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Informative Articles

Aikido: The Derek Eastman Sensei Biography: Part Three
Part Three: Q-DW: With all the years of hard training and instruction going up through the kyu grades what was the final path to your first dan ? A-SE: I was always fortunate that not only did I receive personal instruction and guidance directly...

Exercise Personalities: What's Your Type?
Exercise. You know how it goes. You have an epiphany and make up your mind that this time you are going to stick with an exercise program. The first week goes great...so does the second. Then the third week blues kick in and by week 4 that...

My Top 15 Non-Traditional, Muscle Building, Fat Scorching Workouts
If you have been bored by doing the same old weight training and cardio routines, why not spice up your training by adding some of these alternative training styles. They will not only make things more interesting, but also be sure to spark some...

Pilates Exercise: More Than Just a Core Workout
It's a common misconception that Pilates method exercise is really only good for strengthening and stretching the core muscles of the body. Many people use it to tone their abs and improve their posture but, in reality, Pilates can do much more than...

The Origins of Ti Chi
The Origins of Tai Chi The principles of Tai Chi were established by Taoist hermits and evolved as a martial fighting art called Tai Chi Chuan. The early Tai Chi teachers were mystical figures however; the exception was Chang San-Feng, who was the...

 
Are You Combat Fit?

If you are looking to compete in Ju Jutsu Kumite or submission grappling then one of the main factors to consider and improve his fitness. This, in and of itself, is a vast subject.

Now, when I first began to compete, my supplementary training was primarily weight training and long slow distance running. In terms of strength development I scoffed at anything else other than weight training.

However when sparring with friends and training partners, while initially strong, I soon found myself running out of steam. Eventually, I had to admit, my physical training (while providing aesthetic benefits) was not functional for the goals I had.

When I fought in competition in the earlier days I relied too much on strength and this led to technically superior fighters often using this against me. Essentially, due to my supplementary training, I was gifting fighter’s victory over me!

I began to look into other training and fitness methods from old time fighters and wrestlers, along with more contemporary training protocols.

The result?

Out went the longer slow distance style training along with the weight training the way I had been doing it and in came bodyweight exercises along with deep breathing exercises. As I began to train using my own bodyweight more, and using it as a unit and not isolating little muscles here and there, I noticed my strength endurance go up noticeably!

This is vital when training to compete in a competition format. I also developed a better awareness of my breathing that allowed me to loose tension when I gained a decent controlling position against my opponent. Instead of wasting energy in these positions I conserved it while letting my opponent use his energy trying to escape.

I found that working my body in this more holistic fashion allowed me to condense my workouts into quick, brutal, sessions that closer reflected the chaos of a real time fight than did my previous training methods.

When I first began I could barely do


fifty body weight squats in a row, but that repetitive use of strength is often what is required in a tournament format. I worked my way up to doing, at one time, five hundred in a row in about fifteen to sixteen minutes (I don’t suggest you do this or that it is necessary, it is just I am an extremist!).

Combining squats, push-ups of different varieties, bridge work, hill sprints (a favourite of collegiate wrestlers in America) and many other exercises done in sequence with little rest in-between all served to really improve my competitive fitness.

Also, due to the nature of the training, using as it does the whole body with a keen focus on the breath, I found that my RHR (resting heart rate) dropped down to the low forties! (A normal adults should be around sixty to eighty).

OK, what lesson can be learnt from my experiences?

Well, first of all, I have to say that such training won’t make you technically better. However, it will often allow you to push your opponent beyond his physical thresholds while you remain within yours.

First, train your Ju Jutsu.

Secondly, add in relevant physical fitness and health training.

Allow this training to reflect the full-bodied activity that fighting actually is.

Don’t make the same mistakes I did!


NOTE: This article is not meant to be a knock on weight training. I teach weight lifting as part of my job. It certainly does have benefits and has helped many people. However, never ignore the power and functional strength you can create using your bodyweight from all angles and positions. The crossover to competing is substantial

About the author:
Tim Webb is a fitness instructor, Ju Jutsu instructor, and competitor. His site www.JuJutsu-Training.comprovides articles, techniques, and recommends products that will supercharge your mental strength and martial technique!



 

The World's Martial Arts Information Center
Your personal guide to the exciting world of martial arts. Locate schools, organizations, styles and much more.
www.martialinfo.com
 
Martial arts - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Today, martial arts are studied for various reasons including combat skills, fitness, ... A practitioner of martial arts is referred to as a martial artist. ...
en.wikipedia.org
 
About Martial Arts - Martial Arts Styles, Training, Supplies ...
Martial Arts Styles, Free Tutorials, Training Tips & our great MA Forum. Find A Martial Arts School, Choose a Style and Read Great Articles.
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martialarts.org - a guide to all styles of the martial arts
A guide to all styles of martial arts. Live classes, media, articles,free email.
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The Worldwide Directory of Martial Arts Clubs and Classes - USA
Martial Arts Clubs.com is a directory of martial arts clubs worldwide. It is free to register a club and free to search for a club.
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Content Menu
  • 2 minute fitness

