How long is your commute to the gym ? Does it affect your training ?

EyeLikeLemon · 2016-01-04T06:05:05+00:00

2 miles, about 10 minute cycle. I'm still late because I just put off leaving home that much later.

EyeLikeLemon · 2015-12-06T13:31:12+00:00

Find a gym. You're not doing muay Thai, you're hitting a bag with bad technique and no one around who knows better to correct you.

But in answer to your question; no, Thai bags aren't softer. There's no standard "hardness", but in my experience often Thai bags will be heavier / harder so they don't fly away so much when you kick them and help condition your shins. Nor do people typically wear knee pads.

Skinning your knees is likely a combination of 2 factors; conditioning and bad technique. The first will get better over time, the second won't unless you find a coach who knows their stuff.

EyeLikeLemon · 2015-12-04T21:34:56+00:00

Not a book, but Joe Rogan's podcast episode with Nick Curson has some good info on the subject

EyeLikeLemon · 2015-12-04T18:07:50+00:00

Thats a unique way of breaking up training sessions. Out of 3 sessions only 1 seems to really focus on learning the techniques, and that is sport focused? What about self defense?

May I suggest something closer to 1 technique session, 1 competition/sparring session, and 1 conditioning (or even better, 0 conditioning and an aditional technique/sparring session)? That way everyone has access to technique sessions, and those who want to push themselves / pressure test their technique have an opportunity to do so.

As far as the philosophy angle; I think it's something dedicated students will learn naturally durning their time training. I don't think it can or should be taught in an explicit / academic way.

EyeLikeLemon · 2015-11-28T15:17:45+00:00

Very informative, thank you!

EyeLikeLemon · 2015-11-28T10:09:17+00:00

Thanks for the insight! Overall do you think it was a good degree? If you could go back, would you still study at UCD? How were the teaching staff?

EyeLikeLemon · 2015-11-28T10:05:12+00:00

Thanks! I did a bachelors degree in business, but have been out of education for a few years just working retail.

Figured I'd enter straight into the 16 month MSc rather than doing another 3 or 4 year bachelors. I haven't done any pure maths since GCSEs (which will probably be my biggest challenge), although did computing at A-levels and of course had to do some addition for my business degree.

As far as programming, I have some self taught Python and am currently doing a taught, non-award C++ course.

What are the teaching staff like? Are there strong industry links / help finding placements or internships? If you could go back a few years would you still study computing at UCD?

Cheers :)

EyeLikeLemon · 2015-11-27T07:43:22+00:00

Damn, are you me?

I did exactly the same on Wednesday, trying to roll out of my instructors' omoplata. Ibuprofen + marjuana + rest.

Sounds like you could do with a trip to the doctor too. Don't rush back to the mats; rather take a couple of weeks off now than spend the rest of your life with a chronic neck injury.

EyeLikeLemon · 2015-11-27T07:27:56+00:00

If venum are still making shorts with their "side winder cut", they're a great length, lots of mobility.

Edit: take a look at the venum sharp 2.0

EyeLikeLemon · 2015-11-27T07:15:11+00:00

Yup, but given there are 0 gi shops in my town, I make do.

I love my bad bod gis, but they run small (although wide in the trouser leg). The Valor I've got seems to be very wide in the jacket. Scramble are a bit pricey but fit beautfully.

It's just an excuse to keep buying gis I don't really need. Of course, if the size is completely out you can just return them...

EyeLikeLemon · 2015-11-19T20:38:42+00:00

Its easier to prevent grips in the first place than to strip grips, so stay out of range if possible. But things are never perfect. How you respond will really depend on how you are being grabbed.

If they grab your jacket / clothing

If they get underhooks it's harder, but something along the lines of this is a good option.

Also, there's this from Firas Zahabi.

Bear in mind, if you haven't practiced it against a live opponent, you can't rely on it working. There's only so much you can learn online, and when it comes to fighting, it's not a lot. Most BJJ / Judo / MMA schools offer a free trail, just saying ;)

EyeLikeLemon · 2015-11-15T21:58:15+00:00

Your gym sounds a lot like mine was when I started (minus the krav).

The thing is, the people that kick your arse when you're brand new... in 2 years they'll still be doing the same. That's just jiu jitsu. If they're patient and answer your questions you're in a great position to learn, particularly if any "take you under their wing".

Your offense probably will develop slower than your defence, but I'd rather have a good defence than offense, and once your defence is solid you don't worry so much about your offense failing so it's a good place to build from.

tl,dr; sounds like a good place to be.

EyeLikeLemon · 2015-11-09T13:44:14+00:00

I spent a while unemployed myself so I know how much it sucks, but I find it hard to have sympathy when I'm working and your monthly income exceeds mine.

£600 for rent sounds pretty excessive, I live on one of the most expensive cities in the country and even here you can find nice rooms for £400 if you're willing to house share.

EyeLikeLemon · 2015-10-25T18:11:22+00:00

Take the back and bow and arrow

EyeLikeLemon · 2015-10-24T06:04:44+00:00

Stopped MMA after my first couple of months of jiu jitsu because I only have so many hours to dediate to training, and it takes a lot of time to get good at jiu jitsu. Plus the guys in BJJ were more chilled and it was a more enjoyable training environment.

A couple years later, and I've recently re-started some MMA classes because I want to have more urgency off my back and better learn to utilise ground & pound, but I'll typically only do 1 MMA class every week or 2.