People often think that martial arts are only for self-defense. However, there are many benefits to practicing these disciplines beyond just learning how to defend yourself.
In fact, martial arts can be a great way to get in shape and improve your overall fitness. But with so many different types of martial arts out there, it can be difficult to decide which one is right for you.
In this article, we will discuss the different types of martial arts and help you decide which one is best for your fitness goals.
First, Is Martial Art a Sport?
Martial arts are often seen as a form of self-defense or as a means of “getting in touch with one’s inner warrior.” However, martial arts can also be considered a sport. In fact, according to thefightersgear, many of the same principles that apply to traditional sports such as football or basketball also apply to martial arts. For example, both require discipline and dedication, and both involve competition.
Of course, there are also some key differences between martial arts and other sports. For instance, martial arts often place a greater emphasis on mental and spiritual development.
Nevertheless, the fact remains that martial arts can be enjoyed as a sport, and practitioners can experience the same sense of camaraderie and competition that is found in other sports.
Now Let’s Check the Best Martial Arts for Fitness
1.Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-jitsu is a martial art that originated in Brazil. It is a grappling-based discipline that focuses on taking your opponent to the ground and applying submissions.
Brazilian Jiu-jitsu is an excellent workout and can help you build strength, flexibility, and cardio endurance.
2.Boxing
Boxing is a combat sport that has been around for centuries. It is often considered the “purest” form of martial arts, as it focuses solely on striking your opponent with punches.
Boxing is an excellent workout and can help you build strength, power, and speed. In fact, boxing is such an effective way to improve fitness that even those who don’t practice it punch the punching bag because of the huge benefits they gain, from working out their legs to strengthening their arms and shoulders.
3.Muay Thai
Muay Thai is a martial art that originated in Thailand. It is a striking-based discipline that uses punches, kicks, knees, and elbows.
Muay Thai is an excellent workout and can help you build strength, power, and cardio endurance. Moreover, Muay Thai is a great way to relieve stress and improve your mental health.
4.Kickboxing
Kickboxing is a martial art that combines the techniques of boxing and Muay Thai. It is a striking-based discipline that uses punches, kicks, knees, and elbows.
Kickboxing is an excellent workout and can help you build strength, power, and cardio endurance. Many individuals’ kickboxing for the sake of staying healthy without considering to improve their self-defense abilities, which demonstrates how beneficial this martial art is for improving cardio and fat burning. The kickboxing training trend has gained momentum in the last decade and its popularity is constantly growing.
5.Krav Maga
Krav Maga is a martial art that originated in Israel. It is a self-defense system that combines techniques from a variety of disciplines, including boxing, wrestling, and Jiu-Jitsu.
Krav Maga is an excellent workout and can help you build strength, and cardio endurance. In addition, Krav Maga is a great way to improve your self-defense skills as it considered as one the most effective martial art for self-defense purposes.
6.Wrestling
Wrestling is a martial art that has been around for centuries. It is a grappling-based discipline that focuses on taking your opponent to the ground and applying submissions.
Wrestling is an excellent workout and can help you build strength, power, and cardio endurance. But important to know that wrestling has one of the highest injury rates of any sport.
7.Taekwondo
Taekwondo is a martial art that originated in Korea. It is a striking-based discipline that uses punches, kicks, knees, and elbows.
As well as improving flexibility, Taekwondo can also help build strength, power, speed, and cardio endurance.
So, Which One Should You Choose?
There are many different martial arts to choose from when looking to improve fitness levels, and the best choice for you will depend on your individual goals.
For example, if you are looking to improve cardiovascular fitness, then an activity like Kickboxing or Boxing would be a good choice. These martial arts involve high-intensity interval training, which has been shown to be an effective way to improve heart health.
If you are looking to improve strength and power, then activities like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or Wrestling would be more beneficial. These martial arts focus on takedowns and throws, which require significant explosive power.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for the right martial art for improving your self-defense skills, then Krav Maga would be a good martial art to consider. This discipline focuses on practical self-defense techniques that can be used in a variety of real-world situations.
Ultimately, the best martial art for fitness improvement is the one that best meets your individual needs and goals and the one in which you will persevere and continue to practice it for a long time.
No matter what your goals are, there is a martial art out there that can help you achieve them.
