Question: I've been researching some of Paul Chek's material

[Fitcook365]

and it's application within a CST program. He talks about things like working in and working out to balance endocrine system and was wondering if that same connection can be made with the CST waved intensity pattern? Another thing I see mentioned is that his style of waving intensity is to drop intensity by the third week after training and was wondering does that only apply to conventional strength training work? So, would like to hear if Paul Chek's material can be applied into CST such as different "working-in" exercises to help balance the system that are mentioned in his book "How to Eat, Move, and Be Healthy". I am curious in renting his book at a library when I can find it, and wondering if it would be worth it to look into? But, just want to make sure if his applications would meet the approval of Health-first fitness of CST. I would appreciate any type of feedback on this.

[Coach Clavijo]

was wondering if that same connection can be made with the CST waved intensity pattern?

If WHICH connection? The question seemed a little vague so I'll have to guess what you mean, but the CST wave of intensity is meant to balance work and recovery. CST's balanced approach is meant to provide adequate recovery for the whole person, hormonal systems included.

does that only apply to conventional strength training work?

I would say no.

So, would like to hear if Paul Chek's material can be applied into CST such as different "working-in" exercises to help balance the system that are mentioned in his book "How to Eat, Move, and Be Healthy".

Can it be done? Sure (though how well it is done depends on other things). You'll even find some of those movements (or similar ones) on our side of the pond.

wondering if it would be worth it to look into?

I like the book and find it useful, if that helps.

[Fitcook365]

If WHICH connection? The question seemed a little vague so I'll have to guess what you mean, but the CST wave of intensity is meant to balance work and recovery. CST's balanced approach is meant to provide adequate recovery for the whole person, hormonal systems included.

Basically, a connection having to do with recovery balance, he uses "yin and yang" and "anabolic and catabolic", that is expressed based upon outside events in your life being balanced with stress from your training or workouts. It seems like he makes a bit of individualization that someone with lots of stress would revert to something light like Tai Chi, Qi Gong, etc. which can be connected to doing Intu-Flow only within CST. But, the fact that the 4x7 sequence seems to be only one way to do waved intensity that follows the parameters set by CST. But, would there be any different way to follow CST without an intensity wave, due to personalization, etc? Maybe, there is alot I need to learn and I guess basically seeing a CST coach develops something similar to individualization, I imagine? So, that's the connection I was trying to make because his system seems to be very health-first as well and I like to learn from other health-first approaches that can be utilized within CST. Although, his style of training seems to be very vague and correct me if I'm wrong doesn't seem to have periodization structured goal of GPP to SSP. Although, I noticed he does seem to implement clubbells and kettlebells into his training but are very unusual exercises from CST based on his circuit video on youtube where he does the lunges with a Clubbell®. I also notice he still includes machine cable training and notice within CST that is largely absent. I'm not a fan of machine cable training but was wondering what CST's opinions would be in regards to it?


[QUOTEI would say no. ][/QUOTE]

Can you elaborate in regards to how that approach is utilized within non-conventional means. I know within powerlifting or olympic lifting that you start out with like a pre-load of some sort then you increase the load by a certain percentage the next week, and then by the 3rd or 4th week you unload. I was confused to the statement Paul Chek made in regards to dropping the intensity by the third week of training. And thought that would only apply to conventional lifting because they lift more often for instance. Whereas, in CST it's more intensity waved so that you keep everything the same because of the intensity wave. Or, would their be a case within CST say for instance one week you drop the intensity and eliminate the Hi days or something like that where the total intensity is dropped instead of the 4 day cycle?

Can it be done? Sure (though how well it is done depends on other things). You'll even find some of those movements (or similar ones) on our side of the pond.

I would take it that our "workin-in" exercises progress more within Intu-Flow, Prasara yoga in the flowing nature, the Be Breathed spinal rocks, vibration drills, etc. His drills must be more traditional in nature?

I like the book and find it useful, if that helps

Okay I'll add it to my wish list, cool.

[Coach Clavijo]

But, the fact that the 4x7 sequence seems to be only one way to do waved intensity that follows the parameters set by CST. But, would there be any different way to follow CST without an intensity wave, due to personalization, etc?

I'm not sure if i'm understanding that question correctly, but are you under the impression that 4x7 is the only wave we use here? If that's the case, then you you are mistaken. 4x7 is one way we do it, and it features heavily in recent product releases, but the possibilities are pretty limitless. I'll expand on this below.

Maybe, there is alot I need to learn and I guess basically seeing a CST coach develops something similar to individualization, I imagine?

