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Load, Move, Strike: The Science of Weighted Martial Arts Training

Samurai armor with ornate details and a dragon helmet displayed in a room with a golden crane screen. Text: Black Belt, Reforging Tradition.

Q: You talked about lifting conventional weights for enhanced martial arts performance. What about other forms of weightlifting?


A: There is another type of weight training that deserves discussion. It entails attaching extra weight to your body — specifically, your ankles, wrists, or torso — and then engaging in functional martial arts training.


Before I begin, let me say this about “functional training.” All too often, people use the term to refer to a hodgepodge of movements that in no way translate to improved functionality in their athletic endeavor.

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