Most important muscle?

Posted by: im_hungry

Most important muscle? - 05/25/07 02:56 PM

When punching which muscle or muscles are the most important to get a good punch? thanks in advance.
Posted by: MattJ

Re: Most important muscle? - 05/25/07 03:14 PM

All of them. Really.
Posted by: im_hungry

Re: Most important muscle? - 05/25/07 03:25 PM

Do the bicep/tricep actually add much power to the punch ?, if so could anyone explain how
Posted by: MattJ

Re: Most important muscle? - 05/25/07 03:47 PM

There are many factors in proper punching technique. Muscle power is only part of the system. Hip rotation, knee bend (weight transfer), synergistic timing of your joints, tight center of gravity (elbows in). These are just some factors to be considered when hitting a bag. On a person, you also have to take into account target accuracy, target penetration, collision timing (hitting the opponent when he is coming towards you, not moving away).

http://www.fightingarts.com/ubbthreads/s...4b753e620f53274

http://www.fightingarts.com/ubbthreads/s...4b753e620f53274
Posted by: im_hungry

Re: Most important muscle? - 05/25/07 04:20 PM

Thanks
Posted by: jkdwarrior

Re: Most important muscle? - 05/27/07 05:29 AM

While you should most definitely weight train to increase strength, technique is much more important than strength.
The technique is like a whip, and to do it properly your body must become a whip. To do this you must have correct bai jong positioning and perfect relaxation BEFORE throwing the punch. It usually helps when you tell the person to stay upright throughout the whole punch as many beginners tend to lean forward and overcommit in an attempt to gain more power (which it doesn't). Practising it slowly first will help too.
Remember also that its not about hitting the target HARD, it about hitting it GOOD. Connect!

The biceps and triceps can add power to your punch. The biceps does this because it adds mass to the arm, but funnily enough, if you punch incorrectly, then big biceps can actually have the opposite effect (If they tense, they act as a brake, slowing your arm). The triceps also adds weight to the shot, but most of the benefits of triceps strenghtening come from the increased force that can be applied in extending the arm.

Finally, If you are going to be strength training, you should train your whole body. Work on the larger muscle groups instead of focusing on arm strength. Compound exercises are the key here. You'll gain muscle and strength faster and your smaller muscles will also be worked as hard as they need to for now (e.g. while a chinup targets your back, your biceps will also get a heavy workout) There should also more good information in the strength training forum.