Is Martial Arts Training for Adults?

In today's world most people think of martial arts training as either something for children or something for those rare adults who want to fight in cages. I believe that martial arts is for anyone who wants to and can train. In today's post I will share reasons why martial arts training is an excellent use of time and resources for adults.

1) Stress relief. Let's face it, adult life is stressful. It's even more stressful when you are balancing relationships, work, and parenting. It doesn't matter if you are doing kickboxing, karate, Jiu Jitsu, or any other type of martial arts. You will have opportunities to burn energy, forget about life for an hour or more, and release endorphins which can all lead to stress relief.

2) Physical fitness. Bored of the treadmill, elliptical, or weights? You can get a great full-body exercise no matter what style you train in. I have trained in eleven styles of combat. Some of those styles were grappling systems. Some were striking systems and some were mixed. Everyone of them worked the upper body, the lower body, the cardiovascular system, pushing muscles and pulling muscles as well as improving flexibility. Martial arts truly is a complete full-body workout.

3) Endorphin release. Good exercise of any kind can release Endorphins which are "feel good" chemicals that your body releases after exercise. Any martial art will do this if you train hard.

4) Confidence. With any martial arts training that has you perform combat/fighting moves with another person will build your confidence. This does not mean that you need to fight in public but your confidence in you ability to defend yourself will improve. All of a sudden, someone yelling at you will almost seem entertaining once you are used to being in physical contests with other adults.

5) Self-Defense. The best things to do to avoid violence in your life include: not doing stupid things, not hanging out with stupid and dangerous people, not going to stupid/dangerous places, being kind, and avoiding confrontations. However, sadly, violence can still find you. Though I believe that having a gun with you and knowing how to use it is the second best form of self-defense and the third is the same advice with a knife. However, you may one day be attacked in a building where knives and guns are not allowed like court rooms. You may have to fight to the point where you can get your weapons. You may drop your weapon. Your weapon may fail you. You may never need to defend yourself, I hope you don't. However, "It is better to be a warrior in a garden than a gardener in a war."

6) Community. You would be surprised to know how good of friends you can find in martial arts training. Some become gym friends. Some become life friends. Some become life partners. I have martial arts friends that that is all that we have in common and we don't associate outside of martial arts. However, many of these my wife or I can call them if we need help in life and they can call us. I have martial arts friends that my wife and I have dinner with 2-4 times a year and exchange Christmas gifts. In fact I met all of my best male friends in martial arts. I even met my best friend, my wife in martial arts. She is truly perfect to and for me.

If you are wondering if martial arts is for you and you live in Shawnee, Ok., or the surrounding areas, I would love for you to come by and try a free class at Spherical Martial Arts in the Shawnee Mall.

Be Blessed,

Chance