Tetsugeta or something else

Spartacus Maximus · Black Belt

Tetsugeta are an iron version of the style of sandal that was the common type of footwear in Japan and Okinawa a century or so ago. Most people training in Okinawan karate and some Japanese styles have at least seen a pair somewhere

Tetsugeta were developed for strengthening legs and training balance for kicking techniques. One unique feature of the tetsugeta is that it forces one to keep the toes together tight by squeezing the gap between the big toe and the other toes. This helps train for toe kicks but it is also necessary to keep the sandals from flying off.

Here is the question: have you ever used or do you use tetsugeta regularly? What could be used as an effective substitute to tetsugeta? Ankle weights come to mind but these only seem to work the legs above the feet.

sensei8 · KF Sensei

Wastelander · KF Sensei

I have used them, but not regularly. You can hook your foot through the handle of a kettlebell, as well, for some things. That doesn't work the grip of your toes, though
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Spartacus Maximus · Black Belt

The single advantage tetsugeta have over modern tools such as ankle weights is the the weight is on the foot and when used correctly it makes the entire foot and ankle much stronger.

It works the muscles of the ankle and foot that are required for kicking precisely as well as making the tendons and joints strong enough to withstand the impact of hitting something. Ankle weights are only effective on the leg muscles above the ankle an up.

As toe-kicking is no longer the norm, it is easy to understand that the tetsugeta is not as common as it once was because one of its primary purposes besides working the legs is to work the toes by forcing the karateka to squeeze their toes together to keep the geta from flying off the feet. Just like the regular footwear type, the only thing holding them on are straps passing between the big toe and other toes.

They seem quite common still in Okinawan dojos, but maybe there are not so well known in dojo outside of Okinawa or Japan. That was the reason for the question. Also would be interesting to know if something similar is used in other martial arts of other origins.

Alan Armstrong · Black Belt

A Little how and why video on the iron shoes.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tBnn5Q2UKqY

bushido_man96 · KF Sensei

I'd say wearing work boots to do some kicking in would be the modern version of this, just minus the benefit of squeezing the toes together to hold the sandal in place. But, you could squeeze the toes together inside the boot and kick objects with the toe of the boot.
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Alan Armstrong · Black Belt

The boot idea in IMHO make ankles weak due to the support boots have.

Whereas iron sandals force the wearers to grip tightly with the toes.

I like to teach students to practice picking things up by griping with the toes and lifting them as high as possible; make a game out of it if possible.

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