Speed Training for Combat, Boxing, Martial Arts, and MMA: How to Maximize Your Hand Speed, Foot Speed, Punching Speed, Kicking Speed, Wrestling Speed, and Fighting Speed Paperback – January 1, 2011

What's actually made me buy this book is my perception -- perception coupled with my inner voice and intuition (and experts say that intuition is accurate) -- based on just initially looking at the book cover and reading the product description. I have simply perceived this book as potentially very helpful and revealing on my current journey of personal transformation and growth. And here's what's made me write the above headline...I knew that this book is GOLD and I can fully trust the author especially when I got to the chapter on kinesthetic perception. This has strongly reminded me on the importance of having a fine-tuned kinesthetic sense -- or kinesthetic intelligence -- not just for fluidity of movement but also fast learning.I'd already learned that kinesthetic learners have the ability to use their bodies effectively and create something while solving problems fast. They have great hand-eye coordination and quick reactions. Those with kinesthetic intelligence are able to use their bodies with great precision...move from intention to action...and therefore, realize their personal goals. Some celebrities like Jackie-Joyner Kersee, Britney Spears, Babe Ruth and Michael Jordan are perfect examples of kinesthetic learners. They all have a natural sense of how their body should act and react in a demanding physical situation...My point: kinesthetic or bodily intelligence is the kind of intelligence that you can learn through whole-body movements characteristic of martial arts, yoga and similar ancient mind-body practices. Kinesthesia, also referred to as proprioception, is the sense of self-movement and body position. It's sometimes also described as the "sixth sense." And, you'll be pleased to know that in this book the author discusses the sixth sense and many other vital mind-body topics that are relevant not only to speed but also peak performance.Last but not least, just in case you wonder how I know all this about kinesthetic intelligence...I've learned this from the latest research on fascia that I've discovered while working on my current writing assignment on the health and wellbeing benefits of the basketball-yoga cross training. If you want to learn the details on why your fascial tissue web is the most efficient and largest sensory organ -- the organ that's responsible for the kinesthetic intelligence -- in your body, and why some surgeons even call it the branch office of the brain, I highly recommend you check out two books: 1) Yoga: Fascia, Anatomy and Movement, and 2) Fascia in Sport and Movement. These two books are also GOLD especially if you want to learn the little-known facts on why having a healthy and properly trained fascia is the key to not only having a fine-tuned kinesthetic intelligence but also naturally achieving oneness with both your inner and your outer world.Live your life to the fullest!

I usually don’t start reviews with much about myself since, well, I didn’t make the product. But since reviewing this book really needs more than a theoretical perspective, I thought a bit of background about myself would be a good start. For a time I was studying Krav Maga. An unrelated knee injury sidelined me (about a month before my first test) and let’s just say the surgery didn’t go as planned and I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to practice fully again. So I have some, but not much, experience in martial arts. Enough to be interested in what this book teaches. Now on to what you’re really interested in.It seems odd to get advice about a physical endeavor from a book, so I was a bit hesitant when I read this but I was certainly interested since speed is not my strong suit. But I found the book impressive. He treats the subject exceptionally well with clear organization and a lot of drills and advice. It is obvious that Barnes has a lot of experience and knows how to share that knowledge. It won’t take long to read, but it will take a good amount of time to master all the drills recommended. If you’re working on developing your speed for any reason, this is a book that can really help.You begin by focusing on each of the senses and there are drills to help with each one. For example, early on you work on your peripheral vision and fighting the urge to blink. Some of the drills feel a little silly, but I didn’t come across a single one that I thought is useless. Drills were always my favorite part of class because when you’re only doing punches, you expect punches. But when you’re standing around with your eyes closed, you have no idea what’s coming next. Honing reflexes is another big topic in this book. And all the drills are prefaced with a solid explanation of why you need to work on a certain aspect of fighting (such as initiating speed). I never wondered why he was bothering with a particular subject. It’s not easy to explain complicated concepts like kinesiology to nonexperts, but Barnes pulls it off here. And he does it without coming across pompous, a skill I greatly admire. Instead you get the voice of a confident, knowledge man who is trying to help as many people as possible with this book. And each chapter ends with a summary list to reinforce the big concepts. It’s a great way to stay organize and feel a little more engaged with the reading if you’re not doing drills as you go.As to the writing itself, I was pleasantly surprised. Barnes is a very strong writer. His paragraphs are short and to the point; he is concise while still making his point understandable. It could use a bit of editing, but it is very well done. Particularly for a self-published book. And it’s formatted very well for my Kindle (something I don’t find often enough with self-published works). The tone is really relatable and approachable. Barnes is by no means dry, but I wouldn’t mind a bit more personality interjected into it. Since this is really a reference book, it’s a fine line in the sand how lively the author should get. This is a more conservative, informative text.Barnes says this book isn’t going to help you if you read it once and only once. I completely agree. It’s a book to work with full of goals to work toward. If you’re serious about improving your speed, this book is going to help. The number of drills alone is an impressive resource. I took Krav for a mix of exercise and self-defense. For the self-defense aspect, the practicality of this book appealed greatly to me. Even though I can’t practice formal martial arts at the moment (stupid knee), I can do everything here and feel a little more confident on the security side of life. No matter the reason or your background, I think it’s a great book to have on your shelf (physical or virtual). Whether you do one drill per section or work until you’ve done them all well, I expect you’ll see improvement. And you’ll have a better understanding of where your weaknesses originate. With the isolation of each sense and stage of motion, you will learn so much about your fighting stance. I’m looking forward to digging into these drills.

A useful and easy to understand reference book with tips I hadn't seen anywhere else. The guide combines both the technical and the very mundane (tips like increasing reflex and speed by practicing getting to a toy faster than your dog) and provides real, down-to-earth, useful information. The drills, which are categorized by each of the 5 senses, are useful for beginners to advanced, and one of the primary innovations here is the “Speed Loop”, which is a concept created by the author to help improve combat speed. The book goes over the 7 essential components of the Speed Loop to help you improve your total combat speed. This is a serious book that contains hard core information and drills that are designed to be used right away to see improvement. It’s clear and well organized and easy to comprehend right away.The author points out that this is not a book to be read once and then never looked at again. It’s a book designed to help you find new ways to practice improving your speed, so it’s really an ongoing reference for anyone who is serious about working toward improved speed in boxing or martial arts. Highly recommended.

Only just started reading this book but I can see how it will work out the feather in I get

Great book, veryvuseful explanations definatelycworth having around tocrefer back to for different practices!

Livro com pouco embasamento, explicações vagas e algumas até mesmo equivocadas. Não foca nos fundamentos da construção de velocidade mas sim em visões gerais de como ser “mais rápido” em uma luta.

Es muy fácil de leer y tiene cosas muy interesantes, pero tal vez a veces sea demasiado etéreo/filosófico si tuviera algún set de ejercicios más concreto sería perfecto.No obstante por calidad/precio está muy bien

The Book was very interesting. It is good explained, simple and efficient.A last summary of all points and training routines would be great.