Functional Training for Karate

Functional training for karate is essential for karate practitioners who have already developed a solid fitness base. From the conditioning routines in karate class, such as jogging, pushups, sit-ups, etc., you develop a base level of physical fitness. To take your martial arts training to the next level, including functional training to your workouts is necessary.

Strength training and karate is a way to increase your physical attributes, but ultimate you want to go beyond lifting weights to improve your martial arts performance. Conditioning and strength training exercises designed for the specific purpose of enhancing your performance in karate is tailored to the activity itself. For example, 1 rep max bench press is less functional than performing reverse punches with a dumbbell weight. The movement of the bench press is not specific to the reverse punch, whereas the punch itself is the exact movement of the technique you execute on a regular basis, only with an added resistance. Also, the speed and power from the movement of the bench press is low compared to a full power punch with weights, and as you probably know, a faster karate punch is better than a slow one.

Functional training bridges the gap between the training room and the karate dojo. It is a proven and practical approach to enhancing performance in sports, and can be applied to karate training as well.