Topic: Periodization in Karate

[Susan]

Is there any reason why someone participating in a sport for themselves should train to a lower standard than a professional sports person?

What are the issues:

- Training to a professional standard takes too much time?
- Training to a professional standard takes too much money
- Training to a professional standard would spoil the enjoyment?
- Training to a professional standard requires professional help?

Are any of these things really true?

Perhaps for football, because you need your team to put in the training with you?

But is it true for karate? Isn't it just a matter of putting a bit of thought and planning into the way you train?

[Huw]

Is there any reason why someone participating in a sport for themselves should train to a lower standard than a professional sports person?

It really depends what you mean by lower standard. I think anyone can enjoy a "high standard" of training. By that I mean using the latest sports science information, fully equiped gyms, etc. etc. What amateurs maybe don't have is the same amount of time to dedicate to training.

I've been thinking a lot about the question people ask me sometimes "would you like to be a professionnal footballer if you could", and to be honest, I don't think I would, because I think I would lose a lot of the enjoyment of it. It would be a job, not something I do because I choose to to.

And there's also the loss of freedom that comes with being a pro.