Medici

To me it was the whole training 'format' i guess. Like i said, i want to train to stay fit and be able to defend myself. In karate training we did the basics, kata, sparring, bagwork on a very rare occasion, some partner work. Most of the class time was spent working on technique, which i dont have a problem with because good technique is important, but i think there is a point where you need to move on and practice the technique in application. There just wasnt enough of this in the class. I learned around 10-15 kata, none of which i have been shown the applications for, i learned the japanese names for all the techniques. etc etc... none of which helps me in achieving either of my goals. All of the above are nice things to do, and suit some people, because not everyone has the same goals or needs from their training. But for me personally i dont want to spend my time doing that kind of thing, when i could be training in other ways to achieve my goals. I guess it comes down to me wanting to train more like an athlete and less like an "artist". I know what you mean. Unfortunately, this is the state of just about all (maybe all period) of traditional martial arts. The result is less effective and inferior techniques to that of boxing, kickboxing, etc. In my experience, I haven't once seen any karate or traditional anything school with a real emphasis on sparring and conditioning.

The politics and policies of your school sound ridiculous. Why bother with a bunch of people? Find a new fresh thing to do where you don't have to deal with ego-centered people not wanting you to grapple and pricey testing fees and all of that nonsense. I used to think martial arts were about fighting, a long, long time ago.... Sorry about your instructor, maybe you can carry on his legacy in a way your fellow practicioners can't seem to.

You know a combo I love that reminded me of... is a front teep (snap kick sort of thing, MT teaches it) when your opponent is charging to stop them, immediately followed by a leg kick. The stepping down with the lead foot right into the round kick really puts some power into it. Maybe don't do it to the wifey, she'll have bruises to show people....

Dude, you have to be kidding me. Ditch that guy, go learn MT and BJJ, come back in five years as a complete and roudned fighter and beat him down in front of his class. Then give his students flyers to your school, and say that this would never fly there.

I have found that pulling it straight up, then pushing it straight out in no particular anglular whatever is the best, just whatever is natural because it is faster. But then, I only use side kicks low to screw someones knee up, and it's really half side-kick half stomp, so....

Why would anyone want to fight Jet Li or Jacki Chan? They're not real fighters, that's just mean. Me, I want to fight Ghandi. Or Dhaslim. Yea... Dhaslim. Not Chuck Liddel or Bruce Lee or someone like that, though... it'd hurt too much!

I wish more (hot) girls would come in where I do BJJ.... But seriously, martial arts is fighting, and fighting is mostly a guy thing. What can one do? Notice also that the more hardcore... the more REAL a martial art becomes, the less girls still that are involved.

So... how'd it go?

Potassium helps, but muscle cramping is actually usually do to magnesium issues. Google that and see what you find.

Fighters shouldn't be concerened with a one rep max anything.

Man you guys are over thinking this. Mizuryu is on the right idea here. Eat big, lift big, get big. So do compound basic movements like bench, squat, dead, rows, pullups, shoulderpress.... And eat a looot of food. 45% calories from carbohydrates, 35% from protein, 20% from fat. Note that protein and carbos have 4 cal/g and fat has 9cal/g. There, that's the secret. Go to work! People often ask me what suppliments to take to get big. I say go to a healthfood store and stock up on some food. Oh by the way, fats should be UNsaturated- healthy fats. Like in natural peanut butter, fishoils, etc. Protein should mostly be from meat, the more diversified the better. Carbohydrates should have medium glycemic indexes (google it).

I really don't like this workout. Arms and the next day chest? Your tri's are sore for a chest workout? No! By the way, less is often more with lifting, an hour is about perfect for any body part. Do abs every day, or close to that. Do arms AFTER body exercises (chest, back).

Haha, you're going to get my in trouble with this post. But I think I know what you really mean, and I'd say the whole thing. Because I've trained it all to be in the shape it's in.

Everyone has always said, except maybe for hammer-strength sales reps, that freeweights are better.

It's good to have before/after strenuous exercise because your body uses it during said times. Until it has enough again, it breaks down your muscle to get it. BCAA's are also great, and work best when you have enough EAA's at the same time.