Tai Chi’s traditional special strength training

Description

A lot of strength training systems can be boring, one dimensional and build the wrong type of strength for fighting or martial arts. Tai chi weight training is a fun, effective and multi faceted training approach to building whole body strength, power and endurance. Expect a stronger and more muscular physique as a bonus.

In Hong Kong from the 1950’s onwards Tai Chi fighting master, Cheng Tin Hung, set about building a stable of full contact fighting champions, who were known for their incredible toughness in addition to technical prowess.

One of the major exercises used on a daily basis was the use of small lead filled weights, which were used to build up the speed and power of their striking attacks.

This training system was taught to him by his master Qi Min Xuan, who had him use heavy rocks instead of more convenient metal weights.

In training for competitions we were taught to do around 3000 repetitions per day with an emphasis on speed. In my experience all of us that have done this type of training end up with very ‘heavy hands’ – making knockdowns or KO’s pretty easy.

The traditional system of lightweight training, using 3-4 pound hand weights, dumbbells or rocks, used just a couple of main exercises.

In those video course I’ve expanded the practice considerable, so that you can train a much wider range of movement patterns and footwork drills.

The exercises are all ballistic or ‘double pulse’ in nature. This leads you to developing whole body explosive power, where your nervous system learns to integrate as many relevant muscles fibres to generate the most power.

The exercises can be done more intensely for pure strength and power, or more moderately over time to build aerobic and muscular endurance. Both ways are highly useful for your development of athleticism, strength and connected power through the entire body, from head to toe.

As well as building up your physique and fitness qualities the various drills also go a long way to forging your familiarity with high quality striking movements and various methods of footwork.

My Tai Chi teacher, Dan Docherty, once remarked that he felt most people don’t need much more in their daily training than a good light handweight system. As a regular practitioner I completely agree.

Notable fighters who have achieved the right type of fluid striking mechanics, who also included lightweight training include Fedor Emelianenko and Muhammad Ali. Both had the ideal whip like muscle contraction style and fedor in particular had extreme explosive qualities matched by extremely relaxed muscles when not in use.