conditioning sticks for newbies.

[dean harnum]

hey all, im a new Karateka and need to step up my conditioning as i find the conditioning in the dojo to be a bit hard, seeing as how i am new to this. i have heard of conditioning sticks and read about them, sort of, in another part of this board. that area seems a little inactive so George suggested that i ask in a more active part of the forum.

so the questions are how do you make them and how do you use them safely and effectively.

thanks
dean

[Bill Glasheen]

Dean

There are already products out there which you can use. I don't remember them, but I'm sure someone will step up.

With any conditioning method or tool, you always want the thing you are contacting (or contacting you) to have "give." In engineering parlance, you want it to behave like a low pass filter. High frequencies in an "impulse" do more harm than good. The lower frequencies are just the opposite.

Also don't forget to do some kind of resistance training. There are all kinds of ways to do this from weights to training with the jars. You must always remember to start by conditioning the inside via making your body stronger. In the end, you learn to "reflect" the hits by actively responding to them. Either that or roll with the hits, which is another concept altogether.

- Bill

[thankschub]

I find a fresh tube of caulking compound to be just about right. It's fairly light and firm, with just the right amount of give to it.

[Glenn]

Hi Dean,

I will add that you want to be careful trying to rush conditioning. Conditioning is something that has to be built up gradually over time. Sometimes new students compare themselves to students who have been conditioning for quite a while, and then try to catch up by doing too much conditioning too fast, which can lead to a risk of injury that will set you back. Listen to your body and don't overdo it.

[dean harnum]

thanks for the replys folks. im not in a rush to meet any goals but i do want to do even a little at home towards toughening up my body besides getting my form correct. very important i know, and i am working on cardio as well, slowly as i've sailed a desk for way to many years now. i read on the other thread about using PVC covered with closed foam pipe insulation and duct tape. does any one have any experience with this?

thanks
dean