Where I train, men and women do the "ab punching exercise", though no one is compelled to do it. Personally, I like it and find it rather effective. Not only does it give you ab exercise, but it trains you to "armor up" to take a hit. I don't know if anyone else has tried pilates, but I saw an ad on this site for a karate pilates DVD. I got the DVD, and the program has been a huge help to my training. If the ad isn't still up, I think their website is at karatepilates.com I used to think that pilates was for women or for dancers, but its been very helpful for my kicking and deep stances, and it even helped save my back when I had to help my brother in law move. I tried Yoga, and even Ballet classes, but yoga ended up being pretty new-agey and out there, and ballet was all skinny women. Being a 250lb. male fighter, I felt pretty out of place. If you can find pilates classes in your area, or can get a DVD like I did, I think it would be a big help to your training.
