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Old 09-20-2009, 09:19 AM   #3
Adam Huss
 
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Location: Ohio
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 710
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Re: Aikido and Weigth Lifting

Yes, of course! Just be sure to do both safely, as Dalen mentioned. If anything, weight lifting can help aikido as it will increase your ability to have control over your body. Having proper form/posture in aikido can be difficult for many people (as many people do not have good posture in day to day life). Certain weight training (lower back, rotator cuff, core, hip flexors) will help you be able to have better control over your body, thus allowing better posture which results in an ability to create more power (due to proper alignment of your body, head over shoulders, shoulder over hips, hips centered, etc). Many aikido principles translate to safe lifting techniques as well (keeping feet flat and understanding that your heels are your center balance when doing weighted squats on a smith machine, for example).

You will need to try an strengthen your lower back if you can. Aikido can put a lot of pressure on your lower back as that is where many techniques derive their power from (well from the hips as well, but they are linked...big toe is important for power too). Regardless, the lower back and core are really important in day to day life, so work on strengthening it if you can. Just take it easy, and remember, just because your back isn't hurting while your training/lifting, doesn't mean your not putting too much stress on it. Often you won't feel it until you wake up the next morning and can hardly get out of bed (I have good form when lifting, but tend to forget lifting principles when I'm putting weights back in their rack! Not good!)

Ichi Go, Ichi Ei!
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