aefibird

Working out at the gym can be beneficial for karateka and other martial artists. It can help to develop strength and power, as well as stamina and endurance. Yes, if you train too hard and become 'muscle bound' it will slow your reactions down. However, it takes a LOT of training to get to that state. A regular session at the gym for an hour or so a couple of times per week will probably benefit your martial arts training. Make sure that you're doing the excercise properly, though. If you're not sure get the gym instructor or a knowledgable friend to show you how to do each technique. Incorrect technique could cause you serious long term injury.

I agree with Mawashigeri60 - one of the best people to ask would be your own instructor. Alternatievly, try searching on google.

Yes, I looked a dream in my gi last night at training, and even more so at class tonight. I had to wear the same gi again (no time to wash it in between, too), so it really smelt and had gone all crusty and manky. It felt like someone had died in it and then been resurrected again. Mmm, nice thought there! Hope none of you were eating whilst reading that!

Master Russell Stutley is one cool guy. I'm off to a seminar with him in Nottingham soon. I'm looking forward to it - he's got a good reputation, and I've heard his seminars are excellent.

Both are good styles (if you have a decent instructor!). I'd try out both styles first to see which you prefer, before making a firm decision.

Hi Steve, welcome to Karate Forums!

Well, to be honest I'm not fussed about having either of them on me or my gi... but after the colour my gi got during yesterdays training session i could have rolled in a tin of paint or a puddle of mud and it wouldn't have made any difference. We were doing a little grappling yesterday, but there were too many students and not enough mats for all of us. Guess who had to practice on the wooden floor instead of a nice comfy mat?? I felt sorry for my partner yesterday, a yellow belt. First time doing any karate grappling techniques and not only does she end up being paired up with a dan grade, but without a mat too! lol. We also ended up in the recently-cleared equipment corner (my instructor has finally had a clear up and put the equipment into lockers in the changing rooms to give us more space in the dojo), which was a bit dusty, so my gi was various shades of grey and brown by the time we'd finished training. I'd also dyed my hair the night before (a fetching shade of purpley-black). I was sweating so much that some of the dye ran out of my hair and onto my gi collar, so as well as being grey and brown, it was grey and brown with purple-black streaks! The hair-dyed gi - all the rage this season dontcha know.

I gotta see the photo's of that!! I'll come and visit you in hospital too, when your instructor has finished pounding you for wearing such a creation...

Thanks for the great reply delta1!

Someone who trains or has trained in martial arts.

Do you prefer the book or the film? It's a tough one to call, but I think that I ever-so-slightly prefer the book. The movie is an amazing one, though. I went to see it 4 times in a week when it came out at the cinema!

What with the prices of flights on British Airways it would be a workout for my bank balance too!!

Well, I don't study Kyokushin, but I think that the number of martial arts students worldwide has certainly risen, partly due to the fact that people feel an increasing need to be able to defend themselves in an increasingly violent society. Also, the addition of TKD to the Olympic Games, and the rise in popular MA shows on TV (such as Pride or UFC) has also added to the number of people who start a martial art. Many of them don't stick with it, however, but that's another thread...

Well, even though you are shorter than the other adults there it doesn't necessarily mean that you should wear headgear. Taller people can still get whacked in the head, just as short people can. However, if you feel that you need to wear the headguard then go for it! Better to be safe than sorry.

^Sheesh, no one give my instructor ideas about doing bokken lessons with us, then! He finds enough reasons to keep us all in horse riding stance for what feels like hours, without giving him any more excuses to do so...^

lol, glad you cleared that one up - I had a strange mental image of people sniffing the green stuff and waking up hours later in a daze.... Still, chorophyl, chloroform...hey, whats a few different letters between friends!

Aye, Maine is a bit far from England for a workout!

EDIT. oops, double post.

Thank you!

Nothin' wrong with useless trivia - a friend of mine and I once set up a website devoted to useless information.

Alternate jogging on the spot with skipping with a rope, as jump rope is a very strenuous workout. Wear good trainers to work out in, as they will protect your feet. Also, make sure that you're working out on a flat surface; a slope outside could make your feet hurt more. If you're unable to go outside, try turning everyday things into a workout. Hide the TV remote control, so that you have to get up to change channels. Run upstairs instead of walking. If you're tidying up the house and find things that need to go upstairs, instead of taking a big pile of stuff upstairs in one go, make separate trips for each item. While you're waiting for your dinner to cook, be performing stetches or star jumps or whatever. Even though you can't get to a gym you can still have a good workout at home.

Well, I'd strongly recommend that you GO FOR IT! try and find a way to train - I'm sure that you'll love it. If finance is an issue, maybe your instructor will set up a special reduced-price package deal for you and your son. Or you could offer to do jobs for the club (filing, plant watering, general cleaning etc etc) in exchange for training.

Cool story.

Do most Chinese styles now incorporate belt/sash rankings, or is still a 'minority' thing within Chinese martial arts?