Is it really important to have strong grip and forearms in karate?

nope

Not really, unless you wanna show off..

 

Did you know: It is said that Master Chojun Miyagi(Founder Goju Ryu) could rip the bark right off trees with his bare hands, and rip meat apart with his bare hands.

Well I mean to make sure that my fist woudlnt bend.

In any art for self defense having strong wrist and grip muscles are necessary. You need them to primarily prevent injury. Secondary to help perform proper technique.

 

It is more than just a good idea to develop strong hands and wrists.

 

MA

Its a good idea to develope strong anything. Grip and wrist may not help quite as much in MA as it would in say wrestling though.

In any art for self defense having strong wrist and grip muscles are necessary. You need them to primarily prevent injury. Secondary to help perform proper technique.

 

It is more than just a good idea to develop strong hands and wrists.

 

MA

 

If you are powering out of locks then you are not using proper technique.

If the grip and forearms are weak it is difficult to make and maintain a proper fist. It will also be difficult to do twisting techniqes like those involved in basic punching drills not to mention shuto's, nukites and ridge hand strikes.

If the grip and forearms are weak it is difficult to make and maintain a proper fist. It will also be difficult to do twisting techniqes like those involved in basic punching drills not to mention shuto's, nukites and ridge hand strikes.

Yeah see that's what I thought.

Having just returned to MA after having my wrist pinned together I can testify to the fact that wrist and grip strength are vital to good technique (i.e. proper fist). I have found it rather frustrating to not be able to throw a blockor punch with the same power as I used to simply because of muscle atrophy and tendon weakness.