The Day That Changed My Life

Posted on November 15, 2012 by Jon

I still remember it like it was yesterday. I was 16 years old, sitting in the back seat of my parent’s car thumbing through the latest issue of Black Belt magazine when I came to a full page advertisement for the 1989 Tai Kai with Ninjutsu Grandmaster Masaaki Hatsumi. To my shock and utter astonishment this 3-day seminar with the master ninja and his top students from Japan was being held in the United States. Not only was it being held in the US, but in my home state of NJ, not even an hour drive from my house! Something clicked in my brain – I HAD to go to this thing! Continue reading →

Stopping Power for Kicks & Strikes

Posted on November 13, 2012 by Jon

The following is a guest post from my friend and fellow Underground Strength Coach, Frank DiMeo.

It is always an honor to do a guest blog post for another coach, especially regarding martial arts and strength training.
To many people UFC is the only martial arts they are aware of, but the experienced martial artists know how broad a spectrum martial arts cover. Continue reading →

How Conditioning Can Boost Strength

Posted on November 8, 2012 by Jon

Thanks to my good friend, Coach Chris “Jersey Beast” Lopez, for this cool guest blog post!

The Benefits of Strategic Conditioning

When you hear someone talk about conditioning (especially combat athletes), it usually refers to the training they are doing to boost their endurance or drop weight. Very rarely do we hear about conditioning that will also directly boost strength and strength endurance. But if structured correctly, adding conditioning to your strength training split can directly increase cardio capacity, strength over time, performance, speed of muscular contraction, and even raw strength itself! Check out the video! Continue reading →

Training in Confined Spaces

Posted on November 1, 2012 by Jon

If you have Warrior Fitness Training style questions, send them to me. I answer any and all serious (well, mostly serious) questions about training, my Warrior Fitness System, my views on fitness, martial arts, self defense, strength & conditioning, or training for sport/athletic performance.

Here’s a video answer to a question I received the other day from Robert, a Bujinkan student in Sweden. Continue reading →

5 Ways to Improve Your Hand-Eye Coordination

Posted on October 31, 2012 by Jon

Check out this awesome guest blog post by Australian Strength Coach sensation, John Wayne Legg!

Nobody would argue that to reach your true potential in a martial art or combat sport, you need to be accurate when executing a move. Whether you are attempting an arm-bar, single leg take-down or a punch to the face, you are going to suck if you don’t connect with your target where you want to. And while much practice in your chosen sport will go a long way to building this skill, there are extra things we can do to either catch up or put the icing on the cake, so to speak. Continue reading →

6 Simple Ways to Improve Your Strength for Combat Sports

Posted on October 25, 2012 by Jon

Huge thanks to John Gaglione, AKA Coach Gags, of Gaglione Strength for this guest blog post!

So you want to be a fighter? Maybe your sport is wrestling or BBJ? All of the fight sports have a few things in common. You need to be strong, powerful, mobile, and HOSTILE! Follow these so you can become a BEAST on and off of the mats! Continue reading →

This is Dangerous to YOUR Training

Posted on September 27, 2012 by Jon

Alright. Strap in, kids because this is gonna be a bumpy one.

There is a huge problem that affects many people training in martial arts today that needs to be addressed because it is severely inhibiting their progress and skill. It applies to fitness training as well, so if you don’t train martial art read this with whatever type of training you do in mind. Continue reading →

My Super Secret Recovery Method

Posted on August 20, 2012 by Jon

In addition to my usual compliment of recovery drills consisting of mobility exercises, yoga asana, and compensatory movement, for the past year and a half I have been using a top secret protocol in my exercise recovery work. This exceedingly simple-seeming protocol has consistently accelerated my recovery, allowed me to reach new levels of relaxation, and strengthened the mind-body connection beyond any work I have ever done. It has also managed to increase energy levels while fortifying my body against the daily rigors of life, work, and family stresses. Continue reading →

How to Develop Wrists of Steel

Posted on August 7, 2012 by Jon

Martial arts training, especially in arts like Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu, Aikido, and old school Jujutsu, tend to put a lot stress on practitioners’ wrists due to the various types of wrist locks and throws. Over time this can lead to chronic wrist pain, soreness, and even permanent injury. Continue reading →

Combat Conditioning and A Challenge

Posted on July 16, 2012 by Jon

The video below is a brand new combat conditioning circuit I put together for martial artists. It will be especially good for my Buyu (warrior friends) training in Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu. If you are ready to put your body, mind, and spirit to the test, this circuit is guaranteed to kick your conditioning into high gear. Continue reading →

Warrior Fitness

Old School Training for the Modern Warrior

Category Archives: Martial Arts