Best muscle group

[shinaido]

Gym

Warm up

Cardio

Dynamic stretching

Weights ( main focus on chest muscles as they don't want to grow )

cool down

static stretching

[Archimoto]

In my opinion, core strength is the most important because everything originates from there-kicking, striking, throwing, balance, etc.

Everything else is secondary.

I can appreciate that. At times I think I focus too much on cardio and not enough on core strength. Hmmm, your post is making me consider an adjustment to my schedule.

[Zaine]

This may seem like a cop out answer but you should work out all of your muscles (not all in the same day though). The best thing is to have a good balance through your entire body, not just focus on one area. Focusing on one are can create imbalance in your MA techniques.

Good point Zaine and totally agree with you, I am balancing my training in the Gym but my question was which muscle group is important for my karate practice and as I got from your reply was SHOULDERS !

My answer remains the same. I don't think there is a single most important muscle group. I believe that each of them are necessary for good technique. Your back creates balance. Your legs help generate power. You upper body helps to create speed.

[Nidan Melbourne]

In my opinion, core strength is the most important because everything originates from there-kicking, striking, throwing, balance, etc.

Everything else is secondary.

including Cardiovascular is secondary?

[sperki]

Sure cardio is important, heart disease is the leading killer in the US. But...I don't go to the gym for cardio - I just go out the front door. Or I drive to the mountains and run / bike / hike. To answer Safroot's question, in the gym I work all major muscle groups roughly the same. I probably put a bit more enthusiasm into legs. That's where the power and balance for any standing move comes from. Sometimes I have to be really thoughtful to exercise my masseters less.

In short legs; want stronger shoulders? Do standing dumbbell overhead press. Want stronger traps? Hangclean. My big exercises tend to work legs, core, and chest or back.