Review: Ross Enamait's Infinite Intensity

[MikeMartial]

So I recieved a copy of Ross Enamait's Infinite Intensity a few days ago...and I am totally blown away. I had ordered a copy of his Never Gymless about a month or so ago, and was totally impressed. In fact, I really had no intentions of getting Infinite Intensity, because NG was so complete. But damn I'm glad I did get a copy.

Simply speaking, Infinite Intensity is written by a fighter, for any fighter. Every drill, exercise, set and rep has the combat athlete in mind. Not that it wouldn't benefit anyone, but you can tell just by reading that Ross is thinking about the ring, preparing any athlete that would even consider fighting to have the top notch conditioning.

He covers everything from the different types of strength, periodization, set/rep numbers, to the different type of conditioning. This is one area that I was extremely happy with. While Never Gymless did cover conditioning, it never covered it to the extent that Infinite Intensity did.

And if you think you've "seen it all", or you have the best trainer in the world, I can tell you right now you are dead wrong. I swear, there's workout samples in there that make me nauseated just looking at them. I think Pat Miletich and Billy Rush would learn a thing or two. In fact, they probably read both II and NG under their covers with a flashlight at night.

If I had to criticize, it would be on recovery and nutriton---nutrition he covered in NG, and recovery is just an area of mine I'm highly interested in. These are topics that are so vast and broad that even the experts can write single books. Ross didn't touch either in Infinite Intensity, which wasn't a bad idea. He also doesn't cover flexibility, which is usually an issue with kickboxing and any leg-dominant martial arts. This topic has been covered completely by other authors, so once again, Ross has wisely left this out.

Now, while I may be harping on this book, there one thing that really backs it all up. Ross himself. If you haven't seen his videos, hit his website and check them out. That's actually how I found out about Ross---a buddy sent me a video of "some dude skipping like a madman and throwing shit around". He said "Check this out, it has some good ideas". Understatement of the year. This is a guy that practices what he preaches. If Ross competed in the UFC, I bet money Chuck Liddell would fill his drawers.

For those that are unaware, Ross Enamait is a boxer and trainer. He has two websites, Ross Boxing and Ross Training. Both are fairly closely interconnected, with articles and videos linking back and forth. The video section is highly recommended.

By far thee best book I have ever read on strength and conditioning for combat athletes, hands down.

 

[Djimbe]

Is Ross a Secret or something ?

 

[Saintinistic]

I have his eBook "The underground guide to warrior fitness" and its a useful item to have. Not as full of himself as Matt Furey. Focus on bodyweight exercises, and was great for me when recovering from injury that kept me out of the gym. still do many off them even now.

 

[MikeMartial]

Is Ross a Secret or something ?

Not sure if you are being sarcastic or not; it doesn't travel well over the internet.

To answer, no, Ross isn't a secret, but after reading II and being so impressed, I thought I'd write up a review here. His training methods are specifically tailored for combat athletes, and most of the guys here---including me, first came to EF because of bodybuilding. But the way a bodybuilder trains versus how a martial artist SHOULD train are two different things, and it's taken some "re-training" for me, at least. Infinite Intensity has been the most solid source of info for that.

Oddly enough, it was JudoTom that introduced me to Ross. Funny how things come full circle.

Besides, everyone should know about Ross, if they already don't. He's a class act, and already emailed me regarding to discuss the flexibility and recovery points I made.

 

[Kane Fan]

yah Ross is great he posts on the forum on Rossboxing
kind of ironic that out of all the martial artists we talk to on webforums or guys we hear in MMA a boxer is the most humble...
I dont post at Rossboxing as much as I should maybe I'll try to get back to it

 

[Djimbe]

I wasnt being Sarcie , I guess I just think of him as being pretty Widely read , man . I see him being Discussed on the MA board on GameFAQs all the time , and I reccomend him to everyone I know , so , I dunno , just thought he was better Represented out there .

 

[MikeMartial]

I just thought he was better Represented out there .

He is on other boards like you mentioned. He posts at Sherdog (frequently) and Martial Arts Planet, and probably a lot I don't go to. I think he spends most of his time on his board he has up and running now.

But he hasn't been ever mentioned here (other than the video JudoTom posted way back when), so that's the reason I posted the review.

 

[Kane Fan]

where jas JudoTom been anywya

 

[MikeMartial]

where jas JudoTom been anywya

Dunno; he hasn't been on since the end of March.

 

[Jacob Creutzfeldt]

Thanks for the well thought review of this book. Do you think his training theories are applicable to the grappling-minded?

 

[Kane Fan]

there is a mixed forum and a grappling forum (if I recall correctly) on his rossboxing.com
the people there are pretty happy with Ross's ideas

 

[MikeMartial]

Thanks for the well thought review of this book. Do you think his training theories are applicable to the grappling-minded?

I have no doubts; he even has specific exercises for developing grip strength, and the conditioning routines would carry over into any combat sport.

A lot of what he does as far as conditioning targets the ATP-CP and Glycolic energy systems, versus the aerobic system. This isn't a guy that does miles and miles of roadwork---it's all about the HIIT, and working to increase the lactate threshold.

As far as strength development, it's all about the compound movement. Sure, certain exercises are specific to striking (throwing dumbells, firing a small medicine ball into a heavy bag, barbell thrusts), but the emphasis is on multiple joint and muscle groups. While I'm not a grappler, I'm sure it would be a direct carry over.

 

[Kane Fan]

only thing is, I beleive I remember Ross saying hitting an extra heavy bag didn't have much bennifit over a standard heavybag
I have to disagree with that from personal experience

 

[Saintinistic]

I cant even hit a heavy bag too hard. Wrist injury from car accident. can only use focus mits. sucky sucky. Ross has exercises and routines applicable for any fight orientated purpose. awesome stuff.