realistic vs ideal training time

Spartacus Maximus · Black Belt

Martial arts is just like any other skill and takes time to develop. When starting out everybody has either asked their instructor or wondered how long it would take to be able to do xyz or reach a level of ability. The answer of course is that it depends on the person and a whole lot of other variables.

A better question people ought to ask themselves is how much time can they actually afford to spend training including on their own when the school is not open or the instructor not available.

Unless one is a professional who trains or teaches for a living, the time one hopes to train or spend practising is very different than what is actually manageable without causing conflict in other parts of daily living.

Time management skills and dedication are probably the best qualities for a newcomer to have for martial arts. Especially for adult students whose time is spent on either education, work, family or all of those! What time is left for practising martial arts?

If you are in this situation what is the difference between the time you aim to spend doing martial arts and what is actually manageable and realistic?

Fat Cobra · Green Belt

I trained for a long time on my own, and timing is certainly an issue. It depends on a lot of factors, especially what type of training you plan on doing. If you are including stretching and conditioning along with technique, this can take a while. If you are only including technique (like kihon practice, kata practice, etc.) this time can be reduced.

I think it is practical and realistic to set aside time everyday for training...but how much time is the true question. If you can spare 10 to 15 minutes, you can work on some very specific technique. If you can spare 1 hour to 2 hours, then you can add stretching and conditioning along with technique.

When I was training alone I was also in the US Army, some I did conditioning and physical training as part of my work day, so I did not include that in my Karate training, where I focused only on technique. I tried to train every day, but ended up averaging probably 5 days a week, with 30 minutes per session.
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Yondan in Ryukyu Kempo
Head of the Shubu Kan Dojo in Carthage, NY
(United Ryukyu Kempo Alliance)

sensei8 · KF Sensei

I'm of the opinion that that practitioner is accountable of their own training, no matter whatever their circumstances might or might not be. In that, there are 24 hours in a day, and 7 days a week, therefore a MA student really have no reason to not train/practicing adequately. Time must be set aside in ones busy, as well as hectic, day/week to train for that noted improvement to start to be noticeable.

No training...no practicing...means no improvement, anytime soon whatsoever. Take ownership and accountability of ones own training and practicing!! Either be serious or not, but if not, then do something else other than the MA.

Oftentimes students will complain that they're not improving much or at all. After sitting down with that student to discuss that concern, it slowly, and painfully, becomes quite apparent that that students practicing is nearly at a standstill at home. They'll train at the dojo, and that's it, no practicing whatsoever away from the dojo. Effort is a two way street; do it or don't do it, no in between. That person you see everyday looking back at you in the mirror must take ownership and accountability of their own MA training; the fault or the blame belongs to the individual. I've no sympathy towards any of my Student Body if they're not taking ownership and accountability of their own MA training/practicing.

I guarantee that I'll have my share of students that didn't do any training/practicing during this pandemic's Stay-At-Home, and that'll be their fault when they come back to the dojo; I can tell whenever a student has or hasn't trained/practiced...to me, it's quite evident...sticks out like a sore thumb. Oh yeah, whenever I ask if they've trained/practiced at home, that student will say..."Yes", but I only ask because I already know, after watching them for a few minutes, that they haven't; it's difficult for students to be honest with themselves.

Imho!!

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**Proof is on the floor!!!

JazzKicker · Orange Belt

Great question, and one I've been thinking about in this time of quarantine.
Ordinarily I'm more pressed for time, so I go running a couple of times a week, road bike about once a week, stretch pretty regularly, and work in solo MA practice where I can.

Working remotely, I have somewhat more time, so I've been able to increase the "karate" portion of my exercise. to about 2-3 45 minute sessions per week, while keeping the other activities constant.

There is an upper limit, though, especially as you get older, for how much you can do, and allow for recovery time.

bushido_man96 · KF Sensei

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