Mixed martial arts has exploded over the past decade due to the popularity of the UFC. Many want to become professional fighters and some want to become MMA trainers.
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Top 10 Most Attractive Female Fighters In MMA
MMA has grown significantly over the years due to the popularity of the UFC. Up until 2012 there were no female fighters in the UFC.
Continue readingHow To Earn A Black Belt In Taekwondo
Earning a black belt in Taekwondo is the culmination of years of training. First-degree black belts generally take between three and four years to earn.
People who claim that they can get to this level in two years are usually overambitious. They are not stretching themselves sufficiently, or training for long enough to earn a black belt.
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Earning A Black Belt In Taekwondo
Earning a black belt in Taekwondo requires years of training and dedication. Depending on the style you choose, it can take anywhere from two to four and a half years to earn your black belt.
To ensure that you achieve your goal, find a martial arts school with a standard testing system and stick to it. You should not try to speed up the process by trying to learn as many techniques as possible. Instead, focus on learning new skills and acquiring more knowledge.
Once you have gained sufficient skills, you can start testing for the first degree black belt. Some schools require at least three to five years of training, but others do not require this minimum.
The first black belt test is very important, and although the majority of students that are tested pass, there are some that fail. Below I walk you through the steps you should take if you fail your Taekwondo black belt test. Don’t be discouraged, just follow my tips below in that section.
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The first step in earning a black belt in Taekwondo is to advance beyond the white belt. Below is the full list of the belt ranking system in Taekwondo.
Taekwondo Belt Ranking System (Taekwondo Belt Order)
- 10th Geup – White Belt
- 9th Geup – White Belt with Yellow Tip
- 8th Geup – Yellow Belt
- 7th Geup – Yellow Belt with Green Tip
- 6th Geup – Green Belt
- 5th Geup -Green Belt with Blue Tip
- 4th Geup – Blue Belt
- 3rd Geup – Blue Belt with Red Tip
- 2nd Geup – Red Belt
- 1st Geup – Red Belt with Black Tip
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Taekwondo Black Belt Test (Video) 12 mins
What You’ll Be Tested On
A black belt test consists of a number of things. Firstly, students should show courtesy, discipline, and respect when they attend their gradings.
When their name is called to begin their test, they should raise their right hand and say in a clear voice, ‘Here Sir,’ and move quickly to their assigned spot. Students who do not follow grading etiquette will have a mark against their name from minute one.
You will be tested on a variety of things. The test will consist of ten stages and will take about three hours. It is important to know all the kicks, forms, blocks and stances required to pass this test. Students must also demonstrate skills in defending against knife attacks and holds. There will also be a small theory part.
Always ask your instructor prior to your test what theory questions you should practice answering that may be on the test. That way you can adequately prepare for the test.
You will also need to know how to perform your technique alone and how to perform them against different opponents – there will be a sparring session. Your instructor can provide you with valuable tips and tricks in order to achieve passing this section.
For the demonstration and sparring session, your partner will be selected for you by the examiners during the grading, and will usually be another student attempting the same or similar grade.
It is important to remember that you are being assessed on your own technique but also on your respect and control when working with a partner.
While the process differs between styles, the basic principles remain the same: proper technique, power, and focus. The more advanced you train, the more likely you are to achieve your goal. If you’re serious about learning a martial art, you’ll progress faster than someone who’s just trying to stay fit.
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Passing Gradings In Taekwondo
Passing gradings in Tae Kwon Do involves presenting your best performance. You can receive an A pass or a fail grade.
If you fail, your instructor will explain what went wrong and help you improve your performance for the next grading.
If you perform exceptionally well in the grading, you may even receive an ‘A pass’ which will allow you to take the next grading one month later. In order to receive an A pass, you need to achieve high marks in every area of the grading.
To pass a grading, you need to demonstrate consistency in your training and make sure that you have the level of fitness needed. As mentioned before a black belt grading can be over three hours long and requires lots of movement, so make sure you have the energy and physical strength to be successful.
Passing a black belt test requires months of practice and effort.
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When Will I Get My Black Belt Test Results?
If you’re completed your black belt test congratulations. Job well done. Sit back and relax. Your grading results will usually be given out in normal lessons in the following week.
If you have passed you will receive your new grade certificate along with your new belt or tags. This is a great accomplishment that you should be very proud of.
What Happens If I Fail My Black Belt Test?
There are many reasons why students fail Taekwondo gradings. These reasons may include forgetting forms, performing techniques incorrectly, and not understanding the syllabus. Some students may also not have enough time to train properly.
Others may have a full schedule and can’t make it to class. Regardless of the reason, it’s important to study the syllabus and make sure you’re prepared for a grading.
Before taking a grading, students should practice the techniques they will be tested on at full speed. I find more times than not that your instructor will not give you a black belt test unless he really thought you were ready.
And even then, he would give you a few weeks to practice what will be on the test. So this will give you enough time to prepare and give you an advantage to pass. instructors want you to pass in order for you to advance within Taekwondo.
