The martial art of Taekwondo relies heavily on flexibility, strength, and balance. The sport element of Taekwondo, called Olympic Taekwondo, which involves full contact sparring with another opponent in two or more rounds, is an intense experience demanding further endurance, agility, and explosiveness for successful engagement. Accordingly, Taekwondo training often consists of a combination of calisthenics, plyometrics, reaction, and endurance drills supporting the kicking and punching techniques which comprise the martial art.
A high impact, hard style of martial art, Taekwondo is an excellent candidate for finding beneficial training in other contexts that will enhance and supplement the skills developed in the dojang. Furthermore, cross training in a different martial, another sport, or other non-contact activities can also help, for Taekwondo in particular, balance the aggressive approach to training with more gentle options.
Cross Training with Other Martial Arts
Taekwondo relies heavily on kicking and thus balance and flexibility. Cross training in martial arts with comparable tactics, like Kung Fu, or Muay Thai, can provide insight into different styles of kicking, and different methods with which to train for effective kicking, elements that could translate to an individual’s primary Taekwondo training. On the other hand, cross training in a martial art such as Judo or Aikido can, from a technique perspective, add throwing, grappling, and joint locks to complement “hand and foot” skills.
Cross Training with Other Sports
Taekwondo is very dynamic, high energy activity. Sparring, especially the full contact style of sport or Olympic Taekwondo is characterized by its footwork and explosive kicks. In a match interspersing constant movement with short intense bursts of activity, other sports can provide an opportunity to train those skills. Sports like soccer and tennis for instance, can help with building endurance and quickness. Of added benefit, these and other sports can be played outdoors, contrasting with the environment of martial arts training, much of which occurs indoors.
Cross Training with Non-competitive Disciplines
Elements of Taekwondo, such as flexibility and core strength can be trained both inside the dojang and in other settings. Yoga and Pilates are examples of disciplines that address body conditioning in a non-competitive atmosphere. Yoga has as many styles as there are martial arts, each with varying degrees of meditation and movement. Commonly practiced for a combination of philosophical, therapeutic, and fitness reasons, from a cross training perspective, Yoga practice is known to increase flexibility and balance. Pilates exercises share many of the effects of Yoga but tend to be known for their goal of “building strength without bulk.” Both offer the ability to improve the foundational components in a Taekwondo practice.
Overall Benefits
There are many activities which have the potential to enhance and supplement the training of a Taekwondo practitioner. Cross training in another martial art, discipline or sport can also inject creativity into the traditional or competitive training process. Furthermore, cross training prospects for Taekwondo are beneficial by mirroring the skills required to kick and punch effectively, while easing the physical demand of this high impact martial art.
