So the ankle problem is probably another wierd issue caused by muscle tightness, I think I’ve found the culprit (the part between calf and heel) and been foam rolling it like a maniac ever since, been feeling fine for two sessions now so hope I can put this setback behind me and get back at it next week.
Anyways, cause of ankle decided I wouldn’t play around with it and instead of sparring just went and did some lifting, luckily snatches didn’t bother my ankles so I hit those for something near 6x2x110lbs+ramping up, used chalk and what a difference does it make, no more losing my grip in the middle of a set!
Followed it up with a bunch of back work, did weighted chins with 44lbs for 4x5 and 4 sets of db rows, forgot weights and reps+a few sets of back extensions with 55lbs for 12 reps. Chins were a big time retarded idea, my biceps were so tight that it made throwing proper good straight punches difficult the next day.
I need to get that lacrosse ball. Just got home from gym after doing 1hr boxing technique work followed by 1hr pad work, was lucky and got paired up with one of the coaches, got in some great work and even he said that a)I kick and punch noticably harder and b)I’m much looser when I do it. So oly lifts+foam rolling=success, apparently .
Also a funny thing I noticed is that it feels like I can roll under hooks and slip punches way faster, and this development has come only during the last week or two and I haven’t really put any extra focus on it. So I wonder if this might actually be carry over from the portion of the snatch where you pull yourself under the bar?
Even though I’m power snatching and not really doing more than maybe a quarter squat, its pretty much exactly as much bend from my knees as there is when rolling under punches. Another reason might also be the fact that I’ve gotten used to walking around a bit heavier for the last month or so and now my weight is coming down so thats why stuff is getting easier, but I can’t help to wonder if that is one of the added benefits that snatching has for striking arts.
I’m confused, how does this shit even work? Just got home from gym, worked snatches for triples. From the very first set I was surprised how nice and smooth I was moving the bar today, just felt like one great athletic movement. Did the following:
66, 77, 88, 100, 100, 110, 110, 121, 121, 132
After the last set with 132 I noticed I had just ripped a callus on my left hand so that was it for the days work, wrapped it up with some very basic ab work and ran home. Still I was really surprised at the fact that in my last session I only managed to pull 121 for a double with very questionable quality, and today I nailed that 132 with a technique that at least felt good.
Not only did it feel good on the way up, I was finally feeling like I was controlling the bar with some authority, so no longer am I even worried of bringing the bar down to hang, that too feels safe and easy. Probably has a bit to do with using chalk and no longer having to worry about my grip, but also feels like I am able to keep the tension in my upper back much better now.
I was able to keep a much more desirable pace with my running too, far from where it needs to be but much closer than where it was few weeks ago so I’m at least moving in the right direction!
Aragorn, if you happen to read this and have the time to shed some light on a small issue I’ve been wondering.
Jumping between snatching. I feel like this kind of takes me out of the zone so to speak, I feel like I’m able to maintain much better technique on my snatch sets when I don’t mix them with anything. I already do a few short, about 20min long morning workouts at home where I do a bit of core work and rear delts, you think I would lose out on a lot of gains if I’d just start adding some jumps here and focus my weight sessions on snatches or is this one of those things where I should just keep at it and eventually my body and mind will adapt and I can better maintain the quality?
I really have to apologize for being away for a while and leaving the questions unanswered–life’s been racing by recently.
Possible. Unsure, but if you are improving your reactive strength and reflex then that will carry over somewhat. Anything where you have to quickly react and reverse direction helps to hone that as well as, of course, explosive strength.
[quote]Aragorn, if you happen to read this and have the time to shed some light on a small issue I’ve been wondering.
Jumping between snatching. I feel like this kind of takes me out of the zone so to speak, I feel like I’m able to maintain much better technique on my snatch sets when I don’t mix them with anything. I already do a few short, about 20min long morning workouts at home where I do a bit of core work and rear delts, you think I would lose out on a lot of gains if I’d just start adding some jumps here and focus my weight sessions on snatches or is this one of those things where I should just keep at it and eventually my body and mind will adapt and I can better maintain the quality?[/quote]
Nope, in fact I think you would be better off doing the jumps at home along with the morning workout. Snatch is something where anything that decreases your focus or technique is something to be ditched or rearranged if at all possible. Besides, a properly performed snatch is very much an explosive leg powered exercise to begin with, nearly plyometric in nature.
An alternative is you could also do the jumps as part of your warm-up circuit before any of your snatches. Either should work, but I like the idea of more frequent jumps so try putting them in your morning workouts. It will also help wake you up more for the rest of the day!
As an aside, you can add goblet squats to your mornings and you will be doing yourself a big favor. They’ll help train squat technique, and wake you up some too.
Ah, no problem at all man, hope everything is good! What you have done so far is more than I could’ve ever asked for and I’m very grateful for all the advice I’ve recieved from you!
Lifes been real busy for me aswell, which is why I haven’t been logging for the last few weeks. That torn callus I mentioned in the last post kept me from heavy lifting for nearly two weeks, but what I can say for sure is that I’m definitely much stronger right now than when I started, I jump a lot higher and according to the training partners who frequently hold pads for me, I kick and punch harder too so whats not to love? Cardio has taken a hit, I have actually put on a few pounds of muscle and I guess it’ll take a while until my body learns how to use them without gassing.
Right now I’m pretty much trying to get in some MT training 6 days a week, lifting twice a week and doing about 3 miles of roadwork twice a week. Trying to get in as much foam rolling as possible, due to limited time this mostly means before training and maybe few minutes before bed, trying to squeeze in some more when my body is getting too sore. Trying to shed a few pounds of the fat I’ve gained along the way right now, should probably get to where I want to be in a month or so. No idea whats my morning weight, should probably go and buy a scale.
Almost forgot to mention, but did some lifting with a friend yesterday, had him record one 130lbs snatch rep, no blocks available so had to pull it from the floor first. I was blown away that my mobility has actually gotten to the point where I’m able to do that without my lower back bending one bit, and over all the rep just looked pretty good so I’m definitely happy with that.
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