If you fail you will be allowed to retest within one month (30 days). If you failed look at your marks to see what you got wrong. Also have a conversation with the instructor conducting the test, he’ll tell you want you need to work on.
This will give you enough information on what you need to practice on in order to be successful the second time around.
How Long Is The Taekwondo Black Belt Test
As mentioned earlier the Taekwondo black belt test can be over 3 hours. Please be sure that you have worked on your stamina and conditioning before attempting this test, or you will fail due to exhaustion.
Earning A Black Belt In ITF
Earning a black belt in ITF Taekwondo is not an overnight process. It requires a lot of hard work and dedication. The process usually takes six to nine months.
To begin the process, it is advisable to join a school that offers quality training. This will enable you to learn the ancient techniques and develop enhanced awareness.
After you’ve trained for several years, taken your black belt test, and have passed that grading – you can now become an instructor’s assistant.
You can assist with teaching a class and inspire those in the class to become the best martial artists they can be. Help them achieve their goals in Taekwondo as your instructors have helped you. Each one teach one.
If you feel like you are ready for another challenge and want to achieve another milestone in Taekwondo, I suggest you go for your 2nd Dan.
There are 10 degrees you can achieve in Taekwondo and it will take you many years to accomplish them all, if that’s your goal. Just remember on your journey to have fun and help others on your way.
That is the most important part of the journey because it is the most fulfilling.
Sponsor: International Taekwondo Federation
UFC 280 Predictions (DraftKings Betting)
UFC 280 is shaping up to be one of the biggest fight cards of the year. The event features the top fighters in the world and some of the most important divisional fights in the sport.
The bantamweight and lightweight titles are on the line in this major event. Luckily, DraftKings is offering an exclusive promotion for UFC 280, where you can win $200 in free bets if you bet on a winner.
While there are many contenders on the UFC 280 card, the fight between Charles Oliviera and Islam Makhachev is the most intriguing. It will be Oliveira’s Jiu-Jitsu vs Makhachev’s wrestling.
Although Charles has improved his boxing tremendously over the years, he’s more proficient when it comes to grappling.
This bout will officially take place in Abu Dhabi for the vacant Lightweight belt. If Charles wins he will reclaim his title, but if Islam wins he will become the new champion, and receive his first title in the UFC.
Here are the current DrafKings betting odds: Makhachev -190 and Oliveira +160.
Makhachev’s youth and aggressive wrestling style makes him a favor in this matchup. But don’t count Oliviera out, he’s a champion for a reason, and won’t make this an easy fight.
If you want to bet on a fight, be sure to check the odds. DraftKings Sportsbook has the UFC 280 odds. There are a few favorites.
The odds on Belal Muhammad are decent, but Sean Brady is the better striker, and because of it, the betting odds currently show things in his favor: Muhammad +115 and Brady -135. You’ll want to follow the odds closely to ensure that you get the best value.
Another bout on the card will be female Bantamweight contenders Karol Rosa vs Lina Lansberg. Karol signed with the UFC in 2019 after making her MMA debut in 2012.
Karol Rosa has won four consecutive fights and has defeated Lara Fritzen, Vanessa Melo, and Bethe Correia. She’s another strong contender, and has a good shot winning her match The betting odds have her as a -330 favorite over Lansberg +275
The next bout in the event that people are excited about is Petr Tan vs. Sean O’Malley. O’Malley has always been an exciting fighter to watch, and he is the fan favorite in this match.
We all love to see his unorthodox fighting style. He’ll be going up against Petr Yan, the former Bantamweight champion.
This will be O’Malley’s toughest challenge to date. DraftKings currently has Petr Yan as the betting favorite at -265 and O’Malley at +225.
The co-main event will be Aljamain Sterling vs T.J. Dillashaw. This shoul be a very exciting fight full of action. Dillashaw is back from a 2 year suspension for taking performing enhancement drugs.
While Sterling successfully defended his title against Petr Yan. Both fighters are known to push the action in the cage and that’s what fans love to see. The betting odds are currently in Sterling’s favor at -175 to Dillishaw’s +150
Sponsor: DraftKings
Basic MMA Strength Training Routine
A basic MMMA strength training routine includes exercises that work the entire body. The goal of a routine is to build strength, power, and conditioning.
This training plan should include compound moves that work the hamstrings, glutes, upper back, shoulders, and forearms. Using compound moves will help you build strength and power before the competition season.
The content throughout this post should serve as an overview to a good MMA strength and conditioning program. This is the most comprehensive combat athlete training program overview on the net today.
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Core Body Strength Exercises
An MMMA strength training routine should focus on developing the core and stabilizing the body.
Core exercises focus on protecting the abdominal organs while stabilizing the spine, pelvis, and shoulders. They also build speed, which will be vital during a fight.
While strength training is crucial for MMA fighters, a basic strength training routine should also include aerobics and endurance exercises.
