Martial Arts Stretching – The Importance of an Effective Routine

The body must first learn to perform the proper techniques at an extended range of motion comfortably and without excessive effort and strain. The graceful power demonstrated by those proficient in martial arts is comprised of flexibility, focus and strength.

The quickest way to make progress in your flexibility is to have a proper martial arts stretching routine. Routines that have worked the best have a light morning stretching workout, a light evening stretching routine, and a powerful main workout during the daytime. While this routine sounds excessive, it has been proven that an aggressive schedule similar to this will increase your flexibility 2-4 times faster than a martial arts stretching schedule that is less dedicated. After having reached the level of flexibility that is sufficient, you will be able to lighten your routine quite a bit.

One should practice general loosening and active flexibility stretches both morning and evening. Avoid more intense passive forms of stretching like isometric, or PNF stretches during the morning and evening workouts. It is not advisable to stretch on a full stomach so begin your morning routine of flexibility stretches before breakfast. Do not try to divide your blood supply between physical activity and digestion at the same time. The evening stretching is best completed an hour or so after dinner while at least an hour before sleep. Keep the morning and evening workouts relatively brief at fifteen to thirty minutes but perform them 6 days a week.

The primary martial arts stretching workout is strenuous and should be limited to two to four days per week. Your body needs plenty of time to completely recover from the intense stretching routines. Your main workout should start off with some cardiovascular fundamentals paired with mild dynamic stretches that will incrementally ramp up in intensity as your body begins to warm up. Your workout will then segue into martial-art specific movements that will prepare your body for executing the actual techniques of your particular art. The core of the martial arts stretching routine is next in the workout, and it includes relaxed stretches, PNF stretching, and isometric stretching. Following this portion of the workout, static stretching and active flexibility stretches that are not so strenuous should be employed as the body cools down.

Your level of proficiency and experience will set the level and length of your martial arts stretching workout. Apportion your time between your warm up, main routing and cool down accordingly. Those new to the routines should start slowly with longer warm ups and cool downs. Those who have already achieved a greater level of flexibility and have more experience can devote more time to their main routine. Students who are more advanced may require only a short, rounded workout to maintain their flexibility. Depending on the sport or art you are practicing you will want to enhance your workout with the exercises that build the necessary range of motion.

Students who are new to the martial arts need to focus on flexibility stretches that are non-specific. Students who are classified as advanced or intermediate should focus on techniques, such as, relaxed stretching, PNF, and isometric stretching, which are more advanced and concentrate on the groups of muscles needed for their particular art.

Those who specialize in martial arts forms which utilize high kicks should be careful to stretch their hips and legs; grapplers more on back, shoulders and arms. Careful attention in creating your martial arts stretching routine which takes into consideration your experience level and your art will provide better and faster gains in your flexibility and improvements in your overall performance.

By designing your martial arts stretching routing according to your experience level and your sport or art and keeping to your planned schedule, you will reach your flexibility goals faster than you would have thought.

If you would like much more information on martial arts stretching methods, scientific routines and advanced flexibility stretches, visit www.MartialArtsStretching.com.