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Martial artists are finding that they, too, can benefit from increased strength by taking part in isometric exercises, dynamic tension and calisthenics. One of the most significant benefits of strength training garnered by the martial artist is the improvement of force output capacity. A strength trained martial artist can exert greater force, apply that force more quickly and also exhibit greater stamina over a series of efforts. As a result, if you have two competitors with equal technical and tactical ability, then the strongest competitor is the one who will win.

Taekwondo, one of the striking arts, incorporates long sets of punches, kicks and combinations. Increasing strength in students of Taekwondo is necessary for working all the kinks out of the techniques and for ensuring that these techniques will work when fighters are tired or stressed. If the Taekwondo student does not have strong muscles like the hip flexors, or abdominal muscles they are subject to injury while doing powerful punches or kicks. For example, weak abdominal muscles can lead to lower back strains. Those with weak lower back muscles and weak hip flexors cannot kick with great strength or kick repeatedly for a long period of time.

Most serious martial artists will throw thousands of punches during their training. A professional martial artist will probably throw millions of punches. The continuous drilling on the technique of the punch will build a strong mind/body connection causing the ability to throw fast, accurate and effective punches to become a habit. Unfortunately, all the repetitive training does very little to develop strength in the muscles used to throw that punch. So while a martial artist will never be able to abandon his or her technical training, they would be wise to incorporate some type of strength development into their training regimen. Before choosing strength and endurance exercises to incorporate into your martial arts training program talk to an instructor and take a look at these training tips. They will acquaint you with some basic principles of conditioning.

• Match exercises to your weaknesses. If you are having a physical problem like flat feet discuss strength training with your physician who may know of exercises specifically designed to address the problems.
• Aerobic fitness is important to the ability to undergo intensive strength training. Insufficient aerobic fitness leads to slower recover recovery time.
• Develop the core muscles first because your arms and legs can generate only as much force as your torso can transfer.
• Start with general strength training exercises and build a foundation of basic strength for exercises designed specifically for martial artists. Don't know where to start? visit the Warrior XFit website and get your daily workout for the day. Competence in general strength building exercises helps prevent injuries when you advance.
• Do your general strength exercises in the same movement pattern as your technique. A general hip flexor exercise for kickers is lying down on a bench with the left leg hanging below the bench so it will follow the same range of motion as it would if you were kicking with the rear leg in a fighting stance. As you raise your left leg simultaneously press your right leg to the back and extend your left arm to the back while moving your bent right arm forward into a guard position. This is the pattern movement synchronization in the front, side and round kicks. An instructor can help.
• Increase the load (resistance, distance, pace) gradually so your whole body has time to adapt to it.
• Rest between workouts so your body can recover and you will be able to work harder during the next workout.
• Performance declines when an athlete works out strenuously because prolonged muscle fatigue inhibits the muscles ability to adapt to training. Decrease the number of workouts per week, exercises per workout, and sets per exercise during the last weeks before a tournament.

In the end, big power comes with strong, lean muscle combined with the skills you've acquired, speed and delivery technique.

For more information about ATAFIT go to www.ataonline.com/atafit]]> Julie Graf Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:55:17 GMT e820186712b23c58ed69369305775ab8 http://www.grafsata.com/72101.html?entryId=#comment Respectfully Stan Toscano
Iron Dragon Tactical School of Self-Defense (Kenpo Karate)]]> guest Stan Toscano Mon, 06 Jul 2009 05:04:51 GMT 8488 Julie Graf Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:47:36 GMT 8489