5 Reasons Why Everyone Should Try Training a Martial Art
Working out doesn’t just have to be about doing cardio and lifting weights. If you’re looking for a new way to train, consider starting a martial art instead. As well as providing a full body workout, it can also provide lots of mental and social benefits. If you stick to it, it could even completely transform your life. In this post, we’ll tell you why everyone should give it a go.
5 Benefits of Martial Arts
Develop Discipline
Learning any martial art requires a huge amount of discipline. First of all, you need to have the self-discipline to stick to your training routine and turn up to the gym on training days. If you’re competing, you’ll also have to be strict with your dieting and meal planning in order to make weight. Then, you also need to show respect to your instructors and training partners. Whether you’re training Karate, Muay Thai, Judo or BJJ, respect is always a huge aspect of training. For many martial arts students, this is one of the most appealing parts of this kind of training.
Learn Self-Defense
Lots of people take up martial arts after being the victim of an assault, or out of fear that they can’t protect themselves. Kickboxing, Karate and Jeet Kun Do are some of the best martial arts for self-defense. Take up one of these, and you can learn how to fend off any potential attackers.
Challenge Yourself
At a martial arts gym, it’s not just about sweating and burning calories. Instead, you focus on learning skills and techniques. This provides a new type of challenge that makes training more fun, engaging and interesting.
Join a New Community
One of the best things about training a martial art is having a team. At your gym, you’ll form close relationships with your training partners. You’ll sweat together, achieve new goals together, and perhaps even compete together. Some of these people may end up being lifelong friends outside the gym, too.
Find a Sport You Love
Exercising can be a chore, but it doesn’t have to be. If you love your training, you won’t need to muster up the motivation to pack your bag and get to the gym. If you find working out in a regular gym boring, try going to a martial arts gym instead. You never know, you might even completely fall in love with it!
Find the Right Gym
The gym you choose will make all the difference to your training. If you find the right training environment, everything else will come together. When you’re shopping around for martial arts gyms, make sure the instructors have relevant qualifications and experience, and that they offer classes for your level. Then, you can enrol and get started on your new fitness journey!
Emma Thomas is a Muay Thai fighter based in Bangkok. Occasionally, she runs half marathons and she’s recently taken up powerlifting, too. No matter what type of training she’s doing, she’s dedicated to making constant improvements and sharing her stories through writing. You can read more about her training on her personal blog, Under the Ropes.