Coaches do provide individualized services, but you can individualize on your own. You seem to be on the forum often, so you may have come across logs where someone mentions having to skip a day, or not feeling recovered enough, or pushing too hard, or not enough, etc. The 4x7 is a frame to work around. And it's based on observed natural tendencies, but those tendencies are not rules. So, if one needs another day to recover, then our intuition (which is an important part of CST) guides us to make the appropriate choices. And if someone needs more work, then they can do that too. That's not discussed as often, because if we really follow the RPE for Medium and High days, it's not likely that we would need more work, hence the saying "You may add more recovery, but not more work".

Although, his style of training seems to be very vague and correct me if I'm wrong doesn't seem to have periodization structured goal of GPP to SSP.

There is a lot of stuff in Paul's work. And in any big ocean, it's easier to see the stuff close to the surface than it is to see the what lies in the deep. A big focus in Paul's work is often the 6 basic principles. Just because GPP-SSP stuff isn't as obvious as other things, doesn't mean his training is vague. As an example, I haven't seen dental occlusion or native american healing rituals covered in his correspondence courses, but I know that both of those things matter in the CHEK approach. Does that make sense?

Although, I noticed he does seem to implement clubbells and kettlebells into his training but are very unusual exercises from CST based on his circuit video on youtube where he does the lunges with a Clubbell®.

Why wouldn't he? clubbells rock! lol
Yeah, I've seen the lunge video, and I think it would be cool to talk Clubbell® technique with him.

I also notice he still includes machine cable training and notice within CST that is largely absent. I'm not a fan of machine cable training but was wondering what CST's opinions would be in regards to it?

It's a tool. I'm going to go off track for a sec and hit you with some of my personal philosophy: There is what you do, how you do it, and why you do it.

This applies to just about anything that one does. The reason I mention this is because it relates to both your earlier questions on intensity waves and here, about cable training. In CST, we think Health-First. So let's take that swinging lunge (what we do). If are going to throw it in our training program, we should have a reason behind it (why we do it). For many people, training time is limited (to say nothing of our few moments we are granted on Earth!), so any time spent training is worth being spent well. So, if doing that lunge would benefit us towards accomplishing our current goals, and would increase (or at the very least not decrease) our health and quality of living, then...let's do it! If not, then it's probably not worth including at that time. Finally, we have HOW we do it. CST uses several tools of measurement to grade how we are doing something. For instance, we have RPT (further broken down into the 7KCS). If that lunge strays too far outside our "How" parameters, then it begins to violate our "What" and "Why". And in that case, again becomes not worth currently pursuing. The lunge, the Clubbell®, the kettlebell, a cable machine, a pillowcase full of rice... they're all tools. Good or bad depends on more than the tool itself.

Please consider that, and try plugging it in for future exercise tool questions, and see how you like it.

[QUOTEI would say no. ][/QUOTE]

Can you elaborate in regards to how that approach is utilized within non-conventional means. I know within powerlifting or olympic lifting that you start out with like a pre-load of some sort then you increase the load by a certain percentage the next week, and then by the 3rd or 4th week you unload. I was confused to the statement Paul Chek made in regards to dropping the intensity by the third week of training. And thought that would only apply to conventional lifting because they lift more often for instance. Whereas, in CST it's more intensity waved so that you keep everything the same because of the intensity wave. Or, would their be a case within CST say for instance one week you drop the intensity and eliminate the Hi days or something like that where the total intensity is dropped instead of the 4 day cycle?

This goes back to the What/How/Why. For instance, in TACFIT 26, you might do 26 days straight of a Hard, Responsible Push. That doesn't really follow the usual 4x7 at all, but there is a How/Why to go with that approach.

I would take it that our "workin-in" exercises progress more within Intu-Flow®, Prasara yoga in the flowing nature, the Be Breathed spinal rocks, vibration drills, etc. His drills must be more traditional in nature?

More "How" stuff. Sometimes quad hops and spinal rocks can be working in, and sometimes they can be torture (in a good way). The things you listed are common tools for what we might consider "working-in" though.

Okay I'll add it to my wish list, cool.

Sweet. I love the Poopie Policeman diagram. Let me know what you think hahaha.

[Fitcook365]

I'm not sure if i'm understanding that question correctly, but are you under the impression that 4x7 is the only wave we use here? If that's the case, then you you are mistaken. 4x7 is one way we do it, and it features heavily in recent product releases, but the possibilities are pretty limitless. I'll expand on this below.

