Do you train with makiwara

[drunken.master]

I now train with a makiwara fixed to the wall inside my basement dojo in conjunction with the heavy bag.

[Bleeding Lion]

we just got a makiwara, im looking forward to using it.

[viskous]

how expensive is it to buy one?

EDIT: sorry for the off topic

[P.A.L]

on the top area we practice punch with seiken , and elbows from the side we do shutos , on the mid section of post we kick (shin conditioning), we have a pad on close to floor for toe kick,

now we talking about makiwara i'd like to tell you my story on makiwara and conditioning, i was practicing in a shindo jenin ryu dojo for a year , very solid ,traditional dojo, makiwara workout was a must, every single session, front long punch, and all the kicks X25 times, then i moved to another dojo where we practice on makiwara on and off, but here forearm,shin,leg,abdoman conditioning are important , each pair do the drill by hitting the forearms and shins together, it was very painfull at the begining but i feel a big difference now, in my shin kicks and blocks, last week i had a guest from my old dojo. a nidan ,very good karateka ,practicing makiwara for at least 10 years now , he was shocked by the blocks and kicks he recieved , couldn't withstand at all, so i just wanted to bring this to your attention the importance of this kind of conditioning, you don't have to put too much pressure,i am not talking about breaking bats with your shin just little by little very soon you will see blocking a Bo hit by forearm is possible , you never know, maybe one day you have to go shin to shin with someone.

[JimmyNewton]

blocking a bo witha forearm would be quite impressive.

i seems to me the rope based ones ona post are the most effective as opposed to the ones ona wall because you can practice from differetn angles. straight on for punchehes, and be able to come around the side for roundhouse, various knifehands etc.

as for the person that asked the cst. i built mine from scratch witha treated post i cut down, a rubber sole, and clothesline rope. whole project probably cost 20 bucks. i have it in ajapanese style flower bed and garden in my backyard. very nice aesthetically, as well as functionally.

[makiwaraman]

how expensive is it to buy one?

Just search makiwara posts on Google and you should get a couple of ideas.

I am with P.A.L in that I think correct makiwara training should condition more than your seiken, for example when we do conditioning drills at class involving a partner they always complain my arms are like concrete. This IMO is due to increased bone density from makiwara conditioning. Shoshinkan recently showed me how he conditions his big toe's by stiking it in to the lower part of a post and I now do this as part of my daily routine on my makiwara post. I am already seeing the benefits of this conditioning.

Regards maki

[Sam]

also - you can make ur own.... its not that hard to make a basic one.

[Meguro]

I'm all for building up bone density, particularly in the shins and forearms-you never know when you'll need to break a baseball bat with your shins or block an axe handle with a jodan uke. If you use your makiwara for conditioning your long bones, OK. I'm concerned about the long term effects of makiwara training on joints-particluarly on your knuckles and of your toes. Aren't you makiwara afficionados worried about arthitis?

[makiwaraman]

Aren't you makiwara afficionados worried about arthitis?

No its an old wifes tale about the arthritis I read an article that said they x-rayed the hands of several masters that had trained with makiwara for at least ten years and there was an increase in bone density but not one showed any arthritis. IMO The people who end up with arthritis are the ones who make do with 4x2's with no taper or those horrible spring block types. It is also worth saying that anyone who wishes to train with a makiwara should seek advise from their sensei or a senior member with makiwara experiance Regardless of their grade! As incorrect use could also result in the above happening.

regards maki

[shoshinkan]

I work out 3 times a week at home, each home session includes makiwara training. I have a very authentic post built by makiwaraman - highly recomended people, and I have hit a few posts in my time.

Like any conditioning work, start gentle and steadily increase work rate. Im hitting the makiwara at about 50-70% power, and started off over a year ago at about 30-40%.

I work many techniques but my usual routine is something like -

straight punch x 40 each side (centre of post with shoulder)

reverse punch X40 each side

over the top backfist X 25, each side

side backfist x 25, each side

rising elbow x 25 each side

round elbow x 25 each side

double strikes x 25, each side (hammer fist top, vertical punch bottom)

toes (hold makiwara with both hands, raise leg and front kick with toes) gentle, X100 each foot

Remember to pace yourself, dont forget to maintain good karate throughout session, use footwork and set up moves and work the distance.

Be interested in how you guys use your makiwara and why ?