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Functional Fitness Strength Training and Conditioning
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Functional Fitness Strength Training and Conditioning |
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Testimonials"Dear Sir:I am writing to commend you on your work with combat conditioning. I am a martial artist for over 30 years and currently an apprentice in Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do Grappling Association with Sifu Larry Hartsell. I teach, coach and study all forms of reality based combat with an emphasis on grappling and street fighting. More importantly I am an exercise physiologist with master's degrees in anatomy and exercise physiology. I am also a licensed orthopedic surgeon. I have often read the literature by the so called experts on conditioning and various other topics. I find your work to be informative, accurate and beneficial. Too many "experts" lack a real understanding of basic principles of exercise science. Although I do not completely know your background, most of what I read from you is right on the mark. It is refreshing to see someone like you present legitimate information. I have used you as an example and instructed my students to research your material for practical knowledge and what I consider to be a strong foundation. I have also used similar workouts as your combat conditioning that have brought "mortal men" to their knees begging for mercy and crying in pain. My students will know who you are and study your material. Thank you for presenting your information to the public. Sincerely," David Lumsden, M.D., M.S., M.A. DBL79TRAP@msn.com "Dear Mr Furey. One year ago I could not walk, due to a bad back, but thanks to your exercises I am fully recoverd. I feel in the best shape of my life, as I approach 40. Also on March 9th 2002 I will be part of a team of boxers who are going to try and break the world record for continuous punching [ boxathon ]. This event will take place in my home town of Hull, UK. Thank you. Yours truly." Rob Jackson Hull, U.K. rob&donna@liam.karoo.co.uk "I am a black belt in Shorin Ryu - just started training Muay Thai about the same time that I started Combat Conditioning. My training partner does both. I found the bridging really helped me get my neck strength up quick to handle some of the clinching we do. I am up to 100 Hindu squats and 50 Hindu pushups and am expanding my horizons into handstand, reverse pushups, and hill sprints (ugh!). This is SO MUCH BETTER than lifting. What is another big plus is that I have none of the fears of injury that accompanies lifting heavy. Love your book. 60 days later, even though I only do it 3 times a week, I am WAY stronger now. Thanks." Major Ronald F. A. Woodaman, USMC Stafford, VA 22554 "Matt, While I was deployed I used your books Combat Conditioning and Combat Abs religiously in addition to running and ruck marching as much as I could. The result: I lost 20lbs while deployed. My muscular endurance increased dramatically also. Just for shits and giggles I decided to test my 1RM max on the bench press when I got back. Now, before I left I weighed 195lbs with 12% bodyfat at 5'8''. My 1RM before I left was 350lbs. When I came back at 175lbs. and 8% bodyfat guess what my 1RM max was? That's right: 350lbs. So, not only did my bodyfat decrease, but my muscular endurance increased dramatically and I did not lose any strength at all. In addition my wife was amazed at how well my ab muscles showed. We have been together for five years now and she said that she has never seen my oblique muscles show up that well. Hell, getting a "ripped" midsection wasn't even a goal of mine. I just wanted to get strong abs. All of the guys who shared a tent with me during the deployment would kid me as I got up every morning to do the Magnificent 7 you show in Combat Abs. They would see your book sitting on my cot and say, "Oh, are you doing Combat Abs because we are in Combat?". Well, by the end of the deployment, guess what started happening? That's right, one by one you saw everyone else in the tent performing the vacum and the deep breathing exercises until half of the guys in the tent were doing the exercises at some point in the morning. I guess I'm the one who's laughing now. Thanks for the work that you do, it's refreshing to see someone who staunchly supports the armed forces and all that this country stands for.." Jason Good U.S. Army "After receiving quite a number of emails from people telling me about their positive experiences with Matt Furey's system of bodyweight exercises, I decided to order his book and video and check it out for myself. Guess what? They're right ... His "Royal Court" of three bodyweight exercises is demanding - and fun. Combat Conditioning, Furey style, is definitely worth exploring ...Furey's exercises offer a wonderful new challenge -- just what the doctor ordered to renew enthusiasm and keep your gains coming. Give it a try." Clarence Bass Author of Ripped www.cbass.com "Due to your conditioning program, I gutted out 4 wins last saturday on November 17 to win the '2001 North American Grappling Championships'.........Advanced 170-199 division. It was my best tourney, yet. I am 10-0 and won 4 tourneys since doing your program back in July........unscored upon, too. Thanks again." Anthony Argyros 7-Time grappling champion "Matt, Where to start. I am 54 years old and have been doing Karate, Yoga, and Tai Chi for 30 years. I always thought of myself as in shape but always looked for other ways to train my body. I came across your stuff about 18 months ago. I started then stopped. When I stopped I suffered an injury to my lower back. I could not stand straight or walk without a lot of pain. I talked to you about it and you suggested bridging. I was in so much pain the very idea was not appealing, but I tried it any way. Within two weeks the pain was gone. I kept on doing the bridge with the others from the Royal Court and gained six pounds and lost 25% of my body fat. I do the bridge every day now, sometimes twice a day. I currently am getting my upper lip to the mat. Who knows what the limits are to my flexibility but I hope to some day be able to kick over and back. The back bridge, as taught by you, is the best exercise I've come across". Matt McCormick, Martial Arts Professor Wright State University Dayton, Ohio "I've been interested in bodyweight calisthenics for years and was surfing the web last summer and your sight came up in a search for 'pushups' as I was always looking for new exercises and routines. I read your article on proper back bridging a couple of times over and got down and gave in one shot my neck pain was gone and I was hooked on your system. I have several of your books and a Power Wheel and ardently recommend your products to others. I counsel high school students and often torture them with your exercises. Thanks Matt". Brian Nesmith "Matt, In 1999 after years of lifting and various other contact sports I had developed 2 herniated discs in my neck. In May of that year I was doing some heavy incline Dumbell Presses and when swinging the weights up to the start position I felt like I tore my Trap. Like an idiot I kept working out and even did heavy rows that day. Well within a day or two my entire neck, arm and right hand were on fire and screaming in pain. I thought that was it for me as far as working out and I just wanted to be out of pain. I was fortunate enough to have a connection with the New York Giants and spoke to the trainer who hooked me up with the best spinal surgeon around. I had large chunks of disc material lodged in my nerve path and surgery was neccesary ASAP.The nerves were so compressed that the doctor explained it this way instead of a healthy nerve looking like a garden hose yours looks like a typwriter ribbon. Besides removing the damaged discs they had to fuse the vertabrae together. I opted for a titanium plate screwed into my neck instead of a hard collar because this way I could work out the following week. "The fusion takes about 6 months to occur but mine took less time because they took some bone from my hip making a much stronger and quicker fuseion. It was during those six months as I was trying to rehab my arm with dumbells etc. that I find this guy who has a website about fitness and wrestling. I called that guy (Matt) and ordered some products and inquired about combat fitness and neck strengthening exercises. This was before the book came out and there wasn't that much feed back on bridging and its effect on injured necks. "So matt says you might not want to do the bridging that I show in the