Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[solarman]

hi guys,

i'm new to this forum, my 1st post 

i want to know what people recommend for functional strength 

i used to go to a gym where i got some good cardio fitness but that alone isn't enough. then a pal told me about matt furey's combat conditioning - this is great. but i'm still getting shit like shoulder pains  matt furey recommends lifeline usa's cable strand products, has anyone used this specifically for shoulder pains successfully ?


cheers, satin.

[devil dog]

Satin,

I am new as well.  I have been using Matt Furey's Combat Conditioning for Two Months, before that I practiced Kettlebell lifting and Clubbells. I will try to be brief with my report, and mind you that I saw my brother pack some serious combat muscle with this system as well.

Kettlebells will address your weakest point, being wrist, leg, glute, hammi, or shoulder strength.  They will absolutely give you a monster grip, huge forearms, and gains in the hip, glute area with an aerobic workout to boot.

Combat conditioning requires daily re-commitment.  The Hindu squats are exhausting especially tough when you transition to the Hindu push-up (not UDT bomber), and then the bridge.  My first squat session was a humiliating 35, and I watched in HORROR as Matt pumped them out on his video.  RELAX, before you know it, you are hanging in there.  They really compliment the Kettlebell workout, (almost like doing Triathlon bricks)-

Clubbells complimented the grip and shoulder strength.

I would look up Janda sit ups, Captain of Crush, and a good stretching routine, tendonitis (tennis elbow type) can occur if you dont take care "of the inside".

I normally do 125 Hindu squats.  (250- goal)
                    50 Hindu push ups
                    01:45 Bridge

All that takes me approx. 6 min.

Kettlebells and clubbells in the PM.

Hope it helps!
           

[devil dog]

Satin,
What kind of shoulder pain?  Kettlebells can be demanding on the joints if you disrespect the weight.  Also, I have only purchased the jump ropes from the store you mentioned.  Matt does seem to like their products though.

yours in manly excellence.

[Professor]

Satin,

....Captain of Crush,

Excellent Product!!!!        Helps both your grip and forearms!

[solarman]

hey you guys,

thanks for the response, if nothing else, maybe hock won't complain about "seeing this space empty" 

devil dog - the kind of shoulder pain is that niggling ache right in the joint, it's not muscular pain. i get it pretty quick after a just a few take-downs (even on padded floors), you know when you get taken down and you break the fall by putting your hand out, the shock seems to jar the shoulder, and also get it after stick work.

i've changed the way i carry my laptop pc which was partly to blame, but i still get it with the take-downs. it really pisses me off 'cos i used to do about 40 hindu press-ups (plus other exercises) for breakfast and then another 40-50 throughout the day (with variations), but the shoulder ache is holding me back 

professor - what exactly is an excellent product ? the captain of crush thing ? what is that ?

anyway, today i ordered the lifeline cable strands, so i'll let you know how it goes. but keep up the chat guys, let's get some action going here  


kick ass, take names, satin 

[Joe Hubbard]

Hey Satin

Good on you for posting mate!  The Captain Crusher is a "V" shaped gripping device that is awesome!!!  There is a trainer model (start with this one) and Levels 1-4.  Only 3 people in the world have managed to close level 4.  To order Capt Crusher, Kettle Bells and Club Bells go to: www.clubbells.co.uk

Hey Jeff

Don't tell me you were one of the three who closed level 4 (ha). 

Take care

Joe

[devil dog]

Satin,

I have experienced similar pain.  I blocked a head level kick with my right hand and it put a real stress on my shoulder.  For about two years it hurt when I wore a pack, ran, wore a seat belt, or in short, thought about it.  Not muscular, but centered on the very top of the shoulder.  I still have that pain, though not as severe since I stopped lifting.

Try doing handstand push ups.  Stand approx. 2ft from the wall and do the hand stand.  Watch yourself coming down and stay TIGHT in the midsection and glutes.  This exercise worked in replacing my military press shoulder pain.

Good luck.

[devil dog]

Satin,

I also have a Captain of crusher Trainer (it will say "T") on the handle.  Dont be misled by the old plastic grippers, this is the real deal.  Look up George Jowett if you are a grip fan.

[Professor]

Hey Satin

Good on you for posting mate!  The Captain Crusher is a "V" shaped gripping device that is awesome!!!  There is a trainer model (start with this one) and Levels 1-4.  Only 3 people in the world have managed to close level 4.  To order Capt Crusher, Kettle Bells and Club Bells go to: www.clubbells.co.uk

Hey Jeff

Don't tell me you were one of the three who closed level 4 (ha). 

Take care

Joe

I use to be able to close a 2.....I'll have to pull out the 1 to seek if I can do any reps....

That's one great tool.

Jeff.

[devil dog]

Hello Proff.

