working out

[AlienRage]

what do you think is the best work-out routine for a karate practioner? (i mostly need to work out my abs and upper body/arm strength.)

[Shotokan_Fighter]

karate dosent build abs, or build arm muscles. it may tone or build some leg muscles but thats about it, weight lifting is the best way to build muscle.

[monkeygirl]

I'll move this to Health, Training and Fitness

 

I think what AlienRage means is: What workouts will best benefit his training in karate?

 

My suggestion: When you lift weights, do exercises that mimic the motions you make in karate. For example, leg extensions are very much like snap/front kicks, so they build your quadriceps and improve your front kicks. Leg press will improve your sidekicks.

 

Certain dumbell exercises are like jabs and punches, and the bench press will work a lot of the same muscles that you use in a punch.

 

For abs: if you have access to a gym/weight room, see if they have a "high chair". Basically you suspend yourself in mid-air while you lift your knees into your chest, slowly letting them come back down. That's one of the best ab workouts I've ever done, and my abs are pretty strong...crunches, etc. don't really do much for me.

[telsun]

Weights are probably the best route to take but I have recently resorted to bodyweight exercises.

 

Push ups, crunches, chins, etc will work all the muscles that you need to. Bodyweight exercises can be made very intense.

[aznkarateboi]

do accordians. which means lie down, lesg fully extended, and then sit up and bring your knees close to your chest and then extend again and lower your head, making sure the feet and head never touch the ground

[Shotokan_Fighter]

i do them alot, they work very good