Hi all,

I just took up Karate2 weeks ago because I want to get strong & fit (perfect sport, right?)

At the moment I go once a week and lessons are about 1 hour 30. Between lessons I want to do some other stuff to keep myself fit. I was thinking of the following:

Mondays - Karate in the evening

Tuesdays - distance running

Wednesdays - off day

Thursdays - running & light weights

Fridays - running & light weights

Saturdays - off day

Sundays - running & heavier weights or weapons training

I would of course be practicing my karate during the week.

To improve my strength & fitness would you say this is a good weekly plan? Also would you boost your calorie intake and if so, in what format? (shakes, eating more, if so what? etc.)

What goals should I be aiming for (like, what specific targets. I only have broad targets in my mind at the moment, i.e. get better at karate, be fitter... lol.)

So yeah, I'm basically asking what specific goals would you go for, being in my position, and does the above plan seem ok?

-sc00t

the above plan seems good and all but its all up to how you feel when you do them. and as far as goals, obviously one is to become more fit, so break it down. Do you want to lose weight too? Do you want to gain muscles in certain areas that don't get worked out too much? Do you want to jump higher/run faster? Break it down into specifics and those can be your goals. starting slow is the best way to start because burn out will kill you. don't burn out in the first two weeks and you'll be able to keep a steady upward pace. congrats on starting martial arts, but what style though? because i couldnt help notice you referred to it as a sport...is it TKD? if so, if its shape you want...it's shape you'll be in! good luck.

I think for your weight training, you may want to go with some medium weight, and train for endurance using more reps. The running sounds good; I don't do any. I have always hated it.

I dont honestly know what type of karate it is. It's a martial arts form, doing kata's etc. Definately not TKD though - I wanted to do it but all the classes round here were full till april-ish!

What exactly is "medium weights"? hehe.

Thinking of more specific goals, I want to had more muscle in my upper body, gain some weight and gain stamina.

-sc00t

Medium weight would be a weight that you could work with between 10 and 12 reps with, is what I would call it.

Thanks

-sc00t

for gaining strength, lifting light weights will not help unless you are a newbie to weight training. lifting light increases muscle endurance. You want to lift medium to heavy.