Compound movements such as the lateral lunge and rotational medicine-ball throw are excellent exercises for the core. Both of these exercises work the body from every angle, including side-to-side. In addition to strengthening your core, these exercises will build strength and power throughout your entire body.
Adding explosive power is important in mixed martial arts. It will help you move faster and make more powerful punches. This is achieved by incorporating plyometric exercises into your workout.
A plyometric workout is best done two to three times a week, with 48 hours between sessions. Some exercises for a plyometric routine include plyo push-ups, single-arm throws, side throws, and lateral high hops.
A basic MMA strength training routine should include the use of a barbell, med ball, and striking bag. Weight lifting will increase your strength and make you leaner. It will also reduce the risk of injury.
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Strength and Conditioning Phases
There are three phases to a basic MMA strength and conditioning program. The first is called phase one and focuses on developing basic strength and balance.
The second phase, known as phase two, is all about converting strength into sport-specific power. The third and final phase is the conditioning phase.
Phase one is achieved by performing exercises such as Olympic lifts, plyometrics, and other high-velocity exercises. Lastly, fighters should focus on developing good proprioception and flexibility to improve their fight-related performance.
Generally, a fighter should begin a general preparation phase eight weeks before a fight. At this time, he or she should have a base level of aerobic capacity and general fitness.
Phase two should also focus on building strength endurance and joint integrity. A fighter should incorporate a variety of strength-building exercises to maximize the benefits of training in the cage. Some example could be kettle bell, battle rope, and calisthenics exercises.
As mentioned earlier phase three has to do with conditioning exercises. The body conditioning exercises should strengthen, shape, and tone your whole body. Before beginning a full workout, the fighter should perform warm-up sets with light weight for fifteen to twenty repetitions.
There is a phase four that is outside of your training phases, and that phase four is known as competition phase. As the main fight approaches, you should feel that you’ve done enough in training to have a good fight.
You’ve prepared all you can during training camp and now all you have to do is execute an pull off a win. Keep your mind clear and your emotions steady because any overhype in thoughts will increase your emotions and have you feeling super tense before the fight, and that’s not what you want.
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Weight Training Regimen
An effective MMA strength training program should incorporate compound movements, which work the legs, glutes, arms, upper body, shoulders, and core.
These exercises develop strength, power, and endurance. They also help a fighter prepare for competition season. It is also a good idea to add bodyweight circuit training to your routine. Performing bodyweight circuit training will help you improve your agility and flexibility.
The goal of a strength training regimen is to complement the technical training that a fighter already does in the cage. The first step is to identify areas that need more work. Usually, a fighter will focus on their weakest areas, which will translate to the rest of their MMA strength training regimen.
It is important to progress slowly through the different training phases based on individual fitness levels. While weight lifting is not essential for fighters in specific weight categories, it is important to focus on compound exercises that require a high level of technique.
Likewise, fighters should focus on improving their flexibility and posture. A good MMA strength training routine should also focus on developing explosiveness. This will help a fighter achieve leaner and faster muscle development.
You accomplish this by using exercises that emphasize hip power and coordination. This is essential for MMA fighters. Exercises like dumbbell snatch and cable suplex will help a fighter increase their power by extending their hips forcefully.
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MMA Weight Training Routine
Workout 1
- Squat – 3 sets of 5
- Bench Press – 3 sets of 5
- Rows – 3 sets of 5
Workout 2
- Deadlift – 3 sets of 3
- Military Press – 3 sets of 5
- Pullups – 3 sets of 10
Workout 3
- Step-ups – 3 sets of 10
- Push Press or Incline Press or Dips – 3 sets of 5
- Power Cleans or Power Snatches – 5 sets of 3
Training Frequency
As I’ve mentioned before, a basic MMA strength training routine should be composed of a variety of exercises that require high levels of aerobic endurance.
These activities focus on a high amount of effort with minimal recovery time. This will help the fighter develop explosive power and the ability to finish a fight quickly.
MMA training is intense and not for the faint of heart. It involves impacts, extensions, rotations, and cardiovascular challenges. This type of training pushes the body to its limits, and it’s important to have realistic expectations. It’s also important to maintain an appropriate foundation of strength and mobility.
The frequency of a basic MMA strength training routine should be adjusted to the specific needs of the fighter. It may be necessary to substitute some technical sessions for hypertrophy training if the fighter is moving up a weight class. Also, he may want to reduce the overall volume of his training sessions when he’s close to a fight.
MMA fighters typically train twice or three times per day. They typically train for between six to fourteen minutes straight, and then rest for anywhere from 15 to 36 seconds.
Again, the training will vary depending on the needs of the fighter. The fighter’s coach will devise a workout plan and is there to see that the fighter follows it.
Sponsor: Muscle and Fitness
How To Become A UFC Fighter
There are many fighters in my gym who want to go pro. They want money, fame, and a luxurious lifestyle. There are also many amateur fighters I come across who want to achieve the same goal.