video because of you preexisting condition. So I receive my copy of combat training and what is the first thing I do after the Hindu squats of course the Back bridge. I start by doing the bridge with my hands and trying to touch my nose but it seems impossible. Sure enough after a couple of weeks my nose is on the carpet(I didn't even have a mat yet)Then I finally get a mat and start Bridging without hands and all of a sudden I realize my neck feels great. In a month I was up to 3 minutes and just kept increasing my time all the way up past 17 minutes this last week. I'm really sorry about going on and on and making everyone read this boring story but I thought it may help explain the value of Combat Conditioning. I just want to thank Matt for bringing us these exercises and this forum because without them I never would have been able to rehab my neck and my arm and finally find a fitness program that is both challenging and enjoyable. Matt thanks again for all you have done". Dave Dreher "I discovered combat conditioning exercises and more specifically the back bridge through a friend of mine who had found Matt Furey's web site while researching rehabilitating his injured neck. He had just had surgery six months prior fusing two of his cervical vertabrae following a horrible neck injury. Having a herniated disk myself (c5-c6) which occured in 1994 I was eager to try anything. I had resigned myself to the fact that for the rest of my life my neck would be stiff and sore with occasional shooting pains and numbness down my right arm and into my fingers. As a bonous, every once in a while I would throw my neck out every six months or so and be completely immobile for a couple of days. "After ordering the Combat Conditioning book I slowly started out trying to bridge. The first couple of days I worked on getting to my forehead using my hands. After about a month-and-a-half I tried to take my hands away and I crumbled in about two seconds. I kept at it until I was able to hold a three minute bridge about a month later. Nearly a year later I can hold a 15-17 minute bridge touching my nose (and sometimes my mouth and chin) to the mat. "The results have been amazing. Not only is my neck free of pain for the first time in seven years, I have complete mobility in my neck and my lower back, which had been destroyed from years of powerlifing. The bridging has also helped tighten up my midsection like no other exercise around. I don't even think about starting my workout without bridging. I have also begun doing some bridging gymnastics and I look forward to conquering that great challenge in the future. "Back bridging, the king of all exercises, and the other exercises I have learned in the last year have changed my life. I look forward to years of challenging, successful, and pain free workouts. Thanks for everything Matt". Adam Hirsch "I remember seeing that pic of Matt doing a back bridge, touching his nose to the mat. I remember thinking to myself, HA! That's IMPOSSIBLE!. Well, three months later, I'm touching my own darn nose to the mat, and holding it there, for three long minutes! First off, I'm 36 years old, and I've never done a back bridge in my life till now. For the first two months, I simply rocked back and forth, daring myself to at least touch my forehead to the mat. When I did, the stretch I got in my back was unbelieveable. It felt fanstastic! After my spine got looser and my courage got up more, I finally pushed myself to touch my nose. WOO-HOO! And then I crossed my arms, and lowered my heels. And then came the hold for time...and the peaceful feeling I got from the deep breathing. By man oh man did I sweat! Pools of sweat drenched the towel I was bridging on... The effects of doing a daily back bridge are too numerous to mention. For one, my back and neck are a heck of a lot stronger and much more flexible. At jiu jitsu class I'm able to last a lot longer and I'm not even sore at the end of class! Where I work, you're standing for most of your 8 hour shift, and everyone complains of back aches or leg aches, even to the point of calling in sick. Ever since I've done bridging, my back has not ached at all (except from being sore from doing those endless reps of Wall Walking and that dreaded Power Wheel!) and when I get the chance to sit done, I'll actually choose to remain standing! "Most of all, I get a great feeling of accomplishment from being able to do such a rigorous exercise that I once thought was impossible". Alan Gaa "My name is Ian,and I have been a profesional wrestler for the last 16 years,since I was 17 years old.I am from Canada and started my adventure there,in Montreal.I was the guy who used to set up the ring and then sell programs in exchange for a chance to be shown the 'ropes'by the guy's before the shows.Well,that didn't prove to be to helpful because they were a bunch of assh**es who basicaly beat me up everyday.Tough guy's,250 pound steroid monsters beating up a kid.I had to live in the back of a pick up truck with the ring because I had no money for the hotel ,or food for that matter but I didn't care,I wanted to be a wrestler.The company closed and I sort of drifted around for a few years and one day whem I saw that I had to make a choice ,a change for the better or end up nowhere, I called a phone nuber I had for a wrestling company in Mexico.Nobody spoke english ,and I didn't speak any spanish,but I got it across some how that I wanted to come down and train real bad.Once that was set up,I wanderd what the hell I was doing and when I arived at the air port,I said to myself'You are realy out of your mind'. To jump ahead a few weeks,they said to me they liked the idea that I was into Vampires(some of the guy's spoke broken english) and rock'n'roll so they started calling me 'Vampiro'.When I debuted,they did it as a joke because I was so bad,I had zero expeience and Ilooked realy wierd so they thought they had a great 'bad guy'to beat up on.well when they started to beat the livin' daylights out of me ,all the teenage girls started to cry.Well next thing you know ol'Jed's a millionier and my boss said it didn't matter that I could not work,I was the top draw and I was going on the road.In 2 months,Vampiromania swept Latin America.I was working 3 and 4 times a day,everyday infront of no less than 18 thousand people per show. I was generating some major dough for everybody but the negatives started to out weigh the positives real quick. I was 22,way to young for that kind of responsibility and way to young to under stand the value of money.I hated myself because I was becomming the type of person I hated.Vampiro was huge,movies,soap operas,chicks ,cash,ego........all bulls**t. I was also getting injured all the time.Knee operations,head injuries,broken nose,eye socket,everything.I was such a money maker that they didn't care,filled me full of drugs to kill the pain just to get back on the road.I was in the ring 2 weeks after knee surgery. I was so unhappy, I cried everyday. It was so out of control.But I wasn't upset because the entertainment business is the work of the Devil, Iwas upset because I still couldn't Wrestle.I was such a fake.It hurt me to be that way and my boss would not let me have time off to learn anything.Then one day I met a guy who had just come from Japan and he came from a 'shoot group'called UWF(UNIVERSAL WRESTLING FEDERATION)and these guys were all killers and were trained by some guy named Karl Gotch.Well after spending time with him for a few weeks and having my eye's opend to the world of shooting,I was no longer lost. I knew that there was something out there that was the real deal.I was extatic and began an intense training in every martial art I could find.I fell in love with Judo and Tae Kwon Do and began to use my new knowledge in my work. Guys who beat me up for years were now getting there ass beat like ..............well real bad!! Then I saw the Gracie tapes from Brazil.A million things changed and suddenly the martial arts were not all that great after all.My teachers would get real pissed at me when I would tell them there is something out there that's commin' for ya,and it aint' jiu jitsu,some day some one will let the monster out of the bag ,that monster being catch as catch can wrestling................. "1O years later.Las Vegas,at the MGM Grand Hotel,the WCW ppv'Holloween Havoc is taking place.I am nearing the end of the match and we get the 'Que' to take it home.We had staged a big finish ,my partner and I were both atnding on the top rope with me facing him, facing towards the crowed. My partner fliped my up over his head so that I was seated on his shoulder's,still facing