- What are the advantages of a training with the “Schlagmesser”?
- What information can I gather from the displayed curve?
- What’s the duration of a punch?
- Why is the force of the punch measured in kg?
- What does a punch of 300 kgs tell me?
- What is Impulse?
- What does the ideal punch look like?
- How do I maximize the force of my punching?
- What punching techniques can I practice on the “Schlagmesser”?
- What do I need to put the “Schlagmesser” into operation?
- What are the requirements on the installation location?
- Is an external power supply needed or does the “Schlagmesser” work with batteries?
- What’s the best way to install the “Schlagmesser”?
- Why does the standard package not include the pad?
- I’d really like to purchase a “Schlagmesser” but I cannot meet the requirements. What can I do?
- Why couldn’t one buy this kind of system before?
- What’s the difference between the “Schlagmesser” and the devices found on various fairs?
- How is it possible, that such a sophisticated device costs less than those on the fairs?
- What risks involve a training with the “Schlagmesser”?
1. What are the advantages of a training with the “Schlagmesser”?
The training with the “Schlagmesser” has various benefits. With the higher funfactor comes along a stronger motivation for intense training. Additionally the accurate and immediate feedback provided serves to improve the punching technique to perfection.
2. What information can I gather from the displayed curve?
The graph displays the force on the target during the time of impact. The attention should be set on the rise and fall time as well as on possible anomalies within the curve which could result for instance from a bended wrist. A good punch by a trained martial artist has a fast raise of power and a slower fall (due to the body tension the power is held longer).
3. What’s the duration of a punch?
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4. Why is the force of the punch measured in kg?
Normally the punch would have to be measured in Newton, as it represents a force. However, as non-scientists rarely encounter this unit on a daily basis and as the punches of 1st class athletes are also disclosed in kg we decided to adopt this custom.
5. What does a punch of 300 kg tell me?
If the display shows a punch of 300 kg, a force acts for a brief duration upon the impact area as if the “Schlagmesser” lay on the floor with a weight of 300 kg resting upon it. If someone were to place a weight of 300kg on the “Schlagmesser” and then immediately take it off again, the same effect would be noticeable. Here we can clearly see the effect of impulse. If we take the weight off slower, the effect is higher, as the force could act for a longer period of time. Impulse is force multiplied with time. Therefore the impulse is twice as high if the weight rests on the “Schlagmesser” for twice the amount of time.
6. What is Impulse?
Impulse is an element from physics which can be nicely compared to the thrust of a punch or a kick. It is a combination of time, force or weight and speed. The importance for the martial artist is essentially that the impulse breaks the opponents cover and throws him back.
7. What does the ideal punch look like?
The ideal punch is executed with the maximum of speed. The antagonistic muscles have to be as relaxed as possible for that purpose (the mental state is important). The movement must not be slowed down, especially at the moment of impact or else the target effect is greatly reduced. The required tension of the muscular system has to be created as late as possible. Those who often train fighting techniques without target impact might have to adjust themselves. When reaching the maximum force, all the involved joints have to be stiffened to the utmost. By these means, injuries are being avoided while the impulse is improved as the force is kept for a greater amount of time.
8. How do I maximize the force of my punching?
For a start, one has to train the stiffening of the joints in order to prevent injuries. If this is not taken seriously, sprains or worse might easily ensue. One should always keep in mind, that even a minor sprain has to heal off and that training has to be suspended for this period. The pads shouldn’t be too hard, especially for novices. This means that those who are in a rush might ultimately take longer to reach their aim. As a matter of principle, training should always be done with full concentration but never when in an overtired state. To maximize the effect of the punch, it is entirely pointless to do hundreds of punches per session, as this will only improve the stamina. Whoever wants to quickly improve should always deliver a couple of blows on the “Schlagmesser” right after warming up. The priority of that exercice should be always on speed. Even if the results only slightly wane, a pause should be considered and the muscles need to be shaken out. Thereafter, the session may be repeated. If the results drop in the respective session the exercise should be terminated.
9. What punching techniques can I practice on the “Schlagmesser”?
Basically every punching technique that applies a more or less vertical force on the “Schlagmesser” can be trained. Only the vertically applied force is measured! Kicks can be trained as well as long as the maximum limit of the meter is not exceeded. For kicks by highly trained professional martial artists a custom variant with a maximum limit of at least 1000 kgs should be considered.
10. What do I need to put the “Schlagmesser” into operation?
A pad or cushion for the punches to impact, a personal computer with a usb-port (Desktop-PC, Notebook, Netbook, etc.) as well as the tools to mount the station on a wall (drill, etc.). For professional martial artists a custom variant with a maximum limit of at least 1500 kg should be considered.
11.What are the requirements on the installation location?
For precise measurements the station should be mounted on a solid and even wall. If the wall is not even, a piece of carpet or something similar may be used as a vibration damper. Around the station should be enough space to easily perform all the exercises. If the baseplate is allowed to vibrate during the exercises, this will lead to jagged curves. If a trained athlete punches the pad this will naturally lead to considerable noise development. The blast of the impact will travel through the base plate into the wall. In apartement buildings this might lead to tensions with the neighbors. A piece of carpet between the base plate and the wall counteracts the noise.
12. Is an external power supply needed or does the “Schlagmesser” work with batteries?
No, the standard version works solely with the power it derives from the USB-port of a PC, Notebook or Netbook. An additional power supply may be required for supplementary equipment (Panels, etc.)
13. What’s the best way to install the “Schlagmesser”?
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14. Why does the standard package not include the pad?
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15. I’d really like to purchase a “Schlagmesser” but I cannot meet the requirements. What can I do?
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16. Why couldn’t one buy this kind of system before?
In order for these stations to work efficiently during the training sessions, they have to provide very precise and reliable data at a very high temporal resolution. These devices are very elaborate in their development. Enterprises that possess the necessary technology are adjusted to a high-priced segment and cannot or do not want to offer these devices at prices affordable for the mass sports. It was possible to purchase these devices before. Several institutes offer to build these devices upon order, for the price of a mid-range car.
17. What’s the difference between the “Schlagmesser” and the devices found on various fairs?
These “box-machines” do not measure the actual force on a surface. Instead they merely register the momentum with witch the generally used punching-ball flies back. The results measured have nothing to do with the real target effects of punches. This leads to the fact that those who are unfamiliar with the martial arts acquire higher results, as they accelerate the punching-ball at a more even speed. A good and hard punch is not favored on these devices same as it would not move a sandbag. The devices we develop measure the actual forces that develop between the hand and the pad during impact. Our devices are far more sophisticated, which is absolutely necessary to evaluate the punch.
18. How is it possible, that such a sophisticated device costs less than those on the fairs?
We would like to refer here to a quotation by Keith Duckworth, the designer of the most popular Formula-1 engine:
“An engineer is someone who can do for one dollar what any idiot can do for a hundred dollars”
19. What risks involve a training with the “Schlagmesser”?
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