Fighting Weight...

Hi Tony,

Hope you don't mind but this is a question for both you and Al (and everybody else too).

The simple question is:

Is there such a thing as an ideal fighting weight?

To expand on this should you tailor the way you move to your existing shape or should you target an ideal weight at the outset and then train for it? Does it depend on whether your strengths are stand up or ground work?

One of the major reasons behind my initial decision to train was for fitness. The workouts we do will invariably alter your shape and I am now wandering whether to supplement existing training with weights or to let nature takes it course (in tandem with FFMA training) for the next 6 months and see where this takes me. As you know we live in a body conscious world so your take on it would be interesting.

I think I have complicated my 'simple' question, but I am sure you guys will sort through it and come up with good insights.

Thanks for your time,

Matt

Also, just to add that 'Fighting Weight' is not restricted specifically to fighting as such but more general well being / martial arts training.

A friend who recently lost weight through running described her weight loss as 'a return to her ideal fighting weight', which is where I pinched the phrase from...

Hi Matt,

This is a logical question to ask and I will give my opinion on this subject as it can actually be very subjective depending on the individual’s athletic ability.

If you are training in the martial arts with a view to reaching your potential best in terms of correct body movement and bio-mechanics - and you want to train for a long time - then there is an ideal fighting weight for you based on your body frame size which will not put stress on your joints. This weight centers around your natural frame size in order words the way God made you. For example: I am 78kg with a medium frame build – so if I load up on the weights and get to 100kg I can still do all the MA movements - but they cannot be as optimized as they would be at a fit 12 stone weight because the extra size may effect my natural body bio-mechanics.

Some top athletes can go up in weight and still move as well – but they are few who can. There are some prolific fighters who have fought in the UFC at several weight categories, but when all is said and done you see them eventually go back to their natural fighting weight. Also for longevity I think if you stay around your natural fit body weight you will have fewer problems such as injuries as you put less stress on the joints and the tendons.

You mentioned weight training. You can add weight training to your martial arts regime as it is beneficial. The way you train on weights for the fighting arts is different to that if you were body biulding (building bulk). Ideally the perfect mix to supplement your MA triaging is; combat conditioning calisthenics; meditation to develop optimised breahting techniques; weights but specific for MA; short runs (3 miles on your toes nice and bouncy will do); and stretching (Pilates based is best). I recommend Geoff Thompson’s book “Weight Training for the martial artist”.

There are circumstances however that will require you to put weight on. For example if you do door work the extra weight and body armor comes in handy as they are short fights in which sometimes size does matter in a confined space. Also of course if you are very thin then common sense dictates that some muscle mania would be beneficial and therefore a period of being an iron warrior is necessary.

You will know when you reach your fighting weight because your timing and footwork will be at its best and it will take much longer to gas you out. If you are too light you feel a loss of power, if you are too heavy you will feel slower and in some cases sluggish.

However as I say there are many exceptions to the above comments so it is a matter of training smart and deiciding what it is your training for. I am now 51 so I train as smart as I can and for my own well being so I can take care of my family and friends for years to come. This can be difficult at times when I have ruck up with you young big guys – just ask big Tim Coppin he loves to blast into me when we go full contact.

Keep up your training mate you have advanced so fast that everyone at the club has noticed it.

Thanks for your support.
Tony. T

Good question Matt, and very good answer Tony. Very interesting to read.
Fantastic training tonight!!!!

Thanks Helen - you are well focused at the moment - keep up the work -
Tony. T

You will find your natural fighting weight by training as you are at the moment with the club.

When i first started FFMA i had only ever weight trained and played rugby and was too slow due to my size, now after 12 months of regular FFMA sessions and a revised weight training plan i find body mechanics a lot easier due to less mass.

If you ever want to weight train matt give me a shout a meet up at the gym in Northway.

As Tony said you are doing great, keep it up the rewards will be massive

Thanks for the note Tim,

I would like to take you up on your offer but if I spend any more time away from the house (in addition to 3 nights at FFMA) my wife is likely to go for me in a way nobody on this forum could protect me from!! In this situation it's all about avoidance.

In all seriousness I will bear it in mind though buddy. I may need to work on some strenth training as if I'd have had another 5 minutes at training with the new guy Barney (another rugby player) I think he'd have taken my head off.

Matt & Tim,
If you get a mintue go to Geoff Thompson's website as his book on weight training for the martial arts is very good - and you can put some weights at home and do the stuff he is showing - the book is only £9.99 (well it was when I bought it)
Keep up the good work both of you are doign great -
Tony