Years ago I went through quite a bit of iron body training when working on the basics of kung fu without ever realizing. Started in Shaolin Do but didn't get very far since I quit the school. When I was in Shaolin Do I ordered the dit da jow ingredients from Jim Lacy and added in my own alcohol to the mix. The jow probably wasn't needed but it helped out a lot with the recovery process.
Now I'm studying Dragon. My sifu is pretty opened minded about how we start the training as long as it isn't something that is going to cause injury. For now, we focus on 3 star blocking* with the dummy and each other. Hits to the ribs to condition the body during training exercises. For legs, the goal was to kick a pole but my legs aren't at all tough enough for this yet so he recommend that I try to find another method to get them stronger.
I'm just trying to find out which alternative method would be best to follow.
* I believe it's called 3 star blocking. When I looked it up on youtube the movement of the arms are similar but the stance work and hands positions are very different.
3 star link