Being around martial arts for a number of years, networking with fighting promotions, and being connected to professional fighters and managers, I always give them sound advice on how to become a UFC Fighter.
Why UFC? Because it has become the gold standard in mixed martial arts fighting. It is the number one MMA fighting promotion in the world, and your goal is to always be the best.
In terms of the ongoing drama with the UFC and fighters pay, I always say you get what you negotiate. End of story.
In this article, I’m going to share with you how to become a UFC fighter. You’re going to learn what it takes, and the process you need to go through to get signed. This is just my opinion and is not considered legal advice.
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What Is Takes To Be A UFC Fighter
So you want to be a UFC fighter? You wanna make money fighting, and be known all around the world as a skilled martial artist? You want to be known as the best fighter in the world?
Well, the only issue is that you have hundreds of thousands of men and women who have the same dream as you.
You need a way to erase them and stand out from the crowd. Your goal is to be unique so that the UFC doesn’t look at you the same as everyone else.
The reason being is that out of all the guys that are the same and have average personalities, the UFC is always going to choose the one that is unique. The guy that is unique and has a personality that stands out will get the contract.
This is because the UFC is looking at his marketability and how it will translate into sales. At the end of the day, the UFC is a business.
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Steps To Take To Become A UFC Fighter
Set Goals and Stick To Them
Your goal is to become a UFC fighter and there are a few steps you need to take to reach there. Your immediate goal should be to start eating right.
You have to change your diet so you can be at or around the weight you want to fight at. Only you can determine what weight class you want to fight in.
Even if you want to fight at heavyweight you have to eat right and work on your cardio or you will not last a round in the UFC. Being a heavyweight doesn’t mean you get to eat poorly.
Measuring Your Success
Have a vision and set a date on when you’d like to achieve things. For example, by this date I want to be at this weight. Or by this date I want to be training with a coach. So on and so forth. Successful people achieve measurable goals within reasonable time.
This is the only way you can tell if you are doing a good job towards achieving your dreams is to measure your accomplishments. You have a set of tasks to complete. These tasks are called your goals. Well, are you accomplishing the goals you set for yourself or are you not?
If you have a goal to go to the gym 4 times a week, have you been doing that? If you have a goal to eat healthy, have you been doing that?
The only way to tell if you’re on the path to success is by accomplishing your goals, and if you’re not, it’s fair to say that you’re not serious about becoming successful.
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Find a Gym and a Reputable Coach
The other thing you want to do is find an MMA gym to train in. A local gym would be a good option for you because it would be more convenient. You will already know if there is an MMA gym near you or not because you drive around your neighborhood every day.
You’re already familiar with the shops, stores, and gyms where you live. If there isn’t an MMA gym close by Google where you can one within short driving distance. If an MMA gym is close by, visit it after work or school. Examine the atmosphere and people inside.
Examine everyone from the person at the front desk, to the people training, the guests, and the instructors. This is important because you want to train in a friendly, welcoming, and easy-going atmosphere. Any chaos will add stress that you don’t need.
If you like what you see inquire more about training there. Ask the person at the front desk if there are coaches currently training fighters to become professionals. Take all the information you can and if there is an opportunity to meet the coach do so.
One thing I always recommend is finding a reputable coach that has experience training fighters that have actually won competitions.
I would look for a coach that has trained fighters to become champions. The reason being is that the coach knows what it takes to bring a fighter from where he is now, to win a championship belt.
Always look up online the information the coach gives you about himself, and the championship fighters he has trained to make sure he’s legit.
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Start Taking Amateur Fights
It’s unrealistic to think that you will go from training in your gym to getting on Dana White’s Contender Series, or his other show Dana White: Looking For A Fight. It’s doesn’t happen that way.
You have to go out and make a name for yourself, and build up some buzz around your name by fighting some amateur bouts.
This is a part of the reason why you have to have an experienced coach that has successfully trained fighters into become champions. The coach will know when the latest competitions are happening and where they are taking place.
These competitions are vital to your success as a fighter because they help you to gauge your skill level among good fighters within your weight class across the country.
Once you build up your skill level and reputation – a buzz will start to build up around you, and representatives from different fighting promotions, including the UFC, will come knocking at your door.
This doesn’t mean that they’ll automatically sign you, it only means they are prepared to allow you to prove yourself in order to get signed!
Join Social Media To Grow Your Fanbase
In order to become popular and use the buzz you have to your advantage you’re going to have to join social media. Here is a list of social media platforms I recommend
- Snap Chat
- TikTok
- Youtube
- Twitch (if you’re into gaming)
The social media platform will allow you to expand your brand awareness in order to gain more popularity. This can catch the attention of the UFC and have them approach you with an opportunity.
The key to success on social media is to post content regularly and engage in conversation with those who are following you, and other similar pages related to mixed martial arts.
The content you post should be about you and your fighting journey, clips of you in the gym practicing, and some clips of your fights. You can ass content showing your family and friends but that is optional.