  • 7 ideas to take your fitness training outside

  • 8 technical aspects of the martial arts

  • about no rules full contact fighting

  • advanced military technology in the martial arts

  • advantages of martial arts for kids

  • aikido sensei derek eastman biography part one

  • aikido the derek eastman sensei biography part four

  • aikido the derek eastman sensei biography part three

  • amazing kung fu martial arts history

  • are the martial arts still under development

  • are you combat fit

  • a gorgeous flooring for yoga and exercise tatami interlocking mats

  • a martial arts website using mind body and spirit

  • a natural bodybuilding do 769 way of life

  • before you buy that self defense product

  • black belts and good wine

  • bodybuilding sins that cause back pain and missed workouts part 2

  • british aikido board controversy

  • british aikido board national nepotism seminar

  • british aikido board national nepotism seminar 2004

  • capoeira the brazilian martial art

  • childhood obesity

  • choosing a self defense martial arts school a parents guide

  • choosing the right martial art

  • choosing the right self defense class

  • creatine is just more than a supplement

  • de mystifying fly fishing

  • diet and exercising for weight loss

  • early days of british aikido

  • eden rocks shore dives in grand cayman

  • examining martial arts styles

  • exercise personalities whats your type

  • fitness in five minutes a day

  • five things you dont and should know about stress

  • florida state university study prompts humane self defense training class

  • fun games for children training in martial arts

  • health is your greatest asset

  • herbal plasters and ointments used for pain relief

  • high energy food

  • history and fundamentals of karate

  • how to choose a martial arts school

  • how to choose a self defense product

  • how to defend against a knife dont use the stuff taught in the dojo

  • how to eat all you want and still lose weight

  • how to empower yourself with self defense

  • how to get certified in scuba diving

  • how to keep yourself fit on vacations

  • index

  • is aikido a martial art

  • is aikido a martial art part 1

  • is aikido a martial art part 2

  • is aikido a martial art part 3

  • is aikido a martial art part one

  • is aikido a martial art part three conclusion

  • is aikido a martial art part two

  • is a treadmill the right exercise equipment for you

  • jujitsu history philosophy and methods

  • karate a history

  • kendo a summary

  • kendo dojos

  • kenshiro abbe sensei 50th celebration

  • kenshiro abbe sensie 50th celebrations

  • kick your body into 2nd gear in 3 easy steps

  • kung fu history and basic principles

  • learn about krav maga israels secret martial art

  • l carnitine deficiency

  • martial arts and the bible

  • martial arts in each season nature in training

  • martial arts mind body and spirit presented online

  • martial arts webmasters time to optimize your site

  • martial training as a timeless portal

  • my top 15 non traditional muscle building fat scorching workouts

  • newest martial arts study today

  • new book positive aikido

  • oriental herbal plasters and ointments for pain relief

  • physical fitness is your workout missing something

  • pilates exercise more than just a core workout

  • positive aikido

  • positive aikido part one

  • positive aikido part two

  • positive aikido the book

  • proprioceptive training a key to sports success

  • reasons to join a martial arts class

  • rebounding to better health

  • reflex speed for tennis martial arts basketball

  • rotator

  • safety awareness self defense circle of safety

  • scuba dive the florida keys

  • scuba diving at grand cayman islands stingray city

  • self protective strategies yield positive outcome

  • strategy as applied to warrior citizens

  • stress elimination

  • tae kwon do is great for all ages

  • tai chi for the masses and others

  • targeting your balance for better workouts

  • tatami flooring for yoga martial arts and judo schools

  • tennis humor the gift of making people laugh at the game of tennis

  • the 7 keys to martial arts speed

  • the aikido biography of sensei henry ellis

  • the aikido biography of sensei henry ellis 5th dan

  • the bao way offer fitness and self defense

  • the benefits of martial arts training

  • the best long running las vegas shows

  • the best martial art

  • the biography of sensei derek eastman part 1 of 2

  • the biography of sensei derek eastman part 2 of 2

  • the british aikido board national nepotism seminar

  • the degradation of fitness science one example

  • the difference between karate and tae kwon do

  • the great british aikido controversy

  • the history of darts

  • the history of kali and escrima

  • the kenshiro abbe 50th celebrations

  • the kenshiro abbe 50th celebration event

  • the martial arts and self defense emotional response and reaction

  • the origins of ti chi

  • the plight of industrialized man

  • the reality factor

  • the relationship between yoga meditation and self hypnosis

  • the secrets of martial arts exposed

  • the spread of submission fighting techniques

  • training traditional martial arts

  • traveling with scuba dive gear and equipment

  • weight loss customize personalize spice up

  • what are board shorts the new bermudas

  • what are hard style and soft style martial arts

  • what the heck is an exercise modality and why should i care

  • where to get your martial arts and self defense equipment

  • which boxing gloves will you buy

  • women in the martial arts

  • yoga teachers prepare for the new years rush part 1

  • yoga teachers prepare for the new years rush part 3

  • your first chair yoga class in a senior center

  • youth sports goal settings

  • you have to try this workout