Oh ok awesome I mean I really like the 4x7 cycle at the moment right now which is Mon-Mod Tues-No Wed-Lo Thurs-Mod Fri-Hi Sat-No Sun-Lo which is great for me to gain more recovery due to my recent over training in past cycles and to focus on my simplified goals without cocktailing. So, I was hoping in the future for when I want to up my work capacity, what would be a way to do that CST-health wise. My last cycles I did 2 Mod and 2 Hi days to come out to 4 total days of training. And thought it be cool to have a variety of intensity waves. Is there ever a possibility to train upwards to 5 or 6 days or would that be too much, in terms of a short period of time for a specific goal out of curiosity?

Coaches do provide individualized services, but you can individualize on your own. You seem to be on the forum often, so you may have come across logs where someone mentions having to skip a day, or not feeling recovered enough, or pushing too hard, or not enough, etc. The 4x7 is a frame to work around. And it's based on observed natural tendencies, but those tendencies are not rules. So, if one needs another day to recover, then our intuition (which is an important part of CST) guides us to make the appropriate choices. And if someone needs more work, then they can do that too. That's not discussed as often, because if we really follow the RPE for Medium and High days, it's not likely that we would need more work, hence the saying "You may add more recovery, but not more work".

I just thought sometimes the 4x7 wouldn't give you enough training time. For instance, being a MMA athlete would it be too much to do BJJ classes 4-5 times a week in a given situation and while doing your strength and conditioning based work. I just always felt in order to get better at your sport, you needed to do more work. Just wondering what is the CST-based approach in that regards. I'm definitely regarding to sparring like rolling or hitting a bag, etc. It seems lot's of MMA guys overwork themselves and cause injuries, but it don't surprise me they would outperform me because they spend more time training. So, how does CST-based training of less work, for instance, due to the waved intensity and more recovery make me a "smarter" athlete. I mean I'm really drawn to this because longevity in mind, but I still want to be able to become a better athlete too. Maybe, you can elaborate on this so I can understand alot better. Just get's confusing when to know whether how many days to train in MMA a week, my strength training, sparring, technique class, and extra conditioning, etc. I know this a long response, but this is something that's been really itching at me lately. And also not to forget also balance my hormonal system with adequate recovery.

There is a lot of stuff in Paul's work. And in any big ocean, it's easier to see the stuff close to the surface than it is to see the what lies in the deep. A big focus in Paul's work is often the 6 basic principles. Just because GPP-SSP stuff isn't as obvious as other things, doesn't mean his training is vague. As an example, I haven't seen dental occlusion or native american healing rituals covered in his correspondence courses, but I know that both of those things matter in the CHEK approach. Does that make sense?

I guess in terms of someone into combat sports, CST would be a clearer layout? Although, Chek does seem to have some interesting ideas as well from some videos on Capoeira conditioning on his youtube channel.

Why wouldn't he? clubbells rock! lol
Yeah, I've seen the lunge video, and I think it would be cool to talk Clubbell® technique with him.

Yes, I really want to try a Clubbell® one of these days ! For the future when I have the funds what's a good weight to start with? I'm probably above average in strength I would like to say lol. And go single or double?

It's a tool. I'm going to go off track for a sec and hit you with some of my personal philosophy: There is what you do, how you do it, and why you do it.

This applies to just about anything that one does. The reason I mention this is because it relates to both your earlier questions on intensity waves and here, about cable training. In CST, we think Health-First. So let's take that swinging lunge (what we do). If are going to throw it in our training program, we should have a reason behind it (why we do it). For many people, training time is limited (to say nothing of our few moments we are granted on Earth!), so any time spent training is worth being spent well. So, if doing that lunge would benefit us towards accomplishing our current goals, and would increase (or at the very least not decrease) our health and quality of living, then...let's do it! If not, then it's probably not worth including at that time. Finally, we have HOW we do it. CST uses several tools of measurement to grade how we are doing something. For instance, we have RPT (further broken down into the 7KCS). If that lunge strays too far outside our "How" parameters, then it begins to violate our "What" and "Why". And in that case, again becomes not worth currently pursuing. The lunge, the Clubbell®, the kettlebell, a cable machine, a pillowcase full of rice... they're all tools. Good or bad depends on more than the tool itself.

Please consider that, and try plugging it in for future exercise tool questions, and see how you like it.

So, it's fine to use cables which is highly unlikely ever will, but if I did it's fine to use it in a CST-based program if it has a specific goal in mind? Would the same be for isolation exercises, which I dislike too, but if I did would the same principle apply?

