Originally posted by Mbyte
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Similarly, weight training is generally not recommended for kung fu training. This is because some weight training styles involve "traning to failure", exerting your muscles with high weights and low reps to the point that you can't do any more. An alternative is a lower weight higher rep approach. It should but understood however that this a means to build internal force.
Any kind of training regimen that locks up tension in muscles will have deleterious effects for qigong. But once you get to more advanced levels, I think it's possible to incorporate some kind of weights only after a good foundation of internal force has been built up. To my mind examples include: using dumbells in the art of 30 punches, but only after practicing it for some time; or using heavy weaponry such as the trident for jing training.
Of course, this is not to imply that every one who jogs or everyone who lifts weights does the "training to failure" approach. At the same time, the prevalence of the "no pain no gain" mentality is also a clue on popular attitudes towards physical exercise. I ride the bus to commute, and one thing I do to pass the time is to look at the faces of joggers. I'd many look like they're in pain, or just completely zombified. Only a few are actually smiling.
I myself enjoy badminton quite a bit, and realize that it might cause tightness in some areas (rapid bursts of speed). But hey, it's loads of fun!
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