John, couldn't agree more. Leg exercises, I feel, are more important in grappling than anything else (such as upper body). They are both important, but it is scary to see how many people neglect leg curls/extensions and squats. Since concentrating more of my efforts on leg strength and keeping them flexible, my Judo has improved to another level. Sports specific exercises are the way to go, otherwise you run the risk of reversing your progress in said art/sport. The squats and flexibilty, for example, have greatly increased my explosiveness once I get my hips under my opponent...and have helped me get there faster.

You know people...being strong is not even close to the biggest factor, where would the best fighters be wothout their tecgniques...you people are obviously not in tune with the intricasies of skilled performance and rely on brute strength. Offcourse, strength is an important factor but technique is better...you have to know how to use your strength.

Antonio Rodrigo bet Bob "the beast Sapp" by an armbar....what does this tell you. A man half the weight amd querter of the strength of Bob Sapp could deal with him.

Although this may sound a bit unbilievable I saw this Muay Thia fighter that had 90 wins and nil loses and draw....he was very small and skinny....didn't seem like he could give a lot....but he was extremely fast and tripped the guy up breaking his colar bone

later all

Hi, I practice judo in the UK and I've done it for over 10 years, and although I agree that strength is an important aspect of my judo, I should not need to rely on it if I am that good of an judoka! I prefer to go by the Kyu Shin Do theory of judo, which is that technique and speed will lead me to win and not my strength. I am not a fan of pick-ups, but if I was, is where I would use strength, but that would mean it would be better for me to play Rugby and just enter the competitions. I like the use of combinations, and that is skill, and tactics, without the need of strength. I am not encouraging people not to use strength, as it is what they are comfortable with that matters. I just believe that Judo is what it is because it isn't like other martial arts, because I can beat anyone if I was quick enough and had enough skill.