“Martial” can be defined as having characteristics that define a warrior and is a derivative of Mars, the Roman god of war. Martial arts prepares a person for organized combat and self defense against another person or groups of people. They are systems that have been developed over time and are placed into two categories: grappling and striking.

Grappling, or ground fighting, is a system where a smaller opponent is able to defeat a much larger opponent using leverage, balance, and technique. The grappling art of jiu jitsu has seen an exponential rise in popularity and participation over the past decade for that reason. Traditionally, there is no striking in grappling arts, which is another reason for its rising popularity. 

The striking arts, however, are another story. They focus primarily on using combinations or various kicks and punches to incapacitate an attacker or opponent. Traditional styles include karate and taekwondo but, thanks to the sport of mixed martial arts (MMA), disciplines such as boxing and kickboxing have seen an increase in participants. A major appeal, especially with women, is sticking with the other aspects of training such as hitting the heavy bag for strength and focus mits for coordination since doing live sparring rounds is not be for everybody.

WHY IS LEARNING MARTIAL ARTS IMPORTANT?

Learning martial arts carries innumerable benefits, both physically and mentally. One of the biggest benefits is that it builds a person’s confidence by realizing that they are able to adequately handle themselves in the event of an altercation on the street. They get a sense of fulfillment after a hard training session and feel better about themselves because they just endured some pretty difficult physical challenges. Training is therapeutic and has been shown to reduce stress and mitigate the risk of hypertension.

Martial arts teaches a person discipline. They make themselves go to the gym when they do not feel like it. They maintain a healthier diet even when there is no competition scheduled. They realize that it is much harder to get in shape than it is to stay in shape and are galvanized to maintain those fitness levels as long as possible.

Martial arts participants meet new people and create new friendships that are based on trust and acceptance. There is a different type of camaraderie developed between people who are participating in an activity that relies on the other person letting go before breaking their partner’s arm or releasing pressure on a choke before they pass out. 

The more a person practices, the more they learn, and they never stop learning or improving. Most martial arts have ranking systems that serve as milestone achievements. It is another reason why many continue to train even if they do not have much of a desire or time to be a serious competitor. 

CAN SOMEONE LEARN MARTIAL ARTS BY THEMSELVES?

There are many ways that a person is able to practice martial arts alone, but room for improvement is often limited. There are many drills in grappling that they are able to practice, such as shrimping to improve ground movements and sprawling to improve takedown defense. The most effective drills to practice striking are hitting both the heavy bag and speed bag for increased power and timing and shadow boxing to improve speed.

It is hard to improve much without sparring or practicing new techniques without a partner or coach.

ARE MARTIAL ARTS VERY USEFUL?

Martial arts training provides a person’s body with innumerable benefits that they are unable to get from any other activity. Traditional fitness gyms can get boring and crowded. The monotony of weight lifting and running on the treadmill leaves a lot to be desired for people who seek out fun new challenges. 

Weight loss and muscle gain are two major reasons why people begin training in the first place, and the benefit of knowing how to defend themselves is often viewed as an added bonus. What they later discover throughout that process, however, is how their lifestyles change for the better through discipline and social life changes from being around like-minded individuals in a positive environment. 

WHICH MARTIAL ART TO PRACTICE?

Determining which martial art to learn does not have to be a difficult process. A person researching the practicality of the ones in which they have taken an inherent interest is a great place to start. Some are more fun than others depending on personality type, and it takes trial and error to see which ones are right for them. Many people are turned off by the physical nature of the grappling arts, so they end up trying Muay Thai instead. Others sometimes feel the same way about grappling but have no desire to endure the type of physical contact that comes with striking sports, so they participate in cardio kickboxing classes. 

HOW MANY MARTIAL ARTS ARE THERE?

There are many different styles of martial arts that exist and many that have slowly faded away over time. Currently, there are close to 200 different disciplines that are practiced around the world. Many of them serve practical purposes and are effective against an attacker in certain situations, while others are centered around mysticism and tradition. 

A few martial arts have experienced a growing number of participants because of MMA’s rising popularity. Jiu jitsu has quickly become the most popular due to its practicality, and people seem to really enjoy participating in the sport. 

Muay Thai and kickboxing have become popular among those who prefer to remain upright. Many fitness gyms have integrated cardio boxing and kickboxing classes into their schedules, which is a great way for people to learn the basic movements while experiencing high-intensity workouts and releasing any frustrations they have. Gyms that train competitors offer up a different look in that they focus more on improving their skill set with partner and solo drills. Live sparring with a partner is always optional in these gyms, and people still get a great workout.