Where are you now compared to when you started training? If this isnt your peak, when was, and why? Have your goals and training orientation changed since you began training? How many hours a week on average do you train now? When you started?
Just trying to get some good kung fu talk goin…
Where are you now compared to when you started training?
further down the road.
If this isnt your peak, when was, and why?
Haven’t peaked yet, I hope. Once you peak, the only place to go is down.
Have your goals and training orientation changed since you began training?
Initially, I wanted to tone up and gain flexibility. Once I accomplished that, my focus changed toward more fluid movement. Once I accomplished that, I started working on precise techniques…I’m still working on that one, and the others as well to some degree.
How many hours a week on average do you train now? When you started?
For the last year, I’ve been training about 12 hours a week. When it gets colder and my lawn work is gone, I’ll add a couple of more hours a week. That includes stretching time, jumping rope time, and regular work outs.
I used to train about 18 hours/week, but about a year ago I cut back because I was getting run down, my knees hurt sometimes, and because the woman wanted some more quality time.
When I started, I was in bad shape from sitting behind a desk for 3 years with no exercise. So, I really had a lot to overcome in the beginning. I dropped 50 lbs in the first 18 months, but it took 3 years before I could put my forhead on my knees.
“where are you now compared to when you started”
Significantly more educated, much more open minded to the MA.
“Haven’t peaked yet, I hope. Once you peak, the only place to go is down.”
Correct, but It was meant to be a more broad statement… Should say has your training peaked yet. im still on my way. 
“Have your goals and training orientation changed since you began training?”
Started cause I was horribly out of shape, and after going a couple rounds with my heavy bag one night, realized my fighting skills had diminished to d!ck. Now I train to stay in shape, and because I really enjoy doing it. Also like knowin how to whoop @ss.
“How many hours a week on average do you train now? When you started?”
I started training only a couple hours a week… After a few weeks upped it some more… Currently train 15-20 hours a week, try to push in more if possible. Really busy weeks Ill only get in 10 hours, but I hate that.
I doubt my training has peaked, Ive only been at it for a few years.
I can kick alot more ass now then when I started.
Goals and orientation have changed much overall. Week to week they seem to change sometimes. much less now then before.
In the beggining, it was a few hours a week, like maybe 6 or 9, now its like, 4 hours a day, 6 days a week, sometimes less, occasionally more due to competitions or seminars or other extra random stuff.
Yep.
I just thought you all should know, If you have read this and not posted a reply, you suck.
:mad:
I’m in physically better shape now. And I can defend myself quite well, but I have far to go.
Tomarrow…I get to begin Iron Palm again. I have the hands of a sissified northerner.
i am not that far from where i started. i am still seaching for the “right style” for me, the one that i will study for a lifetime. from trying differnet styles i have developed solid basics, but not much else. the longest i have trained in one place is 3 years of tkd, otherwise my training has been somewhat sporadic. i am hoping my pickiness will pay off eventually.
A Work In Progress
I started weight lifting a year before I started MA. I was in pathetic shape. I started out w/50lbs. on the bar, and got winded quick. The first few classes of MA kicked my bent azz. Still, I knew what I wanted from the training, and trudged along. Nine years later, I’m 160lbs w/very little fat, fair endurance, and can keep from getting my azz whooped, even if I don’t neccessarily whoop azz. The closest I’ve came to a peak is June of '99. That’s right before I tested for black, and was eating, sleeping, and breathing MA. There was a very brief burn out period right after that, and life threw me some curves, but I didn’t lose much ground. Now, I’m a full-time college student w/time to train. So I’m loving life. I know I’ll always be a work in progress. Good thread SD. Peace. 
Well Shaolin-Do, I’d better answer so’s I don’t suck.
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Way above where I was when I started, much more leg strength, stamina, and power. And flexibility.
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Still not anywhere near the peak I want to reach. Stuff that’s easy for some folks is difficult for me (splits, iron bridge, tabletop stances, sweeps). But I register some progress every month, even if it’s tiny.
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Goals haven’t changed. training orientation focuses more on rest & recovery periods in between training (getting the most out of R&R, if possible).
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Only about 7-8 hours a week now. When I started it was about the same, except shorter classes; last 2 years trained 10-18 hours/week, now have less time to do so.
Truthfully, I’m on the DL this month with a back injury and letting a foot injury from this spring heal fully, very frustrating but necessary.
“getting the most out of R&R”
Could you elaborate on this please?
Hi SD,
Rest & recovery. The period between training sessions (both class & training at home). I’ve been paying more attention to how sore I am after training, when soreness starts/how long it lasts; any gain/loss of flexibility between training periods. Then I work out why these occur & how to minimize muscle soreness/ weakness/ lack of flexibility. (rest)
Nothing scientific, I just try to follow basic recovery guidelines, i.e. rehydrate, don’t repeat the same exercises every day (alternate aerobic/anaerobic exercise, for example) and take it easy after a tough training session. I also note how long it takes before I can train at the same level as the last tough session. (recovery)
Also continually repeat to myself, “I am no longer 19 years old.” So I don’t try to train like I’m 19 again.
I peaked…I hope to peak again in late october…the point i’m at now is fatter and balder…but richer.
“the point i’m at now is fatter and balder…but richer.”
Gettin old eh?
“I am no longer 19 years old.” So I don’t try to train like I’m 19 again."
Im 19.
Gettin old eh?
Hey I’m only 30
Fatter cos I moved in with my North american girlfriend who eats like a steriotypical northamerican (Had to go with her to the shop last night so she could buy cake and chocolate…that was the first and last day of her diet).
Balder cos of my dad grrrrr.
But richer cos I just cashed my house in as I have not lived in it in ages since I moved in with my girl. Now I have like 5 years worth of wages in my current account LOL:D .
I’m in Toronto.
Because of continued practice, I am better at martial arts than when I first began.
cheers
every day is a whole 'nother journey
Good deal
Nah, 30 aint THAT old… :eek:
Eating like an american… I live in san antonio… A giant colony of obese people.
Who U Callin’ Old?
Watch it there SD. I’m 34 and feel and move better than I did at 24. You comin’ to Lexington on the 20th?
Should be… Not sure quite yet however.
Well, so far I think I peeked back in February. Was in perfect shape: knees were better, no Physical Therapy. Shoulders were 100%. Hell, my abs had vascularity around my belly button. I was a finely-tune asletic mase-ine. Then I tested for Black Belt. And, for political reasons, I was not awarded my full sho dan, and instead had to wait three days to find out I got Sho Dan Ho.
Oh Yeah, broke a ****ing rib at the test. And due to my stupidity, it has yet to heal.
I PROMISE, I DON’T ***** THIS MUCH WHEN I’M WORKING OUT.
Only 1/2 this much.
Peace and Love!