Recommended books, equipment and associated products available through
Sifu Mark Strange
Article - Essential Equipment
ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT
We take a look at some of the training equipment that every kung fu practitioner
should add to their Christmas list!
In reality, all a kung fu practitioner needs to reach the pinnacle of success
is a sound and balanced mind, body and spirit. To master one’s art requires
little more than hard work and self-discipline but there are some useful
gadgets and beneficial pieces of training equipment, which are helpful to
have. Let’s take a look:-
FOCUS PADS
These are particularly useful for partner work. The hand-held focus pad
/ glove can be utilised to improve speed and accuracy.
WOODEN DUMMY
Although an expensive piece of `furniture’, no Wing Chun practitioner should
be without this effective training aid. The wooden dummy helps to strengthen
and tone muscles and attain accuracy in the delivery of techniques.
SKIP ROPE
This cheap but effective exercise aid will help you get fit and build stamina.
Use it anywhere for on the spot endurance work.
PUNCH / KICK BAG
Hang a punch / kick bag in your garage for an efficient piece of equipment
to help hone your skills. This works speed, power and accuracy.
PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
For any contact work, protect yourself and your opponent by wearing hand
and feet pads, head, groin and mouth guard and shin pads.
SPECIFIC TRAINING AIDS
Smaller muscles tend to get neglected so don’t forget more specific pieces
of equipment such as handgrips to help tone and increase strength and flexibility.
There’s lots more useful training aids for the martial artist, which you
can add to your collection. Let us know if you’ve found anything that has
benefited you in your training.
Books - The Essential Guide to Learning Martial Arts
The Essential Guide to Learning Martial Arts - By Carol Anne Strange
Published by Janus - ISBN: 1 85756 399 9 £7.99
Available to order through all good book stores! Check out www.amazon.co.uk
to order online.
Written by Mark's sister, Carol Anne Strange, `The Essential Guide to Learning
Martial Arts' is a survival guide to learning martial arts and how to train
safely up to black sash standard and beyond. Easy to read and understand,
this handy guide will appeal to all martial artists, from the beginner to
the more experienced practitioner, and will provide encouragement and support
throughout your training.