out to the crowed.I 10 or 11 feet in the air and the idea was for him to jump into the ring ,placing me down flat on my back but giving the illusion that he slamed me through the floar.Well he sliped.I was spiked head first into the mat.I was lucky I was not killed. My wife refuses to watch the video,ever. "O.k,jump ahead 4 days..............I went to the hospital because I was not feeling well.Things were not normal.I was not kicking out of this one.They did there check up and the doctor sat my wife down on my bed and said'You have a broken neck,some of your vertabreas are done and you have a level 3 concusion. He told me I would never wrestle again and this being my 17th concusion,it was more than likely that I would have brain damage and would need therapy to correct my speach, learn how to walk again,and thearapy for my hands.I had lost all feeling and mt speach was slow and I was forgetting words and who I was and could not walk right.This was great news ,especialy when he told me I was not alowed to hold my 2 week old baby daughter. "I am only trying to tell you that I am a very deep person and this story needs to be told because you might think you know how important Matt's work is but realy and this is not an insult,you have know idea.As soon as I heard my wife cry and looked over and saw my little girl,just the thought of not being 'normal' sent a rage through me.Days later I was flipping through a magazine and saw Matt's add for CC.I asked my doctor if I could try this and she freaked,then gave me the good news,not only could I not do the CC,I was in the first stages of Parkensons Disease,Great.Well I went home and blasted out some hidu squats.Then my heart was racin' and did the hindu push ups.Yes,pain but ......peace.My balls got realy big because I was being asked by me,myself to change my destiny,be a man and take care of your family.so I closed my eyes and I tried to bridge.Intense pain,but I opend my eye's and smiled because I saw the truth and new that this was going to change my life.I continued to bridge and within 6 weeks I won the Montreal BJJ championships,and not by technique,but by defense.The guy in the finals tried to snap me down but I just blocked him and held my broken neck strong.Couldn,t budge me! I won for my belife in me and because my neck was so powerful,thanks to Matt .Now a year later I am back and I am in Japan kickn' alot of ass and feeling grovey thanks to CC.I could go on forevr about how deep Matt is and how important his wisdom is,the zen of catch wrestling,how I know for a fact because in my line of work I see them all,how much better Matt's stuff is. "Matt you are a special man with a purpose here.You are the one who understands the art at its soul and you are a very wise teacher. Your knowledge is real,and you are responsible to see thatit is done justice and you are doing just that.I hope all of you will accept me as your friend.I will try not to ramble on forever next time.But understand ,I am in the mix everyday,and I can see how this is the real deal.I am humbled and hounored to be part of this . "Thank's for your time,and Matt ,thank's for well.......saving my life!!!!!!!!!!! "P.S. Because of CC, ALL MY MILLIONS OF INJURIES ARE GONE!!!!!!!My knees work! My neck,shoulders,back and everything else is like brand new!!!!!!!!!!! " Ian Hodgkinson (aka Vampiro) Tokyo, Japan "I'm one of the lucky ones who is blessed with a trouble-free back. I was able to touch my nose to the mat fairly quickly. The main benefit I get from bridging is the cessation of tension headaches. If I relax into the bridge and rock back and forth and a little bit side to side, I can feel the muscles stretching. Sometimes my neck will crack. The first time that happened was a little scary. But now I look forward to the "pop". It's almost like magic to get such complete and instantaneous relief. Thanks Matt!" Steve Gillett "I sound like a repeat of many of the testimoonials already posted. I have 4 injured disks in my nck. I had frequent migraines and numbness. I am a judo guy and bridging is important for grappling. I am 41 and tried and tried to do the bridge as Matt presented, I could not do it. So I gave up. I figured it was my neck. I was in my garage doing an exercise where I roll side to side doing a single leg bridge (prentnding I am rolling my opponent off of me). All of a sudden 4 min into the exercise I gave the bridge another shot and BAM....I went over and my nose hit the ground. My footing was wrong, not my neck. been doing bridging every other day with no headaches, no problems". Doug Borro "Matt, Got my wrestlers on 15 minutes of combat conditioning a day. it has gone over very well. they very much enjoy something new and different and it adds a lot to each of my practices. i also use it for motivation. If any of my guys get pinned, we will do 10 minutes of bridging and 100 grasshoppers. I hung the sign and there was an immediate crowd and discussion- (a definite sense of long term awareness) when they get put on their back, don't think this threat won't kick 'em in the ass like right now. Also if anyone goes 0-2 at a tourney we all do 100 hindu squats and 100 hindu pushups- every team in any sport would be wise to incorporate your program in their daily routines. just not in eastern Iowa in the sport of wrestling (if you catch my drift). 'Loving every minute of it'". Chris Lembeck Head Wrestling Coach Cedar Rapids Xavier High School "Hi Matt, I know you like to be kept up to date on progress. So, here's my story. I'm not a Pro fighter or grappler. I was a 37 year old fat guy who thought he was in decent shape. I saw an article of yours in a Black Belt magazine & heard your website mentioned on Live Audio Wrestling, which led me to buy Combat Conditioning. All those exercises were really hard for me. Probably because I was 257 lbs of blubber. Now for the good part. As of today I am 225 lbs of very little blubber (I still have some work to do ). I do the Gotch Bible twice a week with double squats. I've cut my Bible time by 13 minutes in the last 2 weeks. I can actually do a handstand now, and I'm pretty close to doing handstand push-ups. The best news of all is that my back is pain free for the first time in 20 years. I would credit that to bridging. Being that I have never done bridging or handstands in my life until a few months ago, I think I'm doing okay. Combat Conditioning has changed my life. Not just the physical things I mentioned, but I have a more confident, no quit attitude as well. Keep up the good work Matt. You do more good than you can ever know". Robert Cowden "In Combat Conditioning Matt Furey follows in the footsteps of Karl Gotch, taking a classical approach to conditioning. This approach is rock solid. Having used the exercises and having the people I coach and train use them, I have found these exercises to be great. Read the book and learn." Kim Wood Strength Coach - Cincinnati Bengals NFL "In real estate the three rules are location, location, location. When it comes to combat sports the three rules are conditioning, conditioning, conditioning. Matt Furey will get you in the best condition of your life with his new book Combat Conditioning. I have used Mr. Furey's methods in my own training and with my Taekwondo students. The results have been incredible. Strength, endurance and flexibility were greatly improved. Whether you are a striker or a grappler or you just want to be in the best shape possible, get this book. On a scale from 1-10, I give it an 11. Forget the gimmicks and the gadgets. All you need is your own body and the desire to follow the program." Philip Ameris 6th Degree Black Belt "By following the exercises in Combat Conditioning, my strength and flexibility have never been better. Even though I am in my mid-40's these exercises have allowed me to continue to compete at a high level. As a coach, I can say that anyone who wants to achieve an elite status in grappling or any other combat sport, needs to follow these methods." Steve Maxwell Owner of Maxercise Sports Fitness 1999 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champion "I have found no other exercises that increase balance, agility, functional strength and overall grappling endurance like the bodyweight calisthenic exercises outlined by Matt in his grappling magazine (G.A.I.N.) and at his seminars. As a martial artist, I've tried everything from long, slow distance running to high weight, low repetition high intensity 'bodybuilding' style weight training, but found that my time is much better spent doing the calisthenics in Combat Conditioning. I rely heavily on these exercises, as do my students." Jason