the Capoeira body.?

Question

what are the most important muscle groups to capoeira and what is the ideal way to supplement pratice like running and lifting

Answer 1

nearly all the muscles in the body are used but a few of the more important ones are the triceps and rear thighs. but nearly all the muscle groups come in to play. the acrobatics like handstands, cartwheels, and armturns (turning or resting the body on the arms) in capoeira really work the arms and chest. Ginga and jumps work the thighs and calves like no other. I thaught I had pretty good muscle stamina before I started Capoeira but the first few weeks left me stiff as a board after each training for several days, luckily for me I was strong willed. One year later I can only look at my body and find no reason to complain.

Answer 2

Since Capoeira combines cardio, with work of nearly all of the muscles, you can cross train in a lot of things.

I don't do Capoeira anymore (Damn you Pensacola...), but with the martial arts I do now (And my other hobby: Running), I cross train with weights, bodyweight exercises (This is the big one here: If you do a bananiera in the roda, it wouldn't hurt to do a couple bananieras at home [Mas Oyama suggested his Kyokushin students practice it everyday too]), swimming, and biking.

Right now, my big training using Capoeira as a sort of base is this book I bought called "Capoeira Conditioning":
http://www.amazon.com/Capoeira-Conditioning-Strength-Agility-Cardiovascular/dp/158394141X

You don't have to crosstrain to supplement: You can just practice moves and things that you know really work you out if you want. An extra roda never hurt. If you want to do other things: Mix it around. You have so many activities you can do.

As for the muscle groups that are strongly emphasized:
Legs- Quads, calfs, glutes, feet/ankle area for "Springiness."
Arms- Tricep, shoulder (Much work here with the handstands), and some small work for the biceps.
Back area as a whole (Pontes [Back bridges] 'o' plenty)
Abdominals- Helicoptero is a good example: *Whistles* That works the abs a lot.
Every muscle group gets work in the style, however. Those are just the more major ones, but a lot of the moves you do will emphasize one group more, but work others at the same time.
Good luck.

Answer 3

I used to practice capoeira (for 6 years) with the group Abada, it's tough! Each muscle in your body are needed. For the capoeira, I suggest you to work out on your shoulders, triceps, lower back, quads, and abs. You also need a lot of cardio. I used to jump rope a lot.

Answer 4

I agree with the first poster
This is an example of a well developed "Capoeira" body.
(a female one)

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/788432/extreme_ballerina_stretching/

Answer 5

well i think the arms to hold ur body weight while trying to hand stand so u can move around easily.