The Revival

I am going to revive this blog after much neglect due to my Military commitments. Now that I have the time I can begin to chronicle some truly unique experiences that most grapplers do not get the opportunity to have or would want to go through.

As many people know I am currently deployed to the Middle-East. So I am not able to train with my Team at Capital City Guerrilla Jiu-Jtisu, but I have been able to train with a variety of grapplers from Gracie Barra, Renzo Gracie and few other clubs from around the country. So to say the lest it has been a great opportunity to; as Dave Camarillo says “Train with everybody”. 

I am three weeks post-op for a torn left pectoral that occurred while benching 350 pounds. it was a freak occurrence that happened, I have impeccable form on the bench, and it could had been a variety of factors that led to the tear. Needless to say i am in a sling for another three weeks then I can begin physical therapy. I am looking forward to apply my style of strict, disciplined, training that I am know for and getting to through the physical therapy and kicking ass.

I am also working on a project to benefit at-risk/ low income kids in the Sacramento Area by forming a non-profit organization. I have some truly exciting and unique ideas that I think will bring some very positive results. I am in the very early stages of this development but I plan to implement the plan early 2013 for a summer 2013 program, if successful I think it could be something that could grow and become a yearly program.

Keep drilling, stay positive and go and train like a champion!!!! 

Weight Training

I finally went to the gym for the first time in four months. The problem I find with weight training is that compared to Judo and BJJ is that it is very boring. I go to 24 Hour Fitness which is where everybody goes and I see bad form, kids working out only their arms and chest, and men and women wearing things that they shouldn't.

I do not like to spend alot of time in the gym, I like to get in there hit the weigths hard and get out. My workouts are sport specific, meaning that the focus is on movements that are common in grappling, which is mostly pulling movements. So I do alot of deadlifts, Wide grip lat pull downs, low cable rows etc.

I have my workouts spread throughout the week by a "Pull" day, "Push" day, and a leg day. I based this on the Four Pillars of Human movement. One is Locomotion, which is walking, running etc. I run on a daily basis so that takes care of training locomotion, and even though there is not alot of locomotion in BJJ or Judo, the cardiovascular benefits are great as is the fat burning that locomotion training provides.

The other pillar is the Push/Pull pillar which is the most used in grappling, with more emphasis on the "pull". Both must be trained to keep a muscular balance and avoid injury. The next is "level change" which is using the legs to move the body up and down. This comes in play when changing levels for a double or single leg takedown or in Judo when using hip throws such as Harai Goshi or Ippon Seoi Nage.

The last Pillar is Rotation which is the most neglected factor of movement. So far the best way I have found to train rotation in the body is by using Kettlebells, which I will start to implement a kettlebell workout once a week.

On Friday I trained the "pull" factor. My workout went as follows: Deadlifts: 225 pounds x 8 Reps, 275 x 6, 295 x 4, 315 x 3. I could had gone much heavier but I did not want to tire my back out too much. Wide grip pulldowns: 155 x 8, 175 x 8, 195 x 8, Close Grip Pull downs: 175 x 8, 8, 8, Low Row cable pulls: 165 x 8, 8,8.

That was my workout for Friday. Simple and not very complex, but it is short and brief and to the point. I rather spend the extra time on the mat!

Be Blessed!!!