George St. Pierre doing MUSCLE UPS!

[dnj23]

He could also be tired from other training.

Seriously. And let's see a gymnast step into the octogaon for a few minutes. Apples and oranges.

[dnj23]

Maybe your abs are much weaker than your lats ad shoulders.

Some of my friends can't do even a single pull-up, and yet they're pretty strong otherwise. Limb length could be the key, too. I'm 187cm tall and my legs make up 127cm of that, so it could also be a case of a real disadvantaged lever

Pullups are so bodyweight dependant, it is possible to improve upon them by just losing weight than training your ass off. Same goes for running.

[kickwell]

Coach Sommer delineates it very well at every turn; your training has to suit your purpose. Form always follows function, remember? If pure, objective, maximal strength was a key element in combat sports, Muhammad Ali never would have knocked out George Foreman.

It's great to see progressive thinking taking hold all over! Thanks so much Coach, for getting us a head start!

[kittyfat101]

It's funny, I was gonna post another video of GSP talking about gymnastics, then I got the email from Coach about this thread! haha.

Anyway, GSP's a pretty strong guy! Apparently does triples for pullups with 100 lbs on his waist, and does dumbbell bench press for 3 reps with 110 lbs. That's not to failure, he could probably bust out a few more. And a key to his athleticism is his EXPLOSIVENESS. He's powerful! That's why he's so good on the takedowns, and why even top-notch, decorated wrestlers can't stop his takedowns. I guess like Coach says, bent arm work rarely transfers over to straight arm work, and that's probably why he's NOT (i had originally forgotten to put not lol) super proficient at it, but he's strong, no doubt. I was pretty bummed though, I was hoping he'd be able to bust out a straddle planche or something. haha.

Anyway, here's that video I was talking about, at the end, GSP recommends putting your kids in gymnastics early on before martial arts, in order to prepare them athletically for it. He is very wise, and you can tell he's definitely a gymnastics style training fan!

God bless all, Jesus loves you Hope you guys had a great Easter; He is risen!

[Patrick McNamara]

I saw these segments on Primetime. I am a big GSP fan and his athleticism is unbelievable.

I think if he were to pursue gymnastics, instead of mma, he would have done very respectably. I think his form is sloppy mainly due to poor instruction from his coach. It seems his coach has the mindset for him to complete the movements/reps, but not to necessarily establish excellent movement patterns. Using gymnastic movements as an "auxiliary tool" to supplement his primary training (mma) is the purpose I believe. Even his coach said they were doing it for fun and to mix it up.

If you've seen other aspects of his conditioning, you have seen he has near-perfect form on an Olympic "hang snatch" (no easy feat, many argue the biggest predictor of natural athleticism) and has been measured having a vertical of 48"!

With that said, go GSP!

[kittyfat101]

I saw these segments on Primetime. I am a big GSP fan and his athleticism is unbelievable.

I think if he were to pursue gymnastics, instead of mma, he would have done very respectably. I think his form is sloppy mainly due to poor instruction from his coach. It seems his coach has the mindset for him to complete the movements/reps, but not to necessarily establish excellent movement patterns. Using gymnastic movements as an "auxiliary tool" to supplement his primary training (mma) is the purpose I believe. Even his coach said they were doing it for fun and to mix it up.

If you've seen other aspects of his conditioning, you have seen he has near-perfect form on an Olympic "hang snatch" (no easy feat, many argue the biggest predictor of natural athleticism) and has been measured having a vertical of 48"!

With that said, go GSP!

About his vertical, he no doubt jumps high, but I think that was misstated by whoever started that rumor. He jumps over 44 inch or higher hurdles repetitively, but it's definitely not a straight leg vertical Still powerful, no doubt!

[Ryan Libke]

He could also be tired from other training.

Seriously. And let's see a gymnast step into the octogaon for a few minutes. Apples and oranges.

I think what GSP's gymnastics coach states, which echoes what is said here, is that gymnastics training has considerable carry over benefits to other sports, hence gymnasts tend to be able to move into other sports and perform reasonably well. Of course, I don't think anyone would suggest that a gymnast would necessarily have any skills in unarmed fighting; it is just that a gymnast would be in a good condition to receive that training, probably better than most. There is no question that specific training would be needed. Indeed, I think one of the appeals of MMA as a spectator sport is seeing an athlete combine physical training with several different schools of skill, i.e. wrestling, BJJ, boxing, muay thai, etc.

