Strength Training + Cardio + Krav Maga/Marial Arts

Polymorphist

I asked this question on another forum and didn't get any replies. Wondering if anyone has done or is considering strength training in addition to cardio and martial arts. I get different viewpoints depending on which camp I talk with (the weight side vs the martial arts side). Surely someone out there is doing both.

About a year ago I started StrongLifts and saw some very good gains from that. Recently i've also started concentrated on losing the body fat i've accumulated over the past few years. I've been doing HIIT (jump rope, mainly) and steady-state cardio on the elliptical after completing a HIIT session. I've also cut my calories and am watching my nutrition.

Also about a year ago, I took up krav maga. I enjoy this, but had a tough time during the classes because it's very cardio-intensive. It's actually a lot like HIIT training. So, I stopped the KM to concentrate on lifting and also to work on my lung power, which just didn't happen.

So now I am wanting to keep up my cardio training as well as my strength training plus krav maga. The KM school is telling me to stop the weights for now and to let them condition me. They recommend that I attend three KM classes per week in order to get to level 2, which takes about 3-4 months of continuous training. The folks at the powerlifting gym to which I belong are telling me to not give up the weights. The StrongLifts program mandates a lift schedule of three days/week, same as the KM courses. Thing is, I won't get very much rest if I do this.

So - what to do? Have any of you been in this position? What works best?

Thanks!!

chymerra

do what you enjoy. since you cant train every day with weights, do cardio every other day. this is what i do. i do body beast (M,W,F) and HIIT cardio (a mixture of GSP rushfit, Les Mills Ultimate Warrior [MMA] or insanity asylum) T, Th, Sat. Sundays are my rest days. if i don't do cardio on sat, i do a KB/Tabata class instead.

HIIT cardio will drive your cardio endurance through the roof. after completing insanity, i did another HIIT cardio workout that was supposed to be "extreme" but it was so easy i cruised right through it and barely broke as sweat!

so i say alternate strength with cardio every other day if this is what you prefer.

ilovekrav

I started Krav Maga and had zero cardio endurance! I have done it now for one month and can endure a 3 minute stress drill which is constant striking, kicking and performing techniques. I attend the fitness classes for 1 hour 3x a week, which are always full body workouts, and 2-4 Krav technique classes depending on my schedule. I have lost 15 lbs in one month. It is hard, but it is worth every minute of it!!

Jacqson84

Aw, man! Jealous! Really want to take up Krav Maga classes.