Core Conditioning

[Anthony Clark]

Good afternoon,

While working out today in the gym, I was trying exercises to isolate muscle groups and trying to work through the dynamics of certain moves (ie. what specific muscle groups directly impact what actions).  While working triceps (excellent for upper arm development and utilized in punching and elbow smash), I realized that during my elbow smash, I utilize a good deal of my side abdominals (ie. for my right elbow smash, I was feeling a distinctive burn in the right ab section).

I performed a number of cable pulls, doing elbow smash and isolating the action to just my arms and abs.  There is a definite connection to improvement in my elbow smashes when I perform them properly and use my core strength (down through the abs and hips).

Guess the point of this is to remind everyone of the importance of core conditioning, such as working the abdominals and obliques.  We strengthen a good deal of our muscles through our forms and while practicing stances.  Kiba Dachi has always been a painful benefit for legs as well as abs.  But on top of practicing the forms and exercises, it is helpful to cross train (such as weight training or other exercises).  

What does the board thinK?

Regards,
Anthony

[cjperk]

I agree 100% the benifits are their in cross training the body. The hardest part for me is finding the time I can't go to a gym so I have dumdbells and a BowFlex at home. I have been doing strength training 3 days a week M/W/F and then run T/T/S each of these take me 30 min. Abs I work daily just like stretching! The best thing for me is to set a schedule and then JUST DO IT and STICK TO IT. I then apply  this same type of schedule to my work outs of PHD/ WHLC. Thats what I do. Jim

[lmgrahamdc]

"ABS"solutely! You must work out with other types of exercise to gain the strength you need for the forms.  The forms will give you everything you really need, but as you advance, your body becomes much more accomodating and it takes less to achieve more.  So you have to continually push the body, especially the core!  But don't forget the back!  If you neglect the back, and only do abs, you will s.u.f.f.e.r.!  Leslie

[Anthony Clark]

Right BACK at you. . . I concur 100%.  I pull abs most days, and do back two to three times a week.  Sectioning the back into upper and lower back based upon the exercises I perform.  On the days I do both abs and back I see a definite result, and feel it when I practice.

Regards,
Anthony

[jvaran]

I've noticed the same thing. The back, especially lower back, doesn't like it when neglected. I've had good luck using medicine ball exercises for abs, especially for obliques. Anyone else tried these?

-John

[James Walters]

There's a group of bodyweight exercises I've started doing; squats (one leg and two leg), neck bridges, hindu pushups, v-sit ups, etc. Works reall well - I hadn't done neck bridges since high school wrestleing. There's a book published by Matt Furey called combat conditioning that has some nice, if painfull, exercises .

Check out http://www.mattfurey.com/

James

[James Walters]

Of course, Matt's advertisement for his book "Magnetic Mind Power" with him doing something that looks like a move out of Fah-Shen looks a bit hokey.

[lmgrahamdc]

Yes, we did his work out last year.... ;)great fun!  I recommend it.  But with my back currently out, I'm going real slow to get it back in gear.  Get ready Houston, we're almost ready for take off!  So rest now.... .  

[Deathscythemax]

oh man.... thefun is about to begin.... yay....