Is your training well rounded

        What is up people?!! It has been a minute but I am back and I am going to be here for a long time. So much has been going on with the LMT crew and in my personal life that it has been hard to keep up. Let's run through it really quick. First off I am back in school studying psychology trying to add to my tools for the athletes I train. I am finally becoming a pro and fighting October 9th and my fighters are looking great in the amateurs and my daughter just turned one year old, time flies. It has been an amazing journey and I am embracing every minute even the not so great ones. That being said we are popping the clutch and peeling out as we move forward with the LMT movement so buckle the f@ck up!! I wanted to touch on this subject as I head forward towards my fight and my amateur fighters enter new realms with their careers.

        In the past the physical training that was available was limited. Fighters would do the typical calisthenics and skill training along with the daily runs and possibly some heavy lifting. For the longest time it was not only what was considered the best way to train but it was also frowned upon in some circles if a fighter stepped outside that box and tried something new. Eventually athletes were "cross-training" and that became the new thing. Now fighters and other athletes are using scientific formulas mixed with a little "bro science" to get them to their peak physical shape.
         Let me first say that the amount of exercises and programs available are mind blowing. If you go on social media and flip through pictures you'll see dozens of people at sports fitness facilities doing all sorts of training to reach their goal. Working with the top trainers and pushing themselves to the next level. The only problem for the average Joe is that those places are pricey. Many fighter are fighting just to break even and most have part time or even full time jobs to make ends meet. So how can someone compete with that type of training without having that kind of cash in the bank. Well for starters you're going to have to be disciplined. You have to make up your mind that you want to get better, faster, stronger and nothing is going to stop you. Now beyond that the next step is research.
There are plenty of free resources when it comes to fight training and the first on the list is always going to be YouTube. The great thing about YouTube is that you are able to see and understand how the movements should be done and in some cases the reasoning and science behind it. At then end of this blog I'll add some links for you to check out some websites etc.
         It's been my experience that you can't stick to one way to get into great physical shape. Of course long runs are a staple in combat sports as well as sprint work. I would contend that high intensity interval training and swimming are also great ways to increase your cardio capacity. For strength you could use a mixture of heavy lifting, kettlebell training, and body weight training. Lastly you're going to need some flexibility training. My amateurs have been seriously active in yoga the last couple of fights and it has helped immensely with their breathing as well as flexibility. I've seen high level athletes starting to make their way into pilates studios as well to get that extra edge. Ultimately you have to look within yourself and at the available resources and make the extra effort to be great. It will not be given to you, you have to take it.
        One thing I have always said and stick by one hundred percent is that your skill level can often be the key to beat the more athletic opponent so after all is said and done you can have all of the physical tools but you must master your craft in order to put that athleticism to work. Understanding how your art is suppose to intertwine with your physical capability is the doorway to achieving the highest levels in combat sports.

Links to greatness:

http://www.speedofsport.com/

http://funkmma.com/site/

http://www.nakmuaynation.com/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpLH5tDGl_QiRJ1eDUTLFxQ

https://www.youtube.com/user/donheatrick 

Bring on the recovery!

Jorge and I post training.

What's up guys?!! Hope you guys are doing well. I am writing this one because for whatever reason I have been super sore lately. I mean my body feels like I got run over by a tractor, then a semi truck, then a steam roller, and then had an anvil dropped on my head. Anybody out there still using anvil's? Watched entirely too many roadrunner cartoons as a kid. Anyway, it's been brutal. I train pretty regularly and I am definitely at the point where I know how to listen to my body. So right now my body is screaming RECOVERY PLEASE!! The real question is how am I going to do that and hopefully giving some suggestions for you as well.
  I think the first thing I have to do is examine my rest. I would say I get about 7 hours of sleep per night and that seems to do the trick, however another one or two would be oh so sweet. I also believe that I need to take a longer break between sessions. I find myself going from client to client to my own workout and then teaching a class that I participate in on occasion and that sometimes ads up to about 4 to 5 hours on a given day. Yep, that might be a bit too much. Overall I guess I get enough sleep but rest between training can sometimes be non-existent. This has led to muscle soreness, nagging minor injuries, and just overall exhaustion. So from me to you, choose the amount of rest that matches your output in the gym. Don't end up with a permanent injury because you didn't listen to your body telling you that your knee was more sore than normal or your shoulder was feeling weak. Next thing you know it's a loud pop and now you're stuck with an injury that will forever be your training partner.

Cryotherapy chamber

   Next thing to do is to look into some ways to help your recovery along. A post workout drink containing some BCAA's (Branch chain amino acids) or L-Glutamine should be helpful. I am fond of epson salt baths as well as ice baths to help either relax the muscles or help with soreness. With technology now instead of doing ice baths the plain old fashion way, fighters are going to cryotherapy chambers to get their recovery fix. At these centers the fighter is stepping inside a chamber where the temperatures are a whopping 200 below zero. The treatments last only 3 mins. These chambers are known to help with a number fighter related problems such as inflammation but are also starting to be used to deal with other medical issues like arthritis and circulatory problems. For now, I'll stick to a few bags of ice and a bath tub..lol

Pre Ice Bath look

   Last but not least, get worked on! Line up a massage, some reflexology, acupuncture, and even some chiropractic work to get yourself back in order. If you are a fighter or you just hit the gym regularly some of these ideas might benefit you. I mean what good is all that working out and training if when you really want to use it, you're too sore or limping around on a bad injury.
  I suppose I'll get around to taking my own advice sooner than later! Peace and Love guys and go fricking recover!