Martial arts provide a lot of health benefits, not to mention instilling discipline and confidence within students. A student of martial arts will be able to build a healthier body and, therefore, lifestyle because health and fitness are closely intertwined. Let’s explore four of the most common health benefits of martial arts.
- Cardiovascular Health
It can be difficult to meet the physical activity guidelines of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Their research shows that only one in five adults really meets their suggested amount of exercise. In particular, cardiovascular health is very important to manage because it is closely linked to heart health. During training, drills can help ramp up one’s heart rate, helping you build cardiovascular endurance as well as increasing the positive impact of your aerobic exercise.
- Muscle Tone
Students of martial arts can increase their muscle mass and help them get more toned overall. Punching and kicking require much strength, demanding the muscles in your legs, arms, and core work hard. Muscle mass and metabolism are related since the more muscle mass you have, the higher your metabolic demands become. This means your body will burn more calories, even if your body is at rest.
- Weight Loss
As mentioned before, improving your muscle mass can help improve your metabolism, which can contribute to weight loss. Martial arts are also a great form of exercise, particularly if you practice two to three times each week. The CDC recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, each week (roughly 2 hours and 30 minutes).
- Reflexes
Fast reflexes are required for good martial artists. Whether it is sparring or fighting in a competition, dodging and blocking the attacks of your opponent is very important to every martial artist. Through repetition, your reflex can improve and you will notice faster reaction times in all parts of your life. Quick reflexes can also help in day-to-day activities like driving and cooking.