Crawford, Ph.D. Senior Scientist Combat Wrestling Instructor "I have found Combat Conditioning so effective that I have made the exercises the cornerstone of both my personal training and the training of my boxing club. Matt Furey doesn't just teach exercises, however.Combat Conditioning is a philosophy of physical culture that stands on its own and will help ANYONE with the guts to give it a real try!" Nathan Hatton President, Wilfrid Laurier University Boxing "Since I began following Matt Furey's advice on exercise, a couple of chronic injuries have finally started to heal. I have had a chronic neck problem (made worse by rugby) for years, but since following the bridging that Matt has recommended, I am pain-free. I have greater cervical mobility and much greater strength. It's funny, but prior to this, various neck machines and neck harness work did not have the same effect. I also have this shoulder that "pops" out at various times whenever someone pulls my arm or I reach out. Nothing I tried helped. However, after I began the bridging and Hindu push-ups, this popping out no longer happens. A routine of Hindu squats, Hindu push-ups and bridging has improved my overall endurance, allowing me to wrestle for longer periods. Prior to learning this from Matt, I did not believe that I could improve my strength and combat skills without weight training. In each workout I am gaining a little more flexibility and increasing my strength. I highly recommend Combat Conditioning for anyone, athlete or otherwise, who wants to get the most out of himself." Dr. Brett Jacques, ND author of Street Sambo "As a student of combat arts I am always looking for the best available instruction. Not only does Matt teach what law enforcement need to know in a combat situation, but the conditioning program he teaches is the best I have ever seen. I am currently introducing these exercises to police academies and law enforcement. The recruits are quickly recognizing that the curls and bench presses they've been doing for years are not going to help them nearly as much as the conditioning exercises in this book. On behalf of law enforcement I thank Matt for his dedication to this most important subject." Dante Diotalevi P.O.S.T. Certified Trainer of Defensive Tactics Instructors "Matt I just received your book combat conditioning and I am very pleased. I have trained as a powerlifter for 12 years now and I am as stiff as a board. While I squatted 940 ( I weigh 375) in the NY state meet last year I am in horrible shape. I am huge and have great one rep maxes ,but I have no stamina. I used to do many of the exercises (minus the hindu squats) when I was a wrestler in high school. I remeber thinking they were dumb at the time and that lifting weights would be a better way to get stronger. LOL funny that 500 lb bench didn't do shit on the mat! Boy! I was wrong and it is funny that here I am 10 years later doing a calestenic workout again ( WHICH FEELS GREAT!). I got your name from reading Brook kubiks stuff and just wanted to take a moment to thank you for your website and books. I will eventually as i gain stamina try to buy all that you sell and incorportate it into my workouts. Thank you for the motivation!" John Nickless Syracuse, NY Matt, "I know you are busy, so I'm going to keep this brief. I MADE THE SWAT TEAM! and I have you to thank. Three years ago I tried out for the same position and made the sad mistake believing that weight lifting would carry me through. By the time I got done with the the obstacle courses, running, and pullups, i couldn't do the required number of situps. I was ashamed and I had no one to blame but myself. This time it was a different story. I smoked that friggin PT test! Guys thatI thought were in shape couldn't cutit.When we all finished, I felt like doing the whole thing over again. My buddies thought I was a sadistic bastard! Gee Matt.....Iwonder where I could have pickedthat up from. Just a word of encouragement to those starting the program. I am by no means a fitness fanatic (Atleast not yet). When I started, I could only do 15 Hindu pushups 50 Hindu squats, and I would shake like a monkey passing a peach seed when doing the back bridge. Keep working on it and don't listen to those so called fitness expert's comments on the calistenics. If everyone was doing Combat Conditioning,you wouldn't have the edge! Thanks again Matt!" Ted Epright Naples Florida "Mr. Furey, Not long ago I got a copy of your Combat Conditioning book and I gotta say that I was skeptical. I've trained in various martial arts over the years and thought I was fit, so come time for my first workout from your book I thought 'Hell, this seems simple enough'. So I blast out fifty Hindu Squats and then fifty Hindu Pushups and thought 'Yeah! I'm Good!!' "Well the next day I woke up and my body was a useless piece of meat. The only reason I knew it wasn't dead was because it ached so much. Now I'm a true believer and have a much more respectful attitude towards these exercises. I'm finding new ways to work them into my daily routine. I even race my kids in Bear and Crab Walking. They don't even know they're getting in shape (they are at that age when they can't yet tell they're being had). "One way I've discovered to vary the routines is a circuit training I used before with other exercises (Burpees etc.). I pick five exercises out of your book and do one rep of each followed by two then three and so on, without stopping. Because there are so many in the book I never need to do the same workout twice and can work on what I need at a given time. "Thanks to you and Karl Gotch for putting out a really important idea in an age when people are buying machines that do the workout for them (those pads that stimulate the muscles while you watch TV). Keep up the great work." Ralph Petulla New York, NY "Matt, Man do these workouts kick my ass! I truly have respect for anyone who can do in excess several hundred Hindu squats and to those who can do them in the thousands. To me that person is an animal. Truly. These workouts are very humbling to say the least. I thought that I had a fairly strong upper body till I started doing Hindu pushups. I am now able to do 50 but It is no easy task and I know that 50 is really just the start. To think that people can do more than a 100 makes me feel like a little stick boy in comparison. I know that the sky is the limit on these exercises but I was wondering what some good (beginner - intermediate) numbers are on the squats and the pushups? I was also thinking yesterday about the Royal Court and testosterone production. If squats and dead lifts of different varieties are big producers of testosterone hitting the Royal Court hard has to serve the same function if not more so. I mean these workouts get the whole body moving and breathing hard to boot! They have to raise testosterone levels. What is your opinion on this? I have been hitting the workouts every day now and hard on most exercises now that my body is starting to get over the initial shock. I still get some soreness every day from the workouts but not to the degree that I started out with. It is definitely a good feeling. Combat Conditioning has added new life to my training and my whole outlook on exercise. Thanks!" Thad Kittelson Seattle, Washington "I just wanted to let you know that because of you, I not only train myself differently, I train my clients with your methods! (I'm a personal trainer.) Your methods are the best at helping people become stronger and definitely more functional. Training for just strength doesn't help me or my clients to move better. The body functions as a whole, and I will never go back to training the way I used to with a lot of isolation movements or split routines. Another great benefit is how quick you start getting results which really helps with motivation! I predict that this is the future of conditioning and I am going to try to steer people in this direction! Keep up the great work! By the way, I really enjoy your newsletter". Steve Marrell "As a personal trainer and high school strength coach I have been using many of your training methods, not only for myself, but for friends, family, clients, my staff and students. Using your take on calesthenics and ab work I have been able to reach a new level of intensity in program design. And in a time when BS seems to rule it is great to get straight talk from someone, especially in our field. " Sal Marinello "Matt, I e-mailed you about a month ago telling you that I, once an avid weightlifter for years, injured my back two years ago and had dealt with pain on a daily basis to some degree. I bought your book(combat