Martial Arts Conditioning.

First, you can't be a zealot for one type of work out when you're conditioning for martial arts. Running in on the treadmill will definitely build leg endurance, but if that's all you're doing, you'll be in for a rude awakening. Conditioning for sparring means making sure that all of your body parts and limbs have enough muscle and enough power to last throughout the match, and ultimately wear down your opponent. This means you can't train with just one exercise. You have to mix it up.

If you watched many of today's mixed martial artists train, you'll notice they incorporate a wide range of gut-wrenching exercises aimed at improving every possible muscle on their body. You don't have time to train for five hours a day, however, so let's ask a specific question: what parts of your body can use the most attention?

Start with your legs and make your way up. Training the legs can include everything from swimming and running to squats and leg presses. Moving up the body, you can exercise your core through a rigorous swimming program, and improve your pectoral muscles through bench presses. Your arms can also respond very favorably to weight and resistance training.

It isn't only about the stamina you build up, but the explosiveness. You should be able to exert yourself for furious spurts of intensity and then come back down without making yourself dizzy or light-headed. In order to train for this, you'll often have to do it so that your body becomes used to the demands you place on it. For more help, be sure to consult a fitness expert or personal trainer, and let them know what kind of goals you have. Many trainers offer free consultations, so make sure to take full use of their advice of you're short on money.

Conditioning yourself for martial arts sparring is different than training for a race or a marathon. Be sure your exercises reflect that difference.

Photo credits: thivierr

Originally posted 2009-08-13 03:07:56.

Karate in Action.

Striking

First, karate is primarily a striking art, though not exclusively, like Tae Kwon Do. "Striking" generally refers to quick thrusts like kicks and punches that are aimed at disabling or quickly stopping an attacker. Other martial arts styles like jujutsu are in direct contrast to karate, as they emphasize using ground techniques and wrestling strategies in order to counter an oppontent.

Karate generally functions by teaching its students to defend themselves from strikes using blocks, and then to counter-attack with strikes that will disable the opponent. Karate can include other types of strategies like locks and throws. If you see two martial artists fighting each other through punches and blocks, there is a chance that you're watching karate.

You'll that weapons in karate can be employed, but they are often related to farm tools, as the original practioners of karate were banned from using weapons, and instead training using the tools they had at their disposal.

Goals and Philosophy

Like other martial arts, karate generally has a goal of promoting self-discipline and the ability to defend yourself from an attacker. Karate's method of doing so generally relies on blocks and strikes, rather than directly using an opponent's weight against them, as you often see in jujutsu. Karate is generally a "standing up" form of combat, as opposed to "on the ground" fighting. Mixed martial arts can incorporate both of these types of fighting styles, so karate could be included in the mixed martial arts.

Should you study karate?

The only one who can really tell if karate is for you is you. If you're an aspiring martial arts student who wants to learn a style of fighting that includes standing-up kicks and punches, karate is probably for you. But there are other styles out there, including jujutsu, Tae Kwon Do, wrestling, and grappling. If you're really interest in martial arts, it's best to go with whichever discipline you'll enjoy the most, as this is the discipline you're likely to stick with over the long haul.

Photo Credits: Szift

Originally posted 2009-12-01 03:53:33.

Karate Footwork

Spend time practicing just your footwork. If you really want to build up your footwork skills, spend time practicing just your footwork. Former professional football cornerback Deion Sanders reportedly would spend time having his hands tied so that he could isolate his other body movement when covering wide receivers. Isolate your own skills in this way - spend some time just focusing on this one area of your karate skills and you will find that you are vastly improved when you bring it all back together.

Know when to plant and gain leverage. When people think about footwork, they often think about remaining shifty and light on their feet. But footwork is also about gaining leverage and using your body weight to deliver a solid strike to your opponent. Know when to plant your feet - and how to do it - when it's the time to strike. Karate often emphasizes striking, so be sure to ask your instructor if you're still unsure about how this is accomplished.

Practice footwork in 360 degrees. Karate is not two-dimensional. That's why you'll want to work on your footwork to the point where you can move forward, backward, and in all directions you can in order to maximize your mobility and adaptability. If you have strong footwork, you'll have an advantage against any opponent who hasn't studied this area of their lives and put in considerable practice. You'll also be quicker, with a more unpredictable presence in the mind of your opponent.

