Kata as cardio

[mooseman]

I am just wondering what the best way(speed,intensity,ect.)to do Kata is to gain the most cardiovascular benifits from it are.Any ideas,tips,information,or motivation is appreciated.

Respectfully

-Moose

[Meguro]

I assume that by making "cardiovascular" the main objective, rather than technique or form, just throw those considerations out. Do the kata quickly, intensely and repetitively. Get a heart rate monitor and see if by doing this you hit your target heart rate for aerobic conditioning. If you can't get to the target heart rate, forget about doing kata for cardio as you might just imprint bad form and not improve your cardio. OTOH, if you can hit your target heart rate doing your kata with the proper timing and technique, go for it.

[tdiedwards]

Hi,

My guess would be to just keep repeating the kata over and over making no changes to speed or intensity. be fast when the kata requires you to be fast, do the slow and soft moves just as they should be done...but keep doing the kata many times until you are so tired you can't possibly execute all the parts perfectly. then stop so that you don't end up inadvertently teaching your body bad habits with regards to technique.

that IS just a guess though. suck it and see

Regards,

Tim

[bushido_man96]

You could start by doing all of the forms you know as one long kata, at a steady pace to raise your heart rate. You will want some power, but concentrate on some speed as well. Try to do forms for 15 minutes straight, no rest. Then take a break. Then try another 15 minutes.

The better you get, you could add more power, trying to build a little strength in your techniques. Or, if you want a little bit of anaerobic work, pop out 2 or 3 forms as hard and fast as you can in a row, for about 2-3 minutes. Then rest for 1 minute, and do it again. Keep this up for about 20 minutes, and you will feel it.

[parkerlineage]

You could start by doing all of the forms you know as one long kata, at a steady pace to raise your heart rate. You will want some power, but concentrate on some speed as well. Try to do forms for 15 minutes straight, no rest. Then take a break. Then try another 15 minutes.

I like to think of myself as being in good shape, but after I got through everything I know the first time (in about 15 minutes, too), I just about passed out! So I did it again.

Great work out!

[bushido_man96]

You could start by doing all of the forms you know as one long kata, at a steady pace to raise your heart rate. You will want some power, but concentrate on some speed as well. Try to do forms for 15 minutes straight, no rest. Then take a break. Then try another 15 minutes.

I like to think of myself as being in good shape, but after I got through everything I know the first time (in about 15 minutes, too), I just about passed out! So I did it again.

Great work out!

You mean, you actually tried it? Wow, cool, thanks!

Tell me about it. I am a bulky boy, and doing that kind of workout makes this big boy want to hurl!

[parkerlineage]

Yeah, I tried it, and I'm going to keep doing it, too!

Of course, by the second time, I couldn't get through my Eagle Claw stuff, 'cause of the acrobatics and such...I sprained my ankle a few weeks ago pretty badly, and I'm still sort of recuperating, though I refuse to let it get me down...too much.

[Sohan]

You could start by doing all of the forms you know as one long kata, at a steady pace to raise your heart rate. You will want some power, but concentrate on some speed as well. Try to do forms for 15 minutes straight, no rest. Then take a break. Then try another 15 minutes.

I like to think of myself as being in good shape, but after I got through everything I know the first time (in about 15 minutes, too), I just about passed out! So I did it again.

Great work out!

We have over 30+ kata in our system. Typically I do each kata twice in a workout (some more depending on need) with no more than about 5 seconds in between. Takes about 40-45 minutes to complete all the forms.

If anyone is interested, here is a typical week of training:

Mon AM: 1 hour kata, line drills

Mon PM: 3 hrs MA practice (karate, MT, grappling)

Tues AM: 1 hour kata, weapons, 1/2 hour run

Tues PM: Teach MA 1 hr, 3 hours practice (karate, grappling)

Wed AM: 1 hour kata, weapons, drills

Wed PM: 45 mins weight training

Thurs PM: 3 hrs MA practice (karate, MT)

Fri AM: 1 hour kata, drills, 1/2 hour run

Sat AM: Teach MA 1 hr, 3 hrs MA practice (karate, grappling)

Sun AM: 1 hour kata, 1/2 hour run

Sun PM: 45 mins weight training

I don't usually take too many days off, and I rarely get injured because I vary my intensity, but I'm not afraid to back off completely if something hurts. I've found that kata and Ippon Kumite are fundamental elements of my MA training, and though they doesn't provide me the same cardio benefits of running, they still put my heart and lungs in pretty decent condition. I'm also fortunate I work for myself so I have the time to train. I don't usually care much to compete (though I recently have had thoughts of doing so), but I do enjoy being in great shape.

With respect,

Sohan

[bushido_man96]

Wow, Sohan, I wish I had your schedule. Makes me jealous

[parkerlineage]

Impressive, Sohan.

Mine is summer schedule is:

Mon AM: 30-45 min weight training

Mon PM: Teach karate 3.5-4.5 hours

Tues AM: Kata/Weapons 45 min

Tues PM: Private Lesson 1 hour, teach 3.5 hours, class 1.5 hours

Wed AM: 30-45 min weight training

Wed PM: Teach karate 1-2 hour(s)

Thurs AM: Kata/Weapons 45 min

Thurs PM: Private Lesson 1 hour, teach 3.5 hours, class 1.5 hours

Fri AM: 30-45 min weight traning

Fri PM: Teach karate 3.5 hours

Weekend: Randomly practice when I have time

*sigh*...I teach too much.