Hokuto Shinken's Handstand and Finger Training

The first real training scene we see for Kenshiro has him balancing upside down on just two finger of one hand. While that is not a lot of training for us to look at, just the process of getting to that level of skill and strength is far more training than many people will ever do in their entire lives. The progression is pain-staking and it is uncertain whether or not the average person can ever attain such a feat or if it is merely relegated to the realm of monsters like Kenshiro, Shaolin Monks, or Vass- The Super Saiyan. In any case, if you put the work in, you'll definitely get stronger. How much so is between you and your genetics. Don't worry, if you fail, I don't think you'll explode.

Hokuto Shinken's Handstand and Finger Training 

LEVEL ONE:

• GOAL: Continuous handstand for 1 Minute
• Practice Handstands for 15 Minutes or until you complete the goal. Every time you fall, do as many fingertip push-ups as you can. Try to keep working the entire 15 minutes. 

LEVEL TWO:

• GOAL: Continuous fingertip handstand for 1 Minute
• Practice Handstands on fingertips for 15 Minutes or complete the goal. Every time you fall, do as many fingertip push-ups as you can. If you are unable to stay up on your fingers during the handstand, continue practice using normal handstands. Remember, every time you fall, you must do as many fingertip push-ups as you can.

LEVEL THREE:

• GOAL: Continuous One-Arm Handstand on each side for 1 Minute
• Practice One-Arm Handstands for 15 Minutes or until you complete the goal. Every time you fall, do as many fingertip push-ups as you can. If you feel like you are unable to stay up very long on one arm, continue practice using fingertip handstands. If your fingers get tired, continue practice using normal handstands. Remember, every time you fall, you must do as many fingertip push-ups as you can.

LEVEL FOUR:

• GOAL: Continuous One-Arm Fingertip Handstand on each side for 1 Minute
• Practice One-Arm Fingertip Handstands for 15 Minutes or until you complete the goal. Every time you fall, do as many fingertip push-ups as you can. If you feel like you are unable to stay up on the fingertips of one hand for very long, continue practice using one-arm handstands. Make sure to train both sides. If your strength starts to fail, continue practice with fingertip handstands. If your fingers start to get tired, continue practice using normal handstands. Remember, every time you fall, you must do as many fingertip push-ups as you can.

LEVEL FIVE:

• GOAL: Continuous Two-Finger Handstand on each side for 1 Minute
• Practice One-Arm Fingertip Handstands for 15 Minutes, removing fingers as you are able, until you are using only your index and middle finger on one hand to support yourself. Every time you fall, do as many fingertip push-ups as you can. Utilize the previous method to continue practicing as you get tired. 

See? Doesn't look hard at all!

Notes:

• This is a long term workout. It will take years to get the strength and balance for you to be able to complete this feat. Do not train this every day. At the very most, train it three times per week and that's if you've been training for a while. 
• I would recommend practicing on a non-slip surface, but preferably not one that is super hard and definitely not a slick surface. 
• You're going to feel this in your hands, your chest, your shoulders, your back and your entire midsection. You may even feel it in your legs, as you get used to balancing. 
• This will not be easy. It will take a large amount of work and a great deal of time. 

Today's workout is a fun one! Until next time, good luck and train hard!

Fist of the North Star- The Sergeant's Training

Fist of the North Star is over the top, gory, and freaking awesome. It's "Mad Max" meets kung fu movie and it generally throws realism right out the window. However, that's not gonna stop us from pulling training methods out of it, now is it!? (The answer is no.)

Kenshiro, the main character, encounters a Sergeant, who leads a kill-or-be-killed military regiment from the world before the apocalypse. His soldiers are no match for the main character's Hokuto Shinken, but we still get to see some useful training. This workout is based on the small amount of training that we do see.

Fist of the North Star- The Sergeant's Training

1. 20 Push-ups w/135# (vest, backpack, weight plates)
2. Climb 20ft of Rope
3. Dumbbell Thrusters- 10 x 40#

--5 Rounds, then rest 10 minutes

1. 20 Minutes Martial Arts Practice
2. 20 Minutes Sparring

Notes:

• Obviously, if you need to scale this workout back by doing less weight or fewer rounds, please do so. Doing 20 push-ups with 135lbs on your back during a MetCon is not an easy thing. 
• If you don't have 20ft of rope, climb 10ft of rope twice or 5ft of rope four times. When it is listed as "X" ft of rope, that means that it starts at chest height. If your rope is only 20ft hanging, you need to subtract your height from below your chest from the length of the rope. 
• Dumbbell Thrusters start from a similar position as a Dumbbell Overhead Press or a Dumbbell Front Squat. You'll squat down to full squat depth and at the top of the squat you will do a push press. If you need some assistance on this one, reference here.
• Your martial arts practice can be forms, shadowboxing, bag work, technique or combo practice, or anything that you like, even weapons training.
• Be safe when sparring. Wear at least a mouthpiece and cup. It is recommended that you wear more gear for safety's sake, but at least those. If you wear less gear, pull back your contact. Only go full contact if you're at least wearing gloves, shin-pads, and headgear. 
• You can also grapple, instead of sparring. 

That's all for today. Hope you enjoy this one and hopefully, I'll be able to get some more out of Fist of the North Star. Until next time, good luck and train hard!