The makiwara was never about conditioning the knuckles. It was straw pad attached to a flexible post to improve power before punch bags were invented. The calloused knuckles were a byproduct of that exercise!!
True, it was used to practice correct form and power generation. Best way to condition knuckles are knuckle planks, or knuckle pushups. Any exercises that Load the bones, Like in the video. Hitting a wall will give u arthritis and lessen bone minerals.
@silverfox8801 So many misunderstand this. As you say, conditioning the knuckles is secondary. Actually Okinawan's (from what I understand) also used to tie rope around trees and punch it in order to actually help condition knuckles. As for the makiwara it's about learning to punch and ironing out the defects as well as training and strengthening the muscles involved. Added to that is the mental conditioning as you "do battle" with the makiwara. The harder you hit it the more it flexes thus flexing back at you even harder so technically it's a losing battle. I see so many just "hitting" (not truly "punching") the makiwara then looking at their knuckles afterward. There is so much more to this tool. It needs to be used to strengthen one's karate.
It absolutely IS about conditioning the knuckles. Just that it is a secondary benefit, the main reason being, as you say, improving punching power (as well as technique). And punching bags actually were a thing back then, even older than the makiwara.
@@tommysdirtandsoultommytheh1569 . I totally agree, there's so much more to striking a makiwara than just simply barreling in with punches and other types of strikes. One could say that there is a total science to striking the makiwara, something that sadly it is not known or fully understood by many karate instructors today. Karate today more than ever before is suffering from a lack of knowledge. I believe that it is due to too many shodan and nidan blackbelts opening karate clubs and teaching without full knowledge or experience. Also because too much of that shiai sport karate no-contact sparring going on today! There's a lot of people thinking that they are doing karate, but in reality not doing true karate at all!
Good video. I've been doing similar using a brick wall for quite a few years now. Its a very good isometric exercise that believe it or not will add power to your vertical punches as well as toughen the striking points on your knuckles. Personally speaking I know that conditioned hands will do more damage than unconditioned hands when no gloves or hand wraps are worn in a real combat situation.
Jack Dempsey amongst others prescribed the technique of hitting with a vertical fist useing the bottom 3 knuckles Jack did a lot of bare Knuckle fighting when he traveled the American Midwest as a Virtual hobo fighting in saloons And mining camps for just A couple of dollars to feed Himself In his book championship fighting he teaches how to hit hard useing a vertical fist with the bottom 3 knuckles bare fisted ....
Don't mean to come off harshly here but, If you are training in a method that focuses on empty hand striking and you DON'T want to hit a makiwara... You may want to take up something else... The Makiwara is Essential and Irreplaceable. Respectfully.
