Martial Arts and Cycling

[liberty]

My brother's Tae Kwon Do studio has a special on right now. So I'm gonna go tonight for the free lesson and see how it goes from there. Sounds like a good deal: free uniform, as many group lessons a week as you want, free membership in the ___ association, no contract.

I've been very disappointed with my cycling this year. I joined a team, started doing group rides; things were going pretty good for awhile. Then it seemed like at every turn I had physical problems that derailed me from the bike. Finally figured out that I've been biking and doing nothing else! No core, no upper body work... So the back went out. Then the shoulders went out. Then my knee went out. All are better now, but I think I have to view this season as finished as far as improvements in cycling is concerned. Have to build the foundation again, then I can focus on biking. Guess my problem was I was so bored with my other workouts that I opted to not do them. And it caught up with me. The Tae Kwon Do is totally new, so that should help with the boredom issue.

If it works out right, I can still bike several times a week, but it won't be my main focus. Any of you gals gone through something like this? I do feel a bit frustrated and discouraged... Do martial arts work well for balancing out cycling?

[deena]

Do it!

I started Taekwondo last fall, because my dtr was taking classes, and I love it. It is great for flexibility and coordination and really builds core strength. I also think in just the year I've been at it I have learned things that could save my life on an isolated bike trail.... I also find great support - a lot like I have in cycling.

[onimity]

Hey Liberty,

I trained in TKD (ITF) for several years and *loved* it, it was a great experience and taught me a lot in terms of confidence and self-defense. I also gained a lot of upper body & abdominal strength. I wasn't cycling then so can't tell you if they make a good balance, but I did get injured *a lot* in TKD, broken ribs and fingers, lots of joint and tendon issues. This was almost all from sparring. I think patterns, stretches, line exercises would all be excellent, and a good complement to cycling, but I would caution you against joining a group that does a lot of sparring if injuries are getting you down with cycling...

Anne

[TexanCzexican]

I have a black belt in TKD (ATA), got it when I was a teen....I've given some thought to getting back into it, but wasn't sure of the cost....might have to check out my local training center!

[Trek420]

Nidan in Aikido, training since roughly 1980. I must admit between recent foot injury and back to back to back ALC rides I have not been in the dojo enough. Need to fix that. Probably forgot my right foot from my left.

Whatever style you pick M.A. is great cross training for cycling and vice versa.

[liberty]

Okay... New world. Ladies, could you please explain all the abbreviations? M.A?
TDA? ATA? TDK?

Thanks for the encouragement. This is sounding good.

[TexanCzexican]

Okay... New world. Ladies, could you please explain all the abbreviations? M.A?
TDA? ATA? TDK?

Thanks for the encouragement. This is sounding good.

I'm thinking it references the styles of Tae Kwon Do. My black belt is with the American Tae Kwon Do Association, shorthand is known as ATA

[Trek420]

Okay... New world. Ladies, could you please explain all the abbreviations? M.A?
TDA? ATA? TDK?

Thanks for the encouragement. This is sounding good.

M.A. is often used as shorthand for Martial Arts of any style.

[sundial]

Liberty, I think it's an excellent idea to study martial arts. You will learn breathing techniques that will carry over into your cycling, balance, flexibility, strength from the core (mid-section), power punches and kicks, and it's aerobic as well, particularly when you do your kicking/punching drills.

Also, martial arts will give you a sense of empowerment. Having martial arts training will help you to feel more secure should you ride solo. Also, martial arts training can be used in many environments where concealed weapons with a permit are not allowed (federal buildings, libraries, universities, malls, restaurants that sell liquor, etc. according to your state laws).

I've studied taekwondo, escrima, kali, kenpo, and others styles as well. I enjoy knowing that I should be able to defend myself against an attacker should the need arise.

Have fun and keep us posted on your martial arts training.

As for the cycling, have you considered a recumbent bike? You use different muscle groups (higher hamstrings, some quads, etc.) than the traditional bike. I have a Sun EZ rider trike and I plan on using it in the fall and winter months. I have knee problems too and I found it to be a very comfortable ride with no stress on the knees, shoulders, wrists, neck or arms. You would be surprised, too, how it's so different pedaling on a recumbent.

[liberty]

The lesson was fun! And super easy... I thought it would be much harder than that. I was able to do everything except the sit-ups; my back spazzed out on those. The instructor is very nice and patient. I didn't have any trouble following the patterns. I have always wanted to take martial arts of some sorts. Favorite show is Alias, and I grew up watching my brothers' kung fu movies. I did enjoy it and think the classes would give me a lot of confidence, but I was worried about my knee the whole time.

Before I left for class, I was carrying my bike into the house. Stumbled on the steps slightly, and felt some discomfort in my left knee. It wasn't in the same location as my normal pain would be (which is totally gone now, by the way). Wore a knee brace during the class with no problems. Afterwards though when I'd walk or stand up my knee hurt. Like it couldn't hold me up. Wierd. I iced it up. Anti-inflammatories. Slept well. Then this morning there was the same pain. BUT, it disappeared during the warm shower. It is coming back now, but not as bad. Maybe the air conditioning is aggravating it?

Now I'm trying to figure out if I'm safe to ride with the group tomorrow morning... Any thoughts?

[Torrilin]

Now I'm trying to figure out if I'm safe to ride with the group tomorrow morning... Any thoughts?

It is sounding like you might have some biomechanical problems. Normal people with good mechanics just don't have the cycle of pain you're having. So it sounds to me like your mechanics are bad (thus leading to injury) or your body is built a bit off from normal (making you injury prone).

Physical therapists, sports medicine docs and podiatrists can all be helpful if you're trying to track down what's wrong. If there's a structural problem (like the bone deformities in my feet), there are treatments available. If it's mechanical, they can help you learn better ways to move to prevent injury.

[KnottedYet]

Thanks Dianyla! I've bookmarked those pages and I'll be checking them out! How cool! Thank you!

[liberty]

Thanks Torrilin, I was beginning to wonder the same thing. I am never sick and never had physical problems like this; so it is all a bit disturbing.

BUT I went ahead and did the ride Saturday. We did 33 miles of hills. I wore the knee brace. And my knees did wonderfully. No pain, no stress. I took it easy and didn't try to improve my riding. Been focusing on stretching out the inner thigh muscle and the hamstrings. Two days later and I did another ride this morning. Knees are fine.

Decided to do Tae Kwon Do. I really enjoyed the class. It is simply not fair when you are thinking about doing martial arts and then Jackie Chan puts out another movie...

[liberty]

Ladies, I just have to say that my knee is SO much stronger since I started this class. I've had three classes so far, and the change is remarkable! It is slightly stressful on the knee during class, but I take it easy during the stances and kicks. Already I can do things that weren't possible before. Thank you so much for encouraging me in this direction!

As for how it is improving my cycling: I've been able to do large group rides the past two weekends. 33 and 44 miles of hills. I would never have made it past the first 20 miles in my previous physical state. But now there were only some periodic knee twinges. Still using the brace, but I think within a week or two I will try doing hills without it.

Thanks!