This goes back to the What/How/Why. For instance, in TACFIT 26, you might do 26 days straight of a Hard, Responsible Push. That doesn't really follow the usual 4x7 at all, but there is a How/Why to go with that approach.

Ok, thanks that makes sense for me. So, it's all a matter of figuring out what the intended purpose of what your doing along with all the other health-first principles. Instead, of people who randomly throw things together for the sake of it (cocktailing) like Crossfit and doing a different workout every time in the gym. I think it's all making sense now!

More "How" stuff. Sometimes quad hops and spinal rocks can be working in, and sometimes they can be torture (in a good way). The things you listed are common tools for what we might consider "working-in" though.

Ya, some "working-in" can not agree with my religion as a Christian such as Qi Gong. But, that's what I like about CST because it's very neutral without all the Easter philosophy attached to it. Does the CST-based "working-in" accomplish the same goals that the traditional Easter internal arts are suppose to do such as lowering stress, balancing hormonal, etc. without invading a person who may be of a certain faith. Like some extra things I like to do is meditation which I do a Christian-based kind. But, does CST address any thing like that, that could be traditional in nature? For instance, I notice their is RMAX Powered Qi Gong and how does it compare to traditional kind. And want to experience all the health-benefits CST offers without invading on my faith. So, am I better off sticking to Intu-Flow®, Ageless Mobility®, prasara yoga, and the vibrational drills/spinal rocks without resorting to the traditional based stuff? As I like the MMA based arts due to the fact they don't have those religious philosophies like traditional arts, so CST based "workin in/internal arts" let's call it appeal best lol on the other side of the coin than Tai Chi, Qi Gong, traditional slow "spiritual" yoga, and other spiritual internal practices.

[/QUOTE]Sweet. I love the Poopie Policeman diagram. Let me know what you think hahaha.[QUOTE]

Ya that stuff is a bit uncomfortable, but it is important from a GI perspective lol.

[Coach Clavijo]

Is there ever a possibility to train upwards to 5 or 6 days or would that be too much, in terms of a short period of time for a specific goal out of curiosity?

You and I both covered this when we discussed the TACFIT 26. It's possible to train more, given a balanced approach.

I just thought sometimes the 4x7 wouldn't give you enough training time.

It seems a lot of people feel this way at first. I would say that you should just experiment with it and see for yourself. We could get nerdy with physiological explanations, but you won't really know until you give it a real shot.

For instance, being a MMA athlete would it be too much to do BJJ classes 4-5 times a week in a given situation and while doing your strength and conditioning based work. I just always felt in order to get better at your sport, you needed to do more work.

I can't answer that specifically for you. I don't know your gym or what they do, I don't see you train, I don't know how you feel, and if you are stressing/recovering enough. 4-5 classes a week might be too little, enough, or too much for you right now.

And yes, you need to do your sport to get better, but again, it all depends. I knew these BJJ guys from NY that told me that their instructor would sometimes have them doing an hour of conditioning before the actual class started. I would never join that gym, but it just goes to show that different gyms have different classes, and within those classes there are varying levels of different kinds of "work". You might be "conditioning", or receiving instruction, or drilling, or rolling, and within each of those there are tons of variables. So when you say you need to do more to get better, what is it that you are worried about not getting enough of?

It seems lot's of MMA guys overwork themselves and cause injuries, but it don't surprise me they would outperform me because they spend more time training. So, how does CST-based training of less work, for instance, due to the waved intensity and more recovery make me a "smarter" athlete.

While they are overworked, they are under-performing. While they are injured, they are under-performing. You can't fire a cannon from a canoe, and to the degree that you are under-performing, you are a canoe. So... they make themselves canoes. They have to favor an injured hand or leg when they are supposed to be using it for striking or balance. They have to modify their rolling because they've got an injured whatever. They don't get the 100% of the benefits of their out-of-gym conditioning, because they are playing catch-up with recovery. They have to take time off from training because they got sick with the flu/ringworm/etc because their immune system is weakened from over training.

I mean I'm really drawn to this because longevity in mind, but I still want to be able to become a better athlete too.

Don't think MORE recovery, but ADEQUATE and APPROPRIATE recovery. And while your friend stops for a split second to think about the fact that his joints are achy (and maybe have been for weeks), you get to punch him in the face, like a good training partner
While your opponent is busy trying to squeeze out more and more performance from an ever more under-restored body, you'll be busy getting better. You'll be busy getting more out of every second of your training, and... isn't that the point? That's how you become a the better athlete.

