GPP vs SPP - My recent experiences

[SmoKinJoE69]

I'm very new to Coach Sonnon's work and the associated reading/video material. Thus far, I've gathered what I can from both this Forum and the CST Mag (I have, however, just received a copy of Body-Flow and have begun reading it).

Reading recent articles and posts on the difference between GPP and SPP, has given me some insight into my own recent experience in this area.

I've been training at home with combinations of HIIT, body-weight exercises, weight training, some bag work for approximately a year now (longer than that in total, but about a year taking it seriously) and have reached what I would consider to be a fairly high degree of GPP. The training I've been doing at home has been mainly to supplement my training in Wing Chun Kung Fu and (more recently) BJJ.

I've found that in MA classes, particularly those that incorporate a high level of calisthenic work (pushups, squats, running, skipping etc) I can keep up with the best of them.

Where I now find I am lacking, however, is with SPP directly related to fighting skills. While I can crank out pushups and bodyweight squats etc as much as is required... I fatigue quickly in sparring both stand-up and on the ground.

I haven't yet figured out how to tackle this dilemma (other than the obvious solution of sparring more), but I'm sure, as they say that admitting the problem is the first step.

For now, I'll continue reading Body-Flow, try to start putting it into practice and see where it takes me (I can already see Warrior Wellness and GTB in my future).

--pat

[bob_stra]

I haven't yet figured out how to tackle this dilemma (other than the obvious solution of sparring more), but I'm sure, as they say that admitting the problem is the first step.

--pat

The answer is simple. Relax and flow.

But learning how to do that - not so simple ;-)

At least you're in the right place. Believe me, that's a big step forwards.

[Michael Brown]

You have a specific problem which requires a specific solution.

If you tire while sparring, you need to spar more. Or more efficiently. Moist people get tired in sparring not because of lack of physical preparedness but because they are not totally comfortable with the experience at the time.

I.E. If you are afraid of being punched in the face, boxing will tire you far more than your actual level of cardiovasular conditioning and muscular endurance. If you can relax, you can perform. That's why you occaisionally see guys who look overweight (George Foreman, Cabbage Correira for example) who fatigue much less than many of their more muscular adversaries.

My guess is spar more.

Michael Brown

[Scott Sonnon]

Pat,

Please describe the specific type of sparring/rolling you do, in detail.

[SmoKinJoE69]

With the Wing Chun/Kick Boxing, we spar 2-3 min rounds for about 1/2 hour, rotating partners. These sessions are predominantly "anything goes" but with light head-contact and medium-contact to the body; however some specific drills are sometimes incorporated.

The wrestling in BJJ is usually limited to 1 or 2 5min rounds at the end of class - this really fries me and I know it's because I've not learnt to relax enough.

I believe that my early fatigue is a combination of things. Not relaxing is one; however I fatigue far more quickly in high-repetition kicking drills (thai pads etc) for instance, than I do in some other areas of general fitness.