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KAS
10-20-2003, 01:38 PM
Following is a copy of the GPP program that Coach Sonnon has designed for me. The high level goal is to take me to a physical (and no doubt mental) state where I can resucitate my ailing martial arts training and enter into a new focus of combat sports (specifically Judo). A serious knee injury had taken me out for a few years but I am ready to get serious and take another go at it. Thanks to all who take the time to read my training log, and a special thanks to all of you who make this community such a warm and inviting place for folks like me!


Kyle,
We're going to compose a medley of activities to get your GPP up for combat sport prep.
Twelve Weeks to a Lean, Mean Fighting Machine
You will work three sessions per day: 30 minutes in the morning, 30 minutes in the afternoon and 15 minutes in the evening. You will do this every other day. On the in-between days, you'll have one session in the morning, with the option to move it to the afternoon if you need more rest.
Your morning session will be a BWE Ratchet Circuit.
Your afternoon session will be a Dynamic Range of Motion session.
Your evening session will be Strength Endurance Resistance Training.

BWE Ratchet Circuit:
A Ratchet ladder is like two steps forward one step back. This produces a superior training effect because we adapt to linear progression in strange and idiosyncratic ways. Some people adapt to it in such a way that they are only marginally challenged and then suddenly meet with volume too overwhelming to perform. I used this method in my "slaughter circle drills" I would have my athletes do in Sambo and they met with great success for strength endurance. I called them "Ratchets" (i.e. 1, 2, 3, 2, 3, 4, 3, 4, 5, 4, 5, 6, et cetera) due to the similarity of the action of cranking back a ratchet to torque a step forward. Ratchets trick your CNS into slight recovery to diminish fatigue without significant decreases in activity. I'll be publishing an article about Ratchets in the next issue of CST Magazine, so stay tuned while you try them out.

The exercises selection is based upon the muscular action you'll need for Sambo competition - pulling power, yielding strength, stored elastic energy release for pushing power, and holding strength.

Do the following circuit one exercise after another without rest. When you complete the exercise series, that counts as one 'repetition.' Follow the Ratchet advancement scheme (i.e. 1, 2, 3, 2, 3, 4, 3, 4, 5, 4, 5, 6, et cetera) until you cannot possibly do any more. Take a 15 second break in between each set.

Pull-up
Drop down into a Flat-Foot Squat
Touch the floor and push your legs back into a Quad Squat
Quad Hop once
Quad Hop back into a Flat-Foot Squat
From the Squat jump up and grab the Pull up bar and perform another Pull-up
Repeat

Each session, your goal is to go one step farther with the Ratchet Circuit than the session prior. Push yourself. Watch your breathing. Exhale on effort. Stay relaxed and go for volume. Keep perfect form.

Dynamic Range of Motion session:
In the afternoon, find a quiet place where you can focus internally on your patterns of tension and resistance. Most people give the least amount of attention to this session because they don't feel like they're 'working out.' Unfortunately for them, without this sandwiched session, the quality of their work sessions is severely diminished due to the Sensory Motor Amnesia and Residual Muscular Tension (read Body-Flow™) which LIMITS work capacity in the work sessions.

If you can get a hold of the Warrior Wellness™ courses. If not, just do some basic circles with every joint - head to toes (literally) - be thorough and keep moving them in slow and smooth circles until there are no clicks (crepitus).

Strength Endurance Resistance Training:
In the evening, you will do a Density Training scheme of dumbbell swings. You should be able to find the technique online, or if not, go to the Olympic Clubbell® Sport official webpage and look at the Swipe video. The swing phase of the Swipe is similar to how you want to swing your dumbbell, except it will be between your legs and held with the handle pointing right-left not front-back.

Over the course of the next twelve weeks, you'll be compressing the rest periods by increasing the volume of your dumbbell swings in the following progression:

Week 1: 20 sets of 5 in 20 minutes
Week 2: 18 sets of 6 in 18 minutes
Week 3: 16 sets of 7 in 16 minutes
Week 4: 15 sets of 8 in 15 minutes
Week 5: 12 sets of 9 in 12 minutes
Week 6: 10 sets of 10 in 10 minutes
Week 7: 8 sets of 12 reps in 8 minutes
Week 8: 7 sets of 14 reps in 7 minutes (due to reps/minute this step should nearly be one full minute)
Week 9: 1 set of 100 (no time limit)
Week 10: 1 set of 100 in 12 minutes
Week 11: 1 set of 100 in 11 minutes
Week 12: 1 set of 100 in 10 minutes

You should begin with which ever weight you feel comfortable, but you may probably be able to start with 40-55lbs.

The entire program I designed for you is based upon DOUBLE-D (or Double Density) method of Recovered but not Rested. Read this to understand the method (and appreciate the sandwiched DROM session!)

