Home Training - What to do outside the dojo

[Schattenjager]

As an obssessive martial artist, I believe that the hours I spend in the dojo training are not enough to make me a good martial artist, thus slowing my capacity of growth.

 

Also I think there might be others here who want to, or know how to, train, without your sensei near by. What can you tell me? Besides katas, how can I use my free time in order to develop my skills? Remeber that it is a little bit hard to practice the ACTUAL movement, since some of them require a person to serve as "target".

 

Note also that I have not mentioned style, for I would like to know how a grappler, or a kickboxer, or tma-student would train...

 

Thank you in advance, and I hope you understood what I meant =)

[ForeverTheArt]

shadow box, and you dont need someone to serve as a target all the time, thats what the heavy bag is for.

[Ironberg]

Try to get your hands on a heavy bag (this helped me). However, I suggest that you don't get a standing bag that you have to adjust the height on, because they wear out too easily, and then they never can adjust again. Do shadowbox.

 

Buy weights even if they're just 30lb dumbells and work on really deep stances while holding them for your leg strength, and do all the upperbody toning with them.

 

Don't forget about Calisthenics.

[turonaga]

believe that the hours I spend in the dojo training are not enough to make me a good martial artist, thus slowing my capacity of growth.

 

is it valid for me to say that his on the right track of thinking? visualize your opponent. shadow box. make the movements 2nd in nature. spar if you will.

[DokterVet]

Hit a heavy bag!

 

And if you want to get stronger, follow a good weight-lifting routine.

[WolverineGuy]

If you want to practice grappling outside of the dojo, get a gullible roomate. Seriously, it's very hard to practice that on your own

[SevenStar]

you state that you're a judoka... but some thick surgical tubing and wrap it around something sturdy. You can use the open ends as the lapel and sleeve and practice your throws. This is excellent for uchi komi practice, as I do 300 reps a night, and I don't know many training partners that will let me do 300 on them every day...

 

as for other styles, train the way you do in class - if you're a thai boxer, footwork, shadowboxing, bag work, cardio, weight training, etc.

 

if you're a karateka or chinese stylist, shadow fighting, footwork, stance training, forms training,etc.

[iolair]

I'm mainly Kickboxing and Ju Jitsu... I do some home training, though unfortunately don't have nearly as much time as would like for it....

 

Every day I do basic striking technique work... not a huge amount, just 20 reps (each side) of my 15 major strikes, but 100 reps (each side) of whichever technique I'm currently focusing on (for example, this month it's side kick). I'm gonna build that up to 200 though. Sometimes I'll tie my belt at shoulder height round my punch bag and do some turn-ins for common throws as well.

 

About 4 days a week I do between ten and twenty minutes on the heavy bag I have hung outside.

 

Twice a week I do "Tae Bo" Advanced workouts from DVD (not good martial arts, but a damn good workout).

 

Once a week I take a run of between 20 and 35 minutes followed by body weight exercises (lots of abdominals, plus assorted push ups)

 

Once a week I use loose weights, with exercises that cover multiple muscles (bent over row, bench press, squats, etc..)

[Martial Boy]

Hi, its simple.

 

Imagine yourself you're at your Dojo bow ou etc, then goes through excercise strech then n to basic katas to kumite is easy look yourself in the mirror and sparred yourselve against your oponet just looks for gaps when you block and aim, teach you also how to block and your weakness, try it out, and soon you'll be the next tommorrow champ, see you round.

[Shorinryu Sensei]

Besides what's already been suggested, this is what I've been doing for nearly 30 years and I think it helps tremendously.

 

As you walk around the house you can practice punches and kicks as you go from room to room (watch out for your kids and spouse though).

 

I also often turn light switches on/off with my toes by doing a kick just short of the switch, holding the leg (strengthing the muscles) in the air and using my toes instead of my fingers. It teaches accuracy and dexterity.

 

I've been known to do kata while waiting for water to boil on the stove while in the kitchen. Lunging steps while going through a doorway, etc.

 

Basically, any free time you have doing routine day to day movements can incorporate martial arts techniques.

 

Grappling however, is another thing. I can't help you there unless you have a Great dane or St. Bernard.