What to do? What to believe?

Discussion in 'Health and Fitness' started by MucKSW, Nov 8, 2008.

  1. straightline

    straightline Valued Member

    He should stick to selling the kettlebells and brain washing the American public that dumbells are evil.
     
  2. Van Zandt

    Van Zandt Mr. High Kick

    I almost thought you were serious for a moment there.
     
  3. straightline

    straightline Valued Member

    Looking at your picture there, it doesn't look like you have a full split.
    Good luck with a very effective ;) Kurz method.
     
  4. Van Zandt

    Van Zandt Mr. High Kick

    Yes, Mr. Kurz is an 'old man'. He's 52-years old. Oh, wait - I see you're 53. Kettle calling the pot black, maybe? And even though he's getting on a bit, maybe you should check out this video of him at 50:

    [ame="http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=eGjEeChs4tk"]YouTube - 1-minute side split and front split flexibility routine[/ame]

    I completely agree with you that he is still selling the same stuff as he did back in the 80's. The fact that two decades later people are still achieving great results as when it first came out speaks volumes for the quality of his material. He hasn't changed his stuff because it still works as well now as it did back then. So thank you for making this point in support of Kurz, my friend!

    *Changes avatar*

    Satisfied?

    Like I said, I will believe that Zaichik's method is more effective than Kurz's when:

    1) I find it more effective for myself. I haven't yet.
    2) My students and clients find it more effective. They haven't yet.
    3) He demonstrates as much knowledge of exercise physiology and kinesiology as Kurz. He hasn't yet.
    4) He [Zaichik] can prove his method works for most of his customers. He hasn't yet.+

    On the contrary, when considering Kurz on the above 4 points:

    1) I found Kurz's method more effective than Zaichik's.
    2) Kurz's method has worked very well for all of my students and clients.
    3) Kurz is possibly the most knowledgeable individual when it comes to stretching. He demonstrates this in all of his material.
    4) Kurz's books and website are full of photographic testimonials of customers who have achieved great flexibility thanks to his method. And where are Zaichik's photographic testimonials?

    Also Kurz only sells one or two products which are sufficient to get the job done. Whereas Zaichik has way too many products for the same goal. For example, on the FAQ section of his website he states: "There are differences between the Strength & Flexibility Manual and the Splits & Flexibility DVD. If you are looking to strictly learn how to do the splits and get flexible, then you should probably purchase the DVD which goes into details and gives you absolutely all the necessary information on how to safely achieve splits and get flexible. While the book covers flexibility and splits as well, it also contains a section on how to get high, powerful kicks." How are strength and flexibility different from splits and flexibility? For one, the quickest way to achieve full splits is to make the muscles stronger in the stretched-out position. Why? Because a stronger muscle generally requires less activation to support its load. I.e. the stronger it is, the more flexible it is. And aren't splits and flexibility the same thing? I think so. It seems (to me at least) that Zaichik is just trying to flog more products.

    Think I'll stick with Kurz.

    Like I said before. If Zaichik works for you, great. If Kurz works for you, great also.
     
    Last edited: Dec 4, 2008
  5. TheAngle

    TheAngle Valued Member

    Um, Straightline while you and I are both sort of agree on Zaichik vs Kurz issue. I don't think it's "stupid" to have this debate. Superfoot like Kurz and he expresses why he does. I like Zaichik and I express why I do.

    I was purchasing yogurt the other day and thought. Hm so many different brands. So the same thing here.

    I will how ever post some of the Zaichik's video's which helped me a lot with my training. Super Foot, I recommend that you look through them, maybe they will help you too.

    [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcEckwcRc50"]YouTube - Mastering the Side Kick Form Focus on Side Kick Core Form[/ame]
    Exercises for good posture when kicking.

    [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppaTKiFEDrg"]YouTube - Front Split Explanation and Comparison[/ame]
    This is in regards to 3 splits or 2 splits.

    [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GS6ju33eeow"]YouTube - ButterFly Stretch[/ame]
    Helped me with butterfly stretch. His grappling video, which I got few months ago is packed with this. Which is why it's great that he came out with this video.

    [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXUOP11WKp4"]YouTube - Hamstrings Flexibility[/ame]
    Great for the hamstrings. One of the best hamstrings stretches I ever encountered.

    [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QG1v6pPt-4w"]YouTube - ElasticSteel High Side Kick Training[/ame]
    This is classic. The best little program I encountered for side kick height training.

    [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLG-aZU6Wbs"]YouTube - 5 minute side split flexibility routine.[/ame]
    Quick Routine for A side split. Try this.

    There are more videos of coarse which I like, but you can subscribe to his channel if you like.

    Happy Holidays.
     
  6. Van Zandt

    Van Zandt Mr. High Kick

    Some good videos there, but Zaichik is wrong (in the fourth video, "Hamstring Flexibility") where he states that the hamstrings get shorter when standing. In a normal standing position the leg is straight; the quadriceps contract and the hamstrings relax. Therefore it is not possible for the hamstrings to get 'shorter' when you are standing, because they are relaxed and not contracting.
     
  7. TheAngle

    TheAngle Valued Member

    I am glad you did not start bashing his videos. lol

    In terms of the hamstrings video. I don't what he meant. I am sure he has a reason for saying what he said.
     
  8. MucKSW

    MucKSW Valued Member

    I think that said enough ;p

    Anyway, I'm getting more into my stretching, but I also start to feel a little slighty thing in my knee. Not pain, but something like I'm stretching them too(especially when doing front splits with my back-leg turned). But as shown on the Dvd of Kurz, I started doing deep squats, with a straight back, and dumbbells in my hands. Those should be good exercises for my knees right?
     
  9. Van Zandt

    Van Zandt Mr. High Kick

    Yes, these exercises will help you. You may also want to consider doing Hindu squats to strengthen and rehabilitate your knees. Kurz says:

    "Squats without additional resistance (weight), such as Hindu squats, strengthen knee ligaments, develop muscular endurance in the lower body, and improve lung function. This is why these squats, called baithak, together with one more exercise—Hindu push-ups—are an indispensable part of Indian wrestlers' training. These wrestlers, famous for their stamina, do several hundred deep squats every day (Draeger and Smith 1974)."

    You can read more at:

    http://www.stadion.com/column_stretch22.html

    Regards,

    Dan
     

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