Exercise Equipment:
Martial Arts Can Strike a Balance Both Physically and Mentally in your Exercise Regiment
by Ainuddin Mohamad
Martial arts may be the very thing you are looking for if you want something
unique to add to your exercise regiment. Since it has the benefit of exercising
both your mind and body you get a complete workout that aerobics or weight
lifting just can’t match.
Physically, martial arts are hard to beat. Many forms can help you burn calories
and fat, along with building strength and endurance. How does burning up to 600
calories an hour sound? Before you begin, you have to first find the style that
is good for you.
If you are looking for something with full body training, Judo might be your
choice. Judo means “the gentle way” and focuses more on self-defense than
attacking your opponent. It focuses on throwing your opponent, or using control
holds, arms locks, and choking techniques to subdue him. However, you do not
have to be hulking linebacker to perform the movements, many of the exercises
can allow a smaller person to take on a larger one. However, you do have to be
in decent physical shape to perform the movements, so if you are not there now
the constant training can help you get there.
If you are looking for something to kick up your routine, you might consider
Kung Fu. If you have ever seen a movie by or about Bruce Lee then you have seen
Kung Fu. While there are many variations and sub-styles, all Kung Fu can be
categorized into two categories – hard and soft. Hard Kung Fu focuses on the
impressive strikes and kicks. Soft Kung Fu focuses more on staying grounded and
balanced when attacked. Either form may use weapons. Both styles focus your
self-defense skills as well as your quickness and agility.
If you are looking for something more combative, karate may be for you. Karate
trains focused blows of the hands and feet, as well as special breathing and
shouts. Classes are offered from the beginner all the way up to the competitive
side of karate, so it is a great choice if you want to exercise as a family.
Tai Chi is another form of martial arts that is rapidly gaining popularity. The
goal of Tai Chi is to control your energy, known as “chi”. It practices slow,
controlled movements that can take anywhere from minutes to an hour to perform.
While not the best choice for weight loss, Tai Chi does have its own benefits.
It has been shown to improve flexibility and reduce stress, and may even help
lower blood pressure and cholesterol. Since it is at a slower pace than other
martial arts forms, it is often a good choice for older exercises or those who
have mobility problems due to arthritis, illness, or injury.
No matter what martial arts form you try, there are other health benefits to
look at – your mental health. In a society plagued with ads and TV shows
featuring “perfect” bodies you may be uncomfortable with how you look. Maybe you
suffer from depression or low self-esteem. Martial arts classes can help with
this. Besides the physical aspect of the classes, martial arts focus on
self-confidence, high morale, and respect. The idea is that if you think you
can, you can; and if you think you can’t, you can’t. Having a positive attitude
is a must, and this can flow over into your everyday life. Martial arts reduce
stress, and offer a way to literally “punch out” any emotional baggage you may
have from the day. As with any exercise, performing martial arts also releases
endorphins, the “feel good hormones”. This will cause you to feel better in
general. Depending on the class you attend, the teacher may also focus on
respect for each other and other life and history and culture of the martial art
and how it was developed. Some forms of martial arts are over 1000 years old, so
that gives your brain something to chew on while you are working out.
As with any exercise routine, always check with your doctor before beginning.
Listen to your body, and stop if you feel weak, have a hard time catching your
breath, or become dizzy. And remember to have fun – marital arts should be about
punching up your workout routine, not punching the life out of you.
About the Author
Ainuddin Mohamad is the Webmaster of
http://www.BestWebsites.com.my which is a Directory of Best Websites. Since
July 2000
BestWebsites.com.my has featured thousands of best websites in many
categories of interest with descriptions/reviews given by leading publications
and webmasters.
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