Training

How to Sleep Like an Olympic Athlete
The same sleep strategies used by world-class athletes are also good for regular folks.
By Heather Hatfield
Reviewed by Leonard J. Sonne, MD

The same sleep strategies used by world-class athletes are all good for regular folks. There’s no doubt about the importance of sleep. Continue Reading…

What Makes a Good Training Partner?
by Jason Scully

I would like to talk about what makes a good training partner. This is something that really isn’t discussed to often, but I feel it is also important. If your training partners aren’t that good it can really effect your results. Continue Reading…

Ice or Heat – “Which Should I Apply?”
Medical Author: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
Medical Editor: Leslie J. Schoenfield, MD, PhD

Applying cold or heat for conditions involving the muscles or joints has been used for centuries. These temperature applications have been available without a prescription since early man ventured up and over snow-capped mountains and slipped down into soothing natural hot springs. Cold/ice and heat applications are also used today as standard medical treatments throughout the world. Continue Reading…

The White Belt Mentality
by Erik Paulson

During my travels with Guro Dan Inosanto, I have heard him repeatedly say that, “Martial arts is the most humbling experience. The more you know, the more you know that you don’t know. As soon as you think you’re getting good at something, someone comes along and surprises you.” Continue Reading…

Active Recovery
Low intensity exercise may be better than complete rest after competition
By Elizabeth Quinn

After athletic competition or a hard workout, it would seem that complete rest would be the best way to encourage recovery. However, research is beginning to find some advantages in active recovery. Active recovery refers to engaging in low-intensity exercise after workouts. Continue Reading…

Overtraining Syndrome
by Mark Jenkins, MD

It is no secret among athletes that in order to improve performance you’ve got to work hard. However, hard training breaks you down and makes you weaker. It is rest that makes you stronger. Physiologic improvement in sports only occurs during the rest period following hard training. Continue Reading…

Developing Your Punching Power Potential
Written By: John Cooper BBA, CSCS

It’s no secret that the modern mixed martial artist needs to be well rounded in the many facets of hand-to-hand combat. Long gone are the days of pure grapplers and pure strikers testing the effectiveness of their particular art. Modern mixed martial artists need to have solid grappling techniques combined with solid striking techniques. Those of us who follow the sport or that train in MMA realize the allure of fighters with knockout power Continue Reading…

Dynamic Warm-ups vs. Static Stretching
By Kyle Woody

Stretching is important for any athlete getting ready to hit the weights, jump on a treadmill or step on the field. Sure, it requires a little more of your time, but the end result is worth the extra minutes, because stretching not only warms up muscles and improves flexibility, it also prevents injuries. There are two efficient—but different—ways to wake up your body for activity: dynamic warm-ups and static stretching. Get the full scoop from STACK’s panel of renowned strength and conditioning experts. Continue Reading…