All martial arts incorporate physical fitness, and all martial arts will make you a more proficient fighter.
There are, however, a handful of martial arts that shine above the rest when it comes to improving your fitness levels and pugilism skills fast.
Are you looking for martial arts and fitness tips that will help you work harder and get stronger to become a combat fighter? Here are the top 4 martial arts to try if you want to get in better shape.
Boxing
A good boxer, with fast hands, proficient footwork, and sharp head movement, is without a doubt one of the toughest opponents when it comes to stand-up fighting.
Boxing incorporates such a high level of fitness training into its regime, that it’s hugely popular even with people who aren’t planning on getting in the ring. The focus on speed, power, and endurance, makes boxing the number one choice when it comes to athleticism.
The cardiovascular aspect of boxing makes up such a huge part of its training. From jump-rump, burpees to sparring, it is one of the most physically demanding workouts available.
Muay Thai
Take boxing, and then add kicks. Then add knees, and then add elbows for good measure. Muay Thai, also known as ‘the art of eight limbs’ is a full-body workout not for the faint-hearted.
Muay Thai is physically demanding, even more so when you train under the heat of the Thai sun. When you add your legs to striking you really feel the difference, especially in the ring.
Muay Thai is now very much worldwide and easily accessible at any level.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) takes the fight to the ground. It is the chess game of martial arts.
One of the most beautiful things about this sport is how welcoming it is. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners are some of the most humble and friendly people I’ve met.
The aim of BJJ is to get your opponent in a position where they have to submit (tap). This is done through either chokes or locks. The ‘tap’ system means that you concede every time your opponent successfully executes one of these moves. This is great because you’ll never get seriously hurt when training, providing you train smart.
It’s great for fitness as the grappling aspect of it is the perfect combination of aerobic and anaerobic exercise. There’s a large focus on flexibility and functional movement. A huge amount of BJJ is strategy and staying calm, so you get a brain workout too.
Krav Maga
Krav Maga is more of a self-defense system than a martial art. It is brought to you by the Israeli Special Forces, and it is the real deal when it comes to real-life combat training.
It borrows the most effective techniques from all fighting disciplines, combining striking, grappling, and even psychology. You really need to try it to find out exactly what is Krav Maga.
The training is intense, with a lot of the clubs using the maxim ‘train hard, fight easy’. Krav Maga is the perfect mix of fitness, technique, and sparring. Of all the classes out there to try, Krav Maga is easily the most effective when it comes to self-defense.
Try These Martial Arts and Fitness Tips Today
Incorporating martial arts and fitness is a great way to exercise. It’s easy to track your achievements and you’ll get a great training atmosphere.
You also get the psychological benefits of training in martial arts that you just don’t get with gym or home workouts.
Get online, book a trial class, leave your ego at home, and reap the rewards.
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