I love Misery

I started Martial Arts when I was 5 years old. Ever since then I've been a closet martial arts geek. My fiance will tell there is no closet. I am a full out in the open martial arts geek. I started with Kenpo Karate, then went to Tae Kwon Do. When I first heard of the UFC in 1995 I put in an application. God was watching and I didn't get in. Something about not being big enough.Go figure.

I entered my first pro bare knuckle karate tournament in 1996. I then had my first Thai Boxing match in Canada in 1997. Ever since then I have been either competing or teaching MMA or Thai Kickboxing. They truly are two of the most exhausting sports you can compete in. A few years ago Lance Armstrong was working out at our gym. He joking looked at me after one of my sparring sessions and asked"When can I get you on a bike?" I smiled and said "the day I get you on the mat." I've had triathletes almost pass out after being on the mat for 2 minutes. At the same time, I don't even want to think about sitting on a bike for more than 30 minutes. To each his own I guess

I love training. As much as I love teaching, it's fun to mix it up with people who are a great deal better than you. Nick Gonzales, my sparring partner and good friend of 7 years(not to mention Renegades and XFC champion) has always been there when I need to get my butt kicked. If I can make it through a full round without getting tapped , I'm doin well. Here I made it out with maybe 1 second to spare.

I remember when I first started training, one of the questions I always encountered from women was "if I lift weights will I get big? I dont want to get big." My response was always then and is now.

To put on mass you have to eat a certain way and lift a certain way. Weights by themselves wont put on mass.

That being said I have noticed the new craze which is Crossfit. I have always said that Crossfit is a gym not a style of working out. They advocate circuit training which has been around for years. Kettlebells, powerlifting, plyometrics, and bodyweight exercises have been around forever. Nothing new here.

So this weekend I was at "The Crossfit Games" in Austin. I'm a people watcher by habit, so I sat and watched. I noticed a few things. First off the womens division was huge. And I mean in size. These girls looked like powerlifters. And no wonder, they were performing powerlifting movements. Now the workout in itself was impressive. thrusters, single arm kettlebell cleans,double under jump ropes,kettlebell swings, and powerlifting clean and press. Impressive. However, not a ton of variety.I know the day before encorporated concept 2 rowers, hand standpushups, pullups etc.

Crossfit advocates pushing maximal weight, for max reps, for time limits. I agree that this can get you much stronger, and faster. However, is this the only way? Hmmmmm. The answer is no. In fact, is kind of a restrictive way at best. What I have noticed is that the workouts that Crossfit advocate can be hard on those with prior injuries, older, and women. I havent seen any pregnant crossfitters yet. I havent seen any 60 year old crossfitters yet. Are they out there? Im sure they are. However as an experienced, educated personal trainer. I would never, ever advise a pregnant, former injured, older than 45 or younger than 15 client to perform powercleans, handstandpushups, or thrusters to get more fit. That's just me.

So in closing be carefull what you choose to follow. It's not the only option. Just a popular one right now. Kind of like Tae Bo.