Week 1: 1000 Chain Punch Challenge Kicks Off!

Today is the day we kick off the 1000 Chain Punch Challenge! Now this works in conjunction with my Journey To Sexy Six Pack Abs, so be sure to check in for week 1 of that program!

The chain punch challenge will consist of exercises to be performed each week. I'll be posting exercises for each week and all you have to do is follow along on here.

As always, feel free to leave me comments or questions!

Ok, so Week 1 of the my Sexy Six Pack Abs program is posted. The 1000 chain punch challenge exercise can be done either after HIIT training or after resistance training.

Here's what's in store for week 1:

Standing in IRAS (Internal rotation adduction stance/neutral/YJKYMA/pre-fighting stance):

• Bursts of 100 chain punches
• Repeat for a total of 10 bursts
• Rest in between bursts for 20-25 seconds

To help with counting of chain punches, pick a side (left or right fist) and just count that one. For example, counting the right fist for 50 punches = 100 punches performed in total.

Again, I'll stress, that this is not to be performed alone but is to be performed in conjunction with my abs program. In particular, after you're exhausted...not when you're fresh and full of energy.

NOTE: Before starting any exercise program, be sure to check with your doctor!

Until then.

What Is Chi-Sao?

What is Chi-Sao? Commonly translated as "sticky-hands", chi-sao is a two partnered activity, in which contact is always maintained and from that, partner A tries to hit partner B and vice versa. It's pretty much the soul of wing chun and, of its many benefits, the primary one would be the development of tactile reflexes.

I'm sure most of you know this. So let me tell you what chi-sao isn't:

• It isn't fighting
• It isn't a measure of one's fighting skill
• It isn't required (to be a good fighter)

Many wing chun'ers get caught up in chi-sao and focus their entire time practicing it. Easily, the other variables such as bridging distance, endurance, no-contact and peripheral vision are left on the back burner.

I always find it interesting that when someone with wing chun experience wants to check out another school, for some reason, they do a 'pseudo-chi-sao challenge fight." Why don't they just fight instead? I don't understand that.

Sure, maybe the other guy is not so good at chi-sao, but if he can tackle the chi-sao expert...hey, you tell me who's got good kung fu?

Take this video, for example. It's called "Superior Blocking"..which i think should be revised to "Superior Waste of Time". There's nothing behind the hits...just 'Tapping"..maybe they're just being nice. But, you can still be nice and controlled but really have a good, nicely placed fist that's ready to hit. It's just tap-tap-tap and it really looks like even if the hits get to its targeted, it really has no effect.

What's the point of tapping? if you had the choice to have one knock out right punch or a plethora of tactile reflexes for superior blocking and different angles of attack..which would you have? I'd opt for the knock out punch.

So what is chi-sao to you?

Until then.