Do you teach Strength & Conditioning in your dojo?

DWx · Black Belt

The vast majority of Martial Arts lessons incorporate callisthenics, push-ups, sit ups etc. Does anyone incorporate strength and conditioning into their classes? By that I mean weighted exercises using dumbells, barbells etc., muscle activation or plyogility drills?
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"Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it." ~ Confucius

Alan Armstrong · Black Belt

Lack of strength is not an issue with those I teach, as they being adults already having martial art experience and plenty of strength.

Once the strength equally matches techniques, then increase the strength by all means but relying on strength to compensate for technique is not advisable.

Using the strength they have and working with it, developing effectiveness is the challenge, usually trying to balance them out with Yin concepts, of relaxing, yielding, sinking, deflecting and proprioception.

Therefore understanding energy is important, body mechanics, balance, momentum, different martial art engines, taking and making every movement and turning them in to an advantage if possible,

Conditioning is usually down to each individual as some are more advanced than others.

I do require students to take up, the way of the stick, this is a very important ingredient in conditioning and coordinating movements properly, as they translate well in to empty hand combat, such as striking areas and reference points that work well for judging distance, among many other important factor, in conditioning articulations, such as the neck, shoulders, elbows wrists, hips, knees and ankles.

I am fanatical about (core muscle) conditioning (Bruce Lee level) it doesn't take long to understand why it is important to be conditioning oneself.

As being dynamic requires it, with whipping and propelling the body fast can very easily pinch nerves, jolt joints and tear muscles if not properly warmed up and conditioned to do so.

Teaching agility just for the sake of it is not productive, moving strategies are, strategic stepping, flanking manouevres, intercepting jamming techniques, attacking the opponent's balance and using speed and timing correctly.

Conditioning stamina and intestinal fortitude need an honourable mention here.

Hope this is all useful information regarding strength and conditioning.

bushido_man96 · KF Sensei

Fat Cobra · Green Belt

We do strength training on occasion, but it is functional strength training. I highly encourage my students to conduct strength training as well outside of the dojo, especially grip strength training.

Some examples of what we do are lunges with heavy chains around the neck, Turkish Get-Ups with Kettle Bells, and Subari Exercises for grip strength.
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Yondan in Ryukyu Kempo
Head of the Shubu Kan Dojo in Carthage, NY
(United Ryukyu Kempo Alliance)

sensei8 · KF Sensei

As you describe in your OP, as part of the curriculum?? No, sorry. My students can do things like that on their own, if they feel a need to do so, and I'll help them if they've any questions along those lines.

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**Proof is on the floor!!!

Alan Armstrong · Black Belt

I believe that it is important for students to understand some simple realities that is, without strengthening the heart and lungs, the longer or intense the fight, it could come down to which person can hold out the longest, endurance.

Perhaps when we talk about strength and conditioning, it is about becoming physically stronger and being able to give out and take punishment.

However strengthening the heart and lungs are important organs to develop.

Both are be very beneficial in a fight especially when under stress with heavier breathing and when the heart is pounding.

Conditioning the heart and lungs to make them bigger for endurance and developing a stronger heart for strength.

When talking about strengthing and conditioning without developing the heart and lungs, is like looking at a car that looks like it can move and perform very fast, without considering the performance of the engine.

Which is what developing chi in the body is about, heart and lungs and the flow of efficient energy around the body.

This aspect has nothing to do with fighting but has everything to do with staying in the the fight for as long as it takes.

As having four heart attacks and being an x smoker, I am knowledgeable and experienced enough to say that..

At the very centre of conditioning should be the heart and lungs.

This is why Chi is called vital breath and that Chi cannot be separated from blood which is pumped around the body due to the heart.

Breath and Blood, something to consider when training to be stronger and conditioned.

Considered being the best exercise for the heart and lungs is staircase climbing.

Thanks for reading

DWx · Black Belt

I have to admit I didn't expect such a strong negative response to this.

Do you practice hojo undo? (or dallyon in Korean?)

I see S&C training as a modern extension of this and whilst the majority of this work should be done outside of class time, its still my job to teach students about it.
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"Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it." ~ Confucius

Alan Armstrong · Black Belt

sensei8 · KF Sensei

bushido_man96 · KF Sensei

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