Does bodystrength play a large role in martial arts?

Question

I understand its about technique.but if someone worked out like a motherf****er, gained mass,muscle and (naturally) became stronger, would'nt they perform better,balance easier(due to great lower bodystrength) and hit harder than someone with good technique.I ask because I took time off of a martial arts school for this reason (im obviously slim).

Answer 1

Strength is definitely an asset. It is valuable to add a strength routine to your regular work out. That being said, strength isn't everything. I would say that speed is ten times more important that strength. A man can hit a board with all of his might, but if he is slow and unfocused, he will only end up with sore knuckles. When I was first learning to break, I was trying to muscle my way through (and got the bruises to show for it). A few days and some instruction later, I was able to easily break the board. I had not gained strength, only speed.

Answer 2

Strength is an asset. However, if you are sacrificing a great deal of flexibility and speed then it is not worth the trade off.
The drawbacks of strength besides speed and flexibility is also a mind-set thing that I notice. We have had several beginners in the past couple years that are Ex-college athletes. They are in great shape and have significant strength. The problem is they rely on that strength too much. They over do every technique. they do not flow. The strength is great for raw roundhouse punching but they have trouble focusing it into a technique. They put too much shoulder into the moves. This puts there shoulders in front of the hips which removes their lower body from the technique.
Do not lose touch with your body. Be aware of your movements. Use your whole body for everything. If you have a magnificent muscle group do not rely on it too much. It is OK to have one signature technique that you use it in ( as long as you are still using form).
But here is a secret for everyone, one day your strength will leave you. Be it from age or fatigue, strength will fail you one day.
Form will never fail you. One other point about strength, there will always be someone stronger out there, but if you have flawless techniques than it will be rare that you find someone else of your caliber.

I notice many people refering to how strength is a bonus in grappling. I believe these people are not understanding that grappling is as much about technique as striking is. A trained grappler will defeat an untranied strong guy anyday. When I started to wrestle I tried to use strength and I was beat every time, now I have some techniques and it is a whole new game.

Answer 3

Does being stronger help? yes. Does being bigger help, depends, sometimes yes. Please don't equate a bodybuilder to strength...that isn't the case. They build mass, strength doesn't always mean huge mass. Martial artists, fighters, athletes all want explosive strong muscles. You want your muscles to fire quick and be able to continue to fire. You need strength and endurance. A fight does not always end quickly. And even a 2 minute fight can leave most people winded. I'm not kidding. If you are looking to add some weight, strength and endurance that is fine. Look to continue to do some practice to keep your muscles trained while you gain strength. Check out a good basketball program. They will weight train and play B-ball. The strength they gain does not throw off their shot b/c as they get stronger they are still working on fundamentals and their game.

If two martial artists meet with similar skill, my money is on the one that is in better shape. Strength helps you hit harder. Endurance allows you to absorb some damage and give it back. Muscles give you body some cushion to help absorb damage as well. Some martial arts use spine, tendons, and good body mechanics to deliver powerful blows. Adding good strength only makes it better.

Answer 4

Strive to achieve a balance that's right for you so you gain strength without adversely affecting your other positive attributes. Speed suffers when your strength training is improper. Avoid getting too muscle-bound. Gaining muscle often means weight-gain too so you wouldn't be able to do very acrobatic moves or move as fast/agile as a slimmer version of yourself. Don't let techniques get sloppy because you can compensate with added strength.

Strength has an important benefit but it is not the ultimate trait to shoot for. Also, some styles are harder or more external. Strength is more useful for those styles.

Answer 5

Depends on how big your muscle is going to get. Slender more toned bodies are quicker and still have lots of strength. If you are too big you might have problems with quickness. In martial arts, you do have to be a little fast. Able to dodge from your opponent and also be able to counter right away.

Personally, I think its the Chi that everyone has inside that plays the biggest role in strength. Its your inner energy that can make or break you.

