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Marcus_1
Marcus_1's picture
Setting up home dojo

So, I've wanted to get back to martial arts training (for fitness mainly) for a long time but struggle with shift work and getting a club that trains enough times a week for me to be able to fit training around work.

I have recently cleared out my garage (to a certain degree) and have quite a lot of space in there for solo training.  Due to this (and I don't really think I am up for "competition Karate" or gradings at the moment), I have ordered a free-standing punchbag, am moving my kettlebell and resistance bands to the garage in order to set up my own little training area.  I also hope my kids choose to get involved a bit too.

Any suggestions for training drills, other equipment etc would be much welcomed.

PASmith
PASmith's picture

Stuff I've put in my home gym...

Squat stands, bench and bar for basic compound lifting (squat, bench, row, OHP deadlift, etc). Also got some foldable decorators saw horses so I can squat heavier without feeling unsafe if I need to bail. Didn't go for a full-on rack as I need to move things around for different activities. Had to cut out lifting a couple of years back due to back issues but managed to get back into it (much lighter) during lockdown.

6ft hanging punch bag. Free standing are OK but I prefer bags that hang. A 6 footer is more versatile than smaller bag. I use Iain's old bagwork MP3 all the time (although will vary what I work on as I see fit and often just use itfor timing rounds without having to look at a timer).

Mats. Mats are great for rolling about, stretching off, Yoga and roughhousing with your kids. Just got some jigsaw jobbers. Makes it feel like a proper exercise space.

For training with my kids I like the Gracie jiu jitsu "Bullyproof" games and drills. It's basic positional grappling stuff I mix with tickling, cuddles, tummy raspberries, aeroplanes and playing horsey. Then some basic pad work and hitting stuff.

A portable DVD player. I put some of Iain's DVD's on when I lift or exercise so his knowledge goes in via passive osmosis. I must have heard "If I can just bring Murray/Fred on" about a million times by now. :)

A range of rehab/prehab/warm up foam rollers, balls and massagers.

An exercise bike for when it's too dark/horrible outside to go for a run. Honestly doesn't get as much use as I envisaged and basically mostly gets in the way.

Zach Zinn
Zach Zinn's picture

Marcus_1 wrote:
So, I've wanted to get back to martial arts training (for fitness mainly) for a long time but struggle with shift work and getting a club that trains enough times a week for me to be able to fit training around work.

I have recently cleared out my garage (to a certain degree) and have quite a lot of space in there for solo training.  Due to this (and I don't really think I am up for "competition Karate" or gradings at the moment), I have ordered a free-standing punchbag, am moving my kettlebell and resistance bands to the garage in order to set up my own little training area.  I also hope my kids choose to get involved a bit too.

Any suggestions for training drills, other equipment etc would be much welcomed.

Here's what I have in mine:

Strength training stuff (TRX, clubs, macebell, medicine ball, etc.)

Makiwara

Heavy bag - working on various "attachments" for it for grabbing and whatnot

double ended bag

reflex bag

mats

focus mitts, kicking shields

If you engage in makiwara training, obviously that'd be a good one.

Other than that I highly recommend getting a nice double ended bag. I really can't emphasize enough what these can do, IMO they are a severely under appreciated piece of equipment. If you wanna get quick and learn to move well they are fantastic.

As to heavy bags I have to agree with PA Smith that a hanging bag is really optimal. The main reason is the free movement, which I've come to regard as a large part of the purpose of training on a heavy hanging bag. There's some cool stuff you can do with a free standing bag and they are a little easier to do some crude grappling with, but the lack of free movement cuts off a whole section of learning.

Other than that just have fun and don't be afraid to try new things. If you'e never tried it you can also practice throws with a resistance band. I've seen people scoff at this training method but we did it in Judo and I felt like it was actually pretty effective for practicing fitting in.

AllyWhytock
AllyWhytock's picture

Hello,

Our garage is breeze block with room for one average sized vehicle. Over the last few years we've added: 1. Painted the walls white to brighten the space and reduce dust.

2. Painted the concrete floor to keep the dust down.

3. Put jigsaw mats down for the training space.

4. Put heavy duty mats (dimpled) in the weight lifting area.

5. 150 Kg bench, squat & half rack for pull up

6. Kettle bells and dumb-bells

7. TRX trainer harness

8. 40KG hanging bag bag

9. Century Bob

10. Strip lighting

11. TP LInk wireless

12. Google Chromecast

13. HDMI display

14. Big plastic boxes for storing gloves & focus mits

15. Sanitizer spray

16. Sanitiser wipes

17. Small folding table

18. Stool

19. Notebook & pens

20. Hand Grip Strengtheners

21. Tennis ball & golf ball for rolling out knots & muscles.

22. Resistance bands that hook onto the rack

33. A hot/cold blower for summer/winter.

34. Big absorbant paper towels

35. A soft brush 

36. Boxing gloves & fingerless gloves

37. L-shaped body strike shields - the softer and heavy the better to absorb your energy

What we need to add is a grappling dumy.

Kindest Regards,

Ally

Heath White
Heath White's picture

Everybody does different things as they practice martial arts.  My advice would be to figure out what you want to do, and get enough equipment that you can do that.  As your interests/activities change, add some more equipment.  This will be less clutter and easier on your budget than tryiing to assemble everything at once from the get-go.

I have assembled gradually:

* for exercise: I mostly do bodyweight exercises but I have a box for stepping/jumping, a pull-up bar, some blocks to elevate hands, a band, and a strap for various pulling exercises.  Bodyweight exercises will save you money and clutter!  They are awesome!

* for striking: a hanging heavy bag, some hand wraps and gloves

*some karate weapons, some homemade targets for them, and a rack to put them on 

* I would like to get some mats, but space is a problem for me.

Black Tiger
Black Tiger's picture

Wow, I wish I had a garden or garage big enough to house some of the affore mentioned equipment. My Father and I built a shed 12ft x 9ft. It has an electrical supply for lighting and heating. I'd add a photo but don't know how to. Its big enough for a matted area. Hanging bag, Wooden Dummy, shelves for pads and weights and a floor to ceiling speed bag. You don't need a lot. I'm actually going to do private lessons in it after we get back to normal life.