Learn about shuffling. Footwork is about utilizing minimal movement for maximum gains. This means that you don't want to step and jump everywhere you go - you should be ready to shuffle at the right times. Consult your karate teacher to learn more about proper shuffling techniques and, if you're not satisfied with the answers, continue researching this yourself and possibly look for an instructor who knows what you're asking about.

Photo Credits: mikebaird

Originally posted 2009-11-10 03:57:11.

Grappling.

"Striking" is one strategy in mixed martial arts, but it is not a distinct martial art because it more resembles a category of fighting - many martial arts like boxing make a use of striking. It is similar for grappling. Grappling can be used in martial arts like Brazilian jiu-jitsu, but this doesn't make grappling its own martial art. To call grappling a martial art is a little bit like calling "punching" a fighting style.

Grappling can be great exercise when you focus on grappling exclusively with an opponent who also enjoys martial arts. Like wrestling, it requires you to use a lot of your body as you try to gain a physical edge over your opponent. Striking can be a good exercise, too, but it usually requires you to spar in pads, and even to get hit, so it is better to use striking for training rather than a regular exercise.

In grappling, you might use individual techniques like throws, chokeholds, submissions, and joint locks in order to make your opponent lose a martial arts match. Depending on the kind of martial art you're using, this style of fighting may or may not be allowed.

Does grappling sound like something you might be good at? If so, you may find it fun to try mixed martial arts, or individual disciplines like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. But grappling in and of itself would probably not be considered a martial art by the people you talk to.

Photo Credits: parhessiastes

Originally posted 2009-10-16 03:41:25.

Use these 4 tips to improve your matches!

It's not about being big.

The old phrase "the bigger they are, the harder they fall" can be true in martial arts. Sports like jiujitsu are often built around the premise that your opponent's weight and momentum can quickly be turned on them. That's why it's not always about being the bigger or stronger one, but the one who can utilize leverage and martial arts principles.

Understand that winning a sparring match isn't about being big or small, it's about having the stronger presence of mind. Your beliefs and skills will be more important than your body weight; the more advanced your skills, the more you'll be able to maximize your own.

Enhance your strikes.

Putting the force of your body weight behind your strikes will add more power to your moves, catching your sparring opponent off-guard and letting them know you're not to be trifled with. An amateur will punch with his hand - a professional will punch from his shoulder. You will seem to gain strength and power out of nowhere if you can properly leverage your body weight.

Take advantage of your opponent's weight.

Taking advantage of your knowledge of body weight means you should be able to use that knowledge on your opponent. For example, you can grab their hand, but it's more powerful to grab the area that controls more weight - the wrist. The more control you have over your opponent's weight, the less power they'll be able to muster to fight back. It's important to understand how to use your own weight so that you know how to keep an opponent off balance.

Staying grounded.

When defending, it's important that you don't lose your cool and forget to keep balanced and grounded. It's much harder to attack someone who has strong footing than someone who is distracted and off their guard. Try to stay balanced as much as possible - oftentimes the person with the best balance wins the sparring match.

Photo Credits: parhessiastes

Originally posted 2009-08-19 03:09:31.

Get your kids in Martial Arts.

• Reason #1: Socialization.

If your child is shy or has a difficult time making new friends, then any extracurricular activity - including martial arts - can have a positive impact on their social life. It's not necessarily a good idea to push this as "the" reason to take a martial arts class, but if your shy or soft-spoken child wants to learn to be more assertive through martial arts, it might be just what the doctor ordered.

• Reason #2: Self-discipline.

The martial arts aren't always easy, and the system of advancement for students - picking up new belts - helps children to learn that hard work and discipline are the ways to get ahead. You can't "cheat" your way through martial arts, which is exactly the kind of lesson many parents want their children to learn. The martial arts can also instill a sense of discipline and obedience and show why sacrifice today can lead to better health and better mind tomorrow.

• Reason #3: Learning the value of habits.

What kinds of habits has your child developed? Do they only seem to excel at video games? It's important to make sure your child is able to learn real-world habits that can help them later in life - whether it be through self-confidence or simply through the realization that they have improved their body through discipline and hard work.

