Fighting has always been a part of human nature. This explains the unbridled popularity of martial arts. The history of martial arts is an extensive one, with many of the more popular variations (such as boxing and grappling) going back thousands of years. But did you know that martial arts can also be a great tool for self-improvement?
It’s true. In fact, not only is it a great tool for self-improvement, but it’s also one of the best tools out there for your personal development. Training in martial arts has the potential to revamp every facet of your life.
As a result, you’ll become a healthier, stronger (mentally and physically), and more well-rounded individual. And these advantages barely scratch the surface of what’s truly available to you in regards to the benefits of training in martial arts.
But with that said, you may be wondering, “how do martial arts improve your life exactly?” Fair enough. Keep reading to learn how training in martial arts is a great tool for self-improvement.
1. Focus & Concentration
Whether you’re training Muay Tai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, or any other martial art, a tremendous amount of focus and concentration is required. Why? Because of the inherent complexity of many of the techniques, paying attention becomes essential if you want to learn and do well in this discipline.
Moreover, this enhanced level of focus then becomes transferable.
You will find that you’ll naturally begin demonstrating stronger levels of concentration in other areas of your life. Your school work will be completed faster, your career will blossom, your relationships will improve, etc.
All because of the additional focus you lend to these areas, thanks to your martial arts training! For this reason, martial arts is an indispensable tool for self-improvement in every regard.
2. Greater Resilience
Martial arts are hard. Training is fraught with difficulties that come in the form of injuries, frustration, discouragement, etc. However, if you’re able to stick it out and keep showing up, you will find your resilience become bolstered as a result.
You’ll develop a fortified mindset and a stronger will that will spill into everything else that you do in life.
As a result, you won’t quit or give up on things so easily. You’ll have more grit and determination to see your goals through until the end. And this is absolutely critical for success in life. That unwavering spirit of resilience is one of the most important qualities you can ever develop within yourself.
For this reason — in addition to many others — training in martial arts is an undeniable way to strengthen your resolve and mental toughness.
3. Health & Fitness
Everyone knows the role health and fitness play in our overall happiness and well-being. Without your health, you won’t be able to enjoy any of the other values that life has to offer. As a tool for self-improvement, training in martial arts will keep you fit, strong, and in great shape.
Few activities are more rigorous than the full-body workout provided by rolling in BJJ, sparring in MMA, or clashing in muay thai.
As a result, training in martial arts will ensure your body remains fit and strong for many years to come.
4. Enhanced Self-Discipline
Three days a week (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays), I get up at 4:10 am to make it to my 5:30 am BJJ class. Sometimes I’m excited about it, but most times — as you can probably guess — I’m not. And on those days when I don’t want to go; you know what I do?
I go anyway…
It takes a lot of discipline to adhere to a consistent training routine. Many times — in fact, more often than not — you won’t feel like hauling yourself out of bed, bagging up your gi, and dragging yourself to class.
But by forcing yourself to do it (even if you’re just going through the motions), you’re strengthening your self-discipline. And as time goes by, you will find this cultivated level of consistency beginning to spread into other facets of your life.
For this reason, martial arts can be a great tool for self-improvement when it comes to developing your resolve and commitment.
5. More Confidence
Everyone wants to feel good about themselves. Confidence is a highly coveted trait. And you know what the best part about it is? It can be developed! Additionally, one of the most effective avenues to build self-confidence is through training in martial arts.
Why? Because few things will foster an unrelenting sense of self-assuredness in your life than learning how to defend yourself.
But self-defense is just one way that martial arts can boost your confidence. Training will also put you through an array of challenges. You’ll experience everything from injuries, losing matches, feeling like you’re not improving, etc.
I don’t say this to deter you from martial arts, but to inspire you.
Because by pushing through and overcoming such difficulties, you fortify your character. As such, a new level of self-belief will begin to emerge within yourself.
6. You’ll Become Dangerous
Despite what you’ve been told, being too nice is not a virtue. Yes, you should be warm, friendly, and keep a pleasant and positive attitude toward others. I’m not negating the fundamentals of being a decent human being.
But being overly kind to the point where people disrespect, walk all over, and take advantage of you is not a virtue by any stretch of the imagination — it’s weakness.
And many people let others get away with poor behavior simply because they don’t have the backbone to stand up for themselves. As such, they are continually mistreated and they have no one to blame but themselves for it.
Martial arts helps you grow a backbone by developing your dark side. Aggression is a natural part of human nature. However, it’s when said aggression is unregulated that trouble ensues. Training in martial arts teaches you how to control your aggression, and that’s when it becomes useful.
Cultivating your innate (and natural) tendency for aggression in a safe environment develops that dangerous side of you. And we all need that controlled dangerous side of us in order to contend with the world and stand up for ourselves and others when necessary.
As a result, martial arts are a tool for self-improvement that reaches far beyond just learning how to fight. And that’s certainly something to think about!
Martial Arts as a Tool For Self-Improvement
In my humble opinion, martial arts is truly one of the best tools for self-improvement. It can improve and impact every facet of your life in countless ways. For this reason, if you’ve been considering taking up martial arts as a discipline, I highly recommend that you do so! You owe it to yourself.
