Kicking Drills; How to Create Your Workout!

Last month in my post entitled, “Heavy bag workouts? You can get a good workout!” I pointed out some ways to use the bag along with rationals, so you could do your own heavy bag workouts. In this post I will try and point out some ways to create your workout as well as use some kicking drills. I will also critique some canned karate workouts sold on DVD’s or available on tv and the Internet. Here is one bag workout I enjoyed viewing that I think has some merit.

What did you think? I liked the way this was designed and remember back when I was first learning boxing for full-contact karate. Having a trainer to work you out is the easy way to get into shape. I used to wonder if all trainers were ex-marines with a grudge against fighters! Just kidding but the way trainers can push you to get into shape is great!

You probably noticed while the kicks were good – the punches were really just going through the motions. I think this is because it was geared mostly toward cardio or perhaps Kat was not really a well trained fighter yet? Either way that did not detract from her workout.

Kat got a good aerobic workout by putting together the bag, striking pads and ground work. This is one idea of how one can put together whatever level of fighting skills you already have into a good workout. Now take a look that this kicking drill workout I found.

Wouldn’t you agree that James and Paul got a good workout but were also working on their martial art’s skills? That is the best of both worlds, to have a dual goal such as fitness and martial arts prowess! That is why I endorse doing workouts that have already been part of your life. That way you will more likely than not, stick with the workout!

I liked the give an take that comes from working with a partner. It is kind of like having a trainer because neither guy or gal is going to take it easy. Now it is not always possible or desirable to workout with a partner but I wanted to give you the idea as well as some benefits.

Now her is more of a main stream workout like one might find in a gym. Feel free to fast forward through this video as it get kind of repetitive… just get an idea of how they incorporate kick boxing into the routine.

I have never really felt the need to do the fitness video thing… maybe because I am a man? I don’t know but I have dabbled in it. I went to a karate areobics class at 24 hour fitness and noticed that they “taught” me to throw hooks and uppercuts with my chin held high? What? I argued the point with the instructor by she said my head needed to be held up and not tuck my chin down as I am used to do from boxing.

So needless to say, that at the time, I thought karate aerobics was bad! It might give people a false sense of security, you know, that they might believe there are some transferable skills for real fighting?

Ok – back on track now; I now think that karate aerobic classes/videos/dvd’s can be one factor in an overall fitness program as karate does burn a high number of calories. It also increases muscle tone. But (yes there is a big BUT here) if you already have some karate or martial arts skills, create your own workout with the rules you were taught! That way you are not “dumbing down” your martial arts knowledge but rather enhancing your existing skills!

The wonderful thing about kicking drills is it uses the largest muscle group in your body in a way that gives you areboic, anerobic and martial arts benifits! You can practice fast paced workouts to increase your heart rate or slowly practice individual kicks to increase your muscle tone and flexablity. I will post more about flexability and streatching in a later post as this will go hand in hand with any martial arts workout.

I hope you have enjoyed my prespective on one aspect of a workout for those with some martial arts skills. Please take my advice and add your martial arts or whatever physical activity you already enjoy, to your workout for lifetime lasting benifits!