by Thomas Kurz This article is about errors in punching. The errors I write about are very common. I saw them at every clinic or seminar on stretching and kicking I gave, and I still see them at whatever competitions I happen to visit. You can see these errors on the DVD Clinic on Stretching […]
Common Errors in Punches: Basic Normal-Fist Punch Read More »
by Thomas Kurz What makes training functional? For me, training is functional if it improves trainees’ functioning in their sport or whatever physical activity they train for (e.g., fire fighting, life guarding). Training is not functional just because it includes exercises in multiple planes of motion or on unstable surfaces (stability balls, rollers, wobble boards);
Functional Training Read More »
by Thomas Kurz In the previous article I wrote about individualization and accessibility of training. Closely connected with these two is another principle of training, that of gradual increase of loads. Effective training requires observing and understanding each athlete’s individual responses (adaptation or a lack of it) to all training loads, and then, if all
Gradual Increase of Training Loads Read More »
by Thomas Kurz For training to be effective and beneficial in the long run and in every respect (reliable skills, no chronic injuries, good health, and general fitness), it takes specialized knowledge. When that knowledge is missing the training becomes ineffective, even counterproductive and often injurious. In this article I answer some e-mail questions on
by Thomas Kurz Question: What resistance exercise, that I can do without a spotter, simulates a bench press? I am trying to develop my upper body. I am an extreme novice and know nothing about weightlifting. I would like to do an exercise that develops my chest. But I don’t like to work out with
Bench Press Alternatives Read More »
by Thomas Kurz In this article, I will continue answering questions on the proper sequence and timing of exercises. Why do so many people train for hours weekly, year after year, and get such meager results? Some do the wrong exercises, but many do good exercises at the wrong time in a workout or in
More Answers on Questions about What Exercises to Do and When Read More »
by Thomas Kurz People often ask me how to arrange their training programs, or simply in what order to do exercises for best results. As they ask these questions, they list the exercises they do. As soon as they tell me the bench press is a regular part of their training, even though they are
Bench Press: What It Does and Doesn’t Do Read More »
by Thomas Kurz In previous articles I described basic strength exercises and explained in what sequence they should be introduced in preparation for intensive exercises specific to martial arts. I also explained the sequence of exercises in a workout. Nevertheless, many readers still have questions on these issues. Some of these questions were not addressed
Questions and Answers: What Exercises to Do and When Read More »
by Thomas Kurz In the previous article you learned how eye focus of sports experts or champions is different from that of nonexperts. In many sports, being able to correctly focus on a single object (i.e., target) is not enough. One has to simultaneously track multiple objects, such as fast movements of several players and
Gaze and Peak Performance, Part III Read More »
by Thomas Kurz In the preceeding articles (Questions and Answers on Strength Exercises and More Questions and Answers on Strength Exercises), I answered questions on the basic strength exercises—sit-ups, back extensions, deadlifts, and squats. My answers explained the reasons for building a foundation of strength with long sets of exercises using low resistance and—in the
Advantages of High Repetitions and Deep Breathing During Exercise Read More »
