Ep. 513: Secrets of Isometrics for Pure Power and Raw Strength (with Jon Haas)

Get my 9-Minute Kettlebell & Bodyweight Challenge FREE here: https://www.AleksSalkin.com

[00:00:03] Martial arts monk & isometrics: John’s origin story, 80s martial arts culture, and his first “punishment” isometrics with horse stance and phone books.

[00:04:47] Old-school dojo toughness & structural strength: Kyokushin stories, harsh training in Japan, long stance holds, slow kata, and building “martial power” and real-world toughness.

[00:08:51] Slow is smooth, smooth is fast: Why modern “fast results” culture misses the point, GSP’s ultra-slow drilling approach, and how slow, perfect reps hardwire skill and power into the nervous system.

[00:15:55] Bruce Lee, Russian systems & the birth of modern functional training: Bruce’s daily isometrics, Bob Hoffman influence, Ross training, early Systema exposure, and discovering kettlebells via a Russian named Oleg.

[00:25:51] Systema-style isometrics, breathing & body hardening: 5‑minute fist push-up holds, burst breathing to clear tension and lactic acid, learning to “breathe through the hit,” and becoming like an “inflated tire.”

[00:31:44] Isometrics for joints, tendons & older lifters: Using wall sits and positional holds to strengthen connective tissue, eliminate sticking points, and the 80-year-old client doing full pushups and 35 lb kettlebell swings.

[00:38:04] Martial arts as the original functional training: How life-and-death combat shaped stance work, breathing, and isometrics; mind–body “internal power” concepts; and why true “functional” means “can this save your life?”

[00:41:41] How to start isometrics today + John’s resources: The wall press drill explained, internal focus vs “just pushing a wall,” the Isometric Warrior Training Guide, the Isometric Forge 21‑day course, and how to get John’s free books and emails.

Check Jon out online at: 

Free Iron Body Daily Eight Exercise Guide: https://warrior-fitness.lpages.co/iron-body/

Free copy of Jon's book, Warrior Fitness: Conditioning for Martial Arts: https://warrior-fitness.lpages.co/wfbook/

Website: https://warriorfitness.org/
 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jon.haas.54
 
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/haasjon/
 
X: https://x.com/WarriorCoachJon
 
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@WarriorFitness1
 
And Bio:
 
My name is Jon Haas. I'm the founder of Warrior Fitness Training Systems, as well as a certified Underground Strength Coach-Level 2, 9th dan Black belt in Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu, and a certified Personal Trainer and FMS. I have spent over 30 years - a lifetime - training, studying and working with the best in the areas of martial arts, internal power development, and strength and conditioning to figure out how to reverse engineer the ultimate in human performance for martial art, combat sport, and living a powerful, healthy warrior lifestyle.  I have created over 44 programs (and counting!) focused on building internal power, functional strength, qigong energy training, and breathwork exercises for martial artists looking to forge the ultimate level of skill and power in their practice. The goal of my teaching has always been to help as many people as possible reveal their full capacity as human beings while living a strong, happy, and pain-free life.