Strength Training

I came across this article on strength training by Ross Enamait discussing strength training and theories on fast/slow twitch muscle development. Ross teaches training methods appropriate for fighters as opposed to the type of weight training that bodybuilders practice.

The gist of it is that strength training is the development of strength with the use of resistance. It’s a myth that lifting weights is an incorrect way to develop strength for combat athletes. Rather, it’s the way you train that can affect your results regardless whether you lift weights or use body weight.

Ross defines four types of strength:

• Maximal Strength - maximum force output under voluntary effort
• Explosive Strength - maximal forces in minimal times
• Speed Strength - quick execution of unloaded movement
• Strength Endurance - maintaining muscular function under stress over time

This video shows Georges St-Pierre, Denis Kang, and David Louiseau doing strength training in a balanced way. Notice that the coach in the video emphasizes that muscle contractions are always done as quickly as possible in an explosive manner, then he slows them down on the negative.

Also, check this video out for some training ideas to develop explosive power and speed:

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Saulo Ribiero Running Escape

I’ve been trying to practice this escape in training because most of my classmates do side control with both arms on the inside to block the hip escape. It’s a tricky one to figure out because it seems very counter-intuitive, but I think that’s also why it kinda works. Even if you don’t get him in full guard, chances are you’ll at least get half guard in a scramble.

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New BJJ/MMA Blogs

Couple of new blogs that I’m just now noticing in the blogosphere.

White Collar Jiu-jitsu

Submission Grappling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training advice, product reviews, and recommendations for the working professional.

I like White Collar JJ since it’s very much targeted toward regular dudes who happen to train. A lot of the content that exists in our ecosystem are plastered with blood splatter, skulls, and EXTREME!! lifestyle references. My belief has always been that a large majority of the BJJ/MMA crowd are normal, educated people, and White Collar takes a similar approach.

Why We Not Hit Hard?

Why We Not Hit Hard wants to be the sort of place you can stop in for a few minutes and look around to find articles on things that should make your game more effective and fun. There are a lot of great sites that cover techniques and etc., so we’ll be focusing on the practical things that will be a great help to beginners and something that more experienced people either forget or generally don’t give much thought to.

Why We Not Hit Hard looks like a great resource for a general learning of the martial arts. There are practical guides to choosing schools, tutorials on various techniques, and analyis the chess game of combat. It’s written well, and is self-admittedly focused on MMA, Savate, Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Aesopian’s Totally Awesome Journal

This journal came together after I had started creating a ton of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tutorials as a hobby and figured I should bring them all together in one place.

At first I sort of raised an eyebrow to the “totally awesome” part of Aesopian’s blog name, but as it turns out it’s pretty much right on. He’s got a grip of very good BJJ instructional videos. When you train at one school long enough, you begin to adapt your game to the style of your classmates. For me, it’s always refreshing to see some different styles whether it be from visiting a new academy, rolling with visitors to your home school, or watching videos like Aesopians’.

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