Weights, bodyweight exercises
Does anyone know anything about a man named Matt Furey? I have been lifting weights as part of my conditioning and while I am gaining some mass, I feel the muscle I am building is not really all that useful as far as martial arts and over all fitness. There are guys in class that hit like freight trains that do no lifting at all. I was reading this guy Matt Furey's site. He talks about how animals, pound for pound are stronger than humans and why a trained boxer can hit harder than a power lifter, etc. I was considering
buying his book, but I don't know very much about the guy. Can anyone enlighten me on Mr Furey or this subject, weight training over body weight training? Here is the site- www.mattfurey.com thanx a bunch
Functional Combat Strength
Matt Furey's stuff seems pretty good.
Theoretcially speaking, larger muscles store more energy (kinetic which is used up right the way). Larger muscles also burn more fuel and recover slower. If lifting heavy loads, large muscles can do the job great. However, when it comes to combat, you need functional strength and muscles that won't tire out after a short burst of power generation. In Kung Fu, strength and stemina are of equal importance. Bigger muscles aren't necessary better in Kung Fu's case because muscles need to be like elastic bands that can handle more than just push and pull motions. Having the right balance is most important. I would advice to look into Matt Furey's training material.
Mantis108
Contraria Sunt Complementa
Body Builders and strength
The reason a body builder may not be able to hit hard is basically because they don't train to. Their muscles are big, but not efficient. The athletes that have the most efficient muscles, believe it or not is a gymnast. they are stong and supple, and they use every muscle in their body. Body builders are only training for a look. However, you can't say that just because you are big you are inflexible, slow and can't punch. Look at Mark Kerr - He's huge. But his muscle is EFFICIENT. It has more of a purpose than simply to be looked at. Put a body builder in a martial arts class and they will eventually be the same way. As for animals, they also have efficient muscles. You thing a tiger cares whether or not it's muscles look good? He|l no. They hunt, they survive. If they weren't efficient, they'd be extinct.
"A wise man speaks because he has something to say; A fool speaks because he has to say something."