Kung fu can help with mobility and balance

Those who know me well know that I have loved ones who are getting up in years, and dealing with mobility issues.

This was a huge reason that started to seek out answers to this problem about 18 months ago.  One significant part of the answer that I discovered then was strength training.

None of the people close to me who are dealing with mobility issues EVER engaged in strength training.

At the time 18 months ago I had already been training in my garage gym, but like many people, I wasn’t really following a program.

But, I discovered Starting Strength and started training the four big lifts… barbell squat, deadlift, bench press and overhead press.

Unfortunately, I struggled with a couple of these lifts due to a low back issue I’ve dealt with for nearly twenty years.

However, I’ve since discovered other strength training exercises that are very helpful.  The Bulgarian Split Squat has since replaced the squat, and typically just use dumbbells to replace the overhead barbell press.

There is no real replacement exercise for the deadlift, so I do a combination of exercises that target most of the same muscle groups.

In Spring 2022 I began to realize that my kung fu training could be of significant benefit.

When I trained formally years ago, we always broke down every new technique into pieces.  It was always helpful to learn kicks this way in order to perform them properly.

When you break down a kick such as the front thrust kick, you are spending a good deal of time standing on one foot.

Once you start to lean back to counterbalance the foot going forward, you start to engage the core and lots of tiny muscles in your feet, around the ankle and around the hips.

Stance work is another way to help improve balance.  Some of the kung fu stances we train will really get you into some uncomfortable positions that will ultimately help with your balance.

These are also great for overall strength training of the legs.

Lastly, practicing forms is an excellent way for training mobility and balance.

Forms are routines that string movements and positions together in a choreographed manner.

While moving from one position to another, you focus on footwork, deep stances and performing your blocks, strikes and kicks with precision.

Forms training is then an excellent way to train for improved balance and mobility.

Check out the video below as I demonstrate one of the forms I learned years ago.