Conditioning is by far one of the most important aspects of training, and one of the most important attributes of a martial artist. While it’s important to spend time perfecting your technique, it’s equally important to develop and maintain your overall physical conditioning. Stamina and endurance are the primary benefits of good conditioning. Stamina is a natural response to training, or the ability to work over a period of time without getting fatigued. Endurance on the other hand, is how long you are able to sustain that work.

You don’t have to hurt in order to develop stamina.

We have a creed that we use in your training – Don’t Train Harder, Train Smarter. Always start your training slowly, learn how to develop stamina gradually. Whether you’re just starting your training or you’ve been training for years, it’s important to remember that it takes time to develop stamina and you can reach whatever fitness level you desire depending on your level of commitment and your consistency. It doesn’t happen overnight, so if you’re feeling discouraged or that you can’t keep up – just remember that it will get easier over time as you continue your training.

Doing the martial arts and “getting into shape” is thoroughly invigorating and fun when done right.

It will require some adjustments and some discomfort at times as your body adapts to the increased energy and work demands, but if you’re sore all the time, you’re not training smart. Remember, proper training is for the purpose of building your body and avoiding activities that will deteriorate or injure it.

The Cost and Demand of Training

Athletics/Martial Arts develops what it demands.

Development is precisely commensurate with demand. With no demand, there is no development; with small demand, small development; with improper demand, improper development.

Demand requires motive.

Without continual motivation to get you going, consistent training will be very difficult.

Motivation requires meaning.

The motivating factor corresponds to your goals; it must offer an improvement or benefit that you want.

Demand takes the form of progressive overload. 

By repeatedly and consistently asking yourself a little more than you’re comfortable with, a little more than you are capable of, you improve.

Progressive overload takes place in small increments within your comfort zone.

You need to stretch your comfort zone but not ignore it. By staying near the top end of your comfort zone, but within your comfort zone, you will improve at a nice progressive rate, and you will be able to continue training and improving for longer.

Development (through overload) require a tolerance for failure.

Development means there will be “little failures” along the way to your ultimate goal.

Tolerance for failure comes from understanding the natural process of development.

If your expectations are too high, you will become frustrated. Realistic goal setting develops patience. By being realistic, you will see failures and obstacles as stepping stones, not roadblocks to your progress.

So, as we get closer to summer, make sure your training program has a good balance of technique and conditioning so that you can shatter your goals!