Fighter Physique

[Ian]

Body types, weight classes, body fat percentages will vary, but this is more or less what a fighter should look like.







In other words, the fighter physique is instantly recognisable.

If you don't have it or your teacher doesn't have it, that's a red flag, and could indicate that something's off in the training.

Thoughts?

[Andy_S]

Instantly recognizable? I dunno.

Firstly, wrestlers tend (I speak generally; there are, of course exceptions) to be thicker and more muscular than strikers.

Stepping outside sportive combat, there is the "pub brawler" (this bod type is also seen among some bouncers) who is very large and often very fat. This makes him immovable, able to absorb impact punishment to the torso and yet still be able to operate at high intensity for short periods.

And there are various fighting masters of past and present who were either skinny - Chen Fake, Mikko Uyehara, most Thai boxers who spring to mind, etc - or fat/obese - Wang Suchin, Hong Ihsiang, Mikhail Ryabko, etc.

So I don't think it is nearly as clear cut as you make out.

That having been said:
My personal training in the last few years has been much more focused on conditioning than tactics. And I think being in athletic shape is important for your health, your well being and the general vibe you give off, as well as being a key part of attracting members of the opposite se...er, gender.

[Michael]

Just too much TJQ?

[johnwang]

Just about 2 weeks ago when pipefighter visited me in California. We worked out in the park with shorts and T-shirt everyday. One day, a woman walked by and said, "You guys are working out right?" She then pinched my butt, and left. I assumed she won't do that if I had silk pajamas on. With silk pajamas, you can hide almost anything.

IMO, if no woman wanted to pinch your TCMA teacher's butt, that should be a red flag right there.

[taiwandeutscher]

You did like that women pinching your butt, Master Wang, didn't you?

[snafu]

[Peacedog]

In general preponderance of activity dictates body type.

Genetic outliers shift this a bit, but considering the huge amount of commonality between competitive athletes in a given sport (weight classes, hours per week spent training, techniques employed in practice) it generally holds true.

This is why a marathon runner largely looks emaciated and weak, a sprinter looks fairly muscular, etc.

Simply put, a wrestler will look like a wrestler in a given weight class, because his activities are consistent with what a competitive athlete in his specific sport looks like.

The term "fighter" is hard to define as it is generally not specific enough.

[Alexatron]

Just about 2 weeks ago when pipefighter visited me in California. We worked out in the park with shorts and T-shirt everyday. One day, a woman walked by and said, "You guys are working out right?" She then pinched my butt, and left. I assumed she won't do that if I had silk pajamas on. With silk pajamas, you can hide almost anything.

IMO, if no woman wanted to pinch your TCMA teacher's butt, that should be a red flag right there.

She wanted some WANG!

[Alexatron]

Body types, weight classes, body fat percentages will vary, but this is more or less what a fighter should look like.







In other words, the fighter physique is instantly recognisable.

If you don't have it or your teacher doesn't have it, that's a red flag, and could indicate that something's off in the training.

Thoughts?

I think it's a body shape that fight training tends to develop whether you actually fight or not. Even my body has evolved towards that shape which I've had mixed feelings about over the years but I was always fairly lean to start with. A couple of teachers I've had who were high ranking in TMC who didn't have that sort of physique and turned out to be crap at sparring let alone fighting so maybe its something to consider when choosing a teacher.

[Andy_S]

SNIP
She then pinched my butt, and left.
SNIP

What do you mean "...and left?"

"An eye for an eye;
A tooth for a tooth;
An arse grope for an arse grope"

From "The Holy Bible"
By God

[Bao]

IMHO, there's an ideal body type, but in reality there's a lot of differencies. In IMA, compare He yinbao, William CC Chen, Su Dongchen and others. They are very different from each other. Also, IME, TCMA is not about trying to move closer to an ideal, but to create originality through personal limitations and possibilities.

[Steve James]

The term "fighter" is hard to define as it is generally not specific enough.

Audie Murphy: Height: 5' 5", 135lbs

and as much of a fighter as anyone pictured.

However, if we're talking about sports, then some people are sprinters and others are marathoners. So, some body types are better for certain sports. But, the fact is that the champions have come in all sizes ... and then there's "Big Country." Otoh, one could argue that Brock Lesnar would be an even better example of a fighter's ideal body; and, if he can kick your butt, it's hard to disagree .

[ittokaos]

Body types, weight classes, body fat percentages will vary, but this is more or less what a fighter should look like.







In other words, the fighter physique is instantly recognisable.

If you don't have it or your teacher doesn't have it, that's a red flag, and could indicate that something's off in the training.

Thoughts?

agreed. however, body shape doesn't dictate skill. or in the case on my sifu, he was once lean and mean but has since grown his "sifu belly". also, what does Dempsey have in the second pic? is that caestus?

[Pipefighter,PhD]

Just about 2 weeks ago when pipefighter visited me in California. We worked out in the park with shorts and T-shirt everyday. One day, a woman walked by and said, "You guys are working out right?" She then pinched my butt, and left. I assumed she won't do that if I had silk pajamas on. With silk pajamas, you can hide almost anything.

IMO, if no woman wanted to pinch your TCMA teacher's butt, that should be a red flag right there.

Hahaha!!!
Yes, I can verify that is true!!! He's still got it!

Maybe i need to wear shorts more and a girl will pinch my but...
-------------

About the wrestlers being more bulky than a boxer, in my experience, that photo of jack Dempsey shows more bulk than most of the guys i wrestled with. Wrestlers are very cut because they cut weight. I was asked all the way through to my mid 20's, "your a wrestler? Really? I thought wrestlers are really big bulky guys?" I think Nick Simmons used to hear that a lot too.

Maybe i should wear my old Team Michigan wrestling singlet and my butt would get more attention...

[bartekb]

http://fightland.vice.com/blog/nak-muay ... al-artists