Ultimate Fitness for Martial Arts

Rating:
Summary: Kim ably demonstrates exercises and techniques
Review: In Ultimate Fitness For Martial Arts, martial arts expert Sang H. Kim combines the content of three videos on one DVD, resulting in a well-rounded presentation on how to optimize personal physical power, flexibility, and speed. Kim ably demonstrates exercises and techniques in weight training, running, isometrics, and more that have helped him remain limber for over 20 years. A special features on dynamic breathing rounds out this superb high-activity fitness instructional which is recommended to martial arts students and non-specialist general viewers with an interest in optimizing their physical health and well being.

Rating:
Summary: Some good parts and some really weak parts
Review: Some of the excercises are very helpful and useful but some of them are just filler. The weight lifting excercises are a good example of the filler. The excercises are shown but nothing is put in to workouts.

I have to admit though, the stretching/flexability section is great.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent quantity, lesser quality
Review: There are an astonishing number of drills and techniques presented here. They are divided into the following categories: Speed, Agility, Timing, Power, Stength, Stamina, Flexibility, Reflexes, Coordination.

However, there are no multi-camera angles or slow motion presentations. Production values are adequate but not even close to state-of-the-art. The narrated descriptions are terse and the accent of the narrator makes it a bit hard to understand. The presentation of the material is quite fast paced. This DVD's value to the beginner is limited in that there are no modifications show for less flexible beginners and no hints on how to work up to the full technique.

With these limitations in mind, this DVD presents a treasure trove of valuable information. With a bit more effort Turtle Press could have achieved near perfection. Sang Kim is an amazing athlete and martial artist--he definately has the "right stuff".

Rating:
Summary: Amazing variety of exercises
Review: This DVD is like an encyclopedia of martial arts exercises. If it's good for martial arts training, it's probably in this collection, especially when it comes to flexibility, which gets heavy emphasis. What I like even more than the huge number of exercises is the way the menu is set up. Exercises are grouped so you can skip to the set that you need without having to wade through everything on the disc. As an instructor, this makes it very easy for me to refresh my memory quickly before a class or warm-up. Just pop the disc in, skip to the section I need and go. A great resource for instructors and for students who train at home or want to.