Protecting the forearms and wrists?

[Kante]

Are there any exercises that target your wrists? As well as ones that build muscle around your forearms? Because i have bony forearms which makes it hurt when blocking especially strong attacks.

Thanks.

[bushido_man96]

Forearm curls and reverse curls can help to build the muscle on your forearm.

On a side note, you will want to block with those bones, so you might just work them into it a little bit. After a while, it won't bother you as much.

[NinTai]

Kante,

In addition to the above you could also use traditional methods like,

chisa, sashi and nigiri game.

Here's a place to get a set that uses regular weights to keep up with your

progress.

http://www.bushipower.com/pbpc.php

[bushido_man96]

Is that just like a makiwara, or a smaller version of one?

[NinTai]

Is that just like a makiwara, or a smaller version of one?

No, it's completely different.

Here's a good article on the different pieces of equipment:

http://www.bushifitness.com/hu_training.htm

What I like about the bushi power stuff is that you can adjust the weight.

I do have t say that the Nigiri Game handles don't really allow for the

proper thumb placement but it's cheaper that a 250 pair from Shureido.

[marie curie]

oh, how very neat! thanks for the links!

[bushido_man96]

Cool, thanks for sharing!

[danbong]

I have two suggestions:

1. In many kung fu schools they do drills to toughen the forearms. A simple partner drill is for both partners do an inside block and then a down block. Start easy and as your forearms get conditioned, block with more force.

2. In shotokan they do hard blocks with a twisting of the forearm ar the very end of the block. So first contact is made with the "meaty" part of the arm instead of the boney part.

[bushido_man96]

2. In shotokan they do hard blocks with a twisting of the forearm ar the very end of the block. So first contact is made with the "meaty" part of the arm instead of the boney part.

I had never heard of that before. I always try to strike with the bone when I block. Of course, I am not in Shotokan, either.

[DWx]

2. In shotokan they do hard blocks with a twisting of the forearm ar the very end of the block. So first contact is made with the "meaty" part of the arm instead of the boney part.

I had never heard of that before. I always try to strike with the bone when I block. Of course, I am not in Shotokan, either.

I've always been told to strike with the bone as exposing your artery is a bad thing! There must be a reason for it though if Shotokan does it...

Kante, if you slowly work up on light conditioning work, you can increase the density of the bones in your forearm. Very low impact on the bones can cause your body to remoldel and start building them stronger and denser. However, this should be done with care if you don't want a broken arm. Also repetitively striking one area can cause the nerves to deaden and so you feel less of the impact.