The action of the Swings is the opposite motion of the BWE Ratchet Circuit, so you're conditioning symmetrically (like the symmetry of following a back bridge or arch with a Downward Facing Dog.)

Off-days:
Make sure that you complete a DROM session on your non-work days. You may also want to add one of these sessions before your Judo class. Take Sunday completely off. Perhaps go for a walk with family, or a swim.

Eat well, rest well, drink a lot of water. Don't get stressed out.
Yours in strength,
Scott Sonnon

KAS
10-21-2003, 01:07 PM
Routine:
I decided that Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays would be my off days so my afternoon session today was DROM. As I do not have Body Flow or Warrior Wellness, I focussed on circles and some yoga stuff.

1. Circles on Neck, Shoulder, Elbow, Wrists, Lower Back, Hips, Pelvic Girdle - Femur, Knee, Ankle
2. Downward Facing Dog
3. Modified Cobra
4. Cat & Cow

Observations:
The crepitus was worse in my wrists and shoulders than anywhere else. Continual circles eliminated it from both. I notice that my range of motion in my shoulders leaves something to be desired with my left being worse than my right.

Comments:
This session left me feeling like I had just recieved a nice massage. Everything is loose and I feel more "right" than before. It also showed me where I am not very flexible. So I added some stretches for my muscles (sticking with the circles for my articulations of course).

Diet:
I thought that I would add what I eat for the day to my log in case any reader is interested...it also gives me a place to go back and analyze it.

Breakfast
- 12 oz fresh brewed jasmine tea
- large bowl of oatmeal

Lunch
- 12 oz 2% milk
- 14.5oz can of kidney beans with light balsamic vinegrette
- 2 handfuls of pistacio nuts
- 3 medium tomatoes from the garden
- 6oz rasberry yogurt

Dinner:
- 2 barbequed chicken breasts
- large bowl of mixed vegitables
- 12oz glass of water

...hmm looks like I need more water, maybe more calories?

Scott Sonnon
10-21-2003, 01:14 PM
Don't be so concerned with stretching. Stick to dynamic range of motion which is real world flexibility AKA "Essential Synergy." If you insist on Yoga make sure your Asana focus on releasing tension through continual movement rather than static stretching.

Only up your caloric intake if you feel sluggish, and then do so incrementally rather than carb bombs. Eat 'just enough' carbs, if you must eat them. Increase your protein if anything.

More water! 2 liters/day.

KAS
10-21-2003, 01:23 PM
Hi Coach,

Thanks for such a prompt reply! I intend to be a sponge and not insist on anything myself so I will stick to DROM as you suggest :D However I did feel a bit stiff in my quads, calfs, pecs etc. Should I just keep working through the circles with the expectation that they will work on the msucles stiffness as well as my joints?

Regarding eating...I do try to add more lean meat when I need more food so I should be able to follow your advice pretty naturally. Your comment about eating just enough is interesting. I guess I simply need to trust my body and listen to what it is telling me.

ok, going to go get some water :D

-Kyle

Scott Sonnon
10-21-2003, 01:31 PM
Most if not all of the stiffness you feel is just "Short Range Stiffness" which resolves itself through DROM. Think of this as warming up your muscular engine and getting lubricants flowing. Without doing so, your vehicle is reluctant.

DOMS ("Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness") may happen as well, but more than likely due to your program's observance of the Principle of Incremental Progression, you shouldn't. However, should you experience DOMS (think of this as muscle ACHE rather than stiffness), then put it through DROM regardless. Get it mobile to get it loose. Keep your motions slow and smooth and keep exhaling throughout. I designed Warrior Wellness specifically for this purpose, plus to decompress the joints and keep the bony profiles smooth.

Yes, listen to your body... and progress with your 'listening' in the same way you intend to progress with your stamina and strength - with an ever increasing granularity of reception.

KAS
10-22-2003, 12:12 PM
Like a wet noodle! That's how I feel right now =) I am not going to post my training log today because I only have internet access through work right now (in the process of moving into my new house) so I will post my logs on the following day for the next month or so. This will allow me to include my entire day in my training log.

In the mean time I have a few comments. First, I had a fun experience with my DROM session at the work gym. Near the end of the session a group of body builders came into the dojo I was sitting in (they had come from the weight room) and asked me what the hell I was doing. I proceeded to explain what I was doing what the value was.

After about 10 minutes they had come to the conclusion that I was really doing something good....for a newbie that is. They figured what I was doing was only valuable to people who are new to exersise and since they had been "benching" for several years, it held no value for them. I just smiled and finished my circles =)

Is it possible for ONE DROM session to make a difference? I felt more loose today and here is the real kicker: after doing some figure eights and hip circles I moved onto what I call pelvic circles (basically a slow and smooth crescent kick). When I was done I could literally bend over and palm the floor with out effort. Also, the clicking in my joints was less pronounced this time through.

sin_goodfellow
10-22-2003, 12:36 PM
When I was done I could literally bend over and palm the floor with out effort.

