Pearls of Wisdom

The more things change, the more they stay the same.  As the face of martial arts continues to evolve in the 21st Century, the traditional benefits of martial arts training become more evident.  We are all aware that training in martial arts leads to self defense skill, values, and better health.   Here are just a few ways in which martial arts training can improve your health and jump start your metabolism.

1. Compound body movements mean you burn more calories!  Most martial arts training will require a coordination of upper and lower body.  Moving your legs, torso and arms together will involve all of the major muscle groups of the body.  This means that you will expend more energy and burn more calories than isolation exercises alone.

2. & 3. Cardio and Isometric combined builds muscle and endurance.  Dynamic forms of martial arts like kung fu or kickboxing build endurance.  In addition, forms and stance training which are usually a part of martial arts training will build and tone muscle.  Horse stance training for example, will involve almost all of the muscles in the lower body.  Your calves, quadriceps, hamstrings, and gluteal (butt) muscles all get worked.

4. Muscle Confusion Principle. Martial arts training can also provide a wide variety of different body movements which will help prevent plateau.  You could do forms training one day, kickboxing or grappling the next, or even tai chi!  Even though there is a lot of “crossover” between each form of training, there are different sets of core muscles that will used and and developed.

5. Interval Training. What sets martial arts training apart from other activities, like long distance running or cycling, is the concept of interval training.  Interval training requires bursts of intense energy followed by periods of lower intensity.  It is commonly believed that this type of training burns more fat than moderately intense exercise over a similar time period.

Learn how to Make Exercise a Habit!

To learn more about kung fu, tai chi, and kickboxing in San Diego visit: whitedragonmartialarts.com

This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 7th, 2009 at 1:54 pm and is filed under Health & Fitness. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.