Social media can also be used as a platform to make money. You can post products and services of sponsors and affiliates in the exchange for money. Many celebrities, athletes, musicians, and entertainers make a good living from social media, and you can too!
UFC fighters that earn money from their social media platforms are:
- Israel Adesanya
- Francis Ngannou
- Sean O’Malley
- Daniel Cormier
- Shael Sonnen
- Demetrious Johnson
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Maintain a Good Amateur Record
Your record as an amateur does not have to be perfect. Perfect as in you have multiple wins and zero losses. You want a record with more wins than loses, and you don’t want your loses to be half your wins or even exceed half your wins. That would be a bad record.
The UFC wants your wins to exceed losses because this shows that you can outclass your opponents and are ready for challenging fighters in the UFC.
Keep in mind that at these events there will be many scouts from the UFC, so always perform at your optimum. Even if you lose put on your best performance.
If you watch Dana White’s: Looking For a Fight he has signed many fighters that have lost a match. His focus is on taking fighters that have potential and turning them into great fighters.
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Connect With UFC Managers
Another great strategy you can use is to connect with managers that are already in the UFC. If you do a quick Google search for UFC managers, a list will pop up.
Your job will be to contact these individuals via email or social media and make a case for why one of them should manage you.
Do not approach these managers aggressively or write them paragraphs through email or in their social media Dms.
They have no time to read all that crap. Don’t be so sensitive, they don’t want to hear about your life story and struggle. It’s not the right time for all that.
I find the best way to approach them is to invite them to your next local fight so they can see your skills up close and personal. Or invite them to lunch or dinner so you can discuss them managing your career.
Take an easygoing approach and see what happens. It has worked for many fighters so try your luck and see if it will happen for you.
Be Consistent In Your Approach
The old adage is very true, that closed mouths don’t get fed. If you truly want to become a UFC fighter you have to be consistent in your pursuit of achieving that goal. if you want it badly enough and you persistent, it will happen.
You also have to be patient and look at things realistically. The UFC at any given time has 500 fighters under contract! This is according to Dana White. You have take that into consideration while chasing this dream.
Consistency is important because it increases your chances of achieving your goals. If you stay ready and are prepared for when the opportunity comes, you’ll achieve success.
Below I’ve posted a video of UFC veteran Shael Sonnen, and how he got an opportunity to fight in the UFC by being consistent in his approach – and being ready when they gave him the chance!
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How Long Does It Take To Become a UFC Fighter?
There is no particular time frame on when you can make it as a UFC fighter. For some it takes 2-3 years, while others it takes much longer. Some who pursue this goal don’t even make it at all.
There’s no secret formula to getting signed to the UFC, but trying these different methods listed above can increase your chances of making it.
This is the ultimate advice on how to become a UFC fighter. I hope you enjoyed it and got insight on how you can start your journey on trying to get signed by the biggest fight promotion in MMA history.
If it all works out for you and you get signed based on my advice, please do send us an email or DM, we’d love to post up a story about your success. Good luck!
Sponsor: UFC
10 Health Benefits of Martial Arts
Today we’ll discuss the 10 health benefits of martial arts. Martial arts can help you defend yourself on the streets, but it also has a lot of health benefits as well. So let’s get into it!
Does watching a martial arts movie thrill and relax you? The hand-to-hand combat, sharp reflexes, and smooth movements can be intense and exciting. Did you know it offers so many other benefits besides the thrill of martial arts?
Mixed Martial art is a combat method that suspends logical and analytical functions of the mind and the body, which allows them to interact instantaneously as a unit. In this article, we will discuss ten benefits of this interaction.
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10 Health Benefits of Martial Arts
Trainees benefit physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually from mixed martial arts. Through systematic martial arts practice, trainees can improve their physical fitness (strength, stamina, flexibility, speed, movement and coordination). In addition to physical fitness, martial art training contributes to mental health, self-esteem, self-control, and spiritual and emotional wellbeing.
Martial arts keep participants mentally and physically active and instill a sense of ethical achievement during the program. The following are ten martial art benefits regarding health, mind, and health and wellness.
Below are the 10 health benefits to martial arts and keep in mind this is the first post of a two part series. Part two will be released as soon as next week.
Physical Benefits of Martial Arts
1. Muscle Gain and Weight Loss
When you train martial art consistently, you can transform your body completely. Martial arts involve high-intensity workouts and repeated muscular actions that build strength and burn fat quickly. Calorie burning leads to rapid fat and weight loss.
Also, trainees can gain muscle mass and become more toned. Punching and kicking require a lot of strength, requiring your arms, legs, and core muscles to work hard. By increasing your muscle mass and tone, you can boost your metabolism, which can lead to weight loss. Even while resting, your body burns more calories.
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2. Cardiovascular Health
Studies have shown that martial arts practitioners have lower heart rates and blood pressures. A 2018 research shows that 16 weeks of martial arts training drastically lowers cardiovascular disease risk. Studies also show HIIT (high-intensity workouts) improves cardiovascular health.
In HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) workouts, the more effort you put in, the greater the demand for oxygen. This results in expanded blood vessels and improved circulation, leading to better cardiovascular health. There are some doctors who recommend mixed martial arts training for specific diseases and conditions, like cardio kickboxing and HIIT training that avoids sparring.
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3. Flexibility, Balance, Agility
Martial arts require a specific dose of flexibility. It depends on the individual; some will need more, while others will need less. Regardless of your choice of martial art, your flexibility will improve. In addition to stretching to avoid injuries, martial arts movements will boost your flexibility.
The more challenging your techniques become, such as strikes, high kicks, or ground attacks, the more flexibility you will need. By being flexible, it will be easier to avoid attacks, and takedown attempts more effectively.
Balance:
Many people found that martial art can improve balance as well. Trainees learn to use their bodies in a whole new way, improving their overall balance, stability, and coordination. Whether you are executing moves or blocking or avoiding attacks, stability and awareness are essential.
Agility:
The martial arts will quickly increase your agility, mobility, and quickness. With practice, your muscles can develop fast-twitch fibers, resulting in explosive power and quick bursts of energy, such as striking, evading, and lateral movement. As you become more adept at handling higher speeds, so will your reflexes. Your reflexes improve as you become more accustomed to combative and other stressful situations.
Mental Health Benefits of Martial Arts
4. Stress Relief
Combat sports can significantly decrease your stress levels. Rather than keeping it inside, you can release it by exercising, punching a bag, exercising, or simply relaxing. A 2019 study suggests that martial arts can reduce anxiety, stress, and tension. Also, a martial art like Tai Chi or Karate emphasizes calmness and meditation, two excellent ways to relieve stress.
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5. Boost Self Confidence and Self-Esteem
If you lack confidence or self-esteem, martial arts can help. Martial arts training will give you new skills that will help you defend yourself. Additionally, you will lose weight and gain muscles, which will help you improve your posture and appearance. Having a positive impression of yourself is a great confidence booster.
Martial arts is known to boost your confidence because it teaches how to have a tough mentality and that builds resilience within you. This resilience can help you overcome tough challenges that you may face in life. Another way martial arts boosts your confidence and self-esteem is its belt rewarding system. When you achieve a higher rank belt than your current one, you feel a sense of accomplishment.
This sense of accomplishment and congratulations from your instructor and fellow practitioners, will lift your confidence and have you walking around proud of yourself. This is how everyone should feel in life, confident and proud of their accomplishments.
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6. Improve Focus, Memory and Peace of Mind
Martial arts can improve one’s ability to concentrate. Even in stressful situations, you will learn how to stay focused. One reason martial arts will help you develop focus is their training methods. This includes mastering a single, repetitive task until it becomes second nature and combining them seamlessly while anticipating your opponent’s every move.
Improve Memory:
Martial arts also enhance your memory. With each repetition of an exercise, your pathways and neural synapses will become stronger. So using your memory will be the key to successfully combining the elements. Muscle memory will also improve as a result. By repeating certain techniques and moves, you will become more proficient and faster at doing them.
Offers Peace and Calm:
Outside spectators often perceive martial art as aggressive or violent. However, most martial art require peace, calm, focus, and compassion instead. For instance, peace of mind is the goal of karate, which explains why spirituality and meditation are so important. The goal is to hinder your opponent quickly without being aggressive. It is better to avoid conflict if you can. Keeping calm in difficult circumstances can prevent many conflicts.
The Social Benefits of Martial Arts
9. Building Character, Social Skills
Martial arts is a great way to build character quickly. Your self-confidence will grow, which will allow you to express yourself more freely. Socializing and interacting with others is easier when you have a strong character or personality. Making friends can be challenging if you are a newcomer to an area and dislike going to bars or clubs.
But when you begin martial art training, you will likely meet people who share your interests, and martial arts can serve as a conversation starter. The great thing about martial art training is that you always know that you’re among people with similar interests since you share a martial art gym. You can improve your social skills by learning how to work and communicate with others.
10. Protect Yourself On The Streets
Lastly, martial arts help you increase your awareness and the mental presence you have when in social situations. Martial arts training teaches you to pay attention to your surroundings at all times. Eventually, you will be able to apply it to other parts of your life, such as social gatherings and family life. Knowing that you are capable of taking care of yourself when needed will enhance your self-confidence, while also allowing you to be relaxed around others.
As said earlier martial arts can reduce your social anxiety and help with certain mental and physical ineptness you may have. the objective is to get into a martial arts that provide an encouraging environment for you to train in. This will aid you on your journey to experiencing the martial arts benefits it can provide.
Conclusion
Now you know the 10 health benefits of martial arts. Get started by putting yourself on a new performance level today. In no time, martial arts will benefit you physically, mentally, and socially. These ten martial art benefits can help with your over health and wellness.
