Improvised Martial Arts Training Gear
We have recently put together more improvised training equipment for martial arts training.
I provide some instructions for putting them together and what the uses of these types of equipment are.
Of course, keep in mind that safety and common safety are top priority.
Martial arts and exercise always carry a risk of injury, and it is the responsibility of the participant - not the author's - to insure that proper precautions are taken at all times.
With that out of the way, let's look at how to put these together! I provide a link to a folder with pictures at the end.
Improvising martial arts striking bag The bag came from an army surplus, and I filled it with sand.
It provides incredible resistance for strikes, but still has some "give" to it, which means you won't break a bone when using proper, controlled technique.
Army surplus duffel bag - $15 Sand, 200lbs - $20 The looks I'll get when punching it - priceless Protips: Make sure you properly and gradually train your muscles and joints for rigorous work on any striking bag.
Of equal importance is learning proper technique under a qualified instructor.
This way, you will know how to safely strike the bag with correct form, and without injury.
Thirdly, protect your hands (MMA or karate gloves are suitable) until you have built up your power in striking the bag with proper technique.
After that you may continue wearing hand protection if you wish, or strike the bag without it if you want to toughen up the hands.
Fourthly, if you want to toughen up your forearms and shins, strike the bag with your forearms (using blocking style techniques), and with round kicks.
Of course, start slowly and gently at first with an eye on technique.
It's best to get the body used to the feeling of impact before going "all out.
" Lastly, always wrap up your session with some stretches, mobility work, and therapy for all of the muscles and joints that you trained.
Therapy includes massage, heat, ice, post training muscle rub (something like "Icy Hot"), and so forth.
Improvised makiwara (karate striking post) We have put together a sturdier wall-mounted makiwara (striking board) that is also more resistant to water damage.
It's fairly simple and straightforward project.
It's also very cost effective, as the materials can often be found at thrift shops and home improvement stores.
The old car tire that we mounted the board onto was given to me freely by a local auto repair shop.
The tire provides a bit more "give", allowing the user to deliver powerful blows without risk of injury to joints (as long as proper technique and caution are used).
Auto repair shops will usually give you old car tires for free if you ask nicely, since they will often be throwing out old tires on a regular basis.
There are various types of makiwara that have historically been used in various karate styles.
Makiwara are Okinawan in origin and traditionally consisted of a wooden board or pole padded with rice straw tied on with rope.
Foam is an excellent alternative form of padding.
Duct tape, leather, and canvas work quite well as coverings, and are quite durable.
The makiwara can be free standing (via a pole placed in the ground or somehow attached to something heavy) or mounted to a wall in some way.
The primary purposes of the makiwara are to condition one's striking tools and "kime," which in the context of karate, means focus of technique.
If you use canvas, make sure you have enough to fold around the foam and around to the back of the board a few inches so that it can be stapled on.
Our materials and tools: 3 feet of plyboard cut into two pieces with power saw Pieces of foam from old flotation devices, trimmed down to fit the board (to provide cushion) Elmer's Glue and Shoe Goo to keep the foam in place and protect the board from water damage; Shoe Goo is sturdy enough to take a lot of beating Heavy weights to help flatten out the foam Painting canvas wrapped around the wood and attached via staples to provide a striking surface Old car tire to mount the finished board on via screws Wall to mount the tire on, using old wiring and screws Folder with pictures - http://goo.
gl/8jpQ3M
I provide some instructions for putting them together and what the uses of these types of equipment are.
Of course, keep in mind that safety and common safety are top priority.
Martial arts and exercise always carry a risk of injury, and it is the responsibility of the participant - not the author's - to insure that proper precautions are taken at all times.
With that out of the way, let's look at how to put these together! I provide a link to a folder with pictures at the end.
Improvising martial arts striking bag The bag came from an army surplus, and I filled it with sand.
It provides incredible resistance for strikes, but still has some "give" to it, which means you won't break a bone when using proper, controlled technique.
Army surplus duffel bag - $15 Sand, 200lbs - $20 The looks I'll get when punching it - priceless Protips: Make sure you properly and gradually train your muscles and joints for rigorous work on any striking bag.
Of equal importance is learning proper technique under a qualified instructor.
This way, you will know how to safely strike the bag with correct form, and without injury.
Thirdly, protect your hands (MMA or karate gloves are suitable) until you have built up your power in striking the bag with proper technique.
After that you may continue wearing hand protection if you wish, or strike the bag without it if you want to toughen up the hands.
Fourthly, if you want to toughen up your forearms and shins, strike the bag with your forearms (using blocking style techniques), and with round kicks.
Of course, start slowly and gently at first with an eye on technique.
It's best to get the body used to the feeling of impact before going "all out.
" Lastly, always wrap up your session with some stretches, mobility work, and therapy for all of the muscles and joints that you trained.
Therapy includes massage, heat, ice, post training muscle rub (something like "Icy Hot"), and so forth.
Improvised makiwara (karate striking post) We have put together a sturdier wall-mounted makiwara (striking board) that is also more resistant to water damage.
It's fairly simple and straightforward project.
It's also very cost effective, as the materials can often be found at thrift shops and home improvement stores.
The old car tire that we mounted the board onto was given to me freely by a local auto repair shop.
The tire provides a bit more "give", allowing the user to deliver powerful blows without risk of injury to joints (as long as proper technique and caution are used).
Auto repair shops will usually give you old car tires for free if you ask nicely, since they will often be throwing out old tires on a regular basis.
There are various types of makiwara that have historically been used in various karate styles.
Makiwara are Okinawan in origin and traditionally consisted of a wooden board or pole padded with rice straw tied on with rope.
Foam is an excellent alternative form of padding.
Duct tape, leather, and canvas work quite well as coverings, and are quite durable.
The makiwara can be free standing (via a pole placed in the ground or somehow attached to something heavy) or mounted to a wall in some way.
The primary purposes of the makiwara are to condition one's striking tools and "kime," which in the context of karate, means focus of technique.
If you use canvas, make sure you have enough to fold around the foam and around to the back of the board a few inches so that it can be stapled on.
Our materials and tools: 3 feet of plyboard cut into two pieces with power saw Pieces of foam from old flotation devices, trimmed down to fit the board (to provide cushion) Elmer's Glue and Shoe Goo to keep the foam in place and protect the board from water damage; Shoe Goo is sturdy enough to take a lot of beating Heavy weights to help flatten out the foam Painting canvas wrapped around the wood and attached via staples to provide a striking surface Old car tire to mount the finished board on via screws Wall to mount the tire on, using old wiring and screws Folder with pictures - http://goo.
gl/8jpQ3M
