Padding.....Yeah, I expect that form devil talking sissies
My sanda shifu was from Heilongjiang, just hit trees, bark and all, no padding. He hit it with everything you could hit with.... as for me, I was to much of a sissy myself to hit it with my knees or elbows. But to be honest, he was likely the toughest shifu I even had, martial arts withstanding. It was -20 out, and windy, one day, he called for us to train.... push hands and hitting trees outdoors....I showed up in a heavy coat, scarf gloves and an hat...he showed up in only a light coat and looked at me like I was crazy