Question: Do you have any advice on the balance of strength and flexibility in kicking? I train in Tae Kwon Do and work hard on strength and flexibility training to improve my kicks.When I practice my kicking, I kick well above my head, but I am afraid that I lose much power when kicking at that level. I work hard on my strength training to solve this problem, but it seems to affect my flexibility! PLEASE HELP ME! James Garza, AZ
Answer from Sang H. Kim:
Dear James,
Flexibility combined with speed and accuracy creates good power. Instead of using heavy weight training equipment, try a bike tube with one end tied to a fixed object and with the other to your ankle. I have used it over 20 years. As you get stronger add more tubing or heavier tubing to have more resistance. Another suggestion is to alternate strength training (mon, wen, fri) with flexibility training (tue, thu, sat).
Remember to relax your muscles when you don't work out to keep them in good condition and to eat right with proper amount of water.
Good luck!
Sincerely, Sang H. Kim
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Sang H. Kim is an internationally respected author of 13 martial arts books, including his new book Vital Point Strikes and the best sellers Ultimate Flexibility, Ultimate Fitness through Martial Arts, Combat Strategy and Teaching: the Way of the Master, and star of over 100 martial arts instructional DVDs and video downloads programs including Self-defense Encyclopedia, Knife-defense, Power Breathing, Junsado Training Series, and Complete Taekwondo Series.
He won the 1976 Korean National Championship and was named Instructor of the Year by the Korean government in 1983. As a special agent during his military service, he developed tactical combat methods for hand-to-hand and hand-to-weapon combat for covert operatives.
Related Articles:
Improve Your Flexibility
How
Stretching Works
Related Books and DVDs:
Martial Arts
After 40
Ultimate
Kicking Drills DVD
Ultimate Fitness
Through Martial Arts book
Ultimate Flexibitily DVD
Ultimate Flexibility Book
Back to the Author
Forum
Loading...