3 ways martial arts can improve your quality of life

THERE are various benefits to training martial arts.

Whether it is to improve your physical or mental strength, martial arts has great health benefits and it allows anyone to be a better individual by the day.

Some will call it a sport, while others describe it as a journey and a lifestyle.

For instance, Agilan Thani used martial arts to transform himself from an obese teenager to an athletic mixed martial artist, and Jihin Radzuan experienced a surge in self-confidence when she started training.

Let’s explore three ways martial arts can improve the quality of your life.

#1 Stress Reliever

Punching the heavy bag for a boxing class or rolling on the mats for a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu session is not an easy physical activity, but it is a more approachable and fun exercise that will help you forget about the long day at the office.

What better activity is there than taking out all of your frustration on the heavy bag or the mats?

Different forms of martial arts emphasize the importance of being aware and in control of your body, and it also takes your mind away from unwanted thoughts.

Keeping active also triggers your body to release endorphins, which in turn reduces the risk of several health conditions.

#2 Make new friends

What better way to sign up at a gym and meet people who share a common interest with you?

Ask athletes like Thani and Gianni Subba, and they will tell you their respective martial arts gyms are like their second homes and every person is treated like a family member.

Getting paired up with a training partner during class will also motivate you to become a better version of yourself.

Not only will you unleash your inner greatness in the gym, but you could also meet your future best friend.

#3 Shed unwanted weight

Most forms of exercise will get the sweat going, but none provide a total body workout like martial arts.

A person can burn up to 700 calories per hour – depending on intensity and discipline – as compared to other fitness activities.

If Agilan’s example wasn’t enough, then have a look at how ONE Featherweight World Champion Martin Nguyen got himself into shape through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

For rapid weight loss and shedding a few inches off the waistline, there may be no better physical activity than martial arts.