How long does it take to toughen up the legs?

[bushido_man96]

I was wondering, in relation to Muay Thai, how long does it take to toughen up your legs to take all those kicks to the thighs? I know in Thailand they start young, they have to be tough. But how long would it take an adult like me, and how would I go about doing it?

[Zorbasan]

i would say that its a personal thing. a lot to with body type, bone structure general health etc.

you couldnt put a set time on it.

[elbows_and_knees]

nah, you can't set a time limit on it.

[bushido_man96]

So, what do you do to toughen them? Just take some leg kicks, or do you have someone pound on you a little?

What do you do for the shins as well? I have done some shin conditioning in the past, just kicking hard objects, but nothing in a long while.

[elbows_and_knees]

I don't do anything special for my legs other than absorb kicks. drilling, sparring, etc. same with my shins. All I do is spar and kick bags and pads.

[bushido_man96]

I don't do anything special for my legs other than absorb kicks. drilling, sparring, etc. same with my shins. All I do is spar and kick bags and pads.

So, the conditioning just comes through the training process? I wondered if it was that, or if there were conditioning drills. So when you first started, did you get your legs really frogged up, making it tough to walk?

[elbows_and_knees]

yup. I've even fractured my shin. And fought with the same fractured shin. Ideally, you don't want that to happen, obviously. the ideal way is to not get bruised up at all, because when you do, you now have to go lighter until you heal, setting yourself back.

[Wood Dragon]

What function do "Thai Bags" (tall, thin hanging bags) serve, in contrast to "regular" heavy bags?

[elbows_and_knees]

they are taller. you can simulate leg kicks to them. Smaller bags are higher off the ground, usually waist height or slightly lower, unless you have them hanging low, and then you can't do head strikes.

[Sohan]

yup. I've even fractured my shin. And fought with the same fractured shin. Ideally, you don't want that to happen, obviously. the ideal way is to not get bruised up at all, because when you do, you now have to go lighter until you heal, setting yourself back.

Not to mention, injured areas have a tendency to get reinjured frequently. Just ask my shins.

With respect,

Sohan