is perfoming karate katas good exercise?

[squirrelkid]

i enjoy doing them and it gets me sweating and out of breath but is it a good for of exercise

i teach myself
i say kata.....................its more like doing a mix of punches and kicks over and over again

i only teach myself for self defence. i dont want to be a black belt or anything i just want to know that i would be able to stand up for myself it i was mugged or raped as i am only 5 foot and not very intimidating at all

 

[brucelee]

yes it is but you couldnt possibly teach yourself.

 

[Sev]

You teach yourself?

Practicing kata can be...it's not an exercise per say or at least it's not intended to be that. If you get a sweat out of it, then yeah you are exercising but I wouldn't go through a kata for the sake of getting a good workout. I have a kettlebell for that.

You'll get more out of practicing a kata (Under an actual Instructor and not yourself unless you've had several years of experience with a martial art) if you go through the proper body mechanics and practice the applications of the techniques. That's what kata is for. If you get a workout, fine, but focus on what kata is for and not for what it's not.

 

[Frankthetank1]

When done with the proper technique, it can be.

If you teach yourself, you will not learn proper technique you will not learn any self-defense, and you will not be able to stand up for yourself.

You need proper instruction under a qualified teacher to correct your mistakes, and sparring partners.