My Fitness Journal

[.V.]

Karate, tae kwon doe, strong punches, kicks, blocks. Kung fu - smooth, flowing not as strong punches, kicks, blocks - but just as effective because of the way they are delivered.

Jujitsu - kicks, punches, arm locks, leg locks, choke holds - good "real life" techniques that work even when a streetfighter puts you on the ground and the other skills such as karate, kung fu, boxing etc are now useless. It is a mix of everything with emphasis on ground fighting and joint manipulation. Cops call it "pain compliance techniques".

I asked my karate teacher when I was young, "what is the best of all the martial arts", his answer was, "the one you practice the most". I guess the same reply could apply to about anything we do. But be ready, whatever one you chose will involve torture of muscles you didn't even know you had - some you haven't found yet from bodybuilding. The two can really compliment each other. Some people say you should not lift weights if you are going to practice those arts because you will become musclebound and not have enough flexibility. Nothing could be further from the truth. The stronger and better you make your muscles, the better they will work at anything. Just look at the muscle Bruce Lee had packed on his little 136 pound frame near the end of his life. For his very small size - he had really put the muscle on. He would have looked like a weenie without it. Not that I would have told HIM that.

[Firehawk]

Originally Posted by gcs118

Jujitsu huh. I don't know much about martial arts, I haven't the slightest idea of the difference between the different kinds. I've been wanting to take some basic fighting classes, hence boxing and self-defense, because what good is extra strength if you can't do anything with it when you really need it, ya know? What kind of things do you learn in jujitsu? Tae kwon do? Others?

Get into Grappling and JuiJitsu dude. That's stuff you can use in the street and WIN! You will learn to fight on your feet, but become dangerous on the ground with submissions.

All that fancy kick crap is useless in a real fight, im telling ya. Rarely do they ever teach you to fight from the ground which is where 99% of fights end up. If I had to do it again I'd have taken Jiu Jitsu and learn how to submission wrestle for sure.

The guys one or two belts beyond white belt are considered to be absolutely AWESOME fighters in mixed martial arts. These skills are about survival. All that other high flying crap looks pretty and might win you "tournaments" lol, but I wouldn't go trying to use it on the street against Grapplers even half as experienced. Just watch the first few UFC's and that will show you how useless fancy martial arts are.

[gcs118]

You guys make a pretty convincing argument haha. I'll have to look into jujitsu classes up here at my rec center, or maybe even a 1 cr. hr. class next semester. Sounds like what I'm looking for.

[Firehawk]

You can't go wrong dude. I'm tellin aya, get into something that can be used on the streets and not just in a tournament setting.

[gcs118]

SHOULDERS/TRICEPS, Friday, November 5, 2004
Arnold Press 10 x 25 lbs, 6 x 40 lbs, 6 x 45 lbs, 2 x 50 lbs
Dumbbell Side Lateral 6 x 15 lbs, 6 x 20 lbs, 10 x 15 lbs
Close Grip Bench Press 6 x 120 lbs, 6 x 130 lbs, 6 x 140 lbs
Dumbbell Shrugs 8 x 70 lbs, 8 x 75 lbs, 8 x 80 lbs

Notes: Let's just say 50s on Arnold press aren't light...at all. I was very pleased with my CGBP. Shrugs are coming along very nicely as well. I always see the bigger guys grabbing 80s or 85s to shrug them, too. I don't see why they don't go for the 90s or even 100s if I'm already at 80s and I'm not that big. I mean am I missing something? lol I shrug them up with my shoulders, forearms straight, feet flat, hold for a second or two, and repeat. hmmm....

[Klinger]

Originally Posted by gcs118

I was very pleased with my CGBP. Shrugs are coming along very nicely as well. I always see the bigger guys grabbing 80s or 85s to shrug them, too. I don't see why they don't go for the 90s or even 100s if I'm already at 80s and I'm not that big. I mean am I missing something?

You should be happy with your CG bench -- it's tight! I think you're repping 140 close as high as I am repping 140 regularly.

I'm stunped by the light shruggers, too. Maybe traps are not a big focal point with the heavier lifters or something. Dunno.

[gcs118]

SUPPLEMENTAL, Sunday, November 7, 2004
Bench Press 10 x 45 lbs, 8 x 115 lbs, 3 x 160 lbs, 4 x 160 lbs, 3 x 160 lbs, 3 x 160 lbs
Incline Dumbbell Press 10 x 45 lbs, 10 x 50 lbs
Drop Set
Hammer Curls 10 x 30 lbs, Wrist Curls 10 x 30 lbs
Hammer Curls 10 x 30 lbs, Wrist Curls 10 x 30 lbs
Abs

Notes: Quick and easy day, then I did cardio.

