Reduces injury risk
More flexible joints mean fewer injuries in and out of the dojo. Tight muscles and joints are more prone to injury when a person’s joints and muscles are overworked.
We’ve all seen MMA fights where a fighter was trapped in an armbar but broke free due to their elbow joints’ mobility. If a grappler with limited elbow movement refuses to tap out, they could be injured.
More attack choices.
Agility increases martial arts technique execution. Throwing a roundhouse kick requires hip and groin movement; someone with tight hips couldn’t raise their leg high enough.
Spinning techniques like the spinning heel kick require more mobility.
Posture improvement
Exercise improves posture and motion efficiency. People who spend much time hunched over a desk or struggling have terrible postures.
Warm-up improved
Running and jogging are good martial arts warm-ups, but mobility exercises are better. Blood and synovial fluid are supplied to joints during mobility training.
Hip circles warm up hips before exercising. It nourishes the leg’s external rotators, glutes, and hip flexors. Synovial fluid lubricates your hips before a workout. Most martial arts require hip mobility, so warm up with hip circles.
Mobility-boosting drills
Now that we’ve covered why you need mobility training as a martial artist let’s go over some easy workouts.
Hip circles are used in many martial arts techniques. Lifting one knee to the chest opens the hips. Move your knee in a process across your body. Change knees. Hip circles can be done through walking.
- Pass-throughs: It improves posture. Do:
- Straighten your back and grab a pole or broom.
- Raise the stick above your head with straight arms.
- Try to stretch your back without hyperextending it.
- After a few seconds, return to the starting position.
Spiderman Walks exercise multiple joints. Do the drill by getting into a forward lunge and extending your hips. Reposition your hips and stretch the other hamstring. Return to the starting position by twisting your front hand up. Switch sides.