Tenacious_Red
Orange Belt
Does anyone here punch and/or kick trees for training? Any thoughts on the matter?
Punching & Kicking Trees
- Thread starter Tenacious_Red
- Start date
No. Rather than tear up the flora, I'll tear up things that are intended to be punched and kicked. Poor old BOB. The makiwara. Bricks. Boards. Students (KIDDING!).
OP
Tenacious_Red
Orange Belt
- Thread Starter
- #3
I kind of have the same thought process, that we should be aware and protect our surroundings; take care of what takes care of us...but it's also so appealing to me and I may or may not be guilty of such activity. *clears throat*
Danny T
Senior Master
Trees; No. Heavy bag, Thai pads, stack of tires? Yes.
OP
Tenacious_Red
Orange Belt
- Thread Starter
- #5
Oh yes I forgot about tires. When I was training in Kajukenbo, tires were involved often.
I do it all the time.
I also hate concrete pillars. I just have to punch 'em. I tell myself it is for my betterment in martial arts, but I really just enjoy punching trees and concrete pillars.
There are a couple steel support beams, at my work, I always give the what for to, as well. How could I forget?
OP
Tenacious_Red
Orange Belt
- Thread Starter
- #8
I do it all the time.
Yes, that dull grey is such an irritant. hahaha :EG:
OP
Tenacious_Red
Orange Belt
- Thread Starter
- #9
There are a couple steel support beams, at my work, I always give the what for to, as well. How could I forget?
Hey the monks break steel rods over their head with all that wonderful chi, so give 'em [the beams] your best shot!
I prefer painted pillars. My skin chafes.
OP
Tenacious_Red
Orange Belt
- Thread Starter
- #11
I prefer painted pillars. My skin chafes.
Awww :-( I didn't realize melamine formaldehyde prevents dermatitis chaffing. Good to know.
RTKDCMB
Senior Master
When I first started training I wrapped a long length of carpet around a tree in my back yard and used that for some conditioning.
punisher73
Senior Master
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Unless the object has give to it for punching you are doing one of two things 1) Seriously going to injure yourself long term in the form of joint problems/arthritis or 2) No develop a good punch because you CAN'T punch an immovable steel/concrete object full power so you will always be holding back or not penetrating.
The makiwara is designed to be flexible to allow penetration and full impact as you build up to it. If you are only intersted in getting big or calloused knuckles then punching an immovable object will probably help you. I know for me, just doing knuckle pushups on concrete has added a nice callous to my top two knuckles. Punching a makiwara never did add any callouses. Neither one has hurt my hands or caused bigger/swollen knuckles.
From talking with my instructor (started training in the 50's through now), they used to punch concrete walls etc. because they were trying to smash up the knuckle area to get big knuckles that kind of mashed into one giant lump. He really regrets doing that type of trainng now.
The makiwara is designed to be flexible to allow penetration and full impact as you build up to it. If you are only intersted in getting big or calloused knuckles then punching an immovable object will probably help you. I know for me, just doing knuckle pushups on concrete has added a nice callous to my top two knuckles. Punching a makiwara never did add any callouses. Neither one has hurt my hands or caused bigger/swollen knuckles.
From talking with my instructor (started training in the 50's through now), they used to punch concrete walls etc. because they were trying to smash up the knuckle area to get big knuckles that kind of mashed into one giant lump. He really regrets doing that type of trainng now.
As long as trees leave me alone, I'll leave them alone. The first tree that makes a move on me, gets it!
RTKDCMB
Senior Master
I have grappled with a few and got caught in an ankle lock once (I fell out of a tree and ended up hanging upside down by my ankle).
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In the long run, you don't have anything to gain by smashing your fists and feet into a hard object on a repeated basis.
Why risk nerve damage just for a short-termed "toughening" of your hands or feet? There are ways to toughen up your hands that don't cause nerve damage, etc., but smashing them into trees (or any hard object) isn't part of it.
To put it this way, is it worth not being able to hold a cup of coffee when you're in your late 30's, without your hand shaking badly and spilling your coffee everywhere? Not being able to write optimally with a hand that has the jitters? Losing fine control of your computer mouse? These are just a few of the common everyday tasks you'll have a hard time accomplishing if you damage your nerves.
Stick with punching bags, makiwara, etc. If you want to start a toughening routine, then do it right.
Why risk nerve damage just for a short-termed "toughening" of your hands or feet? There are ways to toughen up your hands that don't cause nerve damage, etc., but smashing them into trees (or any hard object) isn't part of it.
To put it this way, is it worth not being able to hold a cup of coffee when you're in your late 30's, without your hand shaking badly and spilling your coffee everywhere? Not being able to write optimally with a hand that has the jitters? Losing fine control of your computer mouse? These are just a few of the common everyday tasks you'll have a hard time accomplishing if you damage your nerves.
Stick with punching bags, makiwara, etc. If you want to start a toughening routine, then do it right.
I hold back! LOL But I think it is good to get a feel for how hard you can hit something that doesn't give. Also, don't want to damage my knuckles on someone face either. Strikes are a timing mechanism meant to create an impression, not destroy the skull. I use my elbows for deep penetration or skull smashing. LOL My hands are delicate.
OP
Tenacious_Red
Orange Belt
- Thread Starter
- #18
Ouch!
OP
Tenacious_Red
Orange Belt
- Thread Starter
- #19
I hold back! LOL But I think it is good to get a feel for how hard you can hit something that doesn't give. Also, don't want to damage my knuckles on someone face either. Strikes are a timing mechanism meant to create an impression, not destroy the skull. I use my elbows for deep penetration or skull smashing. LOL My hands are delicate.
*snickers*
RTKDCMB
Senior Master
It was more funny/embarrassing than anything but it did hurt a bit, I was only about 13 at the time.
