Strengthening the abs

[Azzazzin]

I am a new student of Systema.

At the end of my last class, my instructor, Alex, was giving people shots to the stomach, and they were taking it.

I thought, gimme one of those, I'll try taking it too. I am a really big guy for my age, I'm 5'11", and just about 200 pounds (mostly muscle). I also have big abs, which I consider to me strong.

I was flexing my abs as hard as I could, and I still got absolutely destroyed. It was honestly one of the worst pains I've ever felt.

My instructor told me to punch another student, who has abviously been doing Systema for a while. As I am big, I also consider myself to have a strong punch. I was giving this guy hits that would knock most ppl down, but he just took it, and his stomach was rock hard...



I was also kinda wondering if it had anything to do with your abs being strong or tough, or is it just about being able to take the pain. I am flexing my abs, and rubbing them, and there is no physical pain on the abdomen, but the pain seems to be behind the abs, comming from inside.


I just think it's really interesting, and would like to improve this.

-Azzazzin

[Great Sage]

I think you should make an honest observation about yourself... At 5'11" and 200 lbs, you're either very stocky and buff or overweight. If you couldn't take a punch, I'm thinking the latter.

In boxing, we train to take punches to the body... It's not unusual for a boxer to do anywhere from 200 to 400 situps each day! I think you would do well to try that. Conditioning is all about determination.

[Kingston]

lol the worst pain you ever felt?

[Azzazzin]

Alex is a strong mofo!

[Azzazzin]

Originally posted by Great Sage
I think you should make an honest observation about yourself... At 5'11" and 200 lbs, you're either very stocky and buff or overweight. If you couldn't take a punch, I'm thinking the latter.

In boxing, we train to take punches to the body... It's not unusual for a boxer to do anywhere from 200 to 400 situps each day! I think you would do well to try that. Conditioning is all about determination.

In boxing you use padded gloves...

This guy used his fist, and hit me dead in the center of my stomach...

It's a bit different...

[Kingston]

lol i dont think hes fat, not sure which one he is....there where alot of young kids joining together.....none where over 180 lbs or 6 feet. (by my estimation)

.....Azzazzin...ask vlad......or alex....or the guy you punched how they do it. Not great sage lol "200-400 situps each day"

its all about pacing yourself.....you should warm up before taking strikes.....ask vlad how to do that if you want to practice outside of class. "its all about determination" lol. Anyway i would recomend just going to classes. about 3 a week should be enough.....whats the rush?

[Kingston]

Originally posted by Azzazzin
Alex is a strong mofo!

its not about strength....you have alot to learn.

[Guest]

I'm wondering if you took one in the solar plexus.

[Cain]

sounds like a solar-issue, yes..

[Great Sage]

Originally posted by Azzazzin


In boxing you use padded gloves...

This guy used his fist, and hit me dead in the center of my stomach...

It's a bit different...

Try taking a couple hooks to the ribs... or a few rounds of getting uppercut and hooked to the body... I gaurantee you it's a lot worse than one punch to the midsection. Especially from people who are used to punching everyday.

In fact, a person with gloves on will likely punch harder with no fear of knuckles breaking, etc... Boxers are conditioned to take these mutliple blows to the midsection.

In the end it's all about conditioning, which you obviously need. I'll bet this is the same answer your instructors will give you.

[Great Sage]

Originally posted by Kingston
lol i dont think hes fat, not sure which one he is....there where alot of young kids joining together.....none where over 180 lbs or 6 feet. (by my estimation)

.....Azzazzin...ask vlad......or alex....or the guy you punched how they do it. Not great sage lol "200-400 situps each day"

its all about pacing yourself.....you should warm up before taking strikes.....ask vlad how to do that if you want to practice outside of class. "its all about determination" lol. Anyway i would recomend just going to classes. about 3 a week should be enough.....whats the rush?

Kingston,

Just because you're a lazy ass, doesn't mean everyone has to be one... As I said before, conditioning is key to taking blows in ANY martial art. There's no secret methods or hocus pocus, just good work ethics.

Perhaps you should refer to my post "MA Hocus Pocus..." You would do well there.

By the way, Chuck Norris was wrong about his approach to blocking a spin kick — "Slow down, you'll go faster..." I met Chuck in Texas 10 years ago and by then he had figured out what everyone else knows — you just step inside the kick and throw the man down. I doubt Chuck would have used the spin kick in a real fight anyway.

[Kingston]

Originally posted by Great Sage


Kingston,

Just because you're a lazy ass, doesn't mean everyone has to be one... As I said before, conditioning is key to taking blows in ANY martial art. There's no secret methods or hocus pocus, just good work ethics.

Perhaps you should refer to my post "MA Hocus Pocus..." You would do well there.

By the way, Chuck Norris was wrong about his approach to blocking a spin kick — "Slow down, you'll go faster..." I met Chuck in Texas 10 years ago and by then he had figured out what everyone else knows — you just step inside the kick and throw the man down. I doubt Chuck would have used the spin kick in a real fight anyway.

lol, thanks. Your posts are always amusing.

[Azzazzin]

Originally posted by Bri Thai
I'm wondering if you took one in the solar plexus.

The punch was in the area of the Sternum, or right directly below it...

[kh_s]

Taking hits to the damn RIBS !? I bet i can`t take it! But what the hell, can you also condition that part? I give myself a little punch to my upper rib area closer up to my armpits, It still hurting a bit. But the thing is i`m a ****ing skinny ass kid.

Azzazin, you should try buying a medicine ball, a heavy one, Get a partner, lay down on the floor and tell him/her to drop that ball right on your stomach, while your abs are clenched up. I think this is what some people do to condition, also hanging from a chin up bar and let someone punch you with gloves on. I am not quite sure how the breathing technique is, As for that pain inside your stomach you said, I think it is because you are not breathing properly? I`m beginner also I dun really know much...

[Kingston]

Originally posted by Azzazzin


The punch was in the area of the Sternum, or right directly below it...

that's where the solar plexus is.....eventualy you should learn ways to take those punches better.