Strength Training for Martial Arts

[Gwyn Brookes]

Excellent, and congratulations.

Thanks!

[Gwyn Brookes]

12/20/14

Squat
up to 135x5x2

Bench
45x5x2
75x5
105x3
115x2
125x1
132.5x1
137.5x1 this was where I really felt that anterior delt issue so I stopped there

Close Grip Bench
105x5x3

Press
45x5x2
55x5
65x5x3

Chins
3x10

[Gwyn Brookes]

12/23/14
Squat
45x5x3
95x5
135x3
155x2
172.5x3
182.5x3
192.5x3
182.5x3
172.5x3

[Gwyn Brookes]

Some catch-up - in LA with my partner's parents for the holidays.

12/24, 12/25, 12/26
long (3 hours?) walks by the beach and around town. Managed to get a sunburn on Christmas!?

12/27
coaching session with Paul Horn at his fabulous gym. fixed lots of stuff with my press, and am experimenting with a slightly different setup on my deadlift. he said there wasn't a lot to fix with my squat. This is because I've hammered away at that lift so much with Tom. Now it's time to attend to some other problem areas.

Squat
45x5x3
95x5
135x3
155x2
170x5x3

Press
45x5x2
55x5
65x3
75x5
80x5
85x5
80x5
another set at 65x4 just to work on some timing elements

Deadlift
135x5
185x3
225x2
245x2
265x5
245x5

12/28/14
another really long walk with 10 mins on chins on the way - 30 total
it is really hot here!

12/29/14
at 4 Star Gym. Really nice people.

Squat
up to 135x5x2

Bench
45x5x2
75x5
105x3
115x2
121.5x3
126.5x3
131.5x2, failed 3rd rep - right leg had a hamstring cramp and I got stuck halfway up. Should have had this.
131.5x2
126.5x3
121.5x3

No anterior delt pain on these. Considering I skipped benching on my 5x5 day and stopped halfway through my singles day, I am content with today.

Press - skill work
45x5x3
55x3x5

[Gwyn Brookes]

12/31/14

Started out the day with some cutting practice (tameshigiri) in preparation for the next part of my sandan test. It went really well. I had rolled my targets a week ago (we use straw mats) in preparation, and having soaked them overnight, was ready to go at 7:45. I have a really hard time managing adrenaline when I cut. I always need to slow down. Having used up all of my oomph cutting, I then went and did my 5x5 squats.

Squat
45x5x4
95x5
135x3
155x2
162.5x5
172.5x5
185.5x5
172.5x5
162.5x5

I was creaky. It is harder to move quickly when I am creaky (that is a euphemism for ow, shit hurts today). I worked on it anyway. As usual, set 3 was the best.

[Leah Lutz]

Gwynn, sounds like some nice training and more! Have a great New Year's!

[Mark E. Hurling]

I have a really hard time managing adrenaline when I cut. I always need to slow down.

After a lot of practice, I can finally do this when my hands are empty. But put a knife or blunt force trauma weapon in my hands and that control and self discipline goes right out the window. Too many old bits of programming when it was real tend to override my better judgment. They don't trust me with a sword yet. Probably a good thing!

[Gwyn Brookes]

Gwynn, sounds like some nice training and more! Have a great New Year's!

Thanks, you too!

[Gwyn Brookes]

After a lot of practice, I can finally do this when my hands are empty. But put a knife or blunt force trauma weapon in my hands and that control and self discipline goes right out the window. Too many old bits of programming when it was real tend to override my better judgment. They don't trust me with a sword yet. Probably a good thing!

One of my training partners has a fear of sharp things. He really has adrenaline management challenges. I am always impressed by his tenacity.

[Gwyn Brookes]

1/3/14

Press
33x5x2x
45x5
55x5
65x3
75x2
80x1x2 - working on staying tight and timing - second one was good
85x1x2 - not good
90x1 - really ugh and a grinder
80x1x2 - I can make corrections here - second one best of all
65x5x3 - all good - skill work at this weight

1/6/14
Squat
up to 155x5x3

Deadlift
95x5
135x5
185x3
225x2
255x3
265x3
275x3
265x3
255x3

really good DL session, 275 I had failed last time, but this time there was no doubt it would go up