Ankle weights while kicking

[jowisu]

Just an idea I thought of yesterday...

Anyone recommend that I use ankle weights while I practice kicks?

I use the soft kind.

 

[aaronh36]

i have no experience using them but it doesn't seem like it would be a good idea. I just think injury would result but hey im not sure. I think a lot of people around these forums will agree that the best way to get good at kicking is to kick A LOT

 

[ambertch]

Well you're whipping your knee and rapidly changing the direction of your foot when you turn your hips in a muay thai style roundhouse... it seems the ankle weight would add an undue amount of stress on the knees. How much stress? I dunno, but based on my knowledge of physics... that ankle weight weighs as much as your foot, so twice as much weight on the ankle stressing against the knee... but the force goes up by the square I think so it's actually FOUR TIMES THE STRESS ON THE KNEE. if you damage your knee ligaments YOU ARE SERIOUSLY FUCKED - as in YOU ARE CRIPPLED. THIS IS WHY HEEL HOOKS are illegal in sub-blackbelt BJJ competition The knee injury from it being twisted takes a whole year to recover I think.

Therefore, wouldn't recommend it. Though for something like a sidekick which has a simple, linear motion - meh ankle weights probably won't hurt (I'm not a sports scientist so don't take my word for it)

The teep as well - simple motion, ankle weights probably won't hurt

 

[platfox]

What are you trying to improve by using them? Are your kicks so fast and hard as it is that you need to weigh them down to give yourself a challenge? Not trying to sound rude, just curious.

If you're just trying to improve your kicks, just kick the bag more often and with more power. If you are trying to get your legs stronger, just lift weights. Using ankle weights might throw off your form. Just my opinion.

 

[Dogmeat]

Well you're whipping your knee and rapidly changing the direction of your foot when you turn your hips in a muay thai style roundhouse... it seems the ankle weight would add an undue amount of stress on the knees.

Bingo

This is how I tore my meniscus. Ankle weights are great when running, skipping or shadow boxing, but they're no good when throwing thai kicks. The torque movement will swing your leg hard as it is, adding extra weight at the end just puts unnatural stress on the supporting leg.

You're better off throwing normal kicks over and over. As the guy above said, the weights can throw your form off or you get "used" to them being there. You'll feel light, but your accuracy will be off.

 

[tokyo rebuilt]

i was told by my MT trainer to only use hand weights while running (to help keep my hands up) and ankle weights only when running, skipping, etc.

he said using ankle weights for kicks will make your kicks slower, something about muscle memory becoming acustomed to the slower motion.

he said the key to fast kicks and good form is just to practice over and over again.

 

[TapSD]

Don't do it..the extra weight will throw your form off bad if you want to build power kick ALOT and work on your technique..speed is power so work on that

 

[jowisu]

Thanks for the comments. I kinda thought it was a stupid idea...

@platfox: No my kicks aren't that good. Just wanted to try it out and see if it could improve my leg power.

 

[IanTheGreat]

Practicing strikes with weights on doesn't work. People tend to think it helps them build power, but all it does is train your muscle to kick slower.

 

[BruceCalavera**]

I wouldn't go for it simply because practicing your kicks also practices balance and adding artificial weights will only help you kick while having artificial weights on.

 

[thirteen]

I don't even throw punches with hand-weights.

 

[ssssmashing]

This has been the subject of intense debate on sherdog. I can summarize it by saying the argument breaks down like this:
- people whose knees are under 25 say, "weights are great! Dempsey shadow boxed with weights!"
- people whose knees are over 40 say, "learn from my mistakes, don't run, punch or kick with weights. You want to get great, fast kicks just throw 500 kicks per night."

My knees are over 40 and I am decidedly in the latter camp. I used to punch and throw kicks with weights and I have the shoulder and knee surgeries to prove it.

 

[Fishgun]

Great idea. That is if you are interested in screwing up your knees.

Step away from the ankle weights and pretend you never had this idea.

 

[djchen011032]

only reason you would want weights on was if you were just lifting your leg rapidly... but then its better to hit the gym and knock out leg extensions and calf raises, its safer that way.