Two Months into the Centurion Method

After two months of the Centurion Method, I've noticed that there are some movements that get over-utilized. However, upon inquiring of the author concerning this issue, I was informed that when a movement like "Pull-ups" is listed, that doesn't necessarily mean that the pull-up has to be in a supinated grip and, in fact, grips can be alternated between sets. I imagine this same thing applies to push-ups and hand positions, as well as foot position on squats.

I have had to take the last week off from the CM in order to rest, because, due to the high-intensity and high volume nature of the program, combined with my active job of personal training and instructing fitness classes, I felt as though I was right on the edge of Overtraining Syndrome. I'm feeling much better after this recovery week and am looking forward to seeing what my strength and endurance look like jumping back into the Centurion Method workouts.

On another note, I'm also going to start including my martial arts training back into my program. I feel like I should never have left it out, but I wanted to give the Centurion Method a fair shot in the beginning, so I could better understand the wear and tear it would put on my body.

Proud to say that I am a Berzerker of the Centurion Method, but I'll be looking forward to getting back to my Real Anime Training workouts. (I guess to be fair, though, I'll be including the Centurion Method in Real Anime Training for you guys soon.)

One Month into the Centurion Method

Something I really like about this program is that I feel more "solid." It's not the same kind of feeling from lifting weights or body weight exercises, exactly. While I do feel stronger in some ways, there is an element of toughness involved in the training. That never-say-die attitude that drives you forward in the workouts becomes evident in your body within a month's time. I'm not sure what else is ahead, but I'm looking forward to seeing what it will be like.

On a side note, I am mindful of overtraining and the possibility of injury, for a few of the participants in the January release of the program have experienced some injuries to date. I am not entirely certain if this is due to the Centurion Method and repetitive use injuries or if it is merely something that is unrelated.

I've also determined some anime/manga that would be good pairings with the Centurion Method. I'll be making a post about that soon.

Thanks for reading!

First Week on the Centurion Method

I've just started a new exercise program for a friend of mine in the U.K.  He designed it in the spirit of the ancient warrior, built on an enduring spirit and pure strength.

Gotta love that.

Anyway, in my first week, I'm pleased to say that I'm not doing too bad at it and it has some similarities to some of our workouts here at Real Anime Training and it has just a touch of a Crossfit feel to it. Eager to get into the program and see what changes my body makes and I'm looking forward to updating you guys on that.

So far, my only concern is that there might be some issues with repetitive-use injuries depending on how the workouts fall, but it might not be too much of an issue. Haven't been too sore, but I'm told if that if you are walking away from the workouts still functioning, you really need to do it over again. At least at the level I'm at.

I'll be posting more about the Centurion Method, along with normal Real Anime Training workouts and articles throughout the next six months or so!

Thanks for reading and happy 2013!

Safe Sparring: Todai Shunyuan (My Problem with Freddiie's Modern Kung Fu)

This is Freddie.



He teaches martial arts, among other things. He's in good shape and he seems like a very nice (his oversimplification and tearing down of MMA and MMAists notwithstanding) and intelligent man. He appears to have a love for the technical side of martial arts and likes to incorporate fitness and doing things like bag work. He even says that you shouldn't compete in things like MMA, because of the attitude involved and I can understand a non-competitive mindset as far as trying to teach not fighting within a set of rules. I love that he teaches his students how to be fit and even teaches about nutrition!

However, I have a problem with Freddie.

He only teaches safe sparring to his students. If he teaches anything else, I haven't seen it in the great long while I've been subscribed to him on YouTube. There's nothing inherently wrong with this style of training, just like shadowboxing or forms, perhaps, but if it's the only way that you train to fight, then there is a serious problem. It's not reasonable to believe that when the time comes to defend yourself you'll be able to do so effectively when all you've ever done is throw strikes at a person without any fear of getting hit or hitting. (Yes, I said fear of hitting. Sometimes people have a hard time hitting others.)

You will fight like you train. So, if you are trained to have your kick at full extension when your opponent is still six inches to two feet out of range, you'll most likely do this in a fight. I have never witness Freddie fight and, hell, he might be amazing! However, he would have to be a genius (and he might be) of martial arts to only ever practice "safe sparring" as his method of pressure testing and still be able to fight well.