How long did you use the trainer for before feeling comfortable with the #2?  I found it to be a great tool for crush grip training, but normally by the time I get to my trainer, (last.. so I dont fry my grip and flatten my foot with KB), All that's left is that great feeling of mass in the forearm, but not much else.  Perhaps I should dedicate solo time to it.

Have you tried the Gymnastics rings?  That may be the next step for me.

thank you

DD

[szorn]

hi guys,

i'm new to this forum, my 1st post 

i want to know what people recommend for functional strength 

i used to go to a gym where i got some good cardio fitness but that alone isn't enough. then a pal told me about matt furey's combat conditioning - this is great. but i'm still getting shit like shoulder pains  matt furey recommends lifeline usa's cable strand products, has anyone used this specifically for shoulder pains successfully ?


cheers, satin.

Along with "Combat Conditioning" I would recommend checking out some of the following titles-

"Functional Training for Sports" by Michael Boyle
"Pushing Yourself To Power" by John Peterson

If you have a willing partner-
"New Workout: Human Resistance Training" by John Laurie & Bum Lee
"Strength, Speed, and Endurance" by Dr. I. Hartman

Steve

[michael]

I've recently started a new conditioning program called CrossFit. I've been training for almost 30 years, and this is the most combat-oriented fitness program I have seen to date. It utilizes olympic style weightlifting (not bodybuilding) lifts, gymnastics elements (pull-ups, push-ups, dips, L-sits, handstand push-ups, etc.), and interval training for a short but very intense workout. What I like is that it allows me to build strength and metabolic conditoning (cardio) at the same time. Check it out, the website is www.crossfit.com/. There are videos of exercises on the right hand side of the page and a free version of the CrossFit Journal that has 11 pages of great info that you can download (you will need Adobe Acrobat, preferably 6.0).

[devil dog]

Hello Michael,

I recently came across the same website.  They do have good exercises, and to date everyone I have come accross both Mil. and L.E., rave about the benefits.

I enjoy lifting weights in the powerlifting form, and the results from lifting smartly are obvious.  The functional strength part of  Satin's question is what prompted my recommendation for kettlebells, etc.  I am by no means trying to convert anyone, but this is what I noticed.

Due to the off-center weight distribution of the KB, the wrist and grip gets taxed tremendously. Furthermore, the "clean" position of same puts the fists chin high, and forces the torso to remain tight, and your breathing controlled. Consequently the overlap of steel resting on the forearm at the finish of the exercise improves pinching, gripping, and stabiliztion of the wrist.  This improved my grappling, shooting, and gave me added confidence on my ability.

Sometimes I deploy, so the Gym is out of the question for me, KB alone are no substitute for complte fitness. ( My calves dont get targeted as much), so the running is still a must.

Sorry to bloviate, exciting to share information.
DD

[Professor]

Hello Proff.

How long did you use the trainer for before feeling comfortable with the #2?  I found it to be a great tool for crush grip training, but normally by the time I get to my trainer, (last.. so I dont fry my grip and flatten my foot with KB), All that's left is that great feeling of mass in the forearm, but not much else.  Perhaps I should dedicate solo time to it.

Have you tried the Gymnastics rings?  That may be the next step for me.

thank you

DD

I never felt "comfortable" with the #2, I only got to close it a few times.   I worked the T and #1 when I was in my truck or watching TV at night....separate from a regular workout.   The grip ball is also a good help to warm up your muscles to use the grippers...


Have you tried the Gymnastics rings?  Nope......

[solarman]

"I have experienced similar pain.  I blocked a head level kick with my right hand and it put a real stress on my shoulder.  For about two years it hurt when I wore a pack, ran, wore a seat belt, or in short, thought about it.  Not muscular, but centered on the very top of the shoulder.  I still have that pain, though not as severe since I stopped lifting."


dd - that's exactly the sort of thing i'm talking about, you hit the nail on the head buddy. i expect to get minor injuries when doing contact martial arts, but i don't expect them to stay with me and cause a hinderance to further training. exactly what the fuck is it that has caused this on-going weakness ? why does it stay ?? why won't it just fuck off   AAAAAAARGH 

i have already found a couple of things that help (from combat cond.) - the 'pushing' exercise and also reverse push ups, especially the latter.

dd - thanks for the shoulder press up tip, another pal of mine has told me of that as well but i haven't tried it yet.

joe and other crusher fans - have any of you used this specifically to overcome an existing shoulder ache ? it certainly seems to make sense that if you improve grip and forearm strength then this will relieve the load placed upon the shoulder joint. i know joe is a fan of the carpal tunnel programme by mfurey which is also recommended for general forearm strength even if you don't have a carpal tunnel problem (which i don't).

steve - thanks for the tips. can you outline what you found so good about the books by peterson and boyle ? do these require any special equip ?


cheers guys, satin