Former UFC welterweight and middleweight champion Georges St Pierre raised concerns about Japan’s judo training methods during a recent episode of his podcast featuring PhD nutrition expert and champion powerlifter Layne Norton.
The two spent the day together working through a powerlifting session that included squats, bench press and deadlifts, and their conversation eventually turned to how different combat sports approach physical preparation.
St Pierre pointed to Japan’s judo program, widely regarded as one of the strongest in the world, as an example of a system that may be overlooking a key element of athletic development: strength training.
“Japan has the best judo team,” St Pierre said. “They’re always the best. And they don’t really lift weight. They mostly train judo. I think it’s not good because in the long term, if you do that every day, you become very strong at doing that, but it messes up your posture, perhaps your alignment.”
Norton, who holds a PhD in nutrition and has competed in powerlifting, responded by noting that supplemental strength work benefits athletes across disciplines, not just those in the weight room.
“Well, the research shows that strength training helps you do everything you do better,” Norton said.
The exchange came after the pair had worked through a full session of squats and bench presses, during which St Pierre set what he called a personal best, pressing two 45 lb (20 kg) plates per side for the first time. Norton coached him through proper bracing, breathing and bar positioning throughout the workout.
Earlier in the session, St Pierre had drawn a comparison between skill and physical conditioning, recalling a Muay Thai coach named Jean-Charles Skarbowsky who consistently outperformed him in sparring despite an unhealthy lifestyle.
“He’s the living proof that techniques and efficiency beats strength and athletic,” St Pierre said, describing how his coach’s economy of movement allowed him to conserve energy that St Pierre burned through with less refined technique.
[Editor’s Note: Quotes have been edited for clarity and readability.]
