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The Perfect Mix - Kettlebells and Martial Arts Training

Author: Dave Tyack
Date Posted: April 04, 2009

There is no other exercise tool that works better than kettlebells in addressing all the physical variables that are needed by a martial artist in his strength training program to become a well-rounded martial artist. Kettlebells are cannonball-like traditional Russian cast iron weights that are used as exercise tool. Several types of kettlebells have been manufactured by various companies and have enjoyed increasing popularity among athletes. Aside from martial arts exercises, kettlebells are used in power lifting, golf improvement training, tennis training, and kettlebell cross training exercises. While there is much debate in using kettlebells in their martial arts exercises, it remains to be especially popular with mixed martial artists because of the wide range of benefits its exercises are able to give them.

Kettlebells are beneficial in developing enduring strength in martial arts. This involves both strength and endurance in being able to sustain intensity throughout long periods of training. As opposed to maximal strength, enduring strength allows the martial artist to deliver several strikes or a combination of strikes throughout a fight. Kettlebell snatches done in high repetitions are able to develop the muscles' work capacity and anaerobic threshold to give out the same amount of power towards the end of the fight as the amount of power at the onset of the fight. Kettlebells prove to be better tools than barbells and dumbells as kettlebells are able to engage the whole body rather than isolated muscle groups.

Another area where martial artists can benefit from using kettlebell as part of their martial arts exercises is mental toughness. This particular area goes together with body hardening, complementing each other in perfect coordination. Both focus and mental alertness to trigger specific muscular movements and lightning quick motions. The exercises in kettlebell training programs develop the kind of psycho-physical balance that is crucial for martial artists. The clean and snatch, for example, involves the flipping of the kettlebell around the hand to have it rest on the forearm to allow for muscle hardening upon impact of the kettlebell on the arm. This kind of kettlebell exercise could be tough and painful at first, but eases up as the martial artist gets the hang of the exercise technique. This also develops the martial artist's ability to train the mind to tolerate the pain.

Specificity or the ability of the muscular strength to translate into improvements in the necessary movements to martial arts is something that is developed by using kettlebells in martial arts exercises. With kettlebell training, a martial artist's movements are improved in speed, power, and focus. The strength training that kettlebells give martial artists intensify striking, kicking, grappling, trapping, as well as throwing skills - all necessary movements in martial arts. A martial artist's movements are likewise made more efficient with economy of motion. The martial artists are able to execute the necessary movements efficiently in movements that involve full-body integration. The kettlebell swing, clean, snatch, and jerk are movements that train the body to perform the particular movements that martial artists are supposed to execute.

About The Author

This article is to open the eyes of many to a very old training method that is finding its way into the lives of many peoples lives. Kettlbell training can be used for not only a great exercise program but also a perfect Cross training addition to not only martial arts but many other sports as well. Read more about kettlebell training at http://www.kettlebellfitnessstore.com I hope you enjoy and learn

Dave Tyack

Article Source: JKD Street Combat - online collection of Exercise articles.

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