High Intensity Training (HIT) is the best way to torch fat, build lean muscle, and boost your metabolism. Research has shown that it reduces our appetite and continues to help us lose weight after our training session. But what does this mean for the martial artist? And should we change the way we train? 
When my muscles were tested by scientists. There were rated highly in both short intensity and long endurance stamina. This is because a martial artist needs both. We’re not training purely for exercise or to lose weight, we’re training to hone our skills. Want powerful kicks or punches? Work on stamina first then flexibility then speed then power. Don’t underestimate how important stamina is for the martial artist. Without stamina, no skill. 
Build Stamina & Skill In 6 Easy Steps
- Start your training session with a run. This is your long endurance stamina.
- After your run, begin your HIT training. This is your short intensity training. I teach HIT training in my Shaolin Circuit Training DVDs . You can do HIT training with a bag, pads, or sparring with a partner.
- Challenge the large muscles in your upper and lower body. This is the key to successful HIT training. (if you’re doing bag/ pad training you need to combine exercises from my Circuit Training DVDs).
- Get Out Of Your Comfort Zone. It’s the only way to improve fitness and not hit a martial art’s plateau
- Alternate. Do HIT training 3 – 4 times a week, or every other day of your regular martial art’s training.
Shaolin HIT Training is one of the challenges on our pathway to Zen. We can be as peaceful and spacious when we’re out of breath as when we’re sitting still. Try it and see
. Shifu Yan Lei teaches Hit Training in Shaolin Circuit 1 and 2
shifuyanlei 
Hi Shifu,
You look like you are putting a lot of power into the punches.Would you recommend that students try and do the same or focus first on snap and speed in the techniques? I am naturally a Yang person and my Sifu encourages me to be more Yin. ( I am 66 y.o.)
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Hi Eric, You need to use your whole body when you punch, this is the most important thing. I teach traditional punches in Shaolin Workout Volume 1, you can have a look at the video on this link
http://www.shifuyanlei.co.uk/dvd_shaolin_kungfu.html
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I am 54, and I am a very yang person. I doing shinkyokushin and people ask me to be more yin too. They told me that I am to strong because I put power in my punches and everything finally, I have a lot of energy. And I try a lot to have more and more control and to be easier depending of the person in front of me. Finally I like a lot shifuyanlei and all the information I receive. Have a great day! (Sorry for my english, I speak french)!
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“When my muscles were tested by scientists. There were rated highly in both short intensity and long endurance stamina.”
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“After being tested by scientists, my muscles were rated highly in both short intensity and long endurance stamina.” or “When my muscles were tested by scientists, they were rated highly in both short intensity and long endurance stamina.” Both variants will be more-less … better, methinks 😉 Be well!
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