But, I'm willing to bet his students are just like everybody else. They put their faith in him to teach the best ways to train their skills and I believe he is doing them a disservice. I'm not attacking Freddie, but it does seem a little strange, though, when you teach a method of combat and refuse to have it tested in sparring or competition. This is a reasonable thought process given what we know about sparring and competitive combat on the progress of martial arts to date. I would challenge Freddie to have his students use even light contact in sparring and I don't mean light touches. What I mean by "light contact" is actually striking the other person and putting some of your weight behind it, but at a reasonable pace and learning to control your strikes.

But, I don't think he'll do it, unfortunately. And that's my problem with FMK.

Real Anime Training Reviews: Calisthenics Kingz- HIT's Solution to Getting Killer Abs 2

Moving forward in my slow (but steady) reviews of HIT's series of DVDs that I purchased a few months ago, I take a foray into the second iteration of "HIT's Solution to Getting Killer Abs."  This is not exactly the same DVD, but it's pretty similar to the first DVD. It's a combinations of abdominal exercises and cardio (see how I'm not being specific to preserve the integrity of his program? :P) designed to work your mid-section and burn fat through interval training.

In reality, it would've been better for me to just watch both of them back-to-back and do one review, but I didn't and here we are. In an effort to say something interesting about the DVD, then, let me say that I was a little disappointed that it was so similar, but I understand, given that fact that HIT is putting his more difficult moves, including those using a pull-up bar, on other DVDs.  I get the concept behind it. On one side, we have a DVD that is "all abs" and, on another, we have a DVD that is "exercises that just so happen to also work your abs."

You're sure to get quite the burn out of this program, so if HIT does a multi-DVD buying promotion again, I would really think about taking advantage of it in order to maximize your spending. I can't say that I'd buy the program on its own, but (then again) I research exercises as one of my main hobbies. At some point, I just end up seeing stuff I've already seen before.

For those just starting and those wanting to learn more, I definitely recommend any of the Calisthenics Kingz programs I've review thus far.

Real Anime Training Reviews: Calisthenics Kingz- HIT's Solution to Getting Killer Abs

This is the second DVD I've decided to review from Calisthenics Kingz since I purchased the DVD set a few months back (man, I need more time...). In general, I was impressed with the overall feel of the DVD and for a few good reasons:

1. HIT doesn't sensationalize his stuff. He tells you up front that you're going to have to work for it. It means putting the time in for the workouts. He says this routine on this DVD should be completed 4 times a week in order to build your abdominal area and I gotta love him for that, because to get amazing results, you can't get by just being ordinary. 
2. The exercises are simple and anyone can do them. Mind you, if you are enormously out of shape, you'll have to work up to a couple of the exercises, but none of the moves on this DVD are impossible by any stretch of the imagination. 
3. If your cardio is not in the right place, the routine will kick your ass, because there is very little rest and he mixes up his ab exercises with intervals of jumping rope. 
4. He tells you that you're going to need to watch your diet. And this makes sense, because you can have the toughest abs in the world and if they are covered with two inches of fat, they'll never see the light of day. 

All in all, I love HIT's no-nonsense attitude toward fitness and I also love the simplicity that he brings to the table with his bodyweight work. If you don't know who I'm talking about in this review, allow me the refresh your memory with this.

Real Anime Training Reviews: Calisthenics Kingz- Power From Pushups, Strength of a Man

I purchased a bundle set of DVDs from Calisthenics Kingz during the Holiday Season and "Power From Push-ups, Strength of a Man" was my first endeavor into HITs super-powered training. I've been eager to explore it, since I first saw him online a couple of years ago. I've been amazed at his raw power, body control, and explosive movements.

The DVD is all about push-ups and the different ways to do them. It seems simple, but that's the beauty of it. It's a fantastic DVD and is full of demonstrations on how to to different types of push-ups. You'll be amazed at the results HIT touts from such a simple exercise that you can do anywhere. For people looking for something a little tougher, rest assured that HIT cranks up the difficulty with hand positioning, plyometrics, feet elevation, and his complete mastery of the handstand. I would recommend this DVD to beginners or anyone who is stuck in a rut with their training and looking for a way to change it up or challenge themselves. The strength and balance that HIT commands is testament to his training and is all the proof he needs that his methods work.

Here's just a sample of what you'll see in the DVD.



Enjoy guys!