Why Ninjas Use Nunchucks

By Rochelle E. Brenner

Nunchucks are considered the most difficult weapons to master. They were even a challenge for Bruce Lee before he entered the dragon. The skill Napoleon Dynamite wanted so badly. Michelangelo’s cool weapon of choice. 

So what’s the benefit of handing them to pre-schoolers in a martial arts school? 

While they may seem intimidating, foam nunchucks provide a safe and engaging way for children, particularly the youngest class of ninjas, to explore the fundamentals of martial arts and have fun improving in all developmental milestones: motor skills, coordination, body awareness and focus. At Action Karate, children as young as 3 have shown significant improvement being able to perform progressively more difficult levels of nunchuck skills. Introducing them at an early age also sets the groundwork that they may pursue more advanced skills on the demo team in the future. 

Here are 7 benefits to using nunchucks:

1. Safety first: One of the most significant benefits of foam nunchucks is their safety. Made from soft material, they minimize the risk of injury, making them ideal for young children who are still developing coordination and motor skills. Parents can have peace of mind knowing that the kids can make mistakes without getting hurt.

2. Development of Skills for Future Sports: The act of swinging, twirling, and striking with nunchucks encourages the use of both gross and fine motor skills. They enhance their hand-eye coordination, balance, and overall body awareness. These skills are crucial for physical development and can benefit children in other activities and sports as they grow. The rhythmic nature of nunchucks promotes cardiovascular health, strength, and flexibility. 

3.Boost Confidence and Self-Esteem: As kids learn to handle foam nunchucks and perform different techniques, they experience a sense of accomplishment. This newfound confidence can translate into other areas of their lives, encouraging them to tackle new challenges and develop a positive self-image. Kids will memorize the nunchuck kata because it’s fun and they can sense their improvement. 

4.Live like a martial artist: Training with foam nunchucks introduces children to fundamental martial arts principles, such as discipline, respect and focus. These principles are essential for personal development and can positively influence their behavior both at home and in social settings. Learning to respect the weapon and their peers fosters a sense of responsibility and maturity.

5.Focus and Concentration: As children learn new techniques and practice their movements, they develop the ability to concentrate on tasks. This skill can translate into improved attention in school and other activities, helping them to stay interested and perform better academically. Crossing the center line of the body also engages both sides of the brain.

6.Super strength: Training with foam nunchucks engages several muscle groups throughout the body, contributing to overall strength and coordination. Here are the primary muscle groups worked during nunchuck practice: Shoulders (deltoids) via swinging motions, arms (biceps & triceps) via striking, forearms via grip and control, abs (rectus abdominis and obliques) via balance and dynamic movements, lower back (erector spinae) using posture in stances, legs (quads and hamstrings) via stability. Strength training includes smaller muscles in the feet, hips, and ankles, which are crucial for maintaining stability during dynamic actions.

7. Grip Strength & Handwriting Dexterity: Using nunchucks requires a firm grip, which engages the muscles in the hands and forearms. This continuous gripping action strengthens the muscles responsible for holding tools, such as pencils for writing, monkey bars for playtime, bicycle handles and more. As children practice manipulating the nunchucks, they develop better control over their hand movements. This increased dexterity translates to improved grip strength, precision and control.  These skills are directly applicable to writing, as they enable children to form letters and control their writing speed and pressure.