conditioning)and started "The Royal Court". Matt, I must tell you that I am truly and utterly amazed at the fact that I am pain free. I cannot believe it. I really like to roller blade with my kids but would pay dearly the following few days with lower back pain. To my further amazement, I, for the first time, played roller hockey last weekend and thought that this would bring again my old back pain due to the constant bending at the waist in, for lack of proper nomenclature, the hockey player stance. The next day I had NO PAIN! One last thing to tell you Matt and that is that since my injury, every time that I would lay on my back, my left leg would go numb. I have been to doctor after doctor and was told that was the way it was going to be. In just one month I have gone to where my entire left quad would go numb to just a little tingle in one very small spot. In other words Matt, I am a miraculous success story thanks to The Royal Court. I am now beginning to start on some other exercises and can tell that my functional strength will grow. Like you said, I am doing things now that I couldn't do when I was younger. I do have one question. How many days a week do you hit The Royal Court? Everyday, every other day? Thank you Thank you Thank you. I may sound a little "mushy" but to wake up every morning and be able to jump out of bed is a dream come true. I bow down to The Royal Court." Jim Hirt "I purchased the Combat Conditioning book and the workouts I have come up with from that and some articles of yours in different magazines have been fantastic. I've had back surgery and 5 knee surgeries and I feel the best I have felt in a long, long time. It may sound corny, but thanks for everything. It's hard to find honest knowledgeable instruction these days. I have no doubt that any products, tapes,books, or information I can get from you will be top notch and beneficial. When is the pushup book coming out?" Sincerely," Mark Gaudreault "Dear Matt, I can't tell you how valuable and helpful your websites have been to me. The exercises you have taught me have changed and even saved my life as far as I'm concerned. I have a job where I travel extensively throughout Europe and the Middle East. The constant travel and the stress of a job that carries me into areas like the Gaza strip places a lot of physical and mental stress on the body. Having these exercises has strengthened me and enabled me to handle this stress. I used to lift weights, when I could, but I don't think I'd give up these exercises (my portable gym) for anything. Once again, Matt, you are the greatest!! Sincerely," Shaul Hawkins "Dear Matt, I'm writing to tell you about the incredible success I've had using your videos and book, Combat Conditioning. As a golf teacher for almost ten years and a martial artist for over twenty, I understand the importance of flexibility, coordination and whole body strength. The exercises in your program completely annihilate any and all fitness programs I've ever seen. At 35 years of age, I'm in the best shape of my life! (its about time, huh?) The bridging has been a great way to improve my spine flexibility and quad strength. (Which is a huge plus for the golf game, I might add.) The Hindu squats are taking layers of fat off me that have been sitting there for years. I can see my abs for the first time in my life! The other day, I put on an old pair of size31 jeans and they were too damn big! The Hindu pushups are such an incredible workout for the entire upper body, that I hardly recognize myself when I take my shirt off. Yes, my wife is diggin' it.You gotta understand Matt, I've been a fitness freak for the better part of my adult life. But nothing has worked so well for me. Ever. I've been a runner, bike rider, tried exercise videos, lifted weights. I could go on and on. I am recommending Combat Conditioning to all of my students and friends. Martial arts and golf alike! There is absolutely nothing better on the market if you want to get in peak, animal, ripped, killer condition in the shortest amount of time imaginable. If anybody who is reading this is looking for the program to get in shape fast. Don't wait! Every day you delay, your just falling behind. If you want to destroy your competition, get the Combat Conditioning book and videos right friggin' now! I ain't kidding! Whatever your chosen sport, you'll be better, stronger and more flexible! You'll never regret one, single penny of this investment. I haven't! "In closing, I just want to say thank you Matt. You've made a difference in my life that I will never forget. I owe you big. Sincerely," Sensei Mark Anthony Montaquila. Author and star of: Tao of Golf "Dear Matt, I received your Combat Conditioning book and video tapes 2-3 weeks ago. Just wanted you to know that I am 46 and have remained dedicated to fitness since I was young. Because of my work schedule, I have always gravitated towards calisthentic-type routines so that my workouts can be done anywhere. Also I have periodically had painful knee and back problems throughout my adult life due to previous injuries. If I do not consistently stretch and exercise, pain develops. "I am telling you this because I was eager to incorporate your exercises into my workouts. I was initially worried about the how my body would react to hindu squats and neck bridges. True, there was a short adjustment period. However, the results of doing both properly have really surprised me. My knees now feel great and my body feels much better doing squats this way than it did when performing the traditional calisthentic squat. Further, the neck bridge, done properly, has really invigorated my whole system. I am mostly doing wall walking and can now put my nose on the ground with feet flat (after warming up into it, of course.) I can not hold this position for too long yet, but I am slowly working on it. It seems to me that the only way to really hurt yourself is to use improper form, to go faster than proper form will allow, or if I try to push too hard too fast. The neck bridge is certainly invigorating my whole nervous system. I work it every morning and the effects stay with me throughout the whole day! "Thanks alot. I look forward to receiving my current order for Combat Abs and the Farmer Burns course. Best wishes," Paul Kilman "Hi Matt, I received the Combat Abs two days ago and all I can say is, you the MAN!!! There are so many exercises to choose from there is no way I'll ever get bored or lose motivation. I've incorporated just a couple of exercises and my enthusiasm is high and my midsection is screaming for mercy. Just to give you an update, I'm up to 420 reps on the hindu squats, 160 push ups, I do around a 100 reps or more on abs session, and I finally touched my nose to the mat. It took me about three months, but I finally did it! There is no one around to appreciate it because they just look at me in amazement and wonder what the heck I am doing to my body. Everyone thinks I've lost my mind! I've been bridging on my new mat that I got from "Fat Bernie." He was very helpful and didn't mind making one for me. Now I just need to hold the bridge for time and get the foundation down solid. "Keep up the good work Matt and I wish you and your family well. Hope your dad is feeling better and thanks again for sharing your knowledge with us. You don't know how much it has helped and changed my life. Best Regards," Karl Tiburcio "Good morning Matt! Although it's 8 a.m. here, I'm sure that you have already busted out 1,000 squats and 500 hindu push ups and rocked frank to sleep while holding him in a back bridge! hehe. I have been a follower of your articles and methods for a while now and got the book combat conditioning about nine months ago. About October I fell away from working out because of some personal stress at home and started back into it in December, only I started lifting weights. I read the book power to the people by tsatsouline and started his program in January and completed a one month power cycle. Well, I started looking at your updated website and read every page several times. I then got the CC book out again and in February I started doing the Royal Court every day. What a fulfilling routine! The first time I did hindu squats, I wanted to see how many I could bust out and I did 407, however, it took me 23 minutes to do --way too slow. So since February 1, I've been doing a sample routine that you list in the book : wall walking for 5 reps, 100 hindu squats at the proper cadence (I was able to do them in 2:45 yesterday, almost there), 50 hindu pushups, and the back bridge. Now here to me is the amazing part. You could almost call it having an