Martial Arts and Weightlifting
Some martial artists do not want to lift weights because they think that this will make their techniques slow.
The truth is, it will if weightlifting exercises are not done correctly.
If they are, they are going to be a perfect addition to the strength training.
Now, first, let me say something about the correlation between muscles and body.
Why muscles are so important for the body and what are the pros and cons of having a lot of muscle mass on your body? - Muscles support your whole body.
This is very important for the spine, especially when you lift heavy loads.
Muscles on the upper body will protect the spine from being hurt, but, muscles have their own limits too.
- They protect the bones and joints when you run, jump, walk, and do other activities.
They act as shock absorbers.
Bones, in the other hand hold the muscles in position where they can function normally and do their job.
- Muscles are obviously the source of your physical strength, and mass does matter here.
- Muscles also protect the bones from the outer influences and injuries.
It hurts more when you hit the part of your body with no muscles on the bone, than it hurts when you hit the muscle.
All these facts say that having a lot of muscle on your body is useful.
It is.
But, when it comes to martial arts, more muscle does not mean that you will be a better martial artist.
Yes, you will knock the man out if you hit him with all that muscle power, but he can also hit you, and he will knock you out too.
So, the point here is that muscle size does not matter when it comes to hitting somebody in the sensitive area like the chin.
More muscle, like I said, will protect your body from blows, punches and kicks, but, more muscle will slow you down, generally, and it will slow your punching and kicking techniques down too.
Making your biceps and triceps huge will make your punches slow.
Making your quadriceps huge will make your legs slow.
But, working with weights is not bad if you do it the right way and follow these simple rules: - Do exercises that include more muscle groups at the same time.
- Do low weight exercises, - Do them with high intensity, - Do high reps.
Barbell exercises are the best way to work on more muscle groups at the same time.
You need to work on muscle groups that are the source of a powerful punch and a kick.
Work on your core, back, chest and legs.
Look for CrossFit type exercises.
They combine muscle groups in such a way that when you do these exercises, you are actually working on your whole body at the same time.
This will not make you look like a professional bodybuilder but for martial arts, it is just the type of weight training your body needs and trust me, you will gain pure physical and explosive strength fast, without getting slow and stiff.
Just search for these exercises on internet.
Make sure that you warm up before you start your workout and stretch throughout and at the end of your workout.
Good luck, stay focused and train hard.
The truth is, it will if weightlifting exercises are not done correctly.
If they are, they are going to be a perfect addition to the strength training.
Now, first, let me say something about the correlation between muscles and body.
Why muscles are so important for the body and what are the pros and cons of having a lot of muscle mass on your body? - Muscles support your whole body.
This is very important for the spine, especially when you lift heavy loads.
Muscles on the upper body will protect the spine from being hurt, but, muscles have their own limits too.
- They protect the bones and joints when you run, jump, walk, and do other activities.
They act as shock absorbers.
Bones, in the other hand hold the muscles in position where they can function normally and do their job.
- Muscles are obviously the source of your physical strength, and mass does matter here.
- Muscles also protect the bones from the outer influences and injuries.
It hurts more when you hit the part of your body with no muscles on the bone, than it hurts when you hit the muscle.
All these facts say that having a lot of muscle on your body is useful.
It is.
But, when it comes to martial arts, more muscle does not mean that you will be a better martial artist.
Yes, you will knock the man out if you hit him with all that muscle power, but he can also hit you, and he will knock you out too.
So, the point here is that muscle size does not matter when it comes to hitting somebody in the sensitive area like the chin.
More muscle, like I said, will protect your body from blows, punches and kicks, but, more muscle will slow you down, generally, and it will slow your punching and kicking techniques down too.
Making your biceps and triceps huge will make your punches slow.
Making your quadriceps huge will make your legs slow.
But, working with weights is not bad if you do it the right way and follow these simple rules: - Do exercises that include more muscle groups at the same time.
- Do low weight exercises, - Do them with high intensity, - Do high reps.
Barbell exercises are the best way to work on more muscle groups at the same time.
You need to work on muscle groups that are the source of a powerful punch and a kick.
Work on your core, back, chest and legs.
Look for CrossFit type exercises.
They combine muscle groups in such a way that when you do these exercises, you are actually working on your whole body at the same time.
This will not make you look like a professional bodybuilder but for martial arts, it is just the type of weight training your body needs and trust me, you will gain pure physical and explosive strength fast, without getting slow and stiff.
Just search for these exercises on internet.
Make sure that you warm up before you start your workout and stretch throughout and at the end of your workout.
Good luck, stay focused and train hard.