Iron rings
Encyclopedia
Iron rings are heavy metal rings used in martial arts
for various training purposes. Metal rings have a long history of being used in Yau Kung Mun, Hung Gar
, and other styles for weight training, to harden the muscle, skin, or bone, or strengthen the arms and fists.
practitioner and writer Stefan Verstappen suggests that forms training be done with “brass or steel rings ...around the wrists and ankles to add weight during the performance of the form.” Verstappen states that “[s]pecial wrist and ankle weights can help in the development of muscles, and endurance. Light dumb bells can also be substituted." He warns that people doing training should "...be careful not to perform the movements too quickly since the weights tend to make you overextend your techniques which can cause injury to the joints.” Other ways of enhancing the value of forms training include training outdoors in varied conditions and using varying speeds. Ying Ching Kuen and external forms of Yau Kung Mun are practised with iron rings to build strength, power, and endurance
The southern Chinese kung fu style of Hung Gar
is "hard, strong style" that uses "rooted stances such as the horse stance
(mabu)". Hung Gar practitioners use "...sand bags to strengthen grip, as well as iron rings in strengthening arms and tight fists." Hung Gar is derived from the Shaolin Temple kung fu system developed during the Ching dynasty. Hung Gar training uses "...prolonged stance training and many isometric breathing exercises. To do fist training, students wear iron rings, weighing from 2-4 lbs on their arms. "The force of the student's strike causes the rings to slide down the arms smashing into the back of the hands, reminding the students to hold a "tight fist.""
(1978), Gordon Liu practices the Hung Gar form "Tien Sin Kuen" or "Iron Wire Form" using iron rings. The movie Crippled Avengers
(1978) (also known as The Return of the 5 Deadly Venoms) Dao Chang (Lu Feng) depicts the use of iron rings for sparring and fighting. In the movie Kung Fu Hustle
, iron rings were used by actor Chiu Chi Ling
(a master of Hung Gar), who played the role of an effeminate tailor who specializes in fighting with iron rings. In the movie Drunken Master
, actor Jackie Chan
used iron rings while practicing the horse stance.
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
for various training purposes. Metal rings have a long history of being used in Yau Kung Mun, Hung Gar
Hung Gar
Hung Ga 洪家, Hung Kuen 洪拳, or Hung Ga Kuen 洪家拳 is a southern Chinese martial art associated with the Chinese folk hero Wong Fei Hung, who was a master of Hung Ga....
, and other styles for weight training, to harden the muscle, skin, or bone, or strengthen the arms and fists.
Types of rings
Many different types of rings are available. The Chi Sau Ring is used for conditioning the body in many stances, and exercises. Four-inch-diameter (4 inches (101.6 mm)) Chi Sau Rings weigh 600 g; 5 inches (127 mm) iron rings weigh 800 g. Some iron rings are sold in sets, such as two small and two large rings. Some rings are made of other metals such as steel or brass, and rattan rings are also used for exercise.Use in martial arts
Chinese forms training is done to improve the mind and body. To get the most out of your forms training, martial artsMartial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
practitioner and writer Stefan Verstappen suggests that forms training be done with “brass or steel rings ...around the wrists and ankles to add weight during the performance of the form.” Verstappen states that “[s]pecial wrist and ankle weights can help in the development of muscles, and endurance. Light dumb bells can also be substituted." He warns that people doing training should "...be careful not to perform the movements too quickly since the weights tend to make you overextend your techniques which can cause injury to the joints.” Other ways of enhancing the value of forms training include training outdoors in varied conditions and using varying speeds. Ying Ching Kuen and external forms of Yau Kung Mun are practised with iron rings to build strength, power, and endurance
The southern Chinese kung fu style of Hung Gar
Hung Gar
Hung Ga 洪家, Hung Kuen 洪拳, or Hung Ga Kuen 洪家拳 is a southern Chinese martial art associated with the Chinese folk hero Wong Fei Hung, who was a master of Hung Ga....
is "hard, strong style" that uses "rooted stances such as the horse stance
Horse stance
The horse stance is an important posture in Asian martial arts and takes its name from the position assumed when riding a horse. It is called mǎbù in Chinese, in Japanese, kekuda or kuda-kuda in Malay, asvavadivu in Malayalam, and juchum seogi or annun seogi in Korean...
(mabu)". Hung Gar practitioners use "...sand bags to strengthen grip, as well as iron rings in strengthening arms and tight fists." Hung Gar is derived from the Shaolin Temple kung fu system developed during the Ching dynasty. Hung Gar training uses "...prolonged stance training and many isometric breathing exercises. To do fist training, students wear iron rings, weighing from 2-4 lbs on their arms. "The force of the student's strike causes the rings to slide down the arms smashing into the back of the hands, reminding the students to hold a "tight fist.""
In martial arts films
In the opening scene of The 36th Chamber of ShaolinThe 36th Chamber of Shaolin
The 36th Chamber of Shaolin , also known as The Master Killer and Shaolin Master Killer, is a 1978 Shaw Brothers kung fu film directed by Liu Chia-liang and starring Gordon Liu....
(1978), Gordon Liu practices the Hung Gar form "Tien Sin Kuen" or "Iron Wire Form" using iron rings. The movie Crippled Avengers
Crippled Avengers
Crippled Avengers is a 1978 Shaw Brothers kung fu film directed by Chang Cheh and starring four members of the Venom Mob. It has been released in North America as Mortal Combat and Return of the 5 Deadly Venoms....
(1978) (also known as The Return of the 5 Deadly Venoms) Dao Chang (Lu Feng) depicts the use of iron rings for sparring and fighting. In the movie Kung Fu Hustle
Kung Fu Hustle
Kung Fu Hustle is a 2004 action comedy film directed and produced by, and starring Stephen Chow. The other film producers were Chui Po-chu and Jeffrey Lau, while the screenplay was written by Huo Xin, Chan Man-keung, and Tsang Kan-cheung...
, iron rings were used by actor Chiu Chi Ling
Chiu Chi Ling
Chiu Chi Ling is an actor that appears mostly in Kung Fu style movies produced in Hong Kong. He also teaches Hung Gar Kung Fu at Chiu Chi Ling Hung Gar Kung Fu Association, a San Francisco-based martial arts school he founded, and at the old Chiu Family Kwoon in Hong Kong...
(a master of Hung Gar), who played the role of an effeminate tailor who specializes in fighting with iron rings. In the movie Drunken Master
Drunken Master
Drunken Master, also known as Drunk Monkey In The Tiger's Eye, is a 1978 Hong Kong martial arts comedy film directed by Yuen Woo-ping, and starring Jackie Chan, Yuen Siu-tien, and Hwang Jang Lee...
, actor Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan, SBS, MBE is a Hong Kong actor, action choreographer, comedian, director, producer, martial artist, screenwriter, entrepreneur, singer and stunt performer. In his movies, he is known for his acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, use of improvised weapons, and innovative stunts...
used iron rings while practicing the horse stance.