The old-time wrestler created or should I say found one of the greatest ways to get in great condition whether for combat sports or whatever. He would have his wrestlers/students work with a deck of cards, shuffle them around and have them see how far they would go. Usually in this manner it be the Hindu Squats and Hindu Push-ups which to Karl himself said to be the foundational exercises for optimal conditioning.
As time went on some wrestling teams or organizations would have their wrestlers play around with the deck and came up with other exercises like sit-ups, pull-ups and others to keep their wrestlers guessing because in competition you never know what's going to happen so this teaches you how to be prepared for the unexpected. Wrestlers in Japan seemed to like this type of conditioning so much that it became one of their tests (I believe) and it made some of the wrestlers practically unstoppable. I don't know if the deck was used in other countries but if they have it shows.
Next time you feel your training is not going anywhere or you're bored and want to change things up, get a god damn deck of cards and pick 2-4 types of exercises and see how long you can go. Time yourself. I have beaten the deck many times but I can tell you first hand that if you jump in too quickly you're gonna be sore like a mofo for days. My best time with just push-ups and squats was around 20-25 min. and with just 4 exercises its roughly 45 min. and I try to take as little breaks as possible because in wrestling there is no rest.
Do you need to be a wrestler to do this? Hell no. I'm certainly not one and wouldn't wanna mess with one. This type of training can be used by anyone who has the desire to get in shape, lose weight, build muscle and burn off fat like theres no tomorrow. I respect men like Gotch, Billy Robinson, Gama, Thesz and other old-timer so thats why I give them credit for building conditioning programs like this. If you're going to talk about old-timers and they're programs for christ sakes show them some respect and never give excuses about these types of programs. At first this type of program will be hard and it may seem impossible but don't give up. I couldn't finish 10 cards at first thats how bad I was and now after training for so long I can beat the deck just about any time I wanted. When you can finish a deck and you're sweating from head to toe and you have a smile on your face and want more either right there or later on, you are one tough son of a bitch and a hell of a conditioned athlete.
It takes more then physical strength, endurance and flexibility to beat the deck, it takes a sharp mind, laser-like focus, concentration and if you think about it, it takes the mind of a great warrior or better yet the mind-power of a REAL Wrestler. As of right now I just do push-ups and Hindu Squats/Jumpers but not just typical standard Push-ups but I do many variations to keep my body guessing and to use different things for different muscles. Be creative and learn how to beat your own deck.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Friday, March 25, 2011
For Those W/ Droids Or IPhone/IPads
Technology has come a long way and still going strong and there is some technology we don't need but I won't reveal what they are. One thing I do like and its having a Droid Phone. There are many apps to choose from and most of what I get has to do with training. I have one for Push-ups, Tabata workouts, Card workouts and Qi Gong.
If you're still inlove with training then I highly recommend these types of apps for the phone. Not only can your training can be effective but it can motivate you to take it to a different level. Now do you need these apps? Of course not this is just a suggestions. Play with the other apps another time and take the time to take advantage of amplifying your training. I'm not into bodybuilding type training but there are apps for those too.
My favorite so far is the Playing Card Workout. It gives you four exercises to do and off you go and lets see how many cards you can muster. You can also change the names of the exercises to whatever you choose. Example do Push-ups for hearts, Squats for diamonds, Hold A Horsestance for breaths instead of reps for spades and V-Ups for Clubs.....You can pick whatever exercises you choose and do what you can. Be creative.
Push-ups app is also a great tool because it keeps track of how many push-ups you want to accomplish in a row and gives a progression system to work with. Push-ups are one of the best bodyweight exercises on the planet and can make you a very fit person. If theres an app where you can do Squat Progressions i'd be all over it. Squats (especially hindu) are foundational exercises for the lower body and high reps can get you winded and when you get out of breath you're building growth hormone which helps build muscle, burn fat and turn you into a fitness machine. I would say that if I were to pick a peice of equipment for my training why not just use your phone and let it help you track your progress. Just keep a journal in hand to track your goals and write down reps/sets schemes for yourself. Here are a couple sites to help you find some great push-ups & squats.
