Taekwondo cross-training is a smart way to enhance athletic performance, no matter what your favorite sport. 

Cross-training in martial arts provides a wide range of physical and mental benefits that translate to any sport.

• Improves strength, balance, and focus
• Teaches you to stand up after you’ve been knocked down (literally)
• Hones body-mind coordination

Athletes Who Use Taekwondo for Cross-Training

1. Georges Laraque – Former NHL player. Laraque, known for his physicality and toughness on the ice, was an avid practitioner of Taekwondo. He began training in Taekwondo during his NHL career and even competed in amateur tournaments. He found that Taekwondo helped improve his balance, flexibility, and overall fitness, which translated to benefits on the ice.
2. Anthony Pettis – Former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis has a background in Taekwondo and is known for incorporating Taekwondo kicks in his fights.
3. Hakeem Olajuwon – NBA Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon used Taekwondo as part of his training regimen to improve his footwork and agility on the basketball court.
4. DeAndre Hopkins – NFL wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins has trained in Taekwondo to improve his flexibility and explosiveness on the field.
5. Ashton Eaton – American decathlete Ashton Eaton has used Taekwondo as part of his cross-training regimen to improve agility and overall athleticism.
6. Joakim Noah – Former NBA player Joakim Noah incorporated Taekwondo into his training to improve balance and coordination on the court.
7. Lolo Jones – American hurdler and bobsledder Lolo Jones has used Taekwondo to improve lower body strength and overall athleticism.
8. Kobe Bryant – The late NBA legend Kobe Bryant used Taekwondo as part of his training to improve footwork and agility on the court.
9. Diana Taurasi – WNBA player Diana Taurasi has trained in Taekwondo to improve balance and coordination on the basketball court.
10. Rich Franklin – Former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin has a black belt in Taekwondo and has used the martial art to improve striking skills in MMA.
11. Gabby Douglas – Olympic gold medalist Gabby Douglas has trained in Taekwondo to improve balance and coordination on the balance beam and uneven bars in gymnastics.

Taekwondo as the Ultimate Cross-Training Discipline for Soccer, Football, Hockey, and More

Taekwondo is known for its dynamic kicks, lightning-fast punches, and intense cardio workouts. These skills and techniques can benefit athletes in many different sports, including basketball, soccer, football, hockey, volleyball, and more. Taekwondo training can help athletes develop the strength and control necessary to deliver accurate and powerful kicks, whether they’re taking a penalty kick or making a long pass downfield.

Punches in Taekwondo are often used in combination with kicks to create powerful strikes that can overwhelm an opponent. These same skills can be useful in sports like basketball and football, where quick, precise movements can give an athlete an edge over their opponents.

Taekwondo’s intense cardio workouts can benefit athletes in any sport, helping them build endurance and stamina. This can be especially useful in sports like volleyball, where players need to maintain a high level of energy throughout a match.

Taekwondo for Athleticism and Focus

But Taekwondo provides more than just physical benefits. It can also help athletes develop mental skills like balance, focus, and strength. The precise and controlled movements in Taekwondo help to build balance and coordination, which can translate to any sport. Improved balance can help athletes to perform more efficiently, with less risk of injury, and greater control over their movements.

Focus is another mental skill that Taekwondo can help to develop. Taekwondo requires intense concentration and attention to detail, which can help athletes stay focused during competition. This can be particularly useful in high-pressure situations, where the ability to maintain focus and stay in the moment can make all the difference.

Finally, Taekwondo can also help athletes build strength. Taekwondo’s kicks and punches require a significant amount of power, which can help to develop muscle strength and improve overall fitness levels. This strength can be particularly useful in sports like football, where players need to be able to push through opponents to gain ground or make a tackle.

tl;dr

Taekwondo is an excellent cross-training discipline that can benefit athletes in many different sports. Its dynamic kicks, lightning-fast punches, and intense cardio workouts can help athletes develop the strength, coordination, and stamina necessary to succeed at their chosen sport. Additionally, Taekwondo can help to develop important mental skills like balance, focus, and strength, making it a valuable addition to any athlete’s workout routine.