setting up a place to train

[zudo]

I was wondering what is the minimum space needed to train effincently, and what are some recommended things to train with.

[Sohan]

Depends on your style. If you use a bo, practice falling, do whipping kicks, or train with a partner, you're going to need substantial room. I like at least 15 by 20 feet, but I can practice anywhere.

What art do you study?

Respectfully,

Sohan

[jaymac]

What style are you training for. Let me tell you, the most effective pieces of equipment I own are a work out bag and full size mirrors. No descriptive needed for why I have a work out bag, but the mirrors help me with making sure I am doing techniques correctly, especially with kata (which is my favorite type of training).

[zudo]

I am *trying* to study karate, but I think I'm failing

[Sohan]

Keep trying. Only quitting leads to failure.

Which style of karate?

Respectfully,

Sohan

[zudo]

kenpo... I think, I am still confused about thte styles and what not

[jaymac]

Are you training with an instructor?

[Aodhan]

I am *trying* to study karate, but I think I'm failing

The only failure is in quitting something.

If you are training by yourself, then you will need an area big enough that you can do a full kata/poomse/hyung (Whatever your term is ) without having to adjust. 20 ft x 20 ft should easily be sufficient. Floor material should be similar to what you might see at a tournament. I don't recommend training on straight concrete or wood, although many styles do.

Some kind of a focus target. I would recommend a heavy/kick bag such as a wavemaster or hanging bag, and either a traditional or double ended speed bag (I prefer the double ended, personally).

If you are planning on doing weapons, then you will need a ceiling height that will accomodate your tallest weapon.

Also, if you are training at home, a good quality television with a dvd and video player, with a remote that you can use from anywhere in the room. I'd also recommend a tripod video camera so that you can record yourself, play it back and compare it to the instructional DVD.

Mirrors, definitely. some of the extras if money is no object include things like swiss balls, dumbbells, tumbling mats, etc etc.

Aodhan

[zudo]

Aodhan, thanks, that's really good advice and I'll take it into account

[lordtariel]

And somewhere that's watertight as well. I just moved into a place that had a huge garage and was already making plans to create a training paradise, (previously I lived in a 15 x30 dorm room then a small upstairs apartment) Then the rains came and I found the garage leaked from under the doors and from the ceiling. I hadn't trained in there all week and found it totally ruined the padded rug. Glad I didn't put the TV in there yet.