[re-posted from http://the20000.blogspot.com/p/the-20000-challenge.html]
“I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.”
-Bruce Lee
The 20,000 Challenge
This challenge was also inspired in part by the Ultimate Black Belt Test, who are doing amazing work for the world of Martial Arts as a whole. From them I got the idea of providing a ramp up to the level of physical fitness that is required for their test.
So what is the challenge?
Over the period of one year you are challenged to do 20,000 of four different exercises and at least four different kinds of kicks. You will be working out in some way, shape, or form 6 days per week. You choose the days (just make sure you’re doing it consistently). At least once per week I also challenge you to reflect on yourself, your art and/or the process of the challenge.
1) Strength training: You will do a certain number of push-ups, crunches, leg raises, and squats per day. It will start fairly easily and each week the number will go up. Week one you start at 14, and by week 52 you will be doing more than 100! By the end of the year you will have done 20,000 of each exercise. I will post the increases to the blog, but it basically goes up by 2 per week. You can even do half when you get up and half later in the day (currently that is my plan).
2) Kicks: these are some of the techniques that benefit most from consistent practice. I’m challenging myself and bringing you with me! Every workout day you will need to do (on each leg):
- 32 front kicks
- 32 roundhouse kicks
- 32 Side kicks
- 32 of one or more kicks of your choosing.
3) Write about it! You can write a blog, a Facebook post, keep a pen and ink journal, or comment here, but don’t be afraid to reflect on your struggles as well as your accomplishments. I will also post writing prompts to this blog.
Why the 20,000?
Bruce Lee has been quoted as saying the quote at the top of the page and if you multiply that by two legs, you get 20,000.