Melanie Gibson Guest Writers, Training Tips

Guest Writer: Strength & Conditioning for Combat Sports & Martial Arts: Train Smart to Fight Easy

Guest writer Richard Bennett doing S&C with pro heavyweight boxer Simon Ibekwe

In the last few months I’ve been adding strength and conditioning work to my martial arts training. I feel great, and my martial arts performance has improved. Guest writer Richard Bennett, coach and trainer for combat athletes and martial artists, shares his expertise on how you can create a strength and conditioning practice that enhances your martial arts performance. If you would like to contribute a guest article for Little Black Belt, please review the guidelines here.

Strength & Conditioning for Combat Sports & Martial Arts: Train Smart to Fight Easy

Combat sports demand it all: strength, speed, power, endurance, and resilience. Whether you’re a boxer, judoka, or martial artist, you need the ability to go the distance and explode on command.

However, many fighters still equate “harder” with “better.” More rounds, more circuits, more fatigue. But strength and conditioning (S&C) isn’t about doing more work — it’s about doing the right work. A smart programme builds the physical foundation that allows your skill and technique to shine.

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Melanie Gibson Injury and Recovery, Mental Health, Training Tips

Revisiting Body Combat with a Different Body

8 Benefits of Kickboxing Fitness Classes - Elite Sports Clubs
Photo courtesy of eliteclubs.com. You can find me at the club, preferably near the back.

Earlier this year, I rejoined taekwondo classes as a “regular” (i.e., not private lesson) student. Prior to that I’d been taking private lessons for over a year and had added back in yoga classes, weight lifting, and occasionally swimming to round out my exercise routine.

More recently, I’ve gone back to Body Combat classes at the gym, a kickboxing aerobics class that derives inspiration from various martial arts. I needed more cardio and wanted something that didn’t have the pressures and nuances that taekwondo class does. As a bonus, one of the Body Combat teachers happens to be a black belt trained by my former grandmaster, so at least one person is in the know when they’re leading the class. 

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Melanie Gibson Guest Writers, Training Tips

Guest Writer: The Role of Martial Arts in Modern Day Fitness

Article by Darie Raclau | karatemartialart.net Founder

Martial arts have been around for centuries, and while they were originally developed as a way to defend oneself or engage in combat, they have evolved over time to become a popular form of exercise and a means of improving physical fitness. In modern day society, martial arts can play a significant role in maintaining and improving physical health and overall well-being.
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Melanie Gibson Guest Writers, Training Tips

Guest Writer: First Strike – Introducing Exercise into Your Routine

Image by Pexels

One of the many things the 2020 pandemic disrupted was our ability to exercise–gyms shut down, we were stuck at home, people faced financial hardships, and people dealt with anxiety and depression that inhibited their ability to keep up a regular exercise routine.

Here at Little Black Belt, we believe fitness should be a priority and, with the right methods, exercise can empower other areas of life. Using martial arts, yoga, and other physical activities, you can introduce fun workouts into your and your family’s routine.

Guest writer Emma Grace Brown, who wrote a post in 2020 about creating a martial arts studio at home, returns with suggestions on making exercise a fun and regular part of your routine.

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Melanie Gibson Injury and Recovery

First Post-Surgery Pilates Class

A few weeks ago I took a Wednesday off and went to a Pilates class at my gym. I’ve been doing yoga again since early March, but I had not ventured back into the world of Pilates. 

My abs were sore for an entire week afterwards. Sneezing was torture.

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Melanie Gibson Training Tips

A Black Belt Takes a LesMills Body Combat Class

bodycombat-kick-shoes
Good lock of the kick, but y’all need to turn your hips and point your toes down…then again, what do I know. I’m just a black belt.

Two years ago I wrote a review of the ballet barre class my gym introduced in early 2016. I’ve since gotten the hang of it, have become pretty proficient in the moves, and have seen some improvement in my core and leg strength. I usually did a little barre and swimming on the side while I took 5-6 taekwondo classes per week.

Now that my taekwondo training has dwindled to next to nothing, I need something else to keep me in fighting shape. About 2-3 months ago I started taking Body Combat at my gym. Body Combat is one of the latest parts of the Les Mills gym class machine, which now includes 16 different branded classes that are taught at gyms across the world. There are certain “versions” that are released every few months, which keeps both the certified instructors and participants on their toes.
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Melanie Gibson Class Diaries, Training Tips

Two Months Until Second Dan Begins With Rest, Wine, and Whataburger

texas whataburger
YAS! That’s how Texas black belts fuel themselves!

So it’s still the plan that I will be testing for second degree black belt in about two months. Even though I’ve had two years to prepare for this test as opposed to six months for first degree, I’m more nervous and leery about it this time around. If you’d like to read more about the psychological aspects and musings on it, read this post. I’ll continue with that theme in another post. Now I’m going to talk about what I plan to do with myself until that eagerly awaited day.
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Melanie Gibson Injury and Recovery, Training Tips

When Your Brain and Body Are Conspiring Idiots

mind-body-split

Sometimes our best laid plans are sabotaged by our own habits, shortcomings, misgivings, or desires. We fall into patterns that are comfortable and routine although not always the healthiest or the most challenging for us. Lately I feel as if my brain and body are two kids that goad each other into getting into trouble. Here’s what some of their conversations look like:

Brain: “Let’s do a spin kick! We finally got it down and it was looking really good last week.”
Body: “Nah. I’m gonna tighten up the left hip to limit mobility and give us vertigo every time we try to lower the shoulders.”
Brain: “But we understand exactly how to do it! This is a fundamental—“
Body: “NOPE. Hip tightening in three…two…”
Brain: “You’re a jerk.”

Body: “It’s really early and I’m awake and energized! Let’s go swim laps before the 5:30 crowd gets to the pool.”
Brain: “Nah, let’s go back to sleep. This bed is so comfortable and warm. Besides, it’s cold and dark outside and we hate the cold. Besides, don’t you think more sleep will help us feel refreshed?”
Body: “But swimming makes us feel even more refreshed! We can nap after we swim!”
Brain: “You’re getting very sleepy…”
Body: “You are such an a…..zzzzzzz”
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Melanie Gibson Class Diaries

South American Headache Remedy

headache

Wednesdays are my long days and usually leave me exhausted, drenched in sweat, and mentally a little out of it by the time I get home. Seeing as it was my first week back after way too many schedule interruptions I was determined to go to class whether my body could keep up or not.
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Melanie Gibson Class Diaries

No Spring Break for You!

Rest-Based-Workout-main
Maybe he’s just in savasana.

Last night was my first taekwondo class in a week, thanks to winter weather and other scheduling  conflicts. I was a little nervous about how I would hold up, but I was also excited and ready to be back into my normal training routine after too many snow days and too many snacks.
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