In this episode of the Science of Building Champions podcast I chat with Ognjen Topic, European born three-times world champion, WKA International Champion, and ranked number 1 in the United States, who’s also trained and fought extensively in Thailand too. Ognjen’s introduction to Muay Thai wasn’t the easiest (on so many [...]
In the long overdue 2nd episode of the podcast…. Former two-times World champion and owner of K-Star Legacy Gym UK, Damien Trainor generously shares his hard-earned Muay Thai knowledge – from both competing at the highest level in the early 90’s and onwards, and as a world renowned coach in [...]
For many fighters, bodyweight training only serves as muscular endurance training – multiple rounds of upward of 10 reps per exercise. This approach develops endurance, or “conditioning”. It doesn’t touch the neuromuscular system that’s developed in resistance training sessions targeting strength, power, and speed. And in missing this, fails to [...]
Gyms around the world are either reopening or preparing to reopen very soon. It’s great news, but the reality of just what we’re going back to bears some thought. In order to reopen safely, gyms must abide by new operating restrictions and safe practice. The number of people allowed in [...]
I’m hearing more often from fighters that are doing their best to systematically improve their athletic ability... But are finding that well-meaning trainers are sabotaging them with regular “beastings” that set them back. A knowledge gap is beginning to grow between the students and trainers/coaches. [...]
Another nice balance of questions between movement skill, resistance (strength, power, speed) training, and energy systems cardio (endurance) conditioning in this Q&A episode. In this second episode of the Q&A I'm asked... Hi, Don. What do u think of the Ido Portal method of [...]
Some big questions this week! In this episode of the Q&A I'm asked... What is better for the longterm progression and why? MAS or Main Conditioning from Heavy Hitters? Warm-up protocols to stimulate greater neural drive? Training at home and having trouble with loading [...]
With the increasing volume of questions to fit into the 30 minute segment, apologies if I didn't manage to squeeze in your question in this episode! In this episode of the Q&A I'm asked... How often should you schedule training sessions that really push [...]
More solid questions coming in this week, and covering a good spectrum too. I'm also getting the hang of things on Instagram Live, and the supporting images work better this week – my head doesn't get in the way for a start! In this [...]
I said, "Ask me anything." Well I asked for it! While getting to grips with the Instagram Live format, in this first episode of the Q&A I'm asked... 1. Why don't you buy a toupee? 2. Does masturbation or sex before a fight negatively affect performance? 3. [...]
As promised, here’s the first area of soft tissue work that you can do at home using a tennis ball, or similar. I’ve started at the ground, with the foot, because not only is a tennis ball the perfect implement for this part of the body… But also the foot is [...]
Here's a follow up answering to a couple of questions that came up from the first video on push up technique for fighters… "I feel so much weaker when I stop flaring out my elbows when I do my push ups, will this change?" "Is there any benefit to doing push [...]
One of the kings of bodyweight exercise, the push up, is often practiced with poor form. Form that translates into your straight punches, particularly as you get tired. Fighters know that rotating the fist too early results in chicken winging, the elbow prematurely flaring out. And that this not only [...]
Today, are you heading out predominantly for a Training session, a Practice session, or a Spoiling session? Let me explain what I mean by these... Training - moves you forward, it’s progressive, uses developmental loads and drills Practicing - reinforces existing skill, creates good habits, maintains athletic qualities Spoiling - [...]
Like many others, I used to believe that hard training left your immune system temporarily at a deficit, leaving an “open window” where you're more likely to pick up an infection. Lots of previous research assumed this, and that’s where I’d got it from.... But it’s a myth. This video explains why this myth [...]
While on lockdown, your cardio conditioning can either maintain fitness, or develop fitness... It can encourage poor movement mechanics, or promote sound movement and stability. Done well, progressive shuttle run training does both. I encourage you to improve how you move when you’re training at home. With some thought, cardio training can [...]
When you’re stuck at home without something to hang and pull from, you need a way to train that musculature on the upper back to retain strength and stability… Too much pushing will mess up your posture and increase your risk of injury. So I’ve put on my “thinking cap” [...]
Once you are tired of just “working out” (spinning your wheels), start TRAINING instead. When you’re training, you’re progressively working toward a specific purpose... And that purpose is far more targeted than “stay in shape” or keeping busy. A woolly objective like that may burn calories and prevent you putting [...]
The world-wide impact of the COVID-19 virus is now being truly realised… Events are cancelled and fighters are now feeling a little aimless, not knowing how long restrictions are going to be in place. During this time of inevitable social lock-down – depending on where you are in [...]
I’m often asked for a genuine training program for Thai boxers that don’t have access to any gym equipment – something to supplement the typical training regimen in Thailand... And in the current climate, something you can do at home when your gym has closed to help control the COVID-19 outbreak. So I set [...]
