|
Post by Josh Bore on Aug 5, 2016 1:16:46 GMT
So I just started training in Shotokan karate 2 weeks ago and so far i'm loving it but wondering what the main health benefits are because i do love doing it but i'm also looking to keep fit at the same time. Does it help lose weight? Gain muscle? Nothing? If anybody could refer me to a website or answer it would be much appreciated. Thanks
|
|
|
Post by Bob Davis on Aug 5, 2016 18:11:39 GMT
Hi Joshua and welcome, First step, one of the rules of the forum is that everyone posts under their real name, could you update your profile and add it to your signature (just let me know if you need help with this). Glad you are enjoying your training but your question isn't as simple as it may at first seem It depends entirely on how you train really (which is not much help I know ). If you train in a traditional class you will certainly work hard enough to get out of breath and work up a sweat. Karate training will burn calories, will aid with your flexibility and will develop muscle tissue so the simple answer is "Yes" and "Yes". Having said that if you were looking to build significant muscle mass you won't do it by karate training alone, you'll develop the strength and stamina required for effective karate but if you are looking for more than that you'll need to do some sort of resistance training as an extra. The thing is that karate has a lot of different physical benefits and is a bit of an all rounder but (mostly) the important part is that, if you are having fun, you will stick with it.
|
|
|
Post by Josh Bore on Aug 5, 2016 20:14:48 GMT
Thanks Bob. Sorry, I wasn't aware of the name rule but I hope everything's sorted how you want it? So the Karate does work as good cardio and helps lose weight? Do you know if I will need to do any hand conditioning at all? I dont think my school requires you to but if it will help then i'd be happy to. Thanks for the reply
|
|
|
Post by Bob Davis on Aug 5, 2016 22:50:26 GMT
Hi Josh, No problem, nobody reads the rules so I have to say it every time I wouldn't do any hand conditioning at this stage, learn the basics of how to make a fist, how to strike open hand etc.. before risking damage with poor technique. Past that point once you start on pad work and bag work you should get pretty much all the conditioning you really need (it is important to hit stuff but learn how first). I will also say at this point (again as I always do ) your instructor sees you every time you train and is probably your best source of advice rather than some bloke you don't know on the internet, don't let that stop you asking though.
|
|
|
Post by Josh Bore on Aug 6, 2016 0:05:39 GMT
Again, thank you for the reply Bob. I'm mainly looking for ways to get ahead in my class because I fell in love with it so much. I've been practising the kata that i don't need until my 2nd-3rd belt every day and the techniques as much as possible. Do you have any ways you could recommend I can train more efficiently? Like a pattern of techniques to use? I just want to do more and more and I cant wait for my next class
|
|
|
Post by th0mas on Aug 6, 2016 10:04:29 GMT
What a wonderful position to find yourself in... To have a passion and the means in which to pursue it! :-)
... Kind of reminds me of when I first started.
Take everything Bob says to heart. Don't be silly, karate is a wonderful, life affirming thing to get involved in, however you can injure yourself, especially through an over enthusiastic desire to try everything. My hamstrings and damaged knuckles can attest to that.
Good luck in your training and welcome to the forum :-)
|
|
|
Post by th0mas on Aug 6, 2016 11:12:03 GMT
Ok, the second part of your question to Bob is a really difficult one to answer, as it depends on a whole bunch of things about your physical structure, your level of familiarity with the fundamental techniques, how you move etc etc
Your instructor is the best to advise you on this. But there are a few principles to bare in mind.
The first is that karate is best when you focus on strength in depth, get competent on a small number of things rather than being mediocre at a lot. Especially when you start. Your future self will thank you if you get a solid foundation with great fundamentals.. How to move and maximise power, Punching technique etc.
The second is not to try and be exactly like your seniors in the dojo. Your body shape is uniquely yours and through training over the next few years you will find the best way to achieve this.. Self exploration.
The most difficult is the transition from learning to stand in stances to moving dynamically and naturally. But first get the basic body mechanics right.. The clue here is that stances are only a "snap shot" in time not something you remain in. Initially you will spend a lot of time standing in stance, necessary to get the mechanics right... But the ultimate goal is to move and shift your body weight to maximise power.
