Its been a good week at the gym and as always its pushed me physically. One of the things I learnt at a very early stage with Thai is that if you stay consistent with your training it does wonders for your fitness and overall well being. Sit ups, press ups, squats, endless rounds on the bags and pads.. all of it’s good for your mind, body and of course your soul.

There is of course fitness regimes I’ve brought into my training outside of the environment of the gym.I started running before training at my old camp, even before I started fighting. At first it was tough but as I got used to it, it became the natural thing to do. And when I started fighting sprint training over the course of the run was something that (eventually) I settled into as well. I’ve found it’s something that, as with Thai, I’ve stayed consistent with and enjoy doing too.

When it comes to fighting, all of the above has served me well. Although I’m still learning (aren’t we always?)  one of the things that I know is a constant for me is my stamina. In the ring, fitness is king. I’ve had some tough fights but have made myself continue even when some would stop and throw in that mental towel before the physical one even got near the canvas.

One of my current trainers said recently that you can be a superb fighter technically, but if you can’t push yourself through that 2 or 3 minute round then the fight is as good as lost. And I have to say he’s right. Good technique and the right mental attitude is essential to training and fighting, and in the same respect I’ve found maintaining a good level of physical fitness through consistent training is just as important, and like technique can be built on and refined in the gym.

Like everyone else I have my days when training is just hard, but I’ve learnt that at these times it’s important to push yourself the most. When it seems like I’m not getting anywhere it turns out that I am, but that’s a story for a different blog. I guess it comes down to the rule that the more time you put into something, ultimately the more you will get out of it. The investment in myself with martial arts is the best Christmas present I could ever wish for. In the meantime, have a good week, train hard and as always I’ll see you on the road.