Seems to be an emphasis in gkr towards pushing people physically. It would appear most people enjoy a good hard workout, and some join simply for that reason alone! One of my other clubs used to have a big emphasis on this (20 minutes aerobic warmup each class) but seems to not be so concerned now, the other concentrates on karate and technique as there is so much ground to cover. I sometimes drop into a gkr class I know is intense purely for the exercise, and am starting to enjoy this mix of the physical and the technical across the styles.

How much does your club emphasise fitness and exercise?

Even though I'm not doing a different style, I have to say there is a huge variation between classes inside GKR.

Territory Team training is of course insanely physical. Sprinting up and down the dojo a million times each training session, 100+ pushups/sit ups/squat kicks/etc.
Holding stances for loooong periods of time, not just shiko dachi, but zen kutsu dachi and kokutsu for 3 mins plus.

My other main class is extremely technical - very picky nidan instructor, makes sure everything is absolutely perfect. Very knowledgeble too, and willing to share that knowledge, so you go home every week with lots of new stuff to think about.

Other classes are different of course too, depending on the instructor/class etc, but these are the two best examples.



I agree. It's nice to do different stuff on different days, and not always have your body hurt - just your mind instead.

Phooey, I was going to say that .
Monday/ Saturday Senseis tend to focus more on techniques and getting it right rather than the physical exercise part of it. Wednesday Sensei is about half and half and Friday Sensei, who happens to work in a gym, has a bit more of a focus on the exercise element, but still does a fair bit on the karate.


And yet we go back for more .

I'd definately say GKR classes are more on the physical side...

no dry uniforms for me that's for sure...

I must admit though, my other style (kung fu) is also very fitness oriented with a focus on muscle development and conditioning aswell...

difference being however, that we are allowed to take a drink between any techniques as long as we have taken our drink bottle out onto the floor with us. this allows us to rehydrate and put more effort in at all times...

as a 'soft' style most people assume it's weak training... and i can tell you right now it is not...

also, with this style, the focus on "kung fu for everyone" is not aparant...
we train to our own ability and techniques are adapted somewhat to our own body types and abilities...
there is even a different curriculum in the later stages for people with different body types...

On that note:
We also get a drink break (about 15 -30 seconds to scoff down something) quite frequently (no drink allowed on the training floor)....more so on very hot days. I know theres an emphasis in some gkr classes on putting up with it and battling through. I wonder if thats a healthy attitude.

We don't usually have the really hot temperatures you guys have to put up with, so our classes usually have only one drink break.
I train in a Heavyweight Gi - so I usually end up wringing wet anyway!
But I go to three different classes these days, one of which is run by one of our SDC's. He runs a very physical - but basic class - with the emphasis on lots on warm-ups, stretching and stances.
Now, I'm not a very bendy person, but I feel I get alot out of his classes.
And ZenKutsu Dachi? for three minutes? I can feel my kneecaps crumbling in sympathy already........