epiphany during the back bridge. I have always been a fairly inflexible person. I have never been able to touch my toes, legs straight while sitting on the floor and I'm 32. Yesterday, Iwas finishing up the workout and working on the back bridge, concentrating on the breathing and came a hair away from touching my nose to the floor. Excited, I came back down exhaled a sigh of relief, straightened out my legs and went PAST my toes! I couldn't believe it! The key to doing this wasn't in stretching out my hamstrings, but in loosening up my back through the back bridge! And I wouldn't have found this out unless for you and your work. Thank you, thank you, thank you! "I just wanted to let you know what was going on and encourage you to keep up the good work! I look forward to purchasing "Combat Abs" next payday and am excited to see what else is coming down the pike! Sincerely," Tim Morenz "Matt I got your book, combat conditioning in the mail yesterday, WOW! I've worked out all my life and stay in fair shape. For the last month I have given up weights in favor of push ups, dips and pull ups when I read about your book I thought I would start cranking those babies out. I'm not sure that crank is the right word, maybe pop and crackle because that's what my body was doing when I tried to bridge or do Hindu push ups. I've got a lot of work to do, put I'm already hooked. God Bless you for your fine book and your willingness to share your knowledge. When I can bridge for 3 minutes I'll e-mail you a picture. " Bob Adams "I am 48 and have developed lower back pain, probably from running 10-15 miles per week for 30 years. I figured I was beginning to suffer "runner's back" and did not think too much about it. Changing my sit up routine gave a little relief, but standing for periods longer than 10 minutes would cause my lower back to tighten up and really be sore. I read some of the testimonials on your web site, ordered your "Combat Abs" book and received it this past Friday. I have done the "Magnificent Seven" exercises everyday since then. I went to a meeting last night and had to stand for over 30 minutes and did not realize my back was not hurting until I got home. Amazing! "Thanks for the help. I'll be substituting your stomach routines to my calisthenics. " Dean Soderstrom "Matt this is awesome, i am doing the bridge and my neck hasnt felt this good in years, my chiropractor told me i would have neck problems for the rest of my life, but after one week of doing the bridge, i have no more pain(nose is half an inch away from touching the floor) once i can afford to buy the combat conditioning book i will, yoga was never this good....thanks!" Edward Lira "I have the Combat Conditioning videos playing in our strength room most of the day for our athletes to watch. We are working on incorporating Combat Conditioning with our full-body explosive and strength lifts. As an old wrestler, I really appreciate that you and Karl Gotch are bringing back old training that I used as a wrestler along with Olympic style lifting that both gave me good success as wrestler and coach. The athletes here love the combination of the two and really understand the functionality of each. Thanks". Ethan Reeve Director of Strength and Conditioning Ohio University "I am writing you this letter to give yet another praise for "free-hand (or Hindu) squats." Any one who is even a little familiar with professional hockey knows about Jaromir Jagr of the Pittsburgh Penguins. He is the top NHL player period! Hands down there are few in his class in the sport today. One of his most outstanding talents is his amazing acceleration and powerful skating ability. He can skate circles around opponents and throw defensemen off his back with one arm as he skates in perfect stride. During a game last year a commentator remarked on his huge thighs and speed skating ability, then he mentioned his training program SQUATTING! 500 reps in his bedroom every day when he was in Slovakia preparing for pro hockey. If you ever get a chance to watch him play you will see the power of squats in action!!" Nick Castelluccio Brooklyn, NY "I am very pleased with the tapes. You did an outstanding job explaining each exercise in detail. I was doing the exercises incorrectly. It's such a help to see you do the proper form, not to mention the proper speed of an exercise. I don't think anyone with the book should be without the tapes. I believe I am one of many who was doing the exercises incorrectly. I am looking forward to your push-up book and future videos." Kevin Hardy Piedmont, CA " Love the tapes! They are just perfect at explaining the exercises, and the suggested workouts are ass kickers. After your suggestion of 100 pushups min. a day, I got 45 today, and have broken the plateau. I find that because of my height, (about 6'1"), I bend too far forward at the waist to tip the floor every time. Thanks for the alternative method for us weirdoes! Can't do the pushups on the back of my wrists yet... But gives me something else to shoot for. I really liked the workout suggestions you gave at the end of the pushup tape also. All in all, the tapes are totally inspirational. They mean a lot more to me because you do the reps in the tough ones, and sweat along with the student. A lot of people like to talk the talk...you walk the walk." Kenny Burner Huntington, W.VA "Your videos were definitely worth the wait! Trying to keep up with you, and maintain coordination, was the best laugh I've had in a week. Well, it's great to see how the exercises are actually performed. The videos are so much help in that area! Thank you once again for sharing your education with us all. I am one awfully sore old lady right now! But, I keep going back for more!" Coral Glosser York, PA "I received your video's today. These tapes are the real deal. I've been a weight lifter for 15 years. I stopped lifting completely when I got your book. Now with the videos these exercises are even more effective. I was doing some of the exercises slightly wrong, but now I got em right. My 10-year-old son did 90 straight Hindu squats tonight, fingers touching the floor. Your book & videos were the best things I ever bought. Myself & my entire family are on our way to superior fitness thanks to you, & Karl Gotch." Dave, Dina, Matt, Alex, & Courtney Grossman Coral Springs, FL "Allow me to join in on the flood of praise for your videos. They have made a BIG difference in my understanding of Hindu Squats, Jumper Squats, bridging and Wall walking. They are 100% pure protein with no wasted space, additives or fillers! And seeing how these exercises should be done adds even more fuel to my desire to train! Good luck with your future efforts, and thanks again for your additions to the lore of martial arts and fitness!" Jim Boelter Jamestown, NY "I am writing you just to thank you for how fantastic your were to my parents. A few months ago my parents came to you to secure a book of yours that I had asked them to get me for Christmas. You see I have few hobbies, and the study of the martial arts is one of them. My wife however doesn't share my enthusiasm. So when I can get a gift that reflects my interests I am really pleased. Not only did you get the book for them, but you signed it and allowed them to take some pictures with you. The time that you took out of your busy schedule really made an impression on them. I have enjoyed your articles in Black Belt and in Grappling. I now enjoy them even more knowing how cool you are. Thank you for your time and great articles. Sincerely," Jonathan Brand "Mr Furey, Day 29-I'm up to 100 Hindu Pushups and 380 Hindu Squats, and I feel great! I'm still waiting to get a floor mat for the Backbridging, because my place has all hardwood floors. Great results! My legs are turning into rocks, and I feel my upper body is, on the whole, harder than ever! I've lost an inch or so off my waist and gained 5 pounds overall! Talk about progress, and in only 15 to 19 minutes a day! Also, my boxer's stomach is harder than it's been in a long time. Thank you again, and say "thank you" to Mr. Gotch for me." Sergio Ayala Oklahoma City, OK "Dear Matt, Made it to NC safely and have just started using the 'big' power wheel and the power push-up. My friend and his kids concur with me that they are great. He said his shoulder already feels better just from two short sessions with the pp-up. He is going to order one of each through your web site soon. Now we are going to watch 'neck cranks' and I think he will soon be a convert to combat wrestling also. Thanks again-it was great meeting you. I look forward to getting a training session in next time I'm in