Don't worry about that now... Get the basics right first.
|
|
|
Post by Bob Davis on Aug 6, 2016 12:03:27 GMT
Hi Josh, I know you are keen so don't want to knock that enthusiasm BUT.... There is a real tendency, particularly (but not exclusively) with beginners to assume that if you can learn the sequence of a kata that you have learned it, please don't fall into that trap. What is really important at your stage is to get the fundamentals right and not be in too much of a hurry to move on (not as exciting I know, but IS very important). I know it's an old chestnut but the people who make it in karate are the ones who get the real basics of technique correct. I don't want to do the whole Yoda thing but without the solid foundation of technique everything else is just superficial, it may look like karate but it's just making shapes and will let you down the first time it's put to the test. If you want to get one thing right up front then I'd look at this Kagawa hip roatation, it looks very simple but really isn't an needs a lot of practice but get this right and you'll have passed a big hurdle in your karate. The clip is in Japanese but is still far and away the clearest explanation I've seen on youtube, pay particular attention to the lack of movement in the front knee and that the hip rotates rather than "corkscrews" into position. Personal question but could I ask your age? (none of my business so no offence taken if you don't want to say but it will affect the advice on how you should train).
|
|
|
Post by Josh Bore on Aug 6, 2016 16:20:26 GMT
Again, thank you so much for the wonderful replies. The kata I've been practicing is taikyoku shodan because I'm hoping it will help improve my downward block and stepping punch. I'm also practicing all of the other techniques I've been taught for about an hour or two in the back garden just to try and improve on my technique. Thanks for the video Bob, il definitely practice that whenever I find time and sorry if I'm coming off as over confident, I'm just so excited and want to perfect everything I've been taught. I'm 15 nearly 16 but I hope to stay practicing karate and maybe one day instruct it. Sorry for asking so many questions but is there any starting techniques YOU think would be good to practice? Thanks for everything Another question I have is about the video, are his hips supposed to pop like that? What makes that happen?
|
|
|
Post by Bob Davis on Aug 6, 2016 17:26:27 GMT
No problem with being excited (that's a good thing ) and ask as many questions as you want, that's what the forum is for. I would imagine if you're only a couple of weeks in then pretty much all you've been shown so far is downward block/gedan barai (we'll let the whole "block" thing slide until you've been training for a while;) ), stepping punch/oi tzuki, rising block/age uke and maybe inside or outside forearm blocks. My advice would still be that if you want to practice anything at this stage then practice the techniques your dojo instructor has shown you, it's his instruction that is going to see you through your gradings after all. As Tom has already said, better to do a few things well than many things badly (there are no shortcuts).
|
|
|
Post by Josh Bore on Aug 6, 2016 18:27:33 GMT
I do know the Japanese names I just didn't want to come off as showing off considering I've just started. We've practiced Mae geri too but okay il just keep practicing what I've been taught. Thanks a lot
|
|
|
Post by th0mas on Aug 7, 2016 12:59:48 GMT
Hi Josh
Just a quick one, given your age you will not be fully grown, so if you are thinking of weight training and other supplementary body building stuff, approach it with caution.
At your age, certainly in Uk schools, certain types of equipment and training methods are not allowed. Certainly not without a qualified physical trainer. The reason for this is your skeletal and muscle structures are going through growth spurts etc and can be vulnerable to excessive stress etc. You don't want to damage yourself before you have even started :-)
Cheers
Tom
|
|
|
Post by Josh Bore on Aug 8, 2016 10:12:51 GMT
Yeah I wasn't thinking of doing weight training or anything like that. I think it'll just be best to practice the basics whenever I can and see where I can improve
|
|
|
Post by th0mas on Aug 9, 2016 12:15:47 GMT
Sounds good Josh.
In a couple of years there is no harm in looking to do some supplementary strength and conditioning training. Particularly core body and grip strength training.
Also X-training in a grappling art, such as Judo etc would also be very beneficial.
Cheers
Tom
|
|
|
Post by th0mas on Aug 9, 2016 12:20:53 GMT
Hi Josh,
Where are you based? Just curious.
Cheers
Tom
|
|
|
Post by Josh Bore on Aug 9, 2016 13:43:11 GMT
I'm in the Midlands, rugby, UK Tom (Posted something under technique too cough cough wink wink )
|
|
|
Post by garage on Aug 14, 2016 11:34:23 GMT
Hi Josh,
Glad to see you have started training there are lots of interesting instructors in the Midlands. Some of the health benefits can be lost if you blindly follow what an instructor says. Does it hurt? are you moving your joints through angles that only your youth allows you to get away with? Read through some of the old post on this forum and you see people going for hip operations. Leaving the supporting foot facing forward in mawashi geri does the hip joint in.
I have seen people jump on people in the splits, "No Pain No Gain" and things like that so take what works for you and it will work long term. The broke bones hasn't really helped me learn anything.
Good luck with your training.
|
|