There is no secret to skill in the martial arts. If you want to get better at something, you have to spend time practicing it. In Solo Training, Loren Christensen provides literally hundreds of solo drills and routines for practicing a wide variety of martial arts skills and developing the physical and mental attributes necessary to apply them effectively when it counts.Although many martial artists may be familiar with a large number of the drills and exercises in the book, I believe that everybody will find dozens of new ways to improve their solo training among the hundreds covered, or ways to make their solo training more interesting.If you're not doing extra training on your own outside of your classes, you should be - you lazy slacker. This book will help to get you started, and keep you motivated. Other books by Loren Christensen you should check out are The Fighter's Fact Book and The Way Alone. Solo Training: The Martial Artist's Guide to Training Alone
Most practitioners think that training in the dojo is fun. Many feel that training by themselves bites. Not only is there no one to help you, there is also no one to motivate you. Regardless, while tandem drills (e.g., bunkai, kumite, randori) are pretty much impossible to do on your own, some things are best practiced outside of formal class, especially where you need to focus on improving deficiencies that may not be shared with the rest of the class. If you really want to progress, you need to be able to effectively train alone.
Loren Christensen's excellent work provides numerous tips, techniques, and exercises to get the most out of your solo training. A common complaint that my new students relate is that they are afraid to train outside of class for fear of learning techniques incorrectly. They think that unlearning bad habits is far worse than doing nothing at all so they do not practice on their own. Believe me, with this fine text even beginners can benefit. There is nothing earth-shattering here, just solid practical advice.
Lawrence Kane
Author of Surviving Armed Assaults, The Way of Kata, and Martial Arts Instruction
This is easily the best martial arts book I have, and I own many. It ranks right up there with Christensen's Fighter's Fact Book. One reviewer said it didn't have a lot of pictures so he couldn't follow. I found the 70 pictures that are in it satisfactory, and his explanations to be absolutely clear. That reviewer may be happier with a picture book, not one that makes the reader think.Christensen is probably the funniest martial arts writer there is. His humor is as disarming as his information is right on and exactly what you want to know. He was an MP in Vietnam and a street cop in Portland, Oregon, so he knows what he is talking about, too. All of his martial arts books are aimed toward the street, meaning his stuff is practical. Solo Training has tons of information that will make your solo workout productive and a real leaning experience. Not only does he give the reader many drills and exercises, but he has provided a dozen complete workouts for you to follow. He shows some techniques that I haven't seen in my 12 years of practice, and he shows subtle variations on the old standbys that makes them even more effective.
I have mixed feelings regarding this book. Personally, I haven't heard of the author prior to picking up a copy of this book. I understand he has quite an audience. I'm sure this audience will find the book a good purchase. However, for those unaware of Mr. Christensen, it will take some time to get used to his writing style and approach to martial arts.
'Solo training' delivers. It's packed with drills and excercises. It motivates you to go out and train alone. It's clear and concise. Reading it, even without actually performing the excercises, gives you insight about fighting.
The author's karate background is dominant. Both in tournaments and actual street fights. Those who wish to train alone who come from different background (other than karate) will find this a bit awkward. Maybe Mr. Christensen shuold've titled his book "The Karatist Guide to Training Alone".
Solo training is a quality book that is helpful, useful for street situations, and much needed, especially for those of us who are not in a buyer's market in martial arts dojos. The criticisms about a lack of pictures is really unnecessary. This book is not intended to be Karate for Kids, a beginners guide, and I really don't need another book showing me how to do a front kick. This is also good, because the book can be used by any striking systems and not limited to just one; kung fu, karate, or Tai Kwon Do. I think this book is a must for teachers, motivated students, and especially people like me who are on a tropical island too far away from a choice dojo at the moment, and have no choice but to train solo. Thank you mr. Christensen
This book is jam-packed full of basic information that any martial artist already knows. Detailed descriptions on how to execute a kick or punch. I was hoping it would touch more on workout routines that I can incorporate. I felt like it was teaching a martial art instead of teaching how to prepare yourself physically for whatever style you may be practicing. There are a lot of good reviews on this book and that is why I purchased it, but it just wasn't what I was expecting.
This is a very good book. Don't look into it though if your a black belt or higher, won't offer too much. This book offers great basic intruction, although it does detail on form, I'd listen to my instructor over this book. It comes from a karate point of view, but the drill are good for all martial art forms. No, there's no great training secrets or anything like that in this book. Any book or person that claims to know a secret of training is lying anyway. These bread and butter (basic) moves and drills will help you become faster and stronger when practiced regualrly. I increased my kicked height and speed, as well as my punching power and speed by using this book.'
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