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The biggest problem in designing equipment for Bruce was that he'd go through it so damn fast. I had to reinforce his wooden dummy with automobile parts so he could train on it without breaking it. I had started to build him a mobile dummy that could actually attack and retreat to better simulate 'live' combat, sadly Bruce died before the machine was built. It would have been strung up by big high-tension cables that I was going to connect between two posts, one on either side of his backyard. The reason for the machine was simply because no one could stand up to his full force punches and kicks, Bruce's strength and skill had evolved to a point where he had to fight machines.

Bruce Lee#190

Bruce leeTrainingFitnessInnovationIntensityLimitationsPerseverance

About this quote

What does it mean?
Bruce Lee's intensity and skill outpaced available training equipment, requiring custom solutions.
In plain terms
He trained so hard that normal gear broke, so his teacher had to build custom machines.
What can you take from it?
Pushing limits often requires custom tools and innovation.

Where it applies

  • athlete training
  • product design
  • high performance

Putting it to work

  • reinforce equipment
  • anticipate failure
  • invest in custom tools

Questions to consider

  • What limits your current tools?
  • How do you adapt when gear fails?

Another view

Custom solutions may not be scalable or practical for everyone.

More from Bruce Lee

  1. There's no doubt in my mind that if Bruce Lee had gone into pro boxing, he could easily have ranked in the top three in the lightweight division or junior-welt…

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  2. He never trained in a gym, he thought he could concentrate better at home, so he worked out on his patio. He had a small weight set, something like a standard …

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  3. Bruce was gravitating more and more toward weight training as he would use the weighted wall pulleys and do series upon series with them. He'd also grab one of…

    Permalink to quote #188

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