by Thomas Kurz In efforts lasting more than a few seconds, do you breathe (i.e., you do not hold your breath) throughout your movements and positions? For high performance and for athletic longevity you should breathe throughout movements with resistance permitting several reps, for example, kettlebell lifts or mace swings done in multiple reps, grappling […]
Breathe for Better Performance Read More »
by Thomas Kurz When you lift weights, can you move slowly but fluidly or with stops but without bouncing or “jumping” over some range of your movement’s path? If you can’t, then the cause is a weakness at the movement’s range over which you have to “bounce” or “jump.” That weakness may be caused by
Slow Down for Great and Lasting Strength Read More »
by Thomas Kurz A recent question on returning to working out: QUESTION: I am going back to the gym on a full time basis after work and will have 5-11pm to reintroduce training to my body… I know it might be a little late in the day but I am committed to training like I
How to Ease Back into Working Out with Weights Read More »
by Thomas Kurz This is the third article in a series dealing with important concepts and principles you should keep in mind when designing and conducting your strength training. This one is about a bias to rely on strength. The previous one was about strength goals and the amount of strength training a fighter needs.
Strength Training for Martial Arts: What to Keep in Mind, Part III Read More »
by Thomas Kurz This is the second article in a series dealing with important concepts and principles you should keep in mind when designing and conducting your strength training. This one is about strength goals and the amount of strength training a fighter needs. The previous one was about fixing faults and a fighter’s priorities
Strength Training for Martial Arts: What to Keep in Mind, Part II Read More »
by Thomas Kurz This article is the first in a series dealing with important concepts and principles you should keep in mind when designing and conducting your strength training. This one is about fixing faults and a fighter’s priorities. The next one is about strength goals and the amount of strength training a fighter needs.
Strength Training for Martial Arts: What to Keep in Mind, Part I Read More »
by Thomas Kurz The time to experiment with new techniques, tactics, exercises, and training methods is long before any upcoming competitions. The appropriate time for experimentation is in the transition period, which follows a competition period, and in the period of general preparation–way before the intensification of training in the sport-specific preparation leading up to
When and How to Train Explosive Strength Read More »
by Thomas Kurz Question: I am reading a book by a former European and multiple Italian national kickboxing champion. In one section he debates elastic band training vs. light weight training (throwing a punch with a light dumbbell or a kick with an ankle weight, or throwing a medicine ball) as methods of increasing explosiveness.
Proper Resistance for Punching and Kicking Read More »
by Thomas Kurz What makes training functional? For me, training is functional if it improves trainees’ functioning in their sport or whatever physical activity they train for (e.g., fire fighting, life guarding). Training is not functional just because it includes exercises in multiple planes of motion or on unstable surfaces (stability balls, rollers, wobble boards);
Functional Training Read More »
by Thomas Kurz For training to be effective and beneficial in the long run and in every respect (reliable skills, no chronic injuries, good health, and general fitness), it takes specialized knowledge. When that knowledge is missing the training becomes ineffective, even counterproductive and often injurious. In this article I answer some e-mail questions on