• Reason #4: Self-confidence.

Self-confidence can't be learned or taught in school, or even by parents. It has to come from within - and this is often one of the central messages of martial arts. Your child needs to learn that by facing their own fears, they can make their own way in the world. They need to learn how to overcome challenges and they need to learn to trust themselves in a way that will improve their confidence as they progress.

• Reason #5: Hey, it beats TV.

If nothing else, the martial arts are a healthier habit than many of the routines today's children have picked up.

Remember that none of these reasons is an excuse to push martial arts on your child. You have to let them make their own decisions. But if the topic comes up, keep your mind open to the martial arts and help your children stick to their classes.

Photo Credits: McPig

Originally posted 2009-08-03 05:25:25.

Boxing is one.

• Boxing. "Kickboxing" more closely resembles our concept of martial arts, but Western-style boxing is a form of "striking" (kicking and/or punching) that can be counted as a martial art. With boxing, the emphasis is obviously placed on punching - so much so that each boxer's fist is heavily padded in order to make the impacts safer. Boxing limits your range of attacks - you can try to tackle or use your legs, for instance - but it also helps improve your striking skills by isolating your fists. In boxing, either you can throw a punch and defend yourself, or you can't.
• Wrestling. Wrestling is another form of martial art that isn't typically viewed as a martial art because it isn't rooted in Eastern culture. Wrestling has its roots in both ancient Greek and Roman athletics: two of the chief styles of wrestling are Greco-Roman and freestyle.
  • Today, wrestling is an olympic sport, and an extremely popular sport among high schools and colleges throughout America. It is also an incredibly exerting, physical sport that requires a lot of physical stamina, flexibility, and strength. Wrestling isn't an ideal hobby for older people, but can be a great workout for younger people who want a new hobby.
• Fencing. When we think of fencing, we often think of 18th Century nobility going at it with thin swords and thinner mustaches. Fencing is also an Olympic sport that has its roots in Western culture - it was around as early as the Renaissance.
  • In fencing, less emphasis is placed on the limbs and more on swords, which are essentially physical extensions of the body that can be used in a variety of ways. Fencing comes with its own set of rules and strategies.

Remember that martial arts don't only have to refer to karate chops. If you're interested in taking "martial arts" lessons, remember that it may include one of the studies mentioned above.

Photo Credits: Dave Hogg

Originally posted 2009-07-24 05:52:17.

Tae Kwon Do.

Tae Kwon Do has strong roots in Korea, where it is believed that it first had its beginnings some two thousand years ago. The essential premise of Tae Kwon Do - built on striking quickly with both the fists and the feet - is that attacks and defenses come very quickly, which is why people have the fight-or-flight instinct. Tae Kwon Do seeks to optimize a fighter's ability to respond to these situations by teaching them the art of punching, kicking, and blocking.

While many martial arts do not totally resemble many preconceptions that many of us in the West would have, Tae Kwon Do is a martial art that looks similar to other striking arts like Karate or Kung Fu. With the emphasis on the limps and not necessarily on body weight and positioning like in jiu jitsu, Tae Kwon Do is considered in the West to be one of the most popular styles of fighting around.

Because Tae Kwon Do's roots go back so far, many people believe that it is the oldest and most ancient martial art in existence. Although other forms of fighting, especially in Western cultures like ancient Sparta, are still remembered today, Tae Kwon Do is one of the oldest martial arts that is still in practice.

Today's smaller globe and the modern popularity of martial arts have given Tae Kwon Do a resurgence in popularity, where world champions are often more recognized and acknowledged for their accomplishments. Although Tae Kwon Do is not as popular as the mixed martial arts (MMA), including jiu jitsu, it remains one of the most widely-used styles of fighting across the world.

If you're interested in learning more about the history of martial arts and about other disciplines, make sure to enter in a Web search on karate or kung fu. These disciplines more closely resemble Tae Kwon Do than western disciplines like wrestling.

Photo Credits: cheetah100

Originally posted 2009-07-29 05:04:07.

