tourneys vs. training

[John Milne]

I've been thinking lately about the benefits of regular tournaments vs benefits of uninterrupted training. I have yet to complete my first year (June 2nd) so experience is still very beneficial to me as well as pulling different arms. That being said regular training is affected by the occurrence of competitions.

It is difficult to find a "peak" if you compete every month or better. I may forgo some events (as much as it pains me) to try and stick to a regular routine. I'm not definite on this because I do love to compete and (as I said) experience is worth alot still.

I'd like to hear from people with all levels of armwrestling experience. Right from the veterans to the new guys like myself. So please post your opinion or thoughts.

[Brian Kehler]

If you have the means to attend regular tournaments, the table time/experience will far outweigh the breaks in training...

Training is a tool... but the tournament is what it's all about.

Especially since you're new to it, you have to toughen up those arms.. Once you're conditioned you'll find you wont even need to take much time off from training otherwise..

For regular tournaments I will usually train right up until the day or two before, pull saturday.. and be back training on monday... friday and monday might be lower intensity mind you. And if it was Nationals or a bigger tournament I might do my last training day 3-5 days prior...

Depends what your training and recovery is like too... everyone will feel differently..

[John Milne]

Thanks Brian, I was hoping you would reply to this thread.

There are many tourneys fairly close (within an hour or two) so I can hit up one a month probably.

[Curtis "Smash" Klashinsky]

Great thread John.

I'm not improving as quick in this sport compared to other in the area but one thing I have noticed is that I don't learn a darn thing by going to a tournament and getting slammed in a 1/2 second by Kayne, Kade, and/ or Tyrrell.
I don't learn a thing getting slammed in a 1/2 second match. (just had to repeat that)
I don't have the power to stop their hits.

My reaction time is fast but the power is lacking

Problem is that there is nobody around here with similar skill level as myself, They are either much worse or much better.
The only exception to that rule seems to be Terry. But I rarely get to pull him.

In my case I find doing more practices and less tournaments is the best learning tool for me AT THIS STAGE in the sport for me.
Once I get that base strength up I can see how that could possibly change.

[The Grippler]

Well power was never a issue with me but I found that grabing think P.C.P pipeing about three to three 1/2 feet placing guntape at the end to help keep a grip. because it slips when u sweat. and simply using your wrist to lower and raise the pipe. this helped my hand and wrist which was where i was losing my early matches.and is now my strength.