Florida. Sincerely, " Marc O'Connor "Dear Matt, Thank you for your help with the Power Wheel. After using it for a week I all ready am seeing great results. Thank you again. Sincerely," Arlene Miller "Matt, I wonder if all the nay-sayers of bodyweight calesthenics know how many success stories there are from people who do combat conditioning. Here is one more. I currently study kickboxing, jiu-jistsu, and phillipino martial arts, but my first love is wrestling which I started at 10 years old. I thought weight training was the way to go for strength and endurance. I went on vacation recently and because I didn't want to pay any gym fees while I was home I said to myself, 'I guess I'll settle for doing the CC exercises for a week'. Well Matt, a day was all it took for me to realise that I was in no kind of shape compared to where I could be. Now, fast forward a couple of months and I feel absolutely like a new person. Once I got to the point where I could do 300 straight hindu squats in 8 1/2 minutes, 65 hindu pushups (still weak I know, but I'm working on it) and hold a nose to the ground bridge for three minutes, a number of things happened: 1) I lost the last 10 pounds that would not come off from running; 2) I have no more pain from weight lifting injuries; and 3) When I box and wrestle/grapple-I simply NEVER GET TIRED!!! The power and explosiveness in ALL my techniques is better than when I was 18 years old. People who have never tried this stuff just don't understand the absolutely amazing lung power one gets from hindu squats. I love the bridge and the hindu pushups, but for me the best part of CC is the amazing benefits of the hindu squats. The way I train them now is to have days where I may go a little slower pace just to get used to doing more, and then have days where you do just a few more than you could do before at the proper speed-this method works for me. Anyway, thanks a lot, Matt. I would love to be able to attend one of your seminars someday, I love learning new techniques and ideas and always try to be an eternal STUDENT of the game. Peace and respect," Ken James Grand Forks, North Dakota "Dear Matt, I just wanted to let you know how much bridging has helped me. For several years, I have had low back pain. I had some physical therapy that helped. I was given exercises and stretches which kept the pain under control, sometimes I would be pain free for weeks at a time. But every couple of months I would have a flair up (sometimes so bad that I could barely walk). And I always had to be very careful about my physical activity. About four months ago I read about bridging on your website and then ordered 'Combat Conditioning' and started bridging regularly. I can now bridge flat footed without using my arms for support and can touch my nose to the mat. I hold for three minutes. I haven't had a back pain flair up since I started bridging and I have really upped my physical activity. I have even been able to deadlift without pain. BRIDGING IS GREAT! Thanks Matt!" Yancy Jencsok "Dear Matt: I must say that when I saw the Power Wheel on your website I was downright pissed off. I had come to trust Matt Furey as a conditioning guru and now here he is hocking some wheel with all the other late-night infomercial losers. I walked around a couple of days wondering if I should throw out my Combat Conditioning book and videos or even send them back to you with a "thanks for selling out" letter. After settling down, I decided that if you really believed in it I could give it a shot, and besides, I could always return it with a nasty letter. Even when I received the wheel in the mail I did not even open it for a day. To say I was a skeptic was an understatement. When I finally opened the Power Wheel I thought "well I'll just crank out about a 100 or so reps on this thing and send it back." Ten reps later I was saying "damn, this thing is hard as hell!" But the great thing about the Power Wheel is its versatility. I now use it for pushups and I variety of other exercises outlined in the brochure that accompanies the Power Wheel. No joke, in just one week I could tell a difference in my core body strength and in my shoulders. All I did was follow the routine that came with the Power Wheel. It took me 10 minutes a day at most. My workout now consists of the Royal Court and the Power Wheel. The best thing about the Power Wheel is that it can be used in so many different ways that you will never be bored or dred working out with it. Thanks Matt for converting a skeptic." Greg Shockley "Hi Matt, You were right, the Power Wheel kicks butt alright. My abs are SORER than SORE after only a wee fiddle around with the wheel from hell. Thanks again for more painful pleasure." Paul Condron United Kingdom "Matt, Thanks again for your usual quick service. First Combat Abs: I have been doing the Magnificent 7 about 5 days a week for three weeks. Last Sunday, as I head for the shower after a run, whooa...I have these new divots in my midsection! I have never had such quick and visible results from any routine! Especially one which last maybe 15 minutes. Power Wheel: That device has the power to exhaust and humble anyone. It will flatten you in a couple of minutes!! Thanks and keep up your great work!" Keith Hamilton "First of all, I placed an order on Nov 30th and got it yesterday and that's amazing. Second, the order was for the chest expander video and one chest expander and I used it last night and today when I was doing my arm swings (warming up) I actually didn't hear the "SNAP CRACKLE POP" that I usually hear and that's even more amazing. Third, I thought I'd be cool and buy an orange one and needless to say - I ain't that cool so I'm going over to your site right now and ordering some easy ones. I just wanted to say thanks!!!" Andy McMillen "Dear Matt, In the less than two months I have been doing the Royal Court exercises, the results have been phenomenal. At age 44 with a bit of a spread, I have had to start slowly, but I am making progress with those 3 excercises. I feel and look stronger than I have in 15 years. I never thought that would be possible without weight training. Weight training is not always convenient as my wife and I travel a lot. These exercises are very portable, and as such, I have actually been able to stick to a regular training schedule. And to have the progress without the muscle stiffness that weight training brings is a real blessing. I can't think of a conditioning routine that would be of more value to a Martial Artist. Strength and flexibility make a great combination. Keep bringing us more information! Sincerely," Doug Hogetvedt MeyHogetvedt@aol.com "Matt, If there's one thing that I've taken from your stuff it's the wallwalking!! I love it. You can do it practically anywhere. I slam out 10 reps on the bathroom door when I'm giving the kids a bath, I use it to warm up before weight training in the morning. It's helped my lower back greatly and finally as you state, It has helped my bridging." Darrin F. Coe, MA Martial Arts Instructor "Hey Matt! I just wanted to tell you that I love your Combat Conditioning and Abs books. I recently also got all nine of the European Strands and the Power Push up. They don't look like much but man are they butt-kickers! I just wanted to tell you that this morning I did my personal best in the Hindu Pushups, and I feel euphoric! It feels so good! Thank you for your inspiration, and keep up the great work!" Mark A.Thomas, Jr. Cary, NC "Matt, Your book"COMBAT CONDITIONING" has helped me live a pain free existence for the 1st time in years. I was injured in a car accident two years ago and every day was i was ridden with pain. Getting up in the morning was agony. I could not train consistently as my back would freeze up. I bought your book through iron online. As soon as I did a back bridge I felt how weak the muscles of my middle back were. In 2 weeks I noticed the change. Doing back bridges 3x a week I feel my back getting stronger. I still cannot get my nose to the mat but I am working on it.Thank you again." Anthony Passero freakcaesar@yahoo.com "Dear Mr. Furey: I just wanted to thank you for putting out the information on combat conditioning. I've been practicing Taekwondo now for about 2 years and I'm at the brown belt level. I really enjoy doing it but I've also been getting a very sore lower back from it. Especially the next day. My whole life actually (I'm 35 years old) I've had lower back soreness. I was looking for some exercises to help and then I starting to follow your program (I bought the three videos and the book on Combat Conditioning). I've been doing bridging (which at first I didn't honestly think was doing much for my back). I'm pretty flexible and have been able to get my nose on the mat from day one. Anyway I just noticed my back pain is GONE! The only thing I can contribute this to is your exercises. Just wanted to drop you a line and thank you for the help that you have given me through your teachings. Keep up the good work!" David Webb dwebb@nyc.rr.com "I am a 32 year old Emergency Physician and have been involved in martial arts for over half of my life. Since starting Brazilian Jiu Jutsu about six years ago, I have had a problem with recurring mid and upper-back pain. While not constant, it would come back every couple of months and was really plauging me. I heard about your book Combat Conditioning Exercises and researched what I could find about you and the exercises. I was a bit skeptical of the claims that doing the royal court exercises would really have any effect on back pain, however I wanted to try. After 2 months of doing reps of hindu-pushups, back and front bridges, and hindu squats I now have no more back pain. