Working out ? yes but...

 

Hello Everybody,

It is sunday sunny afternoon here in Cork Ireland and I am looking at the beautiful view from my third floor apartment in the middle of cooking and writing. This kind of weather motivates everybody to feel good, go out and also exercise. There is nothing better than a good workout to get you going with a clear and positive mind. I have always practised a sport, from eight I had my first tennis racket in the hands. I remember practising against the wall for hours. Later I became good at tennis and played some good tournaments.

It wasn' t a tough sport though in terms of intensity and I felt I needed something else. I turned to martial arts and specifically to Mixed Martial arts around 1998. This is a Sport which is very popular now and I didn't know at the time it would develop this much. And man, I was looking for intensity and I had it for sure. In some sessions I remember vomiting many times afterwards. In some others, I got injured also ( broken arm and a broken wrist ...). In a particular session, I was wrestling with a big man, I forgot my groin protection home and this man had the gentle manner to put his knee on my b...!!! I can assure you that it was probably the worst pain of my life. I couldn' t walk properly for 2 weeks and do you know the smurfs ? well they had this color.

Working out or practising a sport is essential. It releases some hormonal substances called endorphines which are neuro associated to pleasure. Some people can really get addicted to them. I am a firm believer that a physical activity is needed for a well self being. You see the body is a machine that is linked to your brain. By activating the body, you activate the brain. And like any other machines, if you keep it too long with no activity, it starts to rust. But all that is not new... we all know it we should work out and keep a fit body etc... well my opinion on this is yes I agree but until a certain level.

Let me explain, as I said the body is a machine and what happens to a machine when it is used intensively for a long period of time ? it dies earlier, it looks older earlier... have you got a car ? if you drive it at high speed after a few years, there are strong chances that it will start causing you troubles sooner than expected. The body is the same. I am 34, I had some intense training sessions for many years, lifting very heavy weights, wrestling, boxing quite intensively and I am now starting to feel some bad feedbacks from the time I was younger and crazier. My knees start to hurt, my shoulder gets regularly injured...

So here is my theory, : train 70 % intensity for 100 % of your life rather than 100 % intensity for 70 % of your life. After all, the finality of it is the long term and being able to go the distance, being consistent all your life.

Your work out should involve, stretching movements, dynamic movements, medium weight lifting, cardio, yoga and FUN of course ! one of my model has always been the great brazilian " Rickson Gracie " once considered the best fighter in the world. His training compared to other guys of his sport has always been a blend of natural movements, bodyweight lifting, cardio, breathing yoga to balance alls part of his anatomy. To better understand, I invite you to have a look at this video.

So take care of your body. Its all about long term. Don't train for the mirror, train for the well being and practical aspect of it. The aesthetic will come with it don' t worry. I leave you on this other work out video which I find amazing...there is no doubt that this type of training is my future !

Go easy on it and See you next time my friends !

Written by Jean Michel Poc