Answer 6

I would say so for the reason that which you could litteraly pin and hurt your opponet or opponets down easly unlike if you didn't have excellent physique force you may haven't any danger to win a fight.Additionally FYI be certain you know the way to dam for when that individual or individuals are tackling you and becareful that you do not get caught or there shall be consiquences for that. I do know because the school i'm going to there may be numerous fights and also with in in the future there are about 5 fights day-to-day within the excessive school hallways and in addition some peopleget damage once they didn't do some thing. Just right good fortune!

Answer 7

Absolutely! On the street, alleys, parking lots, clubs, parks, etc., your defending yourself for your life, or protecting a child, elderly person, or perhaps your girlfriend or wife. The street is not like your Dojo, and criminals on the street don't care, there are no rules, there not going to get into some Asian martial arts stance and ask ok, here we go.......there are some strong, mean criminals out there, and they have usually been beaten up, toughed up, and many lift weights and are good street fighters.

You can not rely on just one technique. You have to continue your attack until your opponent(s) are defeated, and this may require not just technique, but pure strength!

You don't have to start body-building, your don't have to power-lift, but you should incorporate weight-training into your martial arts training plan, also you should incorporate cardio into your work-out plan.

You should also work-out with boxers, and wrestlers because then your going to put your techniques against techniques that you won't face in your Dojo.

Krav Maga teaches the "Core Curriculum"

The stronger your core muscles, the better able you'll be able to put all of your body weight behind your punches, kicks, and other strikes. Conversely, the more you put your entire body behind your strikes, the stronger your core will become.

Everyone of my "Kravist" (a person studying Krav Maga) goes through a 12 week weight training program in addition to their Krav Maga training. My assistant instructors and myself are not necessarily looking for the perfect form, or how much protien you taking, or how good you eat, but we improve the strength of our students, so in case they have to escape from a choke hold, our one of our girl students has a 200lb guy grab her shirt, we want to ensure that no only she knows the technique, but she has the strength to accomnplish the technique.

I would never tell you one martial arts is better than the other. No professional person would do that, but I will tell you, in Krav Maga we teach, and train in "real life situations" and the student practices, and practices until they can through their physical capabilities get out of that situation.

The street is brutal. No Sumaria warrior is going to challenge you like the movies, most "thugs" have spent time in prison, and have done nothing but lift weights, they want your money, hurt you, have fun with your girlfriend or whatever...they are not your opponent in a Martial Arts Tournament.

I hope this helps you. Please do some research on Krav Maga.

Answer 8

I might say so on the grounds that you'll litteraly pin and harm your opponet or opponets down easly in contrast to if you did not have well frame force you might haven't any threat to win a combat.Also FYI ensure you know the way to dam for whilst that man or woman or folks are tackling you and becareful that you aren't getting stuck or there shall be consiquences for that. I recognize on the grounds that the university I move to there's plenty of fights and in addition with in sooner or later there are approximately five fights everyday within the High School hallways and in addition a few peopleget harm whilst they did not do some thing. Good Luck!

Answer 9

Technique is the best, Spidertiger has said it best, your strength will fail you be it from age or fatigue, but if you have excellent technique you'll still be able to hold your own in a fight.

Look at Bruce Lee, he was in excellent condition, and he weight trained for the physical and cardiovascular benefits and not just strength. it's a great attribute to have but not a necessity.

So while you can weight train, it is not necessary to gain muscle mass, by adding a little mass if you are under weight, it will help you, but you don't need to become a body builder the size of Lou Ferrigno to achieve this goal, flexibility is far more important.

If you've ever seen the UFC or Pride fighting or K-1, none of the fighters are overly muscular, but they weight train for better stamina and strength, and mobility. it just helps out.

do it more for the physical benefits, keeping excessive weight down and help your stamina.

good luck man, and I hope you achieve your goal.

Answer 10

haveing to much muscle is a bad thing. u want to be lean but still fit. if u know were to hit it doesnt matter how strong u r. but being fit does help u a lot in martial arts because ul get tired a lot harder and be able to hit and train harder. but muscle doesnt do anything to help u with balance. u learn that over time. ya big guys with muscles are scary but there often slower than skinier people. u want to be muscular but not to the point were it constricts ur abilities or makes u slower