Sponsor: Innercity MMA
15 Celebrities Who Train In Martial Arts
Martial arts are no joke, and these celebrities prove that every day. From actors and athletes to reality TV stars and musicians. These 15 celebrities who train in martial arts take it seriously, and use it to improve their physical and mental condition.
While some of these celebrities are more experienced than others when it comes to martial arts, all of them have successfully combined martial arts training with their other careers. Here are 15 celebrities who train in martial arts.
Here is the list of the 15 celebrities who train in martial arts
Celebrity Name: Jessica Alba
Occupation: Actor, businesswoman
Type of Martial Arts: Taekwondo and Krav Maga
Training Since: Early 2000’s
Belt Grade: Black belt
She is a successful entrepreneur and actress that is known for her well-maintained physique while being able to kick some butt.
She is a mom of two but still maintains her fitness over the years by working out and training in martial arts.
She is a blackbelt in Taekwondo and was also trained in Krav Maga which she uses in fight scenes that include weapons and hand-to-hand combat.
Jessica’s training includes a lot of striking on mitts and pads together with functional workouts for a well-rounded routine.
Standing Kimura Armlock Technique
Celebrity Name: Ed O’Neill
Occupation: Actor, comedian, football player
Type of Martial Arts: Brazilian Jiu-jitsu
Training Since: Around 22 years
Belt Grade: Black belt
A well-renowned actor and football player from the 1940s is also a martial artist who practices Brazilian Jiujitsu. He received his black belt in December 2007 and it was featured in the 2012 TV documentary “I Am Bruce Lee”.
For him, it was the greatest achievement of his life because it was an overwhelming feat of discipline that promotes his health, and physical and mental well-being even in his old age.
Celebrity Name: Katheryn Winnick
Occupation: Actress, stunt double
Type of Martial Arts: Taekwondo and Karate
Training Since: 7 years old
Belt Grade: Black belt
She is a Canadian actress that is known for her roles in the TV series Vikings, Wu Assassins, and Bones. She entered the movie industry by teaching martial arts to actors on the set and eventually became an actress herself.
Some of her family members are martial arts practitioners and that honed her in the sport. She started practicing at the age of 7 and became a black belt at the age of 13 and until now, she is actively practicing for her roles in the film and also to maintain her athletic physique.
Celebrity Name: Demi Lovato
Occupation: Actor, singer, songwriter
Type of Martial Arts: Brazilian Jiu-jitsu
Training Since: 2016
Belt Grade: Blue belt
Many people would be surprised that this singer, songwriter, and Grammy nominee is a martial arts practitioner! Demi has been fit all her life and while having an active music career, she chose to be fit in order to last in the industry.
She utilizes healthy living as a form of self-care and she never stops training. She earned her blue belt in Brazilian Jiujitsu in 2009 and she combines her routine with strength training and a healthy diet.
Celebrity Name: Wiz Khalifa
Occupation: Rapper, singer, and songwriter
Type of Martial Arts: Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai
Training Since: May 2017
Belt Grade: White belt
A well-known controversial rapper Wiz Khalifa trained in Brazilian Jiujitsu in 2017 and later trained in Muay Thai with Saenchai in a YOKKAO seminar. He improved his overall physique by combining heavy lifting and martial arts in his routine.
Martial arts kept his fluidity and while lifting weights improved his physique by adding up muscle mass and definition. All of it helped him a lot to stay in his career by staying healthy and improving his performance.
Celebrity Name: Kevin James
Occupation: Actor, comedian, and screenwriter
Type of Martial Arts: MMA and Muay Thai
Training Since: “Here Comes the Boom” in 2012
Belt Grade: N/A
Doing The Single Leg Sweep From Guard
Kevin James is a funny man who doesn’t really care about fitness, not until he was starred in the movie “Here Comes the Boom” that he realized that he really needed it all his life!
He trained for 14 months and was treated like a fighter in order to get into the physical and mental attributes of a real MMA fighter. He still trains in martial arts after doing the movie as he was an avid fan and he enjoys it.
Celebrity Name: Joe Rogan
Occupation: Comedian, Actor, Television presenter, Podcaster
Type of Martial Arts: Karate, Taekwondo, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu
Training Since: 14 years old
Belt Grade: Black belt
The famous comedian and UFC color commentator is a martial artist himself! He took up Karate at 14 and taekwondo a year later. Martial arts gave him confidence and a different perspective of himself and his capabilities.
He won as a lightweight in the US Open Championship taekwondo tournament and was a full-contact state champion for four years until he became a Taekwondo instructor.
He retired from competition at age 21 but keeps his discipline until now as he is still practicing martial arts to keep his mind sharp while his body in great shape.
Celebrity Name: Henry Cavill
Occupation: Actor
Type of Martial Arts: Brazilian Jiu-jitsu
Training Since: 2018
Belt Grade: White
Henry Cavill is a fan of martial arts. He’s been doing boxing and weight training to keep him in good shape but then he added up Brazilian Jiu-jitsu to enhance his focus and to have a martial art mastery on his belt.
