Conditioning

Conditioning is extremely importance for the Martial Artist who wishes to pursue practical fighting skills. Condition yourself to be able to fight twenty minutes, so that one can push through a one minute affair with absolute ferocity. Conditioning allows you to deliver the punishment, as well as absorb the punishment, which is often unavoidable in a fight.

My conditioning schedule involves two phases, which run on a two week platform.

Phase One (Week One) - Body Conditioning

Body conditioning consists of conditioning the most often used weapons on my body, which are my hands, wrists, shins, elbows etc. The exercises I perform are Makiwara Board, Sandbag or Heavy Bag training, Knuckle Push Ups (Variations with fingers), Forearm conditioning exercises etc etc. This is a very punishing week of conditioning, with plenty of pain inducing conditioning.

Phase Two (Week Two) - Physical Conditioning

These exercises are mostly body weight exercises, static movement, isometrics, plyometrics and weights. I will spar more often during this week as well, and focus on dynamic strength and stamina. I also try and keep a standard minimum of fitness routine during these days, a program that Shihan Takahashi helped me create.

A fusion of such conditioning helps maintain a fighting body and mind. What helps, furthermore, is studying a variety of Martial Arts, each providing you with a different physical challenge, and routine. Combine all this with a clean diet and hopefully you can last a long time and enjoy your chosen Martial Art to the final days.