What muscle groups are most important to work out in martial arts and how do you condition them?

I know that abs are probably the single most important group because of the use of the core in most, if not all, martial arts moves. I%26#039;ve heard that the forearms are very important to develop too. But what other muscle groups are priority? I know that it%26#039;s different than a lot of other sports conditioning.|||It is hard to define the exact muscle groups, as many engage to make an awesome fighter. The most exact answer would have to be the %26quot;Core muscles%26quot;. If your core is strong you can do much as you will be both stable and very strong in most situations.





Let me explain: Suppose that you are fighting another competitor, and he tries to twist and throw you to the mat. You resist by sprawling, using your abdominal, back, and legs to resist his movements. You then shove him against the cage wall, and while applying underhooks (securing him) you deliver powerful Thai knee strikes to his abdomininals, and ribs. He tries to lower his hands to guard himself from the kicks and you elbow him in the jaw. Stunned he staggers and you hit him with a powerful roundhouse right, knocking him out.





Ok, without the stength in your core, you would be put to the mat, you would also then find it difficult to get back up under his weight. He would have the upper hand. I would guess you like the other scenario.





There are many ways to train %26quot;The core%26quot;; One of the best programs I have seen is one used by Chuck Liddell.


Some of the techniques he uses:





1. Hitting a tire with a heavy sledge hammer. This develops massive strength in the back, abs, chest and arms. Think about it...imagine one of Liddell%26#039;s patented overhand KO punches. His arm is moving like the sledgehammer.





2. Throwing heavy medicine ball over a rod: This develops the same muscle groups, while providing for development of the looping uppercut or looping strike from the hip.





3. Flipping huge truck tire: develops the power needed to push forward and upward, as is needed to push up and away. This helps develop the power needed to push someone up and into the cage wall.





4. Pushing a heavy wheelbarrow loaded with rock. Stability and pushing strength, as well as stamina. You also will develop balance, after all you don%26#039;t want to spill the rock and have to pick it all up, right?





These are just some suggestions, but as you see it is the combinations of muscles that make up core strength, now the individual muscle groups.





Once you train in this way you develop massive %26quot;real world%26quot; strength. After you train for awhile like this, try this test: Go to the gym and look for a pretty large and beefy guy who works mostly with machines and bench presses. Ask him if he would like to do some dead lifts and squats with you. You will probably notice very quickly how %26quot;weak%26quot; this guy really is when challenged to a test of true strength.





True?|||All of them plus lots of stretching good core muscles are the starting block.|||The best exercises in the world, (SQUATS) Nuff said.|||I think your mid section. lower back and Abs. also know as your core. As for the rest of your question it depends on what your doing Tae kwon do, build your legs. Jujitsu a little of everything. I would say build your stamina the most, and practice perfect tech and your a bad a** mother!!!|||Remember, a chain is only as strong as it%26#039;s weakest link.|||you need to do the full excersise program before attempting to do any forms.....full body readiness is essential before trying to preform kicks, blocks, punches, throws, etc....work on the whole body and the mind....good luck