Everyone should train. Man or woman, you should be focused on maintaining a healthy, strong, and fit body. And while the ideas in this post mainly apply to the fellas, women can benefit from them as well. I firmly believe it’s essential to be strong and capable of defending yourself. That’s why I balance my strength training with martial arts.
You should be both strong and dangerous.
Strength will only take you so far against someone who knows how to fight. Conversely, you’re disadvantaged if you can fight but lack physical strength. But with that said, how can you balance weight training with martial arts?
Here are a few suggestions to get you started.
Strength Training vs Martial Arts: Determining Your Priorities
The debate arguing you have to choose one over the other is nonsense. You can, of course, do both. However, you do have to prioritize one over the other. So in terms of balancing strength training with martial arts, you have to decide: Which is a bigger priority for you.
If you’ve been training martial arts for some time but feel you’ve become too lean, opt for strength training. Conversely, prioritize martial arts if you’ve bulked up and built some strength but don’t know how to throw a punch or grapple.
Once you know which training is most important, you can begin…
Balancing Strength Training with Martial Arts
Having strength training and martial arts complement each other is possible. You just have to strike the right balance.
Training martial arts burns a ridiculous amount of calories. As such, if your goal is to bulk up and get stronger, you’ll want to limit your martial arts training; I wouldn’t exceed two to three days a week. Then amp up your weight training to four to five days.
And if you want to hone your fighting skills, follow the same formula but in reverse. So the plan of action should look like this:
Weight Training
- Monday: Weight training
- Tuesday: Weight training
- Wednesday: Martial arts
- Thursday: Weight training
- Friday: Weight training
- Saturday: Martial arts
- Sunday: Rest
Martial Arts
- Monday: Martial arts
- Tuesday: Martial arts
- Wednesday: Weight training
- Thursday: Martial arts
- Friday: Martial arts
- Saturday: Weight training
- Sunday: Rest
And, of course, this is a general guideline, not a set-in-stone timetable. Adjust it as you see fit so it matches your schedule. The important thing is to strike the right balance. And help you with that, here are 3 simple tips.
1. Write and Review
It’s won’t happen if it’s not scheduled. So be sure you write down how you intend to balance strength training with martial arts. There are numerous ways you can do this to hold yourself accountable:
- Use a day planner
- Notes app on your phone
- Google Calendar
- An old-school pen and pad
The method you choose is irrelevant; the important thing is to write a set-in-stone schedule. And then, of course, you must review said schedule. We’re forgetful; it’s just human nature.
So review your schedule to see what days you’re in the gym and what days you’re on the mats. This process keeps your commitment at the forefront of your mind.
2. Listen to Your Body
You must be at your optimum to maintain longevity in the gym and on the mats. As such, striking a healthy balance between the two means listening to your body.
This can be tough sometimes. It’s tricky determining when you genuinely need rest and when you’re just having a moment of weakness.
So the general rule is this: The only days off (other than rest days) are days when you’re either sick or injured.
3. Take Your Rest Day
Your body needs rest. So be sure you give it at least one day a week of downtime. Balancing strength training with martial arts is a taxing process. And when you don’t rest, this will make you more prone to injuries and overexertion.
So ensure you have at least one day a week off.
If you still want some form of physical activity on your off day, do something light and undemanding. Here are a few alternatives:
- Light jogging
- Swimming
- Yoga
- Walking
Next Step: Get Started with Your Training Program
It is possible to be both strong and dangerous. All you have to do is find a training program that works for you and your schedule and then commit to it (while following the above tips). A little self-discipline goes a long way in this process. If you need help developing some consistency in your life, be sure to grab my ebook to learn how you can sculpt your discipline muscle.
