Weight Lifting/Strength training and Self Defense

**Frank White** · Posted On: 9/14/2007 10:08pm

Originally Posted by Dogsoldier

I loved the begining of this thread, pointing out how strength and mass can make up for so so technique, so why not add that to good techinique, but i have to disagree with the size deters vilence things. I like to think i look pretty intimidating (maybe i am flattering myself), but it seems to attract more issues than deter. Nobody ever picked fights with my smaller friends, just me and the bigger guys. I guess there are a lot of 'Hennesey Heroes' and 'Tequila Tysons' out there.

I have to agree. I'm a pretty big guy, and I sometimes get the little Napolean with the "I'm not scared of you!" thing. Plus I have tattoos, so I'll also get "So you think you're tough!". These types are easily avoided with a simple "You the man!".

As far as body builder types, I've never found them to be intimidating in the least. It's always the little guy with something to prove that concerns me.

**LI GUY 1** · Posted On: 9/14/2007 10:17pm

Originally Posted by Emevas

But they don't, that's LIGUY's point. Wrestling season is typically a winter sport, whereas MMA doesn't really have a season.

I actually like that there is no season, that way we can fight whenever we want and not have to adhere to someone else's arbitrary schedule choice. MMA all year long is great, we as athletes owever have to realize that we cannot be "on" all the time and give ourselves time to rest and change training routines. Even doing mini off/on cycles.

**Epicurus** · Posted On: 9/15/2007 5:25pm

KF: Spot on. Some of us don't train mainly to compete and as such weight categories are meaningless. And I think having some size in addition to strength is probably a great deterrent when someone is sizing you up for a fight; I know I certainly am more intimidated by the thought of fighting a guy 1.5 times my size or more, even if they were put next to a much more skilled opponent who is of comparable size to me.

Lifting, whether for strength gain OR size gain, or MORE likely, both at once, seems like a great asset to anyone, but especially people interested in SD. (not to mention looking good?)

**LI GUY 1** · Posted On: 9/15/2007 10:23pm

Just to add on, I think maybe 8 reps would be good for you to as it promotes hyppertrophy more, just keep the lower reps in also. Maybe get in the low rep workset and then 2 more with 6-8 reps.