7 Benefits of Martial Arts Training (Number 5 is Critical)

Anyone can benefit from martial arts training.

Whether your chosen discipline is Brazilian jiu-jitsu, kickboxing, MMA, or anything in between, martial arts training can be a transformative experience in your life. If you’ve been considering adopting a discipline in martial arts, you’re in the right place. You may have heard stories of the advantages of a consistent training regime.

But maybe you need to a little more convincing before you take the leap of faith. Fair enough. Keep reading to learn the 7 benefits of martial arts training.

1. Fighting Skills

Let’s face it, the main reason most people take up martial arts training is for self-defence. Of course, there are many other reasons as well, however, this is typically the foremost reason the majority of individuals start a training regime. And it’s understandable.

Learning to defend yourself and your loved ones is a very important–and dare I say, essential–life skill.

For this reason, it comes at the head of the list of martial arts benefits. However, it’s ironic. Even though most people typically start martial arts training to learn fighting skills, it’s actually all the other benefits associated with training that keep people around.

2. Self-Confidence

True confidence is earned.

You can’t think your way into becoming more confident, nor can you affirm it. Sure, these things can help–slightly. But only when they’re combined with action! You have to put yourself out there, push yourself, test your limits, fall down and scrape your knees, learn from your mistakes, get back up and try again, etc.

And it’s through this process of trial and error that you eventually reach success, which in turn builds real confidence.

Martial arts training puts you through this process: You learn new techniques, practice them,  and implement them in live sparring matches; you lose matches, learn where you fell short and then adjust accordingly to do and be better next time.

This process cultivates your self-confidence and makes you feel competent and capable, and that is invaluable to your development in life.

3. Strong Bonds With Others

The beautiful thing about martial arts training is that everyone is on the same path as you. This fact means you have a better chance at making lifelong friendships with others since you both share the same passion and interest.

And even if the friendships don’t grow into anything beyond training partners, you develop a strong bond with these people. Consequently, you feel a unique connection with them that you’ll be hard-pressed to find anywhere else.

After all, where else can you strangle, strike, and choke another human being and then slap and bump fists afterward, acknowledging it’s all in good fun?

I rest my case.

4. Strength and Endurance

Most people today are weak.

Few activities will develop your strength and endurance the way martial arts training can. And it’s not hard to see why; every component that contributes to more physical power and stamina is enhanced with martial arts. Your striking, kicking, cardio, etc, will all be put to the test.

As result, these facets will improve and get better over time, assuming you stick to a consistent training regime.

5. Character Development

Martial arts training will develop your character.

I feel this is an often overlooked benefit of training. But becoming proficient in any martial arts discipline requires many qualities associated with a high-quality character. And luckily, if you don’t already possess these traits, consistent training will beat them into you.

Some of these characteristics include:

• Humility: Many times, our egos tend to get ahead of us; martial arts training will always keep you in check. Just when you think you’re starting to ‘get it’ and you begin getting a little full of yourself, that’s when you get that slice of humble pie, and you get smashed. This process keeps you humble both on the mats and in life.

• Determination and commitment: As fun as martial arts are, to improve and become proficient at your chosen discipline requires a commitment to the process. Martial arts will give you that determination to make training a part of your routine and lifestyle.

• Self-discipline: Days will come when you’re exhausted or not feeling it; when it’s minus 30 with the windchill in the middle of winter; when you had a stressful day at work, and you just want to relax at home, etc. When those days come, the last thing you’ll want to do is show up to class to train. However, martial arts will help you develop the internal resolve needed to show up regardless of how you feel or what’s going on in your life.

6. Concentration

We live in an increasingly distracted world.

From TV and social media to emails and text messages, our lives are inundated with devices stealing our focus. So what can you do to reclaim your concentration? Take up a martial art! Martial arts training will help you to regain your centre of attention.

When you’re training or sparring, you have to focus on what’s happening in front of you.

Failure to do so will result in you forgetting the techniques or getting submitted by your training partner. Consequently, martial arts training will cultivate a level of focus you’ll be hard-pressed to get from almost anything else.

7. Healthy Lifestyle

It’s no surprise that training keeps you fit.

But martial arts also encourage an overall healthy lifestyle. When you consistently train, this leads to you eating better to support your training. Consequently, you may start running to enhance endurance; this can then lead to weight training to increase strength and power, etc.

You become caught in an upward spiral.

And before you know it, after 6 months to a year, you’re a completely different person: Eating healthy, exercising daily, and taking care of your mind, body, and spirit. And it all began with adopting a discipline in martial arts.

Other health benefits of martial arts training include:

1. Increased muscle definition
2. Greater flexibility
3. Quicker reflexes
4. Improved mental health
5. Better coordination
6. Weight loss
7. Enhanced cardiovascular health, and more

Martial Arts Training and Self-Improvement

I believe martial arts is one of the greatest tools for self-improvement. This belief is why I am such a big advocate of martial arts training. So if you’ve ever thought about taking up a discipline, I encourage you to do so. The benefits and advantages will get you hooked for life.