Tell us about your beginnings, where and when did you start training and in what sport initially.
I have been involved with fitness and athletics my entire life. At about 9yrs old I began playing baseball, and participating in martial arts. I also was fascinated with doing stunts such as jumping off of buildings etc.
What sports did you progress to?
As a youngster I excelled in baseball. I have always been involved with martial arts in some way. I began with Seishin Kai and advanced to Western boxing, Thai boxing, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I also was an intramurals tennis champ. I played basketball, was a competitive bodybuilder and spent a short time training in fencing.
Tell us about any competitions and titles etc that you hold in high regard achievement wise?
World Martial Arts Hall of Fame (in regards to my strength and conditioning work with martial artists) Advisor to Karate International Council of Kickboxing, Sheishin Kai USA kata and kumite champion – 1984, Founder and President of Eastern Kentucky Universities boxing team, Founder and Director of The Kentucky Strength and Conditioning Roundtable (a research, discussion group founded with the sole intention of providing education to Kentucky Sports Conditioning Coaches), First person ever awarded the title of Certified Renegade Training Strength, Speed and Conditioning Coach .
Describe your training regime in peak training and the cross training aspects for the different sports you have been involved with.
Peak training refers to training that is geared towards maximizing performance on a specified date. This would be dependent on the athlete his sport and current condition. For example when training a bodybuilder his final week before competition his regimen is drastically different than the preceding weeks leading to the peak week. The biggest difference occurring with the nutrition and supplemental program. Cross training is good at times, but not during our peaking phase in most cases. Again this depends on numerous factors.
What exercises do you recommend for core strength training for combat sports?
In general compound movements, agility drills, wtt and non wtt gpp (sled drags, sledgehammer, burpees, shuffle splits etc.) reaction drills, and various other modes depending on the athlete in where we are at in regards to competition.
How do you personally train for speed?
Work on various motor qualities and once again this varies according to the athlete. Keep in mind no matter how good athlete's mechanics are vertical ground force is the number one determinant of absolute speed. In my book MaxCondition (www.maxcondition.com or order at 1-859-737-2753) an entire unit addresses this topic. General concerns in speed training include:
- dynamic range of motion
- core strength (dynamic and static)
- reactive strength (ability to maximize the benefits of the stretch shortening cycle)
- proper sprint mechanics
- ability to relax.
What do you do for endurance?
There are different types of endurance. In general my combat athletes perform weighted and non wtt Gpp movements (Refer to MaxCondition- Chapter 9 work capacity). Keep in mind the majority of athletes spend too much time performing low intensity aerobic activity which has little carry over to sports that are predominantly anaerobic. Most athletes would benefit more from anaerobic type endurance training.
Do you work with power lifting training?
I have worked with numerous powerlifters. With most of them I like to incorporate a modified Westside Type Program. I also like to spend a great deal of time working on their posterior chain and teaching them how to breathe.
How important is diet and supplements to combat sports preparation for competition?
Diet and supplements are important for all athletes. This is where many sports conditioning coaches fail as they under emphasize the role of nutrition and supplements. All performance will be enhanced when nutrition is optimized. I run into this problem often as most athletes prefer to just train at high volumes and not eat when trying to make weight. This is not the optimal situation for maximizing performance.
What are your favorite techniques for combat sports competition?
Completely dependent on the athlete. We like to try to get the opponent to play into our athlete's strong point. Although this is not always possible. MMA athletes need to be well rounded and expect the unexpected.
Tell us about your body building achievements?
My biggest achievement was in the year 2000 I placed 2nd in the Northern Kentucky Bodybuilding Championships (lightweight). I have manipulated my physique tremendously over the years. I have weighed 132lbs and I have weighed 216lbs. Currently I am very lean and going through a very strict nutritional regimen in an attempt to maximize my vascularity and dryness. This type regimen is very strict and requires tremendous discipline I am also preparing a bodybuilder for a show that will take place in ten days. I have had more success as a bodybuilding coach than I did as a competitor. Athletes from other sports would be astonished if they were as dedicated to their nutrition as a true bodybuilder. Keep in mind the main determinants of bodybuilding success are good genetics, and sound nutrition.
Who are the combat sports persons you hold in the highest regard?
My favorite is boxing. Boxing requires tremendous skill and toughness.
What fight coaches in any codes do you consider to be leaders in their field?
Pat Milletich, Emanuel Stewart and few others.
Who are some of the fighters and strength competitors you have coached?
I am friends with and have worked with World Boxing Champion Darrin Van Horn, Joe Jordan, Ryan Farhat, Forrest Griffin (attended one of my seminars a couple of years ago) and numerous other boxers, wrestlers, MMA athletes, Olympic weightlifting athletes, powerlifters, strongman competitors etc.
What do you consider to be the most important scientific aspects of high performance combat sports training?
The distinction between various elements of strength and energy system utilization.
What equipment do you consider the best for combat sports training?
Any free weight, agility ladders, non conforming objects, and hurdles.
How important is rest in a training program?
Restoration has a big impact on performance. Some athletes require more rest than others. I find with my athletes once I build their work capacity they require little rest.
Could you outline what mixed martial artists training program should include?
Once again I would answer this question with it depends. We need to think of athletes as individuals as well as considering the sports they play. MMA athletes require numerous motor qualities quickness, agility, work capacity, mental toughness, skill etc.
What does a general boxers or kick boxers program consist of?
Same answer as above
Thanks for the interview Jamie. If anyone would like more information on Jamie Hale or his book and training techniques then please refer to his website at: www.maxcondition.com.
