Physical Fitness

[MenteReligieuse]

Why not take a MA that will get you fit AND a good fighter? (or MArtist or however you call yourself)

 

At my kwan, depending on which student instructor or if the sifu gives the class (or on their mood ), we get those really physically intense classes with lots of work out activities and sparring, or we get "softer" classes with a lot techniques and new material.

 

I love learning new stuff at the kwan, but I feel as good after an exhausting work out.

[47MartialMan]

I am not speaking in terms of physical intense per applicxation and weorkout, I am speaking in terms of having to be trim and lean in order to teach.

[Hudson]

Well, why wouldn't you be? Are you looking for excuses to be fat?

 

In reality, I think a trim MA is a better MA. Does it mean you HAVE to be trim and strong to teach? No, but I think you'd command more respect that way.

[MenteReligieuse]

I'm lean and trim. But it's my metabolism...have always been, even during periods where I did 0 physical activity.

 

Bad thing is that I find it harder to gain much muscle mass than some of my ...less lean friends. But I do get this cool muscle definition, which my less lean friends have a hard time getting .

[47MartialMan]

Well, why wouldn't you be? Are you looking for excuses to be fat?

 

No, some people relate martial art instructors like aerobics or health fitness center instructors. Which, in those types, I can understand a image to maintain. But should a martial art instrucotor be the same way?

 

In reality, I think a trim MA is a better MA. Does it mean you HAVE to be trim and strong to teach? No, but I think you'd command more respect that way.

 

I don't know about more respect. That old "Buddha Belly" Chinese Shifu I had received much respect from local Chinese and other martial artists in the area despite his "shape".

[ROB]

Surely the fitter you are the better you can perform, weather it be in combat or as an instructor.

 

Personnaly I've seen many martial artists reach Black belt, and then sit back, don't work out, get fat, and expect respect for their belt, not their current abilities.

 

I supose it depends what you are training for, real world fighting abilities, or picking up a few extra quid every week, from trusting yet gullibule individuals, who look on as Black belt as a mark of ability.

 

You can't wear your belt on the street, so unless you are medically unable to work out, why put your self forward as an instructor of a fighting art, when, you couldn't run for a bus, let alone defend yourself and your loved ones, from a young fit physco, breaking into your house, or attacking you after too many beers on a saturday night.

[47MartialMan]

But that os my point-

 

A "out of shape" instructor, who has fighting skills, can he teach?

[Jinxx0r]

But that os my point-

 

A "out of shape" instructor, who has fighting skills, can he teach?

 

IMO, yes. They may be a great teacher and understand the purpose of every technique, correct form and alignments, but that doesn't make them a great fighter. I liked the coach analogy. I had baseball coaches that KNEW the game inside and out, but couldn't hit to save their lives, but it didn't mean they couldn't teach me about the game. Same as MA.

[47MartialMan]

But old ma are different. As I had mentioned they still have some "tricks up tjhe sleeve."

[WhiteBelt]

One of the best sensei I knew was overweight. He wouldn't last in a fight for too long but he could teach better than anybody else in the dojo.

 

My coach at MT comes from Thailand and sometimes I can barely understand what he's saying... damn now I can't wait to get back (wish tendons would heal faster).