Just wondering if anyone spends time conditioning their knuckles. I couldn't see myself doing it for extended periods. Where I live, there is not a very high likelihood that a person will get into fights that often. I could spend many years punishing my knuckles and never put it to good use. Is it really necessary?

Ahhhh....at least you didn't pick a controversial topic to discuss. Try searching this topic, my friend....and wear some nomex gloves.

*runs screaming from this thread*

Warrior,

Though some styles do it and I have done it myself, I think the benefits to this training are less important than having proper technique and mechanics.

The risks to improper knuckle hardening practices are greater than the benefits, in my opinion. This is coming from someone who has damaged hands and a few other problems due to practicing for years.

Practice well, keep healthy, and have a good time. Life's too short to worry about the hardest knuckle in the class.


-B

No, you shouldn't 'harden' your knuckles but you should DEFINITELY beat your shinbones with bamboo and rattan sticks and kick wooden posts 5 times a week for an hour to develop your devastating muay thai kicks (p.s., i'm joking)(p.p.s. OUCH!!!)(p.p.p.s. my apologies to anyone who actually does this...please don't kick me).

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you should DEFINITELY beat your shinbones with bamboo and rattan sticks and kick wooden posts 5 times a week for an hour to develop your devastating muay thai kicks

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So, you're saying that kicking a bamboo tree is a must? jesus, gotta remove the concrete post to replace it with a bamboo tree. jesus, where am I gonna find a bamboo tree in Thailand?

-Taison out
ps. . I'm kidding, I only practice my punching on the concrete post, and trust me, it hasn't helped anything that to relieve stress and get an injured wrist.

I have concern for people that sit around "toughining" their knuckles. Unless you are a extreme fighter, it is a little over-kill, besides, my elbow hits a tad harder then hard knuckles.

do yall do push-ups on ur knuckles or ur palms??
and by on ur knuckles i don't mean on 4 of em..just the two ur supposed 2 use..

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I have concern for people that sit around "toughining" their knuckles. Unless you are a extreme fighter, it is a little over-kill, besides, my elbow hits a tad harder then hard knuckles

neas,s answer.
I see your point.But do you think if you were to condition the knuckles this would still apply? My knuckles hit a lot harder than most things. In particuler my elbows and they aint soft.and my knuckles are fine.

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do yall do push-ups on ur knuckles or ur palms??
and by on ur knuckles i don't mean on 4 of em..just the two ur supposed 2 use..

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Yes, I believe that the only conditioning excercise that's necessary and safe are knuckle push-ups, done on hard wood. I personally do them on my 2 most prominent knuckles, however some styles prefer punching with other groups of knuckles, so they use their three last knuckles.

This is a VERY controversial topic, and I am sure if you search the site (especially in the strengthening section) then you will find heaps of information about peoples opinions on this site. Personally, I feel that the vast majority of condioning you need, will be recieved within the class, due to normal sparring excercises.

Unless you're a pro muay Thai fighter, I don't see one purpose in "toughening" anything. That's my personal view. Aside from general strength and conditioning (and that's only for being able to train athletically, not self defense), I just don't see a great need for the self abuse.


-John