There are different ratiocinations for strength training. Some do it for appearance, others do it for injury prevention; some are trying to increase muscle mass and so on. But what is our main objective on this topic at Phoenix JKD? Strength training is not about moving an inanimate objects in vertical and horizontal planes. The way to understand what we mean by strength is to first define our field first. We are martial artists and in martial arts the primary demand is NOT to pick a steel plate of a certain mass and move it from point A to point B against the force of gravity, which is of the vertical nature——even though, gravity is certainly a real variable we have to deal with when it comes to fight-strength; but that’s not our main goal in fighting.
Also, the indubitable demand in strength within the parameters of our field is NOT derived from man-made machines that may create a constant horizontal, vertical, or semi-circular vector forces. Even though those vectors are real and true, and they CAN make one strong in some form or shape, yet the fact is, that type of strength development is almost useless for what we are required in our field. It's like if you have a bacterial infection and some one gives you an aspirin for it. That would be useless in fixing the infection.
There are three concrete variables in developing strength that we need to keep in mind: 1) Complex angles of force, 2) Irregularity and asymmetrical nature of forces, and 3) The number and the direction of simultaneous, yet varied degrees and types of forces to one or several areas of the body at the same time.
There are also 3 ratiocinations in dealing with forces: 1) Moving the force within complex, irregular angles, 2) Dead on contact interception of the force, and 3) Redirection and irregularizing the force.
In short, if you are just trying to look good or get big, that’s okay, all power to you my friends-------nothing wrong with that-------but if you are going to the gym and destroying your joints and body, thinking you are getting fight-strong, I strongly advise you against that, because your training is lacking major scientific and realistic protocols. Building strength is not merely about moving a weight in a certain plane in space-----with a certain constant body position. So utilize your time and employ your body wisely, my friends.
Thank you.
Shahram
480-489-7202
