weak karate students?????

[luke_f34]

has anyone else notice that fit karate students are getting uncommon? in my dojo maybe 1/3 of the students are in shape. I've seen people struggle to do 20 pushups when i' am doing about 60 before class starts as a warmup. Is this a result of most people being overweight and it is normal to be weak and soggy around the midsection?

[Dijita]

I think its just that more of North America is just getting out of shape. Its not a myth its a fact, people are just getting fat because they're eating crap and not exercising as much as before.

[GrrrArg]

Yeah I could lose maybe 2 pound to be back in shape. Shape doesn't matter all that much though, skill matters more

[Spielwurfel]

Yeah I could lose maybe 2 pound to be back in shape. Shape doesn't matter all that much though, skill matters more

I agree with you... It's like Ronaldinho (or Ronaldo), one of the best soccer players in the world... He is not in shape, but he still is much better then a lot of other soccer players...

[Luckykboxer]

well... it depends... are the out of shape people the white belts and lower ranks?

 

are they the intermediate ranks?

 

or are they the advanced ransk and black belts?

 

if its the begining ranks then its great, it means they are wanting to do something to get in shape... and are making an attempt.

 

if its the intermediates, then it could be anything from lack of a good training regiment at the studios, to a studnet either getting back in after a long layoff, or getting unmotivated and gettting ready to quit.

 

if its the advanced then its either a really serious lack of training regiment at the school, or its a lazy black belt sitting on his laurels and just telling students what exercises to do rather then doing it with them, or a black belt that doesnt train at all anymore.

 

I am sure there are lots of other explanations, but thats from my own personal experience

[Guest]

were out of shape because of junkfood, video games and internet...c'mon we sit on our * way too much in America. It's out of hand and why we're obese.

[aefibird]

Well, if a lot of people in a particular club are unfit it could be that that particular club does not have a good fitness regime.

 

However, if it is that the most people in a club are lower grades, then it is likely that there will be more out of shape people than not. Most people who start a martial art without having trained in one before are likely to be in need of training to get in shape - that's probably one of the reasons they started martial arts in the first place (to get fitter).

 

Generally, the most people in a martial arts club are the beginners and lower grades, so these are most likely to be the people who are wanting to get fit and train.

[SaiFightsMS]

This is also true of those entering the military.

[ramymensa]

I'd say at a beginners' level the percentage is high for unconditioned people. As they progress, so they gain more strenght. In a higher position, the demands are tough and they HAVE to work more and they consequently become more fit. I've seen this with myself. I grew nice from a couch potato to an athletic (not just skinny as before) person and I gain more and more as the day pass. As you gain levels you just have to cope with the new status and become more and more good. It's a pride thing when it's not enforced by sensei.

 

With a normal training schedule and a picky instructor, we all become fit. Those who can't handle it just quit.

[shotochem]

I agree with the others. The lower ranks especially the adult over 30 group tend to be a little on the heavier side when they start. The longer you train regularly the more fit you tend to get. Do not let appearances be too decieving.

 

I've seen many Black belts who looked a little flabby and out of shape who could run the younger guys into the ground.

 

You do not have to be a perfect example of physical fitness to excell in MA. I know I might be quite winded in a cardio class but I would be the last man standing after a 4 hour training session.

 

There are different degrees of fitness.