I guess in terms of someone into combat sports, CST would be a clearer layout?

The CHEK Institute promotes itself as the center for advanced exercise education. If you browse through their online store, you'll see that most of their products are geared towards fitness professionals. CST products in the RMAX store are made with the exercising consumer in mind. That's not to say that CST products don't contain advanced exercise info, but there is a different Why and How to be considered. For someone just into combat sports, they would be better served by something that is actually marketed towards their demographic.

Yes, I really want to try a Clubbell® one of these days ! For the future when I have the funds what's a good weight to start with? I'm probably above average in strength I would like to say lol. And go single or double?

Start with the 15. Single or double is more likely a matter of interest and funds. There's a lot you can do with a single 15.

So, it's fine to use cables which is highly unlikely ever will, but if I did it's fine to use it in a CST-based program if it has a specific goal in mind? Would the same be for isolation exercises, which I dislike too, but if I did would the same principle apply?

Any tool applied Health-First is suitable for Health-First training. Cables and Isolation exercises are just tools (though CST recognizes no "true" isolation of a body part in exercise).

Does the CST-based "working-in" accomplish the same goals that the traditional Easter internal arts are suppose to do such as lowering stress, balancing hormonal, etc. without invading a person who may be of a certain faith.

Many of the benefits would overlap, yes.

For instance, I notice their is RMAX Powered Qi Gong and how does it compare to traditional kind.

I haven't watched that video, but it seems they may have made RPQG with your concerns in mind: "The most misunderstood component of the system is that, these benefits will only happen if you subscribe to particular cultures belief system, or spiritual practices. In this ground breaking course, Joseph Wilson demystifies Qigong; he breaks down and explains basic movements that anyone can do. "

Ya that stuff is a bit uncomfortable, but it is important from a GI perspective lol

Oh, if that sort of thing makes you uncomfortable, I'll warn you that there are a few other poopie cartoons in the book.

[Fitcook365]

You and I both covered this when we discussed the TACFIT 26. It's possible to train more, given a balanced approach.

I was sort of wondering in regards to a non-CST program such as doing Olympic lifts, Kb lifting GS, or Powerlifting. Where you train up to 6 days a week for instance. Would that be able to be configured into a health-first approach or no?

t seems a lot of people feel this way at first. I would say that you should just experiment with it and see for yourself. We could get nerdy with physiological explanations, but you won't really know until you give it a real shot.

I am definitely enjoying the configuration setup for my goal that was setup for the first time the real CST way and really liking the laid back nature of it to get rid of my overtraining syndrome. I think being open to new things is the way to go

I can't answer that specifically for you. I don't know your gym or what they do, I don't see you train, I don't know how you feel, and if you are stressing/recovering enough. 4-5 classes a week might be too little, enough, or too much for you right now.

And yes, you need to do your sport to get better, but again, it all depends. I knew these BJJ guys from NY that told me that their instructor would sometimes have them doing an hour of conditioning before the actual class started. I would never join that gym, but it just goes to show that different gyms have different classes, and within those classes there are varying levels of different kinds of "work". You might be "conditioning", or receiving instruction, or drilling, or rolling, and within each of those there are tons of variables. So when you say you need to do more to get better, what is it that you are worried about not getting enough of?

As far as recovering go, I definitely get overtrained easily so it's hard to nip it in the bud and get it just right so it's not undertraining but it could easily go over. Normally, I do BJJ 3 times a week. Right now my membership ended due to it being too expensive so I'm out of training for a little while until I figure it out. I'm worried I may not get enough practice to perfect my technique due to only/was going 3 times a week. And a class being an hour a week. It's very little time to get good at it. So, that is what I'm basically worried about. Since, grappling it's hard to practice on your own if you don't have any friends to practice with. It's extremely difficult for me. Since, I want to do some competitions within 6 months or so, I feel like I will be no where ready.

While they are overworked, they are under-performing. While they are injured, they are under-performing. You can't fire a cannon from a canoe, and to the degree that you are under-performing, you are a canoe. So... they make themselves canoes. They have to favor an injured hand or leg when they are supposed to be using it for striking or balance. They have to modify their rolling because they've got an injured whatever. They don't get the 100% of the benefits of their out-of-gym conditioning, because they are playing catch-up with recovery. They have to take time off from training because they got sick with the flu/ringworm/etc because their immune system is weakened from over training.

