Cross Training in Kendo?

[midnightdawn]

Does anybody cross train with Kendo? When I say cross training, I don't mean another martial arts, I mean just general physical training, like running, lifting weights, etc.

I ran track and cross country in HS before joining Kendo in college. When I joined Kendo I started to slide on running and lifting. After almost a year of Kendo training, I have started to pick up running and weights again. Ever since then, I have found subari exercizes a lot easier, and find myself getting less tired during practice. However, one of my senpais always says, the best way to get better at Kendo is to practice Kendo. I've never told him this, but I disagree with that a bit. I think by running and lifting weights, your are giving yourself a stronger body to battle actual kendo exercizes and fights with. What do you think?

Also, if you cross train, do you do anything else besides run or lift weights?

Thanks.

[Sinta]

Besides Kendo I try to go to my Training Center at least 3 times a week for an hour of weights and 40 minutes on the bikes. I feel a bit more confident now.

I also have Tai Chi once a week just to balance myself out.

[Jarlaxle]

Running helps a lot :bandit:

[tnagpal]

I think it is very useful to cross-train. It helps to strengthen muscles and build up cardio capacity. I think it helps to avoid injuries that can be incurred by just doing one type of activity over and over again. I wouldn't train to build up too much muscle if you are trying to cross-train with the specific focus on kendo.

Most of these exercises should be done with relatively light weight. You aren't trying to bulk up, just get stronger and more stable muscles. Make sure to stretch after a light warmup and after you are done lifting. A couple of exercises I think would be very useful to include:

Explosive squats- make sure your legs don't go below parallel to the floor and shoot upwards. Do this with light weights for the most part.

Wrist roller- This is a stick with a rope and a weight hanging on it. You hold it out and start rolling the weight up rolling it one way and unroll it down.

Calf raises- do these carefully but should help build up support for you Achilles tendon and provide more power in your moving forward and back.

Running- I think that interval training would probably be the most useful. Alternating sprints with slower running would probably lead to much better performance for kendo.

While I am sure that the best way to get better at kendo is to do more kendo, most athletes in every sport cross-train and there are reasons for that.

[Neil Gendzwill]

While I am sure that the best way to get better at kendo is to do more kendo, most athletes in every sport cross-train and there are reasons for that.

For one thing, most of us can't get to the dojo every day. Being fit will absolutely improve your kendo. There's a big difference between merely surviving a tough practice and actually being able to give it your best. One thing about kendo is that it requires cardio fitness, but isn't really that efficient for training cardio fitness. This is similar to my other great love, snowboarding/skiing. If you can do some cardio training (running, stairs, whatever) 2 or 3 times a week, you'll notice a big improvement.

[Eldritch Knight]

We do 2km of running every day before practice (our senpai keeps pace with his bokuto!). After practice, we practice on our own, but a few of us will go downstairs to the judo room and pull weights (or practice with the HUGE bokuto).

[Phlebas]

I do supplementary training as well, whenever possible... but not more than five times a week. I usually restrict the heavy strength and power training to abdomen, legs, forearms, and shoulders while skip rope improves my cardio, hand-eye-foot coordination (which is very important in Kendo), and timing. I would love to get a stationary bike or a treadmill as these two devices would be excellent as well.

I'm with Neil, though. Skiing is fantastic training, whether it's downhill or cross-country. It offers improvements in cardio, leg strength, timing and rhythm. Unfortunately I don't ski anymore because I refuse to pay through the nose for it, especially after skiing for free for so many years! I'm spoiled now. I hate paying to stand in line.

[Charlie]

Absolutely agree with what's been said here. While many of the kendo exercises double in function as general conditioning exercises, I think they should be supplemented with another routine: callisthenics, running, weights if that's your bag. Especially if you'll be attending "second practices" and want to keep the beer gut off.

This from the guy who is having a hard time hitting the weights as often as he should...

[midnightdawn]

We do 2km of running every day before practice (our senpai keeps pace with his bokuto!). After practice, we practice on our own, but a few of us will go downstairs to the judo room and pull weights (or practice with the HUGE bokuto).

I find it facinating that you dojo itself cross trains. Does your dojo typically do well in tournaments and stuff because of this?

[Future Head]

I was a competitive swimmer in high school, and I just started swimming regularly again after four years (and a good amount of pounds) away from it. I have Kendo practice twice a week - Tuesday and Saturday - so Thursday fits in nicely as a swimming night. It's also good to get in the pool and cool down after Saturday morning Kendo session.

Swimming helps all over, depending on what you do. Stamina, strength, flexibility, and explosive movement can all be increased given the right workouts.

[A P]

I know that I my self need some trainning too!!! Because I could only keep up

with running about 20 mins before I gaps for air.(bad) And I haven't lift weight

for 4 year.

I just recently start to train my self for kendo.

I play soccer every Sunday for about three hour. I knowtice that my stanima

have increase. I also just got started on lifting dumpbell.(haven't see the result

yet.)

But I am going to keep at it for my self and for kendo.

[Angry Kid]

I started running 18 months into my Kendo training and can say that it certainly improved many aspects of my Kendo especially my cutting speed. I lift weights but have done so for many years before taking up Kendo so cannot really say if weight training is effective supplementary training for Kendo but I imagine that it is.