Uechi-Ryu.com

Iron Geta Training

Introduction
Iron Getas are used to supplement Karate training. They are used to strengthen the legs and the spirit of ones karate. Iron Geta should always be used on the ground first and only after a complete routine can be followed should they be used in standing exercises.

Each individual port of the technique is to be completed 50 times correctly prior to advancing to the next portion of the technique or the following technique.

Iron Geta training should consist of training for one hour a day three days a week. The training should begin with a ten to fifteen minute warm-up. This is then followed by a set sequence of exercises to work a full range of all kicks.

Warm-Ups

1. Balancing on the foot without Geta perform fifty leg raises with knee all the way to chest.
2. Swing foot with Geta front to back fifty times.
3. Raise foot to outside in straight leg manner, fifty times.

Exercises

1. Lying on your back bring knee to chest fifty times. Straighten leg each time and do not allow foot to touch ground until complete.
2. Lying on your back bring knee to chest, chamber leg and thrust kick straight up in the air fifty times. Straighten leg each time and do not allow foot to touch ground until complete.
3. Lying on side, leg with Geta on top. Raise leg slightly off of ground an bring knee up to chest. Do not allow leg to touch ground until complete.
4. Lying on side, leg with Geta on top. Raise leg slightly off of ground and bring knee up to chest, chamber leg at chest. Thrust kick outward fifty times.
5. Kneeling on all fours (hands and knees), raise knee to chest fifty times. Try to touch knee to chest each time.
6. Kneeling on all fours (hands and knees), raise knee to chest chamber leg and back kick fifty times.

These are iron clogs, used to strengthen kicking techniques.

The Tetsu-geta or iron sandals, for leg strength and kicking. (Much better for foot strength than modern ankle weights. The foot actually must grip the sandal, and the weight is at the far extremity of the limb, adding to the difficulty of the device. Because of this, fast kicking, which would be dangerous to the joints if using ankle weights, is not possible, and therefore the use of the tetsu-geta is preferred to the modern devices.)