Fitness for Martial Arts

Fitness is in the Art

It has been reported that Kung fu was used and developed as a way of keeping the meditating monks physically fit... As they spent a great deal of time in stillness and solitude.

If this be the case, then why is there a need for a separate regime to keep your fitness levels up to a standard which will aid your effectiveness in practicing Martial Arts?

Well, it seems like this is one that can be discussed endlessly with no resolve... So I suppose it depends on the level or frequency with which you practice.

For a large majority,  you attend the dojo once or twice a week and try and get some additional time to practice what you have learnt in those sessions.

However if you are embarking on taking part in competitions or even grading at a senior level your level of fitness will come into question.

Consider this; if you turned up for an open competition in which you may be required to take part in anything from three to six fights that day, against opponents you know nothing about and who are there to win! Some of these fights can get quite strenuous even at semi-contact level. How fit do you need to be? Will your four hours of training a week combined be enough to sustain you?

How about at a grading for say your first brown belt, where you will be required to demonstrate your entire arsenal of Martial Arts skill. Including, kicking, punching, attack combinations, Kata and sparring... All performed continuously one after the other.

It is when viewed from this reality that you can see the need for an all round fitness regime to help cope with the application of yourself to the art and to maintain your form under intense physical exertion which is present frequently in this sport.

Paul

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