lifters make the mistake of never utilizing longer rest and only doing short rest periods--they never reach their potential. Also, if you're trying to build bulk and lean mass, keep your cardio to a minimum. Cardio training will keep you from making your gains. It's a necessary to help keep you lean and your heart healthy, but it's a trade off. You'll rarely see a bodybuilder do much cardio in a mass building phase. Respectfully, Sohan

Sohan, if you notice, at the start of the post it says "This is a story that was sent to me.", so I don't think this incident actually happened to "sdstories" personally. Aside from that, good point. Yikes. You're absolutely right. I have corrected that post. Sorry, sdstories! Respectfully, Sohan

Neck bridges will work. They train the upper and middle traps. Be careful, though, to build up slowly and don't overdo it. Basic in two months? Looking good is the least of your concerns. Being able to deal with being yelled at and experiencing deep tiredness most the time is more what you should prepare for. Good luck! Respectfully, Sohan

Glad to hear! Hope it continues to progress. Respectfully, Sohan

I wouldn't run the boston marathon off of ANY martial arts training.I ran it in 2004 after 4 months of intense MT training. Lots of calisthenics, sparring, bagwork, and the only road work was a 3 mile run each day. Every two weeks I ran for two hours, which was likely the difference. Not typical marathon training, but I survived, though almost an hour off my PR. 80 degrees that day, too. I won't do that again! Respectfully, Sohan

I did 1000 when I was 17 for a competition in my home town. It took about an hour and a half and I got my picture taken with the mayor and a local sports figure. The second place guy got about 350, but he had to stop frequently. I got a good pace going, and took minimal long pauses. My arms were sore for a week afterward, but it was worth it. Still have my trophy, too. I just built up by doing pushups every day, in sets at first, and then it was basically 200 straight. Pushups are really just an endurance exercise once you get past 100, so the first 100 are really the toughest to build up to. After that, it's just fighting the boredom. Same with the old fashioned situps. Respectfully, Sohan

I'm sure you two must be so excited. Good luck to both of you! Respectfully, Sohan Thank you, yes we are very excitied but scared at the same time. Fear is an illusion. Keep those blinders on and just put your head down and give it all you have and I'm sure you'll be successful. I started my first training studio in 1992 with 800 s.f. and grew to two locations with over 5000 s.f. in 4 years. If I had thought even once about the risks I took along the way I never would have arrived. There is no risk when you have no fear. Respectfully, Sohan

She's very lucky he wasn't carrying a gun. But good for her, anyway. Respectfully, Sohan

what style does Jason study ? Interesting question. I recently did some more research on Statham, and it appears he's had a mixture of training, but in his words, he's "never achieved rank." He's pretty vague on his MA background in interviews, but it seems he has studied TKD. He was an Olympic diver in '92, so that is likely where he gets much of his athleticism. Respectfully, Sohan

I probably get a better workout from my Muay Thai sessions, but it is still a challenging workout. I agree with Aodhan. Depends what your goals are. BJJ is challenging, but I wouldn't plan on running the Boston marathon off of that training. Respectfully, Sohan

Why are your hamstrings sore? From running? Or something else? Not sure what the article you're referring to is, but the cure for muscle soreness in the hams is not likely to be running on a 10 degree incline. Rest, stretching, ice, and self-massage are the best bets, along with going easy until the soreness dissipates. If you are experiencing recurring hamstring soreness, you need a trainer or sportsmed physician to diagnose what you are doing wrong or whether you have a more severe injury. I've subscribed to Runners World and Running Times since the 80's. Take much of the advice you get there with a grain of salt--even if it's correct most runners are likely to misinterpret it. Respectfully, Sohan

That's true (it's really more like 60-85% of HRmax), but it's tough to make sustained graduated changes to the intensity of skipping to modulate pulse rate. It's not like running faster or turning up a notch on the Lifecycle--your intensity is fairly constant. And it's not very practical to check HR during the activity. Doing interval training skipping can provide many of the same aerobic benefits of continuous cardio, especially when the rest periods are fairly short. Respectfully, Sohan

I second that. Go get a pair of fins and kick up and down the pool without a kickboard (hands together overhead--alternate on your back and your front every now and then). You'll be amazed at the strength and flexibility gains in your core, and your knees will feel much better. Respectfully, Sohan

I like to say, "I wish I knew now what I knew when I was a teenager." Respectfully, Sohan

I'm sure you two must be so excited. Good luck to both of you! Respectfully, Sohan

Maybe her teaching is high quality but her standards are so high that private lessons are needed in addition to group classes in order to pass the tests. Seriously, she is up front about the private sessions, so maybe it's just how her system works. Private lessons can be useful, and group classes are useful. What's bad about a hybrid system that relies on both? .. It's hard for me to be too judgemental, because as a personal trainer, private sessions are how I myself make a living. But my concern is exactly the fact that she is encouraging private sessions upfront, when in my opinion the class participation should be the main focus, not the one on one sessions, and that the private sessions should be recommended based on need, not mandated as a regular monthly obligation. I completely agree with you and DCMS that private sessions are necessary for some and at the same time are an excellent revenue generator for a school. Maybe I it strikes me as something that could be easily abused for monetary gain at the expense of the students' best interests. Respectfully, Sohan

I agree 100%. Same with punches, elbows, and kicks. Any technique, really. I became much faster when I upped my reps of my techniques and practiced them with precision and power over and over again. Respectfully, Sohan

You may be right about teachers not holding students to the standards that we think they should. However, you can't let that bother you too much. Do the best you can within your system and do everything you can to understand completely what and why you are doing things. I don't concern myself with what others do, or how they perceive me. I give my all to whatever I do and let the chips fall as they may. Trust me, with your mature attitude, you deserve your black belt. Respectfully, Sohan