New training methods are being developed with every passing second around the globe. Additionally, static exercises are not so popular anymore. People tend to shift their focus on movements that incorporate flexibility and overall coordination of their bodies.
I’m pretty sure that many of us grew up watching Jackie Chan’s movies with awe, wondering how on earth could he pull off those almost monkey-like moves. One thing that impressed me the most was the flashy kip-up, which happened more than once in many of his films.
The kip-up is a multidisciplinary technique that usually comes up in martial arts, calisthenics and parkour.
Although, it’s not exactly the skill that will save your life one day (though Jackie might beg to differ), nor will it complement your fitness goals, the kip up is still an astonishing feat of body strength, agility, stability and speed.
On the other hand, it looks deceptively simple, doesn't it? Seemingly all it takes is a bit of effort to push yourself off the floor and land on your feet in one articulate and graceful movement.
And that was how I got a terribly swollen ass after seeing the move on screen, because I tried it almost immediately and kept smashing my bottom into the ground, over and over again.
So I’m obliged to warn you that it will take a long time until you can execute a kip-up properly; the bruises on your back and your butt are just icing on the cake. So if you worry about looking stupid in public, I highly recommend home practicing with a soft surface for this one.
Try To Kip Up
Let us start by accepting the fact that the kip-up is a rather advanced movement. And like all other advanced techniques, it takes time and a great patience because you’ll need to master the progressive baby-steps in advance.
It’s said that the real engine of an athletic body lies in one’s hips, which associate with movement capacity and body coordination.
Nonetheless, constantly hitting the gym for lifting, squatting or benching aren’t going to make you more athletic. In contrast, they actually add more weight to your body in terms of mass.
The kip-up will serve to build massive strength in your hips as well as your explosiveness. However, it is also a whole-body exercise, which involves four major aspects:
How To Build Up
First and foremost, you need to build strength in several other parts of your body to withstand the explosiveness of the movement.
Without further ado, here are five prerequisite exercises that will prepare your body for kipping up.
Kip Up The Good Work
The kip up can be divided into 3 basic steps:
Conclusion
Huge kudos to you if you have managed to fulfill your childhood dream by successfully performing the kip up; it’s no easy task. If you cannot pull it off quite yet, I suggest you focus on developing your strength first, and you will be able to do it like Jackie Chan someday.
If the Kip Up has gotten you interested in bodyweight exercises, be sure to check out our post on 5 Of The Best Bodyweight Ab Exercises – Including Upside Down Sit Ups. It's time to get that six-pack you always wanted!
Please share your thoughts in the comment section, let me know how you’re getting on with the exercises or just to say hello. And don’t forget to spread the words so more people can do it too.
Sources:
http://www.returnofkings.com/108454/how-to-do-a-kip-up
http://anthonymychal.com/become-superhuman-lean-how-to-kip-up/
http://www.alkavadlo.com/body-weight-exercises/kip-up-tutorial/
https://www.quora.com/How-do-you-work-up-to-doing-a-kip-up-Is-it-a-matter-of-strength-Are-there-things-that-I-could-be-doing-wrong