Mixed Martial Arts

MMA was created around 648 B.C. during the high point of the Greek empire.  While it was then known as Pankration, this sport was played in the first Olympic Games.  There have been other similar versions of this martial art; however, many of them were never officially introduced.  Later, MMA resurfaced during the late 1800s and early 1900s when it was finally recognized as an official standardized sport in 1993, marking the opening of the UFC, otherwise known as the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

The Ultimate Fighting Championships that the media televises today are increasing popularity at an incredible rate, beating out other huge sports such as boxing.  In terms of tickets sales and ratings, more and more people are starting to tune out of other contact sports and tune into MMA fights.

The major contrast between the MMA that we all recognize and the style before the beginning of the UFC was that the MMA was founded to take fighters from various styles and compare them in battle.  Doing this allowed studiers to analyze and determine the strengths and weaknesses of all the various martial arts techniques.  In these unofficial leagues, there were not as many rules whereas now there are rules--weight class, winning guidelines, illegal fouls, and fighting arena--established for the purpose of keeping everyone safe and preventing injuries that many feel to be inhumane.

1.  Weight Class

With Mixed Martial Arts fights, the opponent is determined based on their weight class.  The five MMA weight class include lightweight, welterweight, middleweight, light heavyweight, and heavyweight.  These classes are calculated based on the fighters' weight in kilograms; a simple extra pound in weight gain can bump them up to the next level.  There are a few other weight classes, but they are not a UFC standard.

2.  Winning Guidelines

The goal of Mixed Martial Arts is straightforward; you must either knock your opponent unconscious or hurt him enough to where he will give in and tap the floor thereby declaring a submission to the other opponent.  However, if neither fighter backs down or gets knocked out by the end of a round or match, the winner is determined by the judges.  The only way a fighter will lose a match is if he gains a foul called by the referee.

3.  Illegal Fouls

A foul consists of any form of illegal contact committed by a fighter onto their opponent.  If the referee sees the contact was deliberate, he has the power to disqualify the fighter from the match and if it was not intentional, the referee can declare the match to still be in play.

4.  Fighting Arena

Another huge difference between MMA and other sports is that the MMA arena is in the shape of an octagon, resembling a structured cage, and the fighters are restricted from using padded gloves.

Photo Credits: mkm photography

Originally posted 2010-03-23 03:22:47.

Styles and Countries

Many martial arts beginners think that the most popular martial arts form is karate because it is much more prevalent in countries like America due to classic movies such as the Karate Kid, and the media attention that has followed these movie productions.  However, karate really is not as globally popular as you would think.  While it is frequently practiced in America, its popularity across the world does not reach as far.  Depending on the country, there will be a different, more popular martial arts form.  For example, you would find the Judo style prevalent in Japan, the Muay Thai popular in Thailand, and the BJJ frequently practiced in Brazil.

Karate

The art of karate was in fact founded by farmers in Japan.  When the Samurais tried to constantly invade their land, they invented this technique as a form of defense.  Later, the fighting style expanded to all areas of Japan, causing the details of the method to be varied per individual island, such as the residents in Okinawa who had their own karate variation called Okinawa Karate.  The two major emphases on all of these techniques are the elaborate punches and kicks that are exerted and that it is primarily a form of self-defense.

Tae Kwon Do

Another popular form that many know well is Tae Kwon Do.  This style has its roots in Korea and emphasizes powerful kicks and punches, with one of its most popular moves being the roundhouse kick.  This kick is used almost ninety percent of the time as a last resort move to win during in sparring matches.  And the Tae Kwon Do martial art is a great style for any person who has a preference for kicking or would like to learn to kick better.  The styles are represented by three different organizations--the World Tae Kwon Do Federation or WTF, the International Tae Kwon Do Federation or ITF, and the American Tae Kwon Do Association or ATA.  The WTF is on the Olympic level, the ITF is not Olympic but still is used by several countries, and the ATA is only located within one country.

Judo

The next highly popular martial arts style is Judo.  The Judo technique is extremely popular on the islands of Japan and is also considered an Olympic sport.  Interestingly, this style was used as a substitute to Jujitsu back in the early 1800s.  Since Jujitsu was extremely harsh and resulted in many injuries, Judo was created so that those who wanted to learn the style, but did not wish to get hurt seriously hurt. They could practice a technique that was more safe.

Originally posted 2010-03-22 03:19:30.