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You. My endurance and functional strength have improved markably. I do these exercises religiously. I now recommendÊthem to athletic people who come in to the ER I work who have back pain. "Last week while doing a takedown, I landed wrong with all the weight on the outside of my shoulder and blew apart my AC joint. It is a grade 4 seperation where the AC joint is no longer, the clavicle floats freely from the acromion, and is pushing up 3 cm into the trapezius muscle. Normally this is a debilitating injury, at times requiring surgical repair. I was at work in the ER the next morning, and by 2 days later I was hanging curtains in my family room with my wife. Due in large part to the full range of motion in which I have functional strength (mostly from the exercises in your book) I only needed a sling for 2 days and now my shoulder barely hurts. Granted it will take a few months of rehab to get back to 100%, I just want you to know what a differance the exercises in your book have made in my life. I don't have a lot of time for exercise, and I am so grateful I found your book so that I know that there are no better exercises out there for me to be doing period. Thank You." Richele Westlake rwestlake@wi.rr.com "Matt, It's been about a year since getting "combat conditioning" and six months since the power wheel. I've been involved with fitness and martial arts for almost 30 years now and I can say without hesitation that your teachings and insights are the absolute best I have ever encountered. God bless you and keep up the good work." Bob Adams bjzadams@pacbell.net "Matt, I have been in the U.S. Army for 16 1/2 years, and over the years I have gotten banged up. I have a bad neck that I have lived with for all of those years due to a car accident; a shoulder that hurts more often than not; a back injury from weight lifting; and two knees that ache due to hereditary arthritis. I just came back from a short tour in Southwest Asia in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. While sitting around one day, I saw your add in a Black Belt magazine. I read it, then visited your website, and researched you and your info on the Internet. So, I said "what the heck?" It's only $35.00. After only approximately two weeks, my neck feels stronger and doesn't ache all of the time, especially when I wake up. It gets better everyday. My back, knees and shoulder feel stronger and ache less as well. The Hindu squats made my thighs really sore, but it was different than before. It was to the bone, but it didn't "cripple" me like soreness from weights. My neck will never be perfect again, but I can live with 99%. I was really skeptical at first. I was afraid that I would injure it more severely. But, I eased into it. I can do a minute now on the body bridge, and my nose is getting closer to the floor. If nothing but my neck improved, the $35.00 was well spent and my quality of life improved as well. The body bridge has helped my back as well. My biggest challenge has been correct form on the Hindu pushups. Having been in the Army for so long, I know the importance of correct form. It's critical to prevent injury, promote conditioning and a must to be counted on our physical fitness test. My reps are going up, but I'm in no hurry. I try to add one or two reps each day that I do them...normally every other day. Again, I am impressed. It has been the best $35.00 that I have ever spent. I will definitely point people in your direction." Chris Horne, U.S. Army hornecs@mindspring.com "Dear Matt, I put your DEEP BREATHING training to the test this weekend. I must admit that I was somewhat skeptical, but the rationale for the training was sound ie... you just gotta breathe. I have been following the training for the last year, and this weekend I ran and completed the SQUAW PEAK 50 Mile Trail Race. This 50 miles is no BS and considered one of the hardest ultras in the country. Furthermore I live at sea level, and the race is in Utah where the altitude of the race ranges from 4,400 ft to 9,200 ft. Now take into count that I am not the average ultrarunner. I weighed in at the race at 220 LBS, much bigger than what you would expect an ultrarunners build to be. I could not have done it without the Deep Breathing Training that I learned in your Combat Abs book. Thanks Matt." Jeff Kirkham Seattle, WA "Matt, just received your labor day package special including Combat Conditioning...and it was like Christmas ... you have sent me to the next level of my training ... been doing mixed martial arts for over 15 yrs(Judo/Muay Thai(3diff instructors)/JKD(1 instr)/ChinNA/TrapBoxing/etc. And your programs are not only progressive but effective and filled with common sense... Again thanks a million for your videos/books/and email lessons/etc. You are a light in the darkness of chaos/confusion." David Tamura New York, NY "I began your Combat Conditioning exercises last October. Starting at 20 Hindu squats. Today, August 10, 2002, I did ONE THOUSAND Hindu Squats in about 45 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Man I feel GOOD! THANKS, MATT!! I was told never to do squats with weights when I was a teenager because of my bad knees. HA!, my knees have never felt better. Not to mention the size of my friggin' legs.Sincerely," Rob Harmon "Hi Matt, I'm a 38 yr old Martial Artist who bought your first book Combat Conditioning and didn't believe the exercises would work. I continued to lift weights and in my BJJ class felt weak at 5'8" and 205 lbs. I picked up the book and started doing the Hindu Squats, Hindu Push ups, back bridges and I've never looked back. I can do 30, 100-straight squats, 30 second bridge, touch my nose to the mat. Combat Conditioning works!!!" Kevin Goodbee NY, NY "Hi Mr. Furey, Just wanted to drop a line and say that your Combat Conditioning book is great! I have had pain in my knees for the past 10 years and after just 2 weeks of doing Hindu squats the pain is gone!! Thank you very much. Without your book it probably never would have gone away. Thanks" Bill Kimmel bflat93@yahoo.com "Hi, Matt! Thanks so much for your work. I first saw you in a NAPMA presentation doing Hindu squats. I'm 35 years old and have had knee problems since I was a teenager. Not anymore! I do several hundred daily, and now working on the one leg pushup. I'm so glad that someone is 1) returning to ancient wisdom instead of the latest thing; and 2)has the guts to swim against the current! I've listened to personal trainers, fellow martial arts instructors, and (dang it!)aerobics chicks for years...No one ever helped me solve the issue. I now enjoy more flexibility and strength than ever before, without pain! Thanks again. Oh, and the bridge rules. Back and neck pain are a thing of the past. Keep up spreading the good word." Kurt Frankenberg Colorado Springs, CO "I am pleased to say that I am extremely satisfied with the Combat Conditioning workout. While only trying this workout briefly, I feel that this workout benefits me more than anything else that I have done in the past. As a police officer, I firmly believe that I have lost the right to get out of shape and I live by that rule. Combat Conditioning is taking me to the next level. I've always been in weight lifting shape and boxing shape, but I'm happy to do away with the weights. I never thought I would be able to do neck bridges and hand stand push ups. I leave the weight room now drenched in sweat, while the weight lifters are aren't sweating at all." Leonard Pini Newton, MA |
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