This should be a very good fight. Mr. Shields I think is a tough opponent.

Also, as to form, I still think any errors in form are due to fatigue, and are not due to inability or bad coaching. Even when using weights for conditioning, form can break down with fatigue, but the fatigue is more the goal than the form in this situation.

[Patrick McNamara]

I saw these segments on Primetime. I am a big GSP fan and his athleticism is unbelievable.

I think if he were to pursue gymnastics, instead of mma, he would have done very respectably. I think his form is sloppy mainly due to poor instruction from his coach. It seems his coach has the mindset for him to complete the movements/reps, but not to necessarily establish excellent movement patterns. Using gymnastic movements as an "auxiliary tool" to supplement his primary training (mma) is the purpose I believe. Even his coach said they were doing it for fun and to mix it up.

If you've seen other aspects of his conditioning, you have seen he has near-perfect form on an Olympic "hang snatch" (no easy feat, many argue the biggest predictor of natural athleticism) and has been measured having a vertical of 48"!

With that said, go GSP!

About his vertical, he no doubt jumps high, but I think that was misstated by whoever started that rumor. He jumps over 44 inch or higher hurdles repetitively, but it's definitely not a straight leg vertical Still powerful, no doubt!

I think you're right. They continually show him doing the consecutive hurdle jumps and eventually he does a 1-rep PR. If they indeed did use that number for his vertical, then that is misstated. Good eye.

A straight-leg vertical...I would guess at least 40"....I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

[kittyfat101]

I saw these segments on Primetime. I am a big GSP fan and his athleticism is unbelievable.

I think if he were to pursue gymnastics, instead of mma, he would have done very respectably. I think his form is sloppy mainly due to poor instruction from his coach. It seems his coach has the mindset for him to complete the movements/reps, but not to necessarily establish excellent movement patterns. Using gymnastic movements as an "auxiliary tool" to supplement his primary training (mma) is the purpose I believe. Even his coach said they were doing it for fun and to mix it up.

If you've seen other aspects of his conditioning, you have seen he has near-perfect form on an Olympic "hang snatch" (no easy feat, many argue the biggest predictor of natural athleticism) and has been measured having a vertical of 48"!

With that said, go GSP!

About his vertical, he no doubt jumps high, but I think that was misstated by whoever started that rumor. He jumps over 44 inch or higher hurdles repetitively, but it's definitely not a straight leg vertical Still powerful, no doubt!

I think you're right. They continually show him doing the consecutive hurdle jumps and eventually he does a 1-rep PR. If they indeed did use that number for his vertical, then that is misstated. Good eye.

A straight-leg vertical...I would guess at least 40"....I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

This is off topic, but if he does have a forty inch vert, he SHOULD be able to dunk a basketball, right? I wanna see him do it... He's 5'10" right? I have a bud who's 5'11", and I have no idea what his vertical is, but he definitely doesn't train like gsp (he did just start the GB program a few weeks ago though ! ), but I've seen him dunk (a women's size basketball, but still!) haha.

Anyway, GSP definitely jumps a lot higher than I do...

Is there an actual video of them testing his 1-rep PR?

[Patrick McNamara]

Not sure about that, but as you said, I would assume he could.

I found this video of his hurdle jump PR (It think this is the one they claim 4'), but can't find one of his vertical. Go to 3:15 and it's shortly thereafter him doing olympic lifts.

[RatioFitness]

Thanks for the comment, mercuryashes, that was interesting. How deep is George getting into gymnastics? As deep as we are here?

[Larry Roseman]

I liked his quote in the video about athletic coming from the greek word athlete which I think he said meant movement.

Well, actually he's kind of right : "Middle English, from Latin athlta, from Greek athlts, contestant, from athlein, to contend, possibly from athlos, contest.]". Yup Georges , school comes first

Georges does elevate the sport into the almost respectable realm though. I've been watching his fights since back in the TKO days.

He actually inspired me, even before he sold his Rushfit product, to become more athletic and fit.

He will probably keep the fight standing, because it's a lot safer. So it may not be all that interesting of a fight, though

I hope he proves me wrong, especially if I decide to go there in person.

FIN

[DavidRPacker]

I have to confess...6 months ago I trashed my entire bodyweight training program, built up over 30 years, for a BtGB-based workout in my martial arts classes. I gave myself a head start 3 months before introducing it to the class.

I am STUNNED by the results. There is NO better workout for martial artists, and I have literally done everything.

