A Martial Arts Master on Strength Training

Those of you who have been around the martial arts for a couple decades might recognize the name Don Draeger.  If you don't you'll need to jump onto Google or Bing and do some research.  Draeger trained during a period of time when training in traditional martial arts (in his case Japanese) was not only frowned upon by the Japanese, it was downright dangerous to your health.  Draeger's physical presence and mental intensity served him well and allowed him to rise pretty high in a Japanese dominated environment and to eventually gain the respect and admiration of his peers.  His keen intellect also allowed him to write and publish several books (I have several copies that are over thirty years old) on Japanese and Asian martial arts.  NOTE: he was also the fight choreographer on the James Bond 007 movie "You Only Live Twice".

Check out this article from the StrongFirst website on Don Draeger and his thoughts on strength training that are still valid today.

Following is some rare footage from a Jo Jutsu demonstration with Draeger. Note the size difference between Draeger and Kaminoda Sensei