Question concerning physical training (for my first aikido lessons)

[Lennert]

I have a question for those of you who already practice the art of aikido for a longer time. Since I will be taking my first class on wednesday, I was wandering if there is any way for me to prepare myself in a physical way. How does one train his body for aikido? I have practiced judo for 2 years, but that is such a long time ago (13 years, I was just a kid) that I haven't got a clue what kind of (physical) training we did.

 

[tigerfeet]

Aikido will train you.
It is one of the "gentler" martial arts, and you can start even if you are not in good physical shape. You will find that you are training your mind as much as your body.
Enjoy!

 

[TDWoj]

Stretches are a good way to strengthen your muscles. A lot of the stretches done at the beginning of class are done just to warm up. Do them at home, longer, with more reps, say, 30 seconds each side (left/right) x 3 reps. Hamstring stretches, squats, lunges - these will help to limber you up.