Leg Strength - Kicks

[ncole_91]

Hello Everyone

I have a question that involves kicks and leg strength. I have the flexibility to do a side thrust kick well over my head, but it is the strength I need to work on.

I was wondering if anyone had any exercises or ideas of what I could do. Should I just practice holding the kicks as high as I can or what?

Thank you,

Ncole_91

[isshinryuaaron]

I think using weights would probably help (e.g., leg press) and/or working on your speed while doing the kick (e.g., wearing some ankle weights while doing the kick -- but don't wear too heavy of ankle weights as you can injure your joints if you over do it).

I have the opposite problem. I have plenty of power in my kicks, but I am really inflexible and can NOT get a side kick up very high at all. So, if you (or anyone else) has any good recommendations as to what kinds of stretches I can do to get my side kicks higher, I'd really appreciate it.

[Menjo]

Do your kicks a thousand times over and over. Lastly(not really, but i cant think of anything else ), prefect your kiba dachi, and look around google for lower body training.

[Jiffy]

There is an excersize called a hip abduction that will fix this.

The cheapest way to get this is to get some form of stong elastic (eg a heavy rubber strap). Sit on the floor and seperate your legs till they are 75% of your full stretch apart. Attach the band to each ankle. Lay back and seperate your legs as far as you can against the resistance of the band. Do it over and over and over.

A couple of other ways of achieving the same thing.

Do your kicks slowly, over and over.

Lay on one side. With an ankle weight on, raise the straight leg. Repeat, Repeat, Repeat.

[TheAnimal]

Like I tell everyone, first thing is to practice kicking. Second thing, strengthen your legs via weights, running, or whatever.

[Sensei Rick]

Kicks to a heavy bag. First kick the surface, not really penetrating, to get the timing of your kick, and the swing of the bag. I prefer the standing wave master style bags. Then kick into the bag, moving it and kicking against the back swing as it comes toward you. What you need her is the fast twitch muscle training. So if you train with weights, use a lot of it, with reps in the 5 to 6 range. Be sure that you are putting your body motion into the kick too. Ask your sensei if that is right. Good luck[/i]

[yamesu]

I dont use weights, but have increased power in my kicks by body resistance exersize, such as squats, kiba-shinko dachi training.

IMO, most importantly is actually learning to penetrate your target properly.

A SenseiRick already pointed out, dont rush into this. Practice slowly Kicking a heavy bag (60kg +) and build up over time.

Learning proper kicking technique will also vastly imrove the KO ability of kicks. Not snapping a roundhouse until the knee is past the target is a good example.

Cheers.

[cathal]

I've found success with ankle weights. Just wrap them around your leg, and kick on. Also, getting a partner to kick (slowly!) against, and then force your leg into their hand, the goal being to get them to move back slightly. They of course won't move, but you're putting force into the movement and developing your muscles.

[Little Dragon]

I've found success with ankle weights. Just wrap them around your leg, and kick on.

That causes devestating knee problems.

Its better use for it is to wear them when jogging since it improves leg strength and avoids your knees feeling like they got stabbed.

[cathal]

If you abuse it, or use too much weight I could see it. Like everything else in life you use common sense you should be fine.