Just like investing in the stock market, investing in your health and fitness requires research to get the right plan and should be reviewed annually. When looking for a facility to find fitness benefits, you need to research the options in your area, ask questions and talk to current and former clients. Most owners won’t shy away from your inquisitiveness, because it shows you are serious and looking at a long-term investment – a lifestyle change - not short term results.
Renowned as a great conduit for this kind of lifestyle change, Martial Arts training has gained much popularity over the years. You can learn self-defense skills, increase your confidence and your general well-being. Martial Arts has become one of the leaders in fitness and body conditioning for many reasons.
Self Improvement. Martial Arts is one of the most internally challenging activities you can do. The confidence gained from pushing yourself and conquering clear and measurable goals will translate to every aspect of your life. Making one constructive change makes it easier to continue to make positive decisions about your health, your work and even your personal life.
Be engaged, have fun! How many gym memberships have you had over the years? Unfortunately, in many cases the stick-to-it-ness is not easy if you are relying purely on good intentions to keep you motivated. Rather than registering for yet another aerobics class, Martial Arts provides a great alternative to the mainstream. The constant mental stimulation you get from being engaged in the class and learning something new acts as a great motivator to continue your training. Motivation is the key to really sticking to the change in lifestyle you have been craving.
Decrease Stress, Increase Concentration.How many times have you sat in a meeting and mentally made a list of things to do after work? Because your surroundings change daily, so does your level of concentration. However, there are things you can do to maximize your focus. All forms of physical exercise increase blood and oxygen flow to the brain. Martial Arts is one exercise that gives you the physical workout you need to reduce stress, assist sleep and diet habits, and most importantly increase levels of concentration.
Skill-Based Vs. Time-Based. Because Martial Arts is a skill-based activity (meaning you will be constantly learning, developing and honing your skills) there is no limit to how far you can progress and how good you can get. The better you get, the faster you can shoot a punch, the harder you can hit a pad… ultimately leading to heightened physical conditioning. In comparison to something like running – where to add benefit you have to run longer or faster – Martial Arts builds on the skills you have learned. This means you can continue to get a great workout as you learn more, and you do not have to commit hours upon hours to exercise.
Conditioning Oriented Classes. From Greco-Roman wrestlers to modern day Martial Arts icons, combat athletes have been among the fittest people in history. Many Martial Arts schools have recognized that although the average person does not plan to ever set foot in a competitive arena, the value you can experience from the “pre-fight” conditioning is incomparable. For example, a well-run Kickboxing or Mixed Martial Arts program is one of the best ways to develop lean musculature and excellent physical conditioning.
It really is a “total body workout”. It has to be. Each movement requires your entire body, and although in any particular technique the focus may be on one muscle group, the rest of your body is still engaged. That’s why in any good Martial Arts program there is a real focus on core condition, muscle strength and endurance, flexibility as well as cardio.
Before you sign a contract at your local Martial Arts school, you need to evaluate yourself and answer some questions.
First, what is your goal? What do you want or need from a class? Cardio, self-defense, competition, exercise, discipline or weight loss. If you are considering Martial Arts, are you looking for a soft or a hard martial art? Are there any physical limitations? What kind of shape are you starting in? Let the instructors know, so they can show you the programs best suited to your needs.
Visit advanced classes, as well as the beginner’s classes. Is this where you want to be in six months? Are there a disproportionate number of beginners to advanced students? There will be more beginners, but unless the school is new, there should still be a proportional number of advanced students. Do the students look excited or bored? Do they practice safety?
What can you afford? Include tuition/contract, equipment, uniforms, fees, belt testing (how often will you test and how much will they charge). Martial arts schools are in business, because they love what they do and want to share their skills. However, they are a business and have to pay staff, insurance, taxes and rent to keep the doors open.
Finally, go with your gut instinct. Having a black belt does not necessarily make a great teacher, but it does breed a sense of integrity and trust that they work hard to maintain. Since there are no organizations to ensure the equality or training of the instructors, schools succeed by working hard to provide clients with the programs they need and the safety they require. They can do this by your being able to discuss your needs and desired results during the first meetings. Good luck on your investment.
