Getting in shape this summer

Soon all this snow will be gone and you'll be able to resume your outdoor training.

Did I hear you right: "You don't train outdoors?"

If you DO keep it up, if you don't you have to start doing that.

Lots of elements outside make your training more challenging.

Uneven terrain, slippery grass, heat, gravel, and the sun.

Doing Squats on an incline or decline or un-even terrain gives your legs a different workout. Different muscles kick in to stabilize you so you might feel a different kind of soreness a few days later.

Practicing all your footwork drills on slippery grass or wet asphalt leads to increases in stability, balance, and recovery. It also helps you test what works best when kicking. You'll quickly realize low kicks are safer and stronger.

Training directly in the sun is a great way to get your vitamin D (a vitamin deficiency in many people today, when you think of it most people are always indoors at work, inside the car while driving or wearing sunblock that makes it impossible for your body to synthesize it)

Training in the sun also makes you adapt to it's reflection in your eyes if you're doing a sparring drill or shadow work.

You can also incorporate lifting and throwing various objects without fear of hurting someone or damaging the floor where you train.

Long distance line drills.

Sometimes the space is limited indoors, by going outside you can sprint for longer distances and kick your endurance into high gear.

Practicing long weapons like the Bo staff.

Bo staff training teaches you to use both your hands in unison to generate maximum power or to perform flawless transitions when flowing from one position to another.

Definitely one of my favorite weapons since I'm about 7 years old, training it alone outside will relax you, help with concentration, paying attention to your body and the weapon's momentum.

Some students say that my Bo Staff DVD is one of my best ones yet. Maybe YOU can be the judge of that. Get yours here.

Master Yourself

Sibok Martin