Kicks are one of the most common attacks in martial arts, a close second maybe only to punches. They are also some of the most versatile strikes, and there are dozens of various kicks across the world’s many martial arts.
But while a skilled fighter can pack a mighty kick, how does an average person compare?
If you’re ever wondered how strong the average kick is, then you’ve come to the right place! In this handy guide, we’ll cover everything from the strength of an average kick to the strongest kicks in martial arts.
We’ll also take you through some tips and tricks to help you make your kicks stronger!
So let’s get started, shall we?
How Hard Can The Average Person Kick?
First things first – how strong is the average person’s kick? Well, the average adult can deliver a kick that packs 1000 pounds of force, with a speed of up to 40km/h!
This means that even an average person can deliver a strong kick; however, the strength of a kick can come down to several factors.
One of the biggest (and most obvious) factors at play is leg strength, and someone with stronger leg muscles will be able to deliver a more powerful kick. However, things like technique and height can also make a difference.
Certain types of kicks are also more or less powerful than others. For example, a roundhouse kick will be a lot stronger than a front kick, and a trained martial artist can deliver a massive amount of force.
However, for the average person, kicks typically tend to stay in the 900-1200 psi range. This is still a lot of force, however, and it’s no surprise that kicks are one of the most popular strikes in martial arts!
It might seem like punches are a faster and stronger strike, but kicks are actually a much better option. Kicks can be more than twice as fast as a punch, and are also far more powerful.
This is because the muscles in your legs are bigger and stronger than your arm muscles; however, kicks can be trickier to learn and use effectively.
How Strong Are Kicks In Martial Arts?
As mentioned earlier, a skilled martial artist can deal a lot more damage with a kick than the average person. With years of training and practice, an experienced martial artist can deal as much as a ton of force in a single kick!
A lot of this comes down to technique, and some kicks are much stronger than others.
Roundhouse kicks are some of the strongest and most common kicks in martial arts, and can be used to deliver upwards of 2500 pounds of force; of course, this takes years of training to achieve, but it proves just how strong kicks can be.
Other strong kicks include back kicks, axe kicks, and reverse side kicks, all of which can be devastatingly powerful.
Which Martial Art Has The Strongest Kicks?
Fighting style can also play a role in kick strength, and some martial arts are well-known for having especially powerful kicks.
Muay Thai is often regarded as having the strongest kicks in any martial art, due to the speed and power they are delivered with.
Part of this comes down to the way Muay Thai kicks are delivered – kicks use the shin instead of the foot, and Muay Thai fighters will spend years strengthening their shins to help them deliver the strongest kicks possible.
Other martial arts with a strong focus on kicks include Taekwondo and Karate. Taekwondo in particular is well-known for its emphasis on kicks; however, the power from kicks in Taekwondo doesn’t come from raw strength.
Instead, it uses the fighter’s momentum and fluid technique to strike quickly, giving the kick much more force.
How Hard Was The Strongest Kick Ever?
So now that we’ve established that the average person kicks with around 1000 pounds of force, let’s take a look at how hard a skilled martial artist can kick.
Considering that Muay Thai is renowned for its devastating kicks, it’s no surprise that one of the strongest kicks ever recorded was from a Muay Thai fighter. Shogun Rua delivered an incredibly powerful roundhouse with a mighty 2749 pounds of force.
How To Improve The Strength Of Your Kicks
The difference between an average person’s kick strength and the power of a skilled martial artist’s kick is years of practice and technique; however, there are some simple ways you can train to improve the power of your kicks in no time!
1) Learn Proper Technique
Using the right technique is one of the most important ways to make your kicks stronger. This is clear in Taekwondo, where most of a kick’s power comes from technique and speed.
Learning how to kick properly is the first step to make your kicks stronger.
2) Build Your Leg Muscles
While technique is a key part of a kick’s power, you still need to have the leg strength to back it up. Working out your leg muscles will give your kicks much more speed and strength.
Exercises like squats and lunges are great for building up the muscles in your calves and thighs, which are vital for strong kicks.
3) Always Warm Up First
A proper warmup is the best start to any exercise, and practicing kicks is no exception.
Stretching and cardio will help loosen up your leg muscles and get your blood moving, which will help you deliver the strongest kicks possible.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it – now you know exactly how strong the average person can kick, as well as how strong a skilled martial artist’s kick can be!
Kicks are a core part of many martial arts, and the best way to improve the strength of your kicks is with a lot of practice.
If you’re interested in improving the power of your kicks, you can use the handy tips in this guide to help you deliver more powerful kicks in no time!