ALL PHYSICAL ORDERS REQUIRING SHIPPING DELAYED UNTIL 17 JUNE 2024

“You’re just really good at exercising”

“You’re just really good at exercising”

February 19, 2020 1 Comment

We’re stuck in a society of ticking boxes, where education does not equal intelligence, and physical employment standards do not translate to ability.

The intelligence and ability in question? The intelligence and introspection to know yourself. Know what you’re good at, bad at, and what could do with some work. The ability to handle yourself if you were put into a situation where you had to defend yourself, or someone else who is unable to defend themselves. The world around us is becoming increasingly hostile and as a resort we now live in a world where many individuals could potentially be hostile. At face value, you’ve got no idea who you might encounter, what they’re capable of, and what their intentions might be.

Strength, stamina & skill. They’re the three vital components in being hard to kill. Being fit is hard. Being strong is hard. Being equally fit & strong, near impossible. Being highly skilled is good, but lacks lethality without the other two. These are not mutually supportive concepts, and they’re exceptionally hard to plan and train for. To a good standard that is.

Life long fighters, athletes and coaches are continually looking for new things to add to their game. Continually looking for new information, abilities and skills to add or tweak. If they’re never “done”, how does the thought arise that we are? Complacency, laziness and leaning on a reputation from the “old days” is why.

Cardiovascular endurance and strength are force multipliers. They enhance or increase the efficiency of your current skill level or ability, they are not an ability in itself.

“You’re just really good at exercising”

If you’re the strongest individual in your gym, good for you. Step outside that comfort zone and test yourself, strength alone doesn’t cut it.

If you’re the fittest individual by a mile. Step outside that comfort zone and test yourself, being fit alone doesn’t cut it.

If you’re the slickest individual in your martial arts gym. Step outside that comfort zone and test yourself, skills become rock solid when they have that strength & stamina as a foundation.



1 Response

Virginia
Virginia

March 08, 2018

Well said like how you say it – straight no bullshit!

Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.


Also in Skilled Athlete Opinion Blog

LEGENDARY COACHES: Thom Harinck
LEGENDARY COACHES: Thom Harinck

March 16, 2023

For those of you playing catch up, Harinck has trained numerous world champions. Most famously Ramon Dekkers, the first non Thai fighter to be crowned "Thai Boxer of the Year" in Thailand. Harinck's other champions include Peter Aerts, Branko Cikatić, Jérôme Le Banner, Badr Hari and Hesdy Gerges. And that isn't even the whole list. 

Read More

This is our why
This is our why

March 08, 2023

If you’ve been following this page for a while, you’re probably no stranger to our outspoken views on the preservation of memorials, commemorations and our shrines. There is a reason we rage against the abject politicisation of these things. 

We will always speak our truth, especially if this goes against the grain of the popular narrative. This is our why.

Read More

LEGENDARY ACHIEVEMENTS: Eero Mäntyranta
LEGENDARY ACHIEVEMENTS: Eero Mäntyranta

February 23, 2023

Who is he and why are we talking about him?

For a long time, he held the highest ever recorded VO2max. Let's dig in.

Eero Mäntyranta was a Finnish cross-country skier who won seven Olympic medals, including three gold medals, in the 1960s. Mäntyranta's success in skiing was attributed to his exceptionally high VO2max, measured at a staggering 96 ml/kg/min.

Read More