Fitness & Martial Arts

Doing the same fitness exercises over and over again may not be fun at all. While you can get the desired results from your fitness program, you can do something to make it more effective and a lot more fun to do. Why not include Martial Arts in your Fitness routine?

Martial Arts can be done as training for self-defense or as a sport, and are an excellent way of keeping you in good shape and at the same time, developing your self-esteem and self-discipline.

There are different styles which make use of different systems and techniques. Some of these disciplines that you can do to stay fit or as great additions to your fitness program are Taekwondo, Judo, Capoeira, Muay Thai, and Karate.

• Taekwondo. This is one of the most well-known members of the Martial Arts family. Originated in Korea, Taekwondo involves a lot of hand movement and legwork such as high kicks, so it is a great full-body exercise. With regular Taekwondo sessions, you will lose those unwanted pounds, tone and strengthen your muscles, improve your hand and body coordination, and develop self-confidence.
• Judo. Judo is a Japanese Martial Art which involves a lot of throwing, groundwork, and combat or submission techniques such as joint locks. It includes taking advantage of the strength of your opponent and throwing him to the ground. Judo is a good exercise, as it employs all major muscle groups and improves strength, agility, and flexibility.
• Capoeira. This is a dance, Brazilian form of Martial Arts, self-defense, and cardiovascular exercise all rolled into one. It involves a lot of body movements which are done with authentic music. That is why this is a fun way to lose weight and increase strength and agility. Capoeira combines the element of dancing, singing, and Martial Arts, making it a fun and high-energy activity.
• Muay Thai. Muay Thai or Thai Boxing is done as pre-fight training and is becoming popular as an intense aerobic workout. It makes use of fists, knees, and elbows to hit the opponent. This discipline develops muscular endurance and quickness in different body movements.

For safety purposes, do not forget to do some stretching or warm-up exercises before any Martial Arts session to avoid injuries and muscle strain. There are many other forms of Martial Arts that you can participate in to stay fit and develop strength not only in your muscles but also in your character.

Whatever discipline you choose, just keep in mind that Martial Arts do not teach you to hurt other people. Make use of their teachings and principles so you can be a strong person inside and out.

Source: abc-of-fitness.com