Ultimate Bodyweight Conditioning - Push Ups
Ultimate Bodyweight Conditioning - Squats
If you're still inlove with training then I highly recommend these types of apps for the phone. Not only can your training can be effective but it can motivate you to take it to a different level. Now do you need these apps? Of course not this is just a suggestions. Play with the other apps another time and take the time to take advantage of amplifying your training. I'm not into bodybuilding type training but there are apps for those too.
My favorite so far is the Playing Card Workout. It gives you four exercises to do and off you go and lets see how many cards you can muster. You can also change the names of the exercises to whatever you choose. Example do Push-ups for hearts, Squats for diamonds, Hold A Horsestance for breaths instead of reps for spades and V-Ups for Clubs.....You can pick whatever exercises you choose and do what you can. Be creative.
Push-ups app is also a great tool because it keeps track of how many push-ups you want to accomplish in a row and gives a progression system to work with. Push-ups are one of the best bodyweight exercises on the planet and can make you a very fit person. If theres an app where you can do Squat Progressions i'd be all over it. Squats (especially hindu) are foundational exercises for the lower body and high reps can get you winded and when you get out of breath you're building growth hormone which helps build muscle, burn fat and turn you into a fitness machine. I would say that if I were to pick a peice of equipment for my training why not just use your phone and let it help you track your progress. Just keep a journal in hand to track your goals and write down reps/sets schemes for yourself. Here are a couple sites to help you find some great push-ups & squats.
Ultimate Bodyweight Conditioning - Push Ups
Ultimate Bodyweight Conditioning - Squats
Importance Of Flexibility
You can have all the strength, stamina, balance and you can have the most beautiful body on the planet but if you don't have the flexibility, you're not only prone to injury but you'll be stiff as a board and looking like an old man/woman walking around. Flexibility is very important for all athletes and the average Joe. Believe it or not its very important to Dancers, Entertainers & Musicians because if they're not up to par you won't see them perform very long.
I believe in the art of smart flexibility not just stretching in different places. I need to be flexible due to the injuries from my legs. I don't do the typical stretches you see in the gym or in PE class, no. The stretches I do require concentration and pure laser-like focus. I want to focus on moving that extra inch and meditate at the same time. Stretching shouldn't be that painful (Don't think for a second you're a better stretcher then the next guy, the most flexible people are the Shaolin Monks, Gymnasts, & Dancers). Stretching is about control, awareness and the ability to go that extra centimeter without putting so much effort. Every little time you stretch past a plateau with control and without pain, you are becoming stronger mentally and physically.
Its not hard to learn simple stretches but they're not easy either no matter how big or small you are. It takes patience, time and practice. Make the effort to become a little more flexible while focusing on strength gains and/or stamina. Limber up and work them muscles/tendons.
Pain Killers
Advanced Bridging Course
I believe in the art of smart flexibility not just stretching in different places. I need to be flexible due to the injuries from my legs. I don't do the typical stretches you see in the gym or in PE class, no. The stretches I do require concentration and pure laser-like focus. I want to focus on moving that extra inch and meditate at the same time. Stretching shouldn't be that painful (Don't think for a second you're a better stretcher then the next guy, the most flexible people are the Shaolin Monks, Gymnasts, & Dancers). Stretching is about control, awareness and the ability to go that extra centimeter without putting so much effort. Every little time you stretch past a plateau with control and without pain, you are becoming stronger mentally and physically.
Its not hard to learn simple stretches but they're not easy either no matter how big or small you are. It takes patience, time and practice. Make the effort to become a little more flexible while focusing on strength gains and/or stamina. Limber up and work them muscles/tendons.
Pain Killers
Advanced Bridging Course
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