Wow. I've known KAS for more than 10 years and that is an awesome feat for him to accomplish. Rock on man. Heh, if you start getting too flexible, how will I show off? :P

KAS
10-22-2003, 03:44 PM
Hi Coach,

I forgot to ask if I should be doing one arm swings or two arm swings? My dumbell only has room for one hand but I can overlap and interlace my fingers =)

Thanks!

Kyle

Scott Sonnon
10-22-2003, 03:48 PM
One arm. Work up to alternating each rep if you can.

KAS
10-23-2003, 04:24 PM
Day 3 (work day)
So I am certainly out of shape =) By the time I got to my evening workout I was only able to do 14 sets of 5 in 10 minutes. I guess I went a little fast (by about 5 minutes) for the swings and I stopped before my heart gave out =) I am amazed at the effect that the swings had on me! I feel it most in my hams but my traps and rhomboids got worked. Also I feel some in my triceps. My lower back feels just a tiny bit but I really focussed on bending at my knees, no at my waste so I didn't hurt anything.

Regarding the one hand form of the swings. With 40lbs. of steel swinging between my shins and ankles I don't feel comfy yet with switching hands each rep. I am currently switching after each set.

Food:
Breakfast
* large bowl of oatmeal
* glass of water

Lunch
* cheddar cheese & crackers
* 12oz milk
* 12oz water
* 14.5oz kidney beans (love 'em)
* turkey cold cuts
* 2 medium tomatoes

Dinner:
* 3 chicken breasts
* large bowl of steamed green beans
* 12oz green tea
* glass of Merlot

Day 4 (off day)
My hams hurt from the day before but my DROM session really cleared out the soreness for about 2 hours. I am a bit sore again so I'd like to do another DROM session tonight (can I do multiple in a day? seems ok to me). Also I tried really pushing out my range of motion (ie. making my circles as big as possible)..is this cool too?

Food:
Breakfast
* large bowl of oatmeal
* glass of water

Lunch
* roast beef & salami could custs
* 12oz milk
* 12oz water
* large green apple
* handful of saltine crackers

Dinner:
* TBD

Doug Szolek
10-23-2003, 06:42 PM
Kyle,
try emphasizing a "hip fold" even more than the knee dip in the swings, I think you'll enjoy the affect. Let me know what you think and how it works,

Scott Sonnon
10-23-2003, 06:43 PM
Kyle, you can do Warrior Wellness as many times as you wish as long as you keep the reps low and work smoothly and slowly. You can make the motions as large as possible.

KAS
10-27-2003, 09:48 AM
Week 1 Day 5

The residual muscle soreness is all but gone!

My morning BWE Ratchet Circuit went well but I found myslef loosing form after my 5-6-7 rotation and actually jammed up my right index finger during a quad hop so I decided to throw in the towel. Still a very good workout and I feel like I'll have legs of solid steel after these 12 weeks! It's worth noting that my right knee popped through every FF Squat and my shoulders popped through every Quad Hop, but nothing hurt.

The swings went well also. I tried Coach Szolek's suggestion and it made my back feel better and added an extra burn to the quads. Thanks Coach S! The extra emphasis on form, going slower and using the hip fold really made me burn and my heart pound so I still pooped out at 15 sets of 5.

When I become a little more comfortable with the material on CST, and my routine I will start using RT and RPE. As of now I don't feel that I know enough about the science or myslef to really be acurrate with those statistics.

-Kyle

10-27-2003, 10:47 AM
Kas,

Looks like you're doing good on the mean part of your workout with Coach's help - how's the lean part going? Looks like alot of kidney beans and cracker's for leaness. If it's working, cool, if not, maybe try 1 protein shake a day, the kind with no carbs, and make a small salad with a few kidney's and a sliced tomato instead. I don't see weights or BF% so it's hard to tell.

Bill

KAS
10-27-2003, 01:08 PM
Hi Bill,

Thanks for the observation! I am 6'3" and 186lbs. 24 years old so if anything I think I will need to put on a few pounds eventually? What I do have is a little extra pudge on the belly and I am a bit lacking in muscle definition. From a performance perspective I figure swaping some of my belly fat (I don't have fat anywhere else on my body) for some muscle would do me good :D

How does that translate to diet? I have been shooting for 2000 some odd calories a day. But knowing that I want to build lean, dense muscle, should I add calories to support that? At the same time I'd like to trim away the little belly fat that I have so should I reduce to say 1700 for a while?

In any case eating crackers and bread on my sandwhiches is something I want to cut out of my diet because basic fruti, vegg and meat seems to do much better for me.

I started a daily nutrition log in the form that Coach Szolek started so check that out for my continuing diet progress =)

Thanks again for the feedback!

-Kyle