Martial Arts Can Strike a Balance Both Physically and Mentally in your Exercise Regiment

Martial arts may be the very thing you are looking for if you want something unique to add to your exercise regiment. Since it has the benefit of exercising both your mind and body you get a complete workout that aerobics or weight lifting just can’t match.

Physically, martial arts are hard to beat. Many forms can help you burn calories and fat, along with building strength and endurance. How does burning up to 600 calories an hour sound? Before you begin, you have to first find the style that is good for you.

If you are looking for something with full body training, Judo might be your choice. Judo means “the gentle way” and focuses more on self-defense than attacking your opponent. It focuses on throwing your opponent, or using control holds, arms locks, and choking techniques to subdue him. However, you do not have to be hulking linebacker to perform the movements, many of the exercises can allow a smaller person to take on a larger one. However, you do have to be in decent physical shape to perform the movements, so if you are not there now the constant training can help you get there.

If you are looking for something to kick up your routine, you might consider Kung Fu. If you have ever seen a movie by or about Bruce Lee then you have seen Kung Fu. While there are many variations and sub-styles, all Kung Fu can be categorized into two categories – hard and soft. Hard Kung Fu focuses on the impressive strikes and kicks. Soft Kung Fu focuses more on staying grounded and balanced when attacked. Either form may use weapons. Both styles focus your self-defense skills as well as your quickness and agility.

If you are looking for something more combative, karate may be for you. Karate trains focused blows of the hands and feet, as well as special breathing and shouts. Classes are offered from the beginner all the way up to the competitive side of karate, so it is a great choice if you want to exercise as a family.

Tai Chi is another form of martial arts that is rapidly gaining popularity. The goal of Tai Chi is to control your energy, known as “chi”. It practices slow, controlled movements that can take anywhere from minutes to an hour to perform. While not the best choice for weight loss, Tai Chi does have its own benefits. It has been shown to improve flexibility and reduce stress, and may even help lower blood pressure and cholesterol. Since it is at a slower pace than other martial arts forms, it is often a good choice for older exercises or those who have mobility problems due to arthritis, illness, or injury.

No matter what martial arts form you try, there are other health benefits to look at – your mental health. In a society plagued with ads and TV shows featuring “perfect” bodies you may be uncomfortable with how you look. Maybe you suffer from depression or low self-esteem. Martial arts classes can help with this. Besides the physical aspect of the classes, martial arts focus on self-confidence, high morale, and respect. The idea is that if you think you can, you can; and if you think you can’t, you can’t. Having a positive attitude is a must, and this can flow over into your everyday life. Martial arts reduce stress, and offer a way to literally “punch out” any emotional baggage you may have from the day. As with any exercise, performing martial arts also releases endorphins, the “feel good hormones”. This will cause you to feel better in general. Depending on the class you attend, the teacher may also focus on respect for each other and other life and history and culture of the martial art and how it was developed. Some forms of martial arts are over 1000 years old, so that gives your brain something to chew on while you are working out.

As with any exercise routine, always check with your doctor before beginning. Listen to your body, and stop if you feel weak, have a hard time catching your breath, or become dizzy. And remember to have fun – marital arts should be about punching up your workout routine, not punching the life out of you.

Karate photo credit: Christian Schart