| Iron vest training is usually considered "closed | | | | massive blow without being injured. |
| door" training at most kung fu schools, meaning | | | | Iron vest is a combination of internal and external |
| that is not typically taught to just anyone, but | | | | exercises. The internal aspects involve special |
| instead is reserved for advanced students who | | | | breathing and qigong routines, while the external |
| have proven themselves not only in terms of skill | | | | aspects involve holding certain postures and |
| development but also in terms of character | | | | stances and performing certain movements for a |
| development. Remember that in the olden days, a | | | | specific number of sets or reps. |
| kung fu sifu (teacher) also wanted his students to | | | | There will also typically be a portion of training |
| be of good morals and values. | | | | that consists of standing meditation, usually at the |
| Iron vest (also sometimes called "iron shirt"), is a | | | | end of the training session. |
| training system designed to protect the | | | | In the beginning, iron vest will protect just the |
| practitioner from strikes that managed to get | | | | center of the student's torso from strikes. Over |
| through his defenses. As anyone who studies a | | | | time, as he practices longer and develops more |
| martial art knows, even if you are very skilled in | | | | skill, the protected area will slowly start to spread |
| blocking and evading, you will still get hit from time | | | | until nearly the entire torso is resilient to strikes. |
| to time. Iron vest protects you from these | | | | It's best to practice this type of training under the |
| strikes. In fact, some people who practice this | | | | guidance of a knowledgeable kung fu master, as |
| type of training will do demonstrations where | | | | practicing incorrectly can potentially cause damage |
| they allow themselves to be hit in the torso with | | | | to the organs. |
| a sledge hammer to show that they can take the | | | | |