Takahashi Kentaro Style: Building a Body for Kendo

Following on from last time, we will once again be learning about the training required for kendo from Kentaro Takahashi, a training coach for the Japanese national kendo team. This time, in our sixth installment, we will be learning about shoulder training methods.

Lat pulldown

Takahashi: " Next, we'll work on the shoulders. Start from this position. Then, lift your arms up."

Takahashi: " Okay, 1, 2, 1. Lower your elbows so they're at shoulder height. Then raise them again. Push them up and lower them again. Okay."

Takahashi: "Then , at that time, keep your elbows to the side so they don't come forward. Always to the side. Keep them sideways like that. Do 10 times like that. 1... 1 as you lower them. 2... 3... 10. Okay."

Lat Pulldown Back

Takahashi: " Now, move it a little further back, like you're pulling your shoulder blades together."

Takahashi: " Now, lower your elbows down to this point. When you do that, imagine your shoulder blades coming together."

Takahashi: "Then , raise it up to your shoulders and lower it down to your shoulders. We were doing it here earlier, but now you want to go a little lower."

Takahashi: " Go all the way up to your shoulders. At that point, stick your chest out firmly."

Takahashi: " Yes, here we go. This is also 10 repetitions. 1, 2, yes. This is what's commonly known as a lat pulldown back. Yes, here we go. 1, 2, 10."

Next time, train your legs

This time we will be explaining how to train your shoulders.

I don't usually raise my arms high, so stretching them straight up next to my ears felt both painful and pleasant.

Also, for modern people who tend to hunch over and lean forward while using smartphones and other devices, I thought this movement of bringing the shoulder blades together was a great exercise that allowed them to move the chest, shoulders, and back, which tend to become stiff.

In the next episode, I will be teaching you how to train your legs. Please look forward to it!

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