His training came in handy in his role in Mission: Impossible-Fallout he went toe to toe with the actor Tom Cruise.
Celebrity Name: Wesley Snipes
Occupation: Actor, producer, martial artist
Type of Martial Arts: Capoeira, Shotokan karate
Training Since: 12 years old
Belt Grade: 5th-degree black belt in Shotokan karate
Wesley Snipes was discovered by an agent while competing in martial arts and then he became famous for his role in Demolition Man, Money Train, and then later the iconic vampire superhero Blade.
His martial arts discipline helped him land his role mostly as an antagonist in films because of his menacing looks and skills that seem so hard to defeat.
His unparalleled performance as Blade made him so iconic that no one can surpass the role until now.
Celebrity Name: Jean-Claude Van Damme
Occupation: Actor, martial artist
Type of Martial Arts: Shotokan karate and Kickboxing
Training Since: 10 years old
Belt Grade: Black belt in various martial arts
The man of splits and high-flying kicks is what Jean-Claude Van Damme is all about. “The Muscles from Brussels” defines how martial artists should look on the screen with all those muscles showing at all angles.
He first landed the main antagonist role in No Retreat, No Surrender after being famous for his heroic roles in Universal Soldier, Bloodsport, Time Cop, and Streetfighter.
In this day and age, JCVD remains fit and flexible and he still does splits and flying kicks on the spot.
Celebrity Name: Michael Jai White
Occupation: Actor, martial artist
Type of Martial Arts: Kyokushin Karate, Taekwondo, Wushu
Training Since: 7 years old
Belt Grade: Black belt in various martial arts
Michael Jai White was the first African American who landed a major comic book superhero role known as Spawn.
He started training in martial arts at the age of seven which made him proficient in 9 different styles by practicing each style and moving on to the next.
Although his style incorporates many martial arts forms, his main focus is on Kyokushin Karate.
White is actively seen in recent martial arts movies and he continues to establish a calm but explosive personality that is hard to deal with when provoked.
Celebrity Name: John Foo
Occupation: Actor, martial artist
Type of Martial Arts: Wushu
Training Since: 15 years old
Belt Grade: N/A
John Foo is known for his role in Tom-Yum-Goong as the wushu fighter before he landed his major role in 2009 as Jin Kazama in Tekken the movie.
He is a wushu practitioner and uses the art in a stunt role before getting into major roles in the film. John now trains with different styles of martial arts with the hopes of landing more major martial arts roles in the future.
Celebrity Name: Guy Ritchie
Occupation: Film director, producer, screenwriter, businessman
Type of Martial Arts: Judo, Shotokan Karate and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Training Since: 7 years old
Belt Grade: Black belt in Judo and a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Guy Ritchie is recognized in gangster films and consistent practitioner of BJJ under Renzo Grazie. He is also proficient in Shotokan Karate as he started practicing martial arts at the age of seven.
This film director currently focuses mainly on BJJ as it benefits his age by doing more on the mats than doing striking techniques. It keeps him fit and more focused as he also actively participate in the film industry.
Celebrity Name: Keanu Reeves
Occupation: Actor
Type of Martial Arts: Brazilian Jiu-jitsu
Training Since: John Wick
Belt Grade: White
Surprisingly, Keanu Reeves claims that he had no martial arts background and his proficiency as he claims was all about movie magic.
He is a great actor who embodies any role and given a role which requires martial arts made him learn in on the set through practice.
He had learned Kung-fu movements in the movie “The Matrix” but the series of John Wick films made him study Brazilian Jiu-jitsu to formally introduce him in the art and that made him a current white belt holder, earning his way to the top.
Celebrity Name: Jason Statham
Occupation: Actor
Type of Martial Arts: Karate, Kickboxing, Wingchun and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu
Training Since: 10 years old
Belt Grade: Purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu
Jason Statham is known for his tough guy roles and surprises his enemies with his high hitting martial arts movements!
He practiced diving more than of martial arts and he was more of a hobbyist than a practitioner but that didn’t stop him from mastering his craft and landing his role as a fighter and a tough guy in martial arts film.
He didn’t devote his time in martial arts but him being an actor just like Keanu Reeves made him embody what is needed in the film and that made them train to look like they were very proficient in the arts.
If You Train Like an MMA Fighter – You Will Look Like an MMA Fighter.
Yes, this tops the list for most of us. Simply take a glance at Georges St. Pierre, Connor McGregor, or Valentina Shevchenko as the three highest profile examples. The perfect mix of lean muscle and athleticism.
In MMA this type of conditioning is close to the norm, with most amateur fighters getting in nearly as good shape. It’s the type of conditioning that turns heads when you walk by and that you can be proud of when you look at yourself in the mirror. Need to lose weight and pack on lean muscle? MMA style training has you covered!
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