CARDIO, Sunday, November 7, 2004
Racquetball 2 Games (~45 Minutes)

Notes: I rearranged my lifting days so I have Tuesday off so I won't be tired for boxing. This gives me an extra couple days off so I will use this as my rest period instead of next week.

[gcs118]

CARDIO, Tuesday, November 9, 2004
Boxing (1 hour)

Notes: 3 bloody knuckles but it felt good. Very intense once again.

[Klinger]

Originally Posted by gcs118

CARDIO, Tuesday, November 9, 2004
Boxing (1 hour)

Notes: 3 bloody knuckles but it felt good. Very intense once again.

Hope you're wearing gloves.

It's cool when you find a cardio activity you can actually enjoy. Really makes the time go by fast, doesn't it? Beats staring at a clock on an elliptical.

[gcs118]

Well we were told to buy bag gloves...but I didn't. It has a special padding on it so you don't NEED bag gloves, and I skinned 3 knuckles from that. I can't imagine hitting the bag without that padding! haha but it is fun; time flies.

[gcs118]

LEGS, Wednesday, November 10, 2004
Calf Raises 12 x 235 lbs, 12 x 245 lbs, 12 x 255 lbs
Squats 10 x 155 lbs, 10 x 185 lbs, 6 x 225 lbs, 10 x 185 lbs, 10 x 155 lbs
Straight Leg Deadlifts 6 x 150 lbs, 6 x 160 lbs, 6 x 170 lbs
Leg Press 6 x 360 lbs, 6 x 410 lbs, 1 x 450 lbs

Notes: Thought I'd do calf raises first so squats would feel "lighter" on my back. Wrong. Calves were worked good in boxing yesterday so I had to use other parts of my leg to get the weight up. Weak squatting day, I wanted 10 x 225 lbs. Not even close. SLDLs were better than usual, I went deeper because I was on the platform. I let the bar touch my toes almost, instead of plates touching the ground. Leg press was not easy.

[gcs118]

CHEST, Thursday, November 11, 2004
Bench Press 10 x 45 lbs, 8 x 115 lbs, 8 x 130 lbs, 5 x 140 lbs, 3 x 160 lbs, 1 x 180 lbs, 1 x 180 lbs, 5 x 140 lbs
Incline Dumbbell Press 6 x 50 lbs, 6 x 55 lbs, 6 x 60 lbs
Flyes 6 x 35 lbs, 6 x 40 lbs, 6 x 45 lbs
Decline Press 6 x 135 lbs, 6 x 145 lbs, 4 x 155 lbs
Abs

Notes: HELL! I realized I left my lifting gloves at the rec. ARRGGH! Anyway, hit 3rd week strong on the 4 week program. 180 went up easier than I thought it would. I bet I'd be near 70s on incline DB press if it was before bench. Flyes were surprisingly strong. Great workout overall.

Edit: Went back and got my gloves

[gcs118]

BACK/BICEPS, Friday, November 12, 2004
Deadlift 10 x 45 lbs, 6 x 195 lbs, 6 x 270 lbs, 6 x 280 lbs, 6 x 290 lbs
Dumbbell Curls 6 x 35 lbs, 6 x 40 lbs
Hyperextensions 12 x 45 lbs, 12 x 45 lbs, 9 x 45 lbs

Notes: Deadlift is getting real heavy real fast. Grip slipping a lot, starting to have trouble getting it up. Didn't have anything left for 3rd set on DB curls. Usually I can do a decent amount at 45 lbs, but just couldn't lift them today. Decent workout overall I'd say.

[gcs118]

SHOULDERS/TRICEPS, Sunday, November 14, 2004
Military Press 10 x 45 lbs, 6 x 85 lbs, 6 x 95 lbs, 3 x 105 lbs
Front Dumbbell Raise 8 x 15 lbs, 8 x 15 lbs, 8 x 15 lbs
Skull Crushers 6 x 70 lbs, 6 x 80 lbs
Upright Rows 6 x 45 lbs, 6 x 90 lbs, 6 x 95 lbs, 4 x 100 lbs

Notes: Pretty good day overall, lacking sleep all weekend and haven't been eating right. I need to get back into my groove. Happy with todays results though.

[gcs118]

SUPPLEMENTAL DAY, Monday, November 15, 2004
Bench Press 10 x 45 lbs, 8 x 115 lbs, 5x5 @ 155 lbs
Flyes 10 x 35 lbs, 10 x 35 lbs
Dumbbell Press 8 x 50 lbs, 9 x 50 lbs
Abs
Dumbbell Curls 10 x 35 lbs, 8 x 30 lbs, 10 x 25 lbs

Notes: Not too shabby, I was hoping for 160 lbs on the 5x5 but settled on 155 to make sure I could do it. Pretty good day overall, tried some new ab things. Triceps always kill after chest day. I'm thinking I need to work them more, but I'm not sure how. I guess I do focus on shoulders way more on shoulders/triceps day. I'll figure something out...