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8 Responses to “What weights should i buy to improve my kicks in martial arts?”

1. Tao on September 3rd, 2010 3:56 pm

   The best type of exercise for building strong explosive power is called "plyometrics". You don’t have to buy anything, but you can use ankle weights to augment.

   Try exercises like jumping squats – simply squat down so that your legs are bent at a 90 degree angle, then jump as high as you can. You are lifting your entire body weight in an explosive manner, exercising the same muscles that you would when kicking – quadriceps, calves, abdominals, and glutes.

   Another exercise is jump-lunges. Standing with your hands on your hips, step forward with 1 leg, and touch your back leg to the ground. From this position, leap upward and switch legs.

   Box jumps is another – just stand in front of a 18-24" tall box, and jump with both feet onto the box. If you are strong enough to do 25, then try jumping onto the box facing sideways instead of facing the box.

   These are simple, effective ways to build explosive power, and they are free.

   And think of this – if you get used to kicking with weights on the ends of your legs, your balance will change when you kick. Regardless of whether you’ll get hurt doing this or not it WILL change your form. Why even bother with something like that?

2. JUN!()R on September 3rd, 2010 3:56 pm

   ankle weights

3. hollywoodhalodude on September 3rd, 2010 3:56 pm

   Use the ankle weights and just practice for a while, then kick without them, rinse and repeat

4. dan on September 3rd, 2010 3:56 pm

   Ankle weights. they’ll put resistance on your legs. if anyone tells you that they put too much pressure on your ankles don’t listen to them. your ankles have to get used to what ever weight your putting on them.

5. Alex on September 3rd, 2010 3:56 pm

   Kicking with ankle weights won’t hurt your ankles, but it could hurt your knees! Be careful.

6. LenM on September 3rd, 2010 3:56 pm

   risking a thumbs down(always)..i say dont kick with weights.why?it changes the balance,risks overextention injury,recovery time to guard is hampered,its slower,changes reflexes,for what? running and regular weight training will strengthen legs and practice improves speed

7. kixX on September 3rd, 2010 3:56 pm

   -Perfect your kicking technic
   -Increase your flexibility
   -Hold some free weights and do squats
   -Jump as high as you can in the air 12-15 x 3
   -Kick the heavy bag

   But 1st make sure your technics of those exercises are 100 % correct so that you wont injure your self.

8. Kurt on September 3rd, 2010 3:56 pm

   Don’t use ankle or leg weights, especially when kicking. You’re going to overexert your muscles and possibly tear something

   These weights are made for walking or LIGHT jogging, not powerful explosive kicks.

   Just keep working on your form for a proper kick, don’t worry about being fast. Slow and in control is the way to be, not fast and sloppy, you’d probably miss in a real situation anyways if you had that "gotta be fast" mentality.

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