In our last installment, we defined some terms regarding strength which willhelp us as we begin to discuss different workout routines and their effects on our performance. Let's begin our examination of weightlifting training routines with the most popular "schemes" currently in use. We'll start with beginner's programs.

Last time, we discussed the various major lifts and some tips for getting the most out of their performance. In order to maximize our results and minimize our overall energy output, we need to structure our routine carefully to work all the major muscle groups, while saving as much energy as possible.

Well, you're probably wondering why the last column stayed up for so long.I received an incredible amount of email regarding the workout routine I posted! Replies ranged from "It's Great!" to "It's too easy!". Of course, one workout routine cannot be everything to everybody for every purpose!

Matt Thornton, the coach's coach!
It was early in 1998 that I had the first opportunity to meet Matt Thornton. He was on his way to Reunion Island to conduct a seminar for Daniel Duby (Savate instructor). I had heard about Matt through Steve Boyd, a friend of mine in the United States. He had nothing but praise for Matt and his coaching methods and through this I was convinced on bringing him out to my gym to conduct a seminar, although we could say that Matt was unknown at that time.

Most of us remember the first fights in the UFC, there was an unmistakable common theme, and fighters with ground skills won and those who did not lost. It caused a re-evolution in the martial arts world, it made all of us (The fighters, coaches and martial artists) re-evaluate our training disciplines. Almost everyone began training in Jit's and the Gracie name became synonymous in this field.

I think most of us can remember the day Royce Gracie stepped into the Octagon for the first time. Up until then many people who where practicing the martial arts did not view grappling as a viable option in fighting. This is probably due in part to martial arts movies that have always portrayed fighting in a stand-up environment.

There are three goals that I feel all coaches of martial arts should strive for in teaching there students, and these goals are often best realized in NHB; they are 1] the promotion and coaching of Functional, reality based martial arts training; 2] to confront and overcome one's ego (Our inner demons) and lastly 3] to find out who we really are as human beings.

I tend to find that many 'traditional martial artist' view Western Boxing more as a sport than a method of self-defense. Millions of westerners have spent thousands of dollars in Asian martial arts in the hope that they will find the ultimate method of fighting. The irony is that in their very own backyard, down the road at their local YMCA, for a few Dollars a month can be found probably one of the best forms of fighting ever to be developed.

The other night I was talking to some of my students about the correct technique and developing power in their punches. Out of this discussion I pointed out that the way you deliver the technique is important but I also discussed the feeling you get when it is right. I mentioned that I just know when a jab was good or a combination; likewise I could just feel when it was bad.