Here in the Northeast U.S. things are starting to turn cold. That means a lot of my physical fitness is going to take place in the dojo or my apartment.
As such, I’m always on the hunt for new and interesting perspectives on ways to enhance physical activity and keep away those winter doldrums. That’s why I was pretty pumped when I got a chance to read The Warrior Fitness Guide to Striking Power, by Jonathan Haas.
The WF Guide promises low tech fitness routines specifically suited for practitioners of striking arts. I definitely fit that target audience.
Found Within the Pages
This ebook is focused on a select few tools that you can utilize to enhance your training. The author spends the first part of the book going over fitness basics and the importance of breathing, posture, and good habit development. He also introduces the reader to a handful of valuable principles and studies on the topic of training routines and method.
For those inclined to get active right away, don’t worry – the author provides the needed information in a brief and easily digestible manner. He seems to know that the focus of the book is on action and moves the pace of the book along nicely.
After the initial exercise theory, the reader is introduced to the following low tech training tools:
- The Sledgehammer
- The Medicine Ball
- Resistance Bands
- Empty Hand Bodyweight
By keeping things very fundamental, the author stays focused on the dynamics of the body and how each exercise closely relates to martial art movement. He shows how to isolate the muscles and rotational components that are often used in striking techniques, along with means of strengthening posture and impact transmission.
My Impressions
I consider this book a timely and valuable addition to my information library. In a style like karate, striking power and speed are always high on the priority list. Furthermore, the methods described by the author keep the same spirit as Hojo Undo in classical karate, practiced for generations and made a mainstay in many karate styles.
Western practitioners don’t have easy access to chiishi and kongo ken, but they can easily obtain the items used by Haas.
Another positive aspect of the book is the images. Although I would certainly enjoy video or extensive image series of each exercise in order to ensure proper technique, the images provided are clear and of good quality.
At 53 pages, this book is a manageable size and could even be printed for travel and dojo use.
Final Thoughts
I’m not a fitness buff, but I am a fitness enthusiast and am always on the prowl for ways to improve my art. As such, I feel like this book’s tone and content was right for me. If you’re in a similar boat it might be right for you as well.
