Weighted Cloths For Training.?

Question

This is a question I have longed to find a answer for, in many shows (anime mostly) people use weighted cloths to train for martial arts and other physical sports. How come more don’t use them and I am talking about a high amount of weight not just like 5 pounds on each arm and leg, but 50+ pounds from a vest, hat or boots for a long period of time. (In theory it sounds like it would work, it would make you stronger faster from having to lug all that weight around and when you took it off, like to sleep you would feel great weightless and fearless).

Answer 1

I've trained with weights for a while now, and it definately works. Weighted training will improve stamina, strength, and most notably speed. The only thing you have to watch out for, like one of the other posters here said, is injury. Un natural weight added to your body for any activity that is very strenuous runs a higher risk of injury, so if you're intent on training weighted, be sure to listen to your body, as well as to understand that you're not going to be able to train for as long at first, and it will be much harder depending on how much weight you add on.

There are velcro and elastic sand weights that you can get for your wrists and ankles, and this is what i'd suggest. Easy to put on and take off, they come in adjustable increments, and they're not very costly. They're also small enough that you could wear them daily under your normal clothes.

As for upper body, you could do a weighted vest, but i wouldn't worry too much about that initially. Later on, that can be beneficial, but i'd start light to lessen the risk of injury. Remember - tendons and ligaments heal very slowly, so if you injure them, count on months without training for that part of your body. That's not to say you have to stop - though it wasn't from weighted training, when I injured my tendon in my leg, I did hand form and striking while I healed it, however it will set you back, so be careful. You can't fight or protect to your potential if you're laid up in a bed. Good luck.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

I used light ankle weights for years when running track in high school and have used light ankle weights in martial arts for various periods on wrists and ankles as well. From what I have been able to find and read on this you have to be careful to keep motions at half-speed and half power or less and the weight light so that you don't cause hyper-extension in the joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons as you are practicing the extension phase of most motions. Also for things like weight vests you have to be careful that the weight is not to heavy and over a period of time does not put undue stress on your back, knee and ankle joints.

An alternative to this is using elastic bands for building speed and power in some of your movements. Billy Blanks used to take narrow bicycle inner tubes like those for a ten speed and use them for his legs and kicking. Of course now there are a wealth of commercial products out there that take the place of that and below is a web site for a company that makes such equipment and others pieces for raising the athletic performance of athletes that I have used in the past.
http://www.competitiveedgeproducts.com/

Answer 4

The short answer is that it is easy to cause hyper-extension injury, and repetitive joint injury. These things come in and out of fashion over the years. If you decide to try it start light and only with specific activities with an eye to prevent hyper-extensions and joint injury.
Maybe a better idea would be to use a back pack when jogging along with hand weights certinly cheaper than fancy weighted cloths.

Answer 5

I would encourage them, As they build muscles fast, But be sure not to get anything that you can't handle, Try them out when you're about to buy them, And also, Be sure to not buy any defective weights, Some of them leak their insides (Sand, rocks, water etc...) And you lose the weight.