Taekwondo, like other martial arts, is a great form of exercise.
Anyone can start learning Taekwondo, regardless of their age or fitness level.
However, if you’re planning to fight in a Taekwondo tournament, you’re better off being in good shape.
Luckily, we’ve got you covered! In this handy guide, we’ll take you through some of the best ways to get in shape for a Taekwondo fight.
So read on, and you’ll be in good shape in no time!
How Fit Do You Have To Be For Taekwondo?
One of the best things about Taekwondo (and any other martial art) is that there are no physical requirements for starting out.
You’re never too out of shape or too old to start learning Taekwondo – in fact, Taekwondo training is a great way to get fitter and stay in good shape.
It can help to be in reasonably good shape when you’re starting out, and some basic exercises like light cardio or brisk walks can be a great way to warm yourself up first.
However, basic Taekwondo training is a great form of exercise for beginners, so feel free to just jump right in!
When it comes to things like sparring and tournament matches, however, you do need to be reasonably fit.
This is because sparring and competitive fights can be physically demanding, with a larger focus on speed and strength.
Don’t worry about this if you’re just starting out, however; the more you train, the better shape you’ll be in!
So even if you aren’t fit enough for sparring when you start out, as long as you put in the effort you’ll be in good enough shape in no time.
Getting In Shape For A Taekwondo Fight: Tips & Tricks
With that said, here are some great ways for you to get in shape if you’re preparing to do some proper sparring (or even a competitive fight!
1) Warmup Before You Train
A proper warmup is the right start to any exercise, and lets you get the most out of your training.
Regardless of how you’re getting in shape – be it working out, Taekwondo training, or sparring – you need to make sure you’re properly warmed up before you begin.
Some simple warmup exercises include stretches, light exercises, and short periods of shadowboxing.
Stretches are one of the most important parts of a warmup; they loosen up your muscles to improve mobility and reduce the risk of injury, and help prepare you for proper exercise.
Some simple exercises like star jumps or a gentle jog will get your heart rate up and get your muscles moving.
Shadowboxing (a form of sparring training that involves you practicing punches and kicks without any opponents or pads) is also a great way to loosen up and develop the muscles you’d be using in an actual sparring match.
2) Practice, Practice, Practice
Regular practice is the best way to improve at anything, and this goes for getting in shape too.
If you’re preparing for a Taekwondo fight, then you need to make sure you’re putting in plenty of training and staying disciplined with your practice.
This doesn’t just go for exercising to get in shape, though, and it’s just as important (if not more so) to stick to regular Taekwondo training.
Whether you’re being taught by an instructor or training solo, you should try to practice a wide variety of Taekwondo moves and techniques to help you get the most out of your training.
3) Cardio
When it comes to the best exercises for getting into shape for Taekwondo, cardio is high up the list.
Cardio exercises like jogging, running, and cycling are particularly good ways to get in shape; not only are they a great form of cardio training, but they also improve your leg strength which is important in Taekwondo.
Other good forms of cardio for Taekwondo include swimming (which exercises your full body), and even light sparring.
You don’t have to jump right into heavy cardio workouts if you’re just starting out, and you can include some light cardio in your warmup.
As mentioned before, light jogs and shadowboxing are both great warmup exercises, and are a great form of light cardio.
4) Push-Ups And Pull-Ups
Punches and kicks are the most important part of a Taekwondo match.
But while other exercises such as cycling, running, and swimming are effective at getting your legs in shape, you’ll need something different to train your arms.
Here’s where push-ups and pull-ups shine. These exercises are a bit more intense, but are a great way to improve your arms and core strength.
Push-ups work your triceps, shoulders, and pectorals, while pull-ups also work your biceps and your back; training these areas is great for Taekwondo, as it helps to give your punches more speed and power.
5) Get Used To Sparring
It’s no use being in great shape if you don’t have the experience to back it up.
Luckily, sparring offers the best of both worlds – it’s a great workout while also giving you some great practical training in preparation for a competitive Taekwondo fight.
Sparring is a form of training that lets you use the moves and techniques in Taekwondo against a human opponent.
On top of letting you practice techniques against an actual opponent, sparring helps you work out the parts of your body that you’ll be using in a competitive fight.
Finding the right sparring partner is important, however, as they will help you get the most out of your training.
If you’re just starting out, then you’ll want to do some other training to build up to sparring; with that said, though, sparring is a great way to get in shape for a Taekwondo fight.
Final Thoughts
One of the best things about Taekwondo is that you don’t need to be incredibly fit to start learning.
However, if you’re preparing to actually fight in Taekwondo, you’ll need to be in decent shape.
As long as you follow the tips and tricks in this handy guide, you’ll be in good enough shape for a Taekwondo match in no time!
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