The translation to wrestling power, speed and ease of movement is amazing to see. For martial arts, this is the conditioning equivalent of BJJ/Wrestling, and it will revolutionise the game. I'm happy our students have a head start, and we can bust our butts off to stay ahead of everyone else. I'm glad we got that start now that GSP has let the cat out of the bag!

At some point in the next week I will write a post about our experiences, after we update the webpage to "come out" about our new approach.

Coach Sommers, you rock.

[kittyfat101]

Wow, mercuryashes, super insightful comment!

I know that Georges flies around to train with the best... if he wants to train gymnastics, going to train with Coach Sommer would fit in quite well with that... !

[Tarun Suri]

[quote name="mercuryashes"

The problem is that Quebec is not renowned for our gymnasts (or is it?)' date=' so he probably doesn't receive top notch coaching. I would like for him to fly Coach Sommer to Montreal so we could all be humbled and learn as much as we can.

If there will be such a seminar in Montreal, I will definitely attend no matter how much in debt that puts me

[Michael Traynor]

i'm sure if you expressed enough interest and had 15 or so people keen to attend a seminar in Canada that coach might consider running one, not that I should get into the habit of putting words in his mouth. But that's what happened for us in Europe (and it rocked).

[Joshua Naterman]

Maybe we should just send him a complimentary copy of the book. That alone would probably help a lot. You never know, he may even lurk the forum.

Stability >mobility is retarded, on an off topic note. I am surprised to hear that anyone does that. You have to have both, but stability really doesn't even mean anything if it is only static. I just don't understand the whole "this is better than that" approach. Everything has it's place. Why is that so hard for people to swallow?

[Larry Roseman]

Maybe we should just send him a complimentary copy of the book. That alone would probably help a lot. You never know, he may even lurk the forum.

Stability >mobility is retarded, on an off topic note. I am surprised to hear that anyone does that. You have to have both, but stability really doesn't even mean anything if it is only static. I just don't understand the whole "this is better than that" approach. Everything has it's place. Why is that so hard for people to swallow?

That's a great idea, especially if mecuryashes has connections.

Another thing occured to me, which is easy to say but I'll say it anyway. The UFC fan expo may be an opportunity

for marketing the rings and the books, dvds, etc. They have booths and exibitions, etc. That would be really cool...

Now, no idea how much it costs, or if Coach Sommer has considered or would consider this.

Gymnastics + MMA web searches will probably be going up as well.

[Joshua Naterman]

That is a really good idea.

[Cole Dano]

I have no idea how they implement it here, but the local MMA shop has been selling rings for a while now. Besides kettlebells and weighted vests, that's about the only strength equipment they sell.

Looking forward to see that training in action this weekend. GSP vs Shields looks like a good contest.

[RatioFitness]

Personally, I would prefer no one do gymnastics and me have an edge over everyone else.

[Larry Roseman]

That is a really good idea.

Thanks. I like reading that.

I'll be at the expo Friday. If there are any locals going there or to the fights message me for sure.

[Larry Roseman]

That's a great idea FutureisNow.

Coach, if you are interested in being part of a future fan Expo, just contact Brian Bernstein at this number 203-840-5474 or by email at bbernstein@ufcfanexpo.com

Btw, they have already integrated some gymnastic movements into the Rushfit program. The race is on.

Thanks too. I saw that Crossfit will be an exibitor at the 129 Expo. Will report on their booth or take a photo.

Should be fun.

[Larry Roseman]

Back from the UFC. It was pretty unbelievable as far as the number of UFC fighters there.

The freebies were pretty good, but not free when you factor in the cost of the admission.

But I had a few hours to kill in the area, so as good as anywhere to go.

Crossfit actually had perhaps the largest or second largest area, along with the GrapplersQuest tournament.

I think it was the Rogue branch that was there. They also had their own window at check-in, so I am kind of

thinking that there might be a cosy relationship between them and the UFC. Not quite sure how cozy, but something

seems to be going on. The UFC was playing the video with GSP doing the rings, though I didn't see any demos or use of the rings, save one girl doing something on her own.

They had races and competitions so it was pretty busy. They wouldn't let visitors use the rings; visitors could

do different tests for max or reps in one minute, which was fun. They weren't selling anything or handling out

brochures - just getting exposure I guess.

Here are a few photos. Sorry for the lack of resolution ... just realized my phone was set very low.

Rings may be barely visible in the first two.

Little "brother" in the photo