AboutMichael Cummings Expertise I am available to answer your questions in regard to history, philosophy, technique and practice of karate, jujutsu, kenjutsu and iaijutsu. I also have knowledge and experience in Okinawan kobujutsu and traditional Japanese weapons including the jo (short staff) and yari (spear). I also have a good foundation to answer general questions concerning various other Japanese, Okinawan, Korean and Chinese styles, including their traditions, history and philosophy.
Experience I have a diverse background with over 30 years of study and practice in Japanese and Okinawan bujutsu (martial arts). I presently hold licenses/rankings in karatejutsu, iaijutsu, kenjutsu and jujutsu, respectively, as well as Okinawan kobujutsu. My first sensei was Watanabe Tsuyoshi Hanshi, and later Makiyama Gogen Shidoshi.
I have also studied several Chinese systems, including Hung Gar tiger/crane and wing chun, and hold a black sash (shodan) in Song Shan Kempo.
I have been fortunate to have studied and trained with a number of highly qualified and revered practitioners, sensei and sifu from several diverse martial traditions.
I am also an amateur marital arts historian and student of hoplology.
Could I get the same conditioning of Hojo Undo if I train lifting weights ( barbells and dumbbells ) or I must train Hojo Undo ?
Answer Mohd~
Thanks for your question! The simple answer is yes…and no. As you undoubtedly know, hojo undo means supplementary exercises. The conditioning exercises, equipment and devices used were designed by the old masters to increase physical strength, range of motion, stamina, muscle coordination and speed. The equipment was rudimentary, made of stone and wood, which is all they had at that time. In regard to the equipment and devices used, the modern equivalent would be our dumbbells and barbells (isn’t technology great?!?).
Lifting weights using modern equipment can pretty much give you many of the results the old masters endeavored for with their training. However, you may miss out on some of the finer points of hojo undo training, which are detrimental to karate development. Remember that the training done with hojo undo is as much about the specific exercises as the equipment being used. Traditional hojo undo exercises were specifically designed to improve you karate. Period.
Modern weight lifting exercises tend to focus on gaining size and strength, a process which thickens the muscle cells but does not lengthen the muscle. This can actually have a negative impact on your karate training. As a general rule, as we gain size we tend to loose some flexibility and speed. Most see it as a necessary trade off.
Hojo undo was/is karate’s answer to balancing the effects of building muscle to gain strength. In addition to increasing physical strength, many of the hojo undo exercises also work simultaneously to increase flexibility and range of motion in key joints, such as the shoulders, wrists and waist. For example, many exercises done with devices such as the chi shi and ishi sashi are used to describe slow circular patterns, involving the wrist or shoulder or both. While building strength and endurance, the exercise will also improve each affected joint’s range of motion. Basically, the way we twist, dip, raise and rotate the device will serve to lengthen the muscles as well.
If you are going to use modern equipment, experiment to see if you can safely use the equipment to reproduce the same or similar exercises done in traditional hojo undo training. Remember that the old masters developed the specific exercises to be enhanced by the available tools. But you can use modern equipment in similar ways, with a little creative thinking. The important point is doing the prescribed exercises correctly.
If you just want to use the modern weights using modern exercises, remember to slowly stretch the targeted muscles and joints after each workout. This should help negate some of the negative effects of modern strength training. Also, don’t wear weight lifting gloves. Purportedly, not wearing gloves helps to build grip strength.
