SUPER SOLDIER TRAINING

I have long wondered what it would take to build yourself into a super soldier, an individual with superior mental and physical capabilities operating well beyond what is considered humanly possible. A person with immense strength and endurance, supplemented with impressive fighting skills. I have studied the training styles of warrior civilizations whose status as Super soldiers have been respected by their bitter enemies. Civilizations such as the Zulu, Spartans, the Vikings and the Ninja (arguably the best warriors of all).

I have been working on developing the super human endurance and strength of a super soldier whilst retaining superior mental alertness.

 

Stamina

The Supersoldier needs a very high level of stamina to perform at an optimal operational level, as they are constantly on the move and must have an unending supply of energy. A shoulder should be able to march for hours and still retain the strength to deliver a good fight when he confronts his enemy.

 

Stamina can be built in two ways, by rowing and by walking. Rowing exercises in addition to working your heart and lungs, require you to pull with your arms and drive with your feet, thereby building your biceps, trapezius, hip flexors, quadriceps and calves. Try rowing 10,000 meters in 20 minutes, and I can assure you that every muscle in your body and mind will scream for respite within the first 5 minutes.

 

Brisk walking helps you build the cardiovascular and muscular endurance required to build a super soldier constitution.

 

 

 

Strength

 

 

The kind of strength required by a super soldier is not built through conventional bodybuilding. He has to haul heavy equipment for miles, whilst ensuring that it does not impede his combat abilities. His physical strength does not stand alone, it walks side by side with mental toughness.

 

You will be training 4 times per week, focusing on one of the following lifts each day: squat, deadlift, bench press and overhead press (military press or seated Behind the neck press). Other important lifts include barbell rows, pullups, Romanian deadlifts, good mornings, front squats, barbell curls and the close grip bench press. Keep rest periods very short.

 

Becoming a super soldier is not a day's job, you've got to place one foot in front of the other and give 110% ON EACH REP. Within a few weeks, your hard work will manifest in a high performance body.

 

 

 

Gladiator Conditioning - Our way

If you are looking for a workout that is different from the usual stuff everybody does, then this is the workout for you. It's designed to get you strong, fast and very deadly.

Gladiator Training commenced with getting the new gladiator to the peak of fitness. Gladiators trained much like professional athletes do today. They received medical attention and three meals a day. Their training included learning how to use various weapons, including the war chain, net, trident, dagger, and lasso.

Successful training required intense commitment. Fighting styles were learned through constant rehearsal as choreographed "numbers". An elegant, economical style was preferred, as a single bout probably lasted between 10–15 minutes, or 20 minutes at most. A wooden pole called a palus was first used as a target to practise moves with a sword. The wooden swords used during training on the palus were often double the weight of the actual weapon ensuring that the gladiators built up their upper body and arm strength. Palus training allowed a gladiator to practise various vicious strokes and manoeuvres such as thrusting, cutting, and slicing without imposing an injury on an opponent.

Training included preparation for a stoical, unflinching death. To die well, a gladiator should never ask for mercy, nor cry out. A "good death" redeemed a defeated gladiator from the dishonourable weakness and passivity of defeat, and provided a noble example to those who watched.

He had to be the best.... 

In my next article, i will show how he was able to be the best. 

The Code of the Urban Warrior

1.      I will develop myself to the maximum of my potential in all ways.

2.  I will forget the mistakes of the past and press on to greater achievements.

3.      I will continually work at developing love, happiness and loyalty in my family.

4.      I will look for the good in all people and make them feel worthwhile.

5.      If I have nothing good to say about a person, I will say nothing.

6.      I will always be as enthusiastic about the success of others as I am about my own.

7.      I will maintain an attitude of open-mindedness.

8.      I will maintain respect for those in authority and demonstrate this respect at all times.

9.      I will always remain loyal to my God, my country, family and my friends.

10.  I will remain highly goal-oriented throughout my life because that positive attitude helps my family, my country and myself.