Oh, I definitely do not agree with killing yourself in the process. I believe in slow and steady wins the race. But, don't want to be wasting my time getting nowhere with my training because I don't practice enough. Might be contradicting myself there, but there has to be a health-first way to practice without killing yourself. Like usually I would keep my intensity different on class days because the instructor is very lax, so some days I would just do technique, other days stay for the rolling or skip the technique and make it hi-intensity, etc.

Don't think MORE recovery, but ADEQUATE and APPROPRIATE recovery. And while your friend stops for a split second to think about the fact that his joints are achy (and maybe have been for weeks), you get to punch him in the face, like a good training partner
While your opponent is busy trying to squeeze out more and more performance from an ever more under-restored body, you'll be busy getting better. You'll be busy getting more out of every second of your training, and... isn't that the point? That's how you become a the better athlete.

Yes, I just probably need more specific coaching since I'm definitely no expert when it comes to BJJ. Just hard to find an instructor that would apply a health-first approach to training BJJ, largely a "punk-like" atmosphere, who cares for the health of the students and proper warmup and cooldown. The place I went to did absolutely no warm-up or cooldown whatsoever.

The CHEK Institute promotes itself as the center for advanced exercise education. If you browse through their online store, you'll see that most of their products are geared towards fitness professionals. CST products in the RMAX store are made with the exercising consumer in mind. That's not to say that CST products don't contain advanced exercise info, but there is a different Why and How to be considered. For someone just into combat sports, they would be better served by something that is actually marketed towards their demographic.

I've done my research online and glazing through the library and can not find any system of training for combat athletes that is even remotely close to CST. I find alot are fragmented, focus on the exercises with a bunch of randomness that appears flashy but at the same time wear you out due to no pre-hab. Others stick to the same exercises for a long period of time, etc (usual meathead stuff). Alot of it is the same regurgitated stuff I already know how to do lol. I'm surprised all the top-guys in MMA haven't fired their trainers and hired Coach Sonnon. haha But, you were refering to CST right when you said

For someone just into combat sports, they would be better served by something that is actually marketed towards their demographic.

Or, is there any other reputable health-first systems out there for combat athletes??

Start with the 15. Single or double is more likely a matter of interest and funds. There's a lot you can do with a single 15.

I'll go with a single then. How about for pro-grade kettlebells. Is Valery Fedorenko the best ones to go for someone interested in GS lifting? And I use the ones at my gym that are similar to Russian kettlebells but a different name from Dragon Door, same style, and they go in lbs. So, what's good to start with in kg. I feel comfortable with 35lb to 40 lb. So for kg what would that translate to. And go with Clubbell® first or kettlebell haha? I can't stand the non-competition style bells because of the change in size. GS looks way better as the same size and would look cool to lie to someone and say it's heavier than it is haha. Plus, the steel handles and different colors are so dang cool!

Any tool applied Health-First is suitable for Health-First training. Cables and Isolation exercises are just tools (though CST recognizes no "true" isolation of a body part in exercise).

It looks like when Paul Chek uses cables, he uses them in a non-traditional way to address like a push, pull, rotational, etc.

Many of the benefits would overlap, yes.

Awesome!

I haven't watched that video, but it seems they may have made RPQG with your concerns in mind: "The most misunderstood component of the system is that, these benefits will only happen if you subscribe to particular cultures belief system, or spiritual practices. In this ground breaking course, Joseph Wilson demystifies Qigong; he breaks down and explains basic movements that anyone can do. "

Cool, I'll definitely look into something like that when I do stand-up arts in the future. I find yoga to be the best for grappling.

Oh, if that sort of thing makes you uncomfortable, I'll warn you that there are a few other poopie cartoons in the book.

Haha. I was just joking; doesn't bother me at all. I still want to get the book eventually, regardless.

[Jesse1]

As far as the recovery vs. workload issue goes, most people intuitively think more work = more gains. Work gives us the stimulation that drives growth, adaptation, and improvement. However, that growth/adaptation/improvement only actually occurs during recovery periods. Here's something I whipped up in photoshop a while back to better explain the concept. It seems to work better for those of us that are visual learners.

[Coach Clavijo]

Thanks for your input Jesse. I'd like to submit for your consideration the following thought of mine: You can't have "too much" recovery. You are either recovered or not, and any "recovery time" beyond that stops being recovery, and starts being something else.

[Scott Sonnon]

You can't have "too much" recovery. You are either recovered or not, and any "recovery time" beyond that stops being recovery, and starts being something else.

^^This^^