Kendo training at HomeAs with most pursuits in life, kendo training requires one to practice consistently. If you’re not able to attend a practice every day, as would be ideal but impossible for many of us, practicing at home is a must. Unlike most non-weapon based martial arts, practicing kendo at home is very difficult. You need a moderately large space with room to swing a shinai over three feet long with a high ceiling (at least 10 feet). A problem everyone faces is the inability to practice due to the restrictions of their environment. For a true warrior of the old days, this would not be a problem since it was a common sight to see men practicing their swordsmanship out in the field. But alas, we’re not in the old days—and such activities will likely end up getting you arrested. 
Today, most people hold reservations about screaming their lungs out while swinging around a bamboo stick in a public place-- it would undoubtedly result in much unwanted if not shameful attention—thus most people like to practice in the privacy of their own living room or back yard. It becomes a slight problem when you don’t have enough space to practice in, but that’s all easily solved. To train in kendo does not specifically mean that one has to train ONLY in kendo, although that would be best. Cross-training is also very important. For those of you who do not know what cross-training is it is merely training in something other than kendo. Cross-training can include weightlifting, running, swimming, other martial arts, or sports. As a generality, cross-training in kendo is a must. If you have room enough to swing a shinai, we highly recommend you switch off days between training with the shinai routines and training without the shinai routines (cross training). Remember: ALWAYS start with warm-ups and stretches! Stretching is as important as the practice itself, as failure to stretch and warm-up properly often results injury. A note on warm-ups and stretching. If you have enough space to swing a shinai around, here are some routines some of the Kendokorner staff has used. Comments on the effectiveness of these routines would welcome!
Also, please be advised that the estimated time it takes to complete a workout is NOT what it should take. It all depends on the individual. For example, our suggested 45 minute workout may end up taking you anywhere from 60-90 minutes. We state it as 45 minutes because that was the average time it took for our staffers to complete the training. Some of us took 90 minutes to complete the beginning level routine-- and we've been practicing for years! To hone your blade work, form, and to strengthen your arms, cardiovascular system, and legs:
Training without a shinai and the levels of training
If you do not have room to swing a shinai, cross training is a must. Weightlifting, jogging, bicycling, calisthenics, and other types of exercises are probably the best way to go about training. Even if you have room to swing a shinai it is still beneficial for you to cross-train. After all, as kendoists we must always show respect and humility… even to our own bodies.As kendoists, our main concern is not getting into shape, but getting better at kendo. Because of this, set routines and rigid schedules, while definitely beneficial to physical health, is not necessarily the best way to go about training. At Kendokorner, we believe that in order to enjoy and truly understand kendo, training must be undertaken according to one’s own abilities—at one’s own pace—and in accordance with the principles of kendo. We will not give you a “regiment” to follow-- you will have to make that up on your own. Training in accordance with the principles of kendo does not mean that you must be zealous or “gung-ho” about training, it merely means that you must train wholeheartedly and persistently. An important part of kendo is to know yourself well enough to understand what your body, and mind (mental fortitude), can handle at its limit. Kendo does require to push past your limits in order to better yourself. It does not, however, require you to get injured with a strained calve muscle because you weren’t paying attention to the pain in your leg. The true kendoist knows himself better than he knows his opponent. In kendo, there are beginning practitioners, intermediate practitioners, advanced practitioners, and master practitioners. Kendokorner is a resource for the beginning to advanced level practitioners. Here, we use a three tiered system of training at home based off the exact same principles kendo instructors use.
The Master Level is beyond our ability to comment on. We can only say that at this point, kendo becomes a spiritual and emotional exercise as well as a mental and physical one.
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