Benefits of Martial Arts for Muscle Gain

Usually, when someone mentions muscle gain, people immediately think the gym, heavy lifting and a strict diet. However, the reality is a bit different. While it is true that you can increase your muscle mass with previously-mentioned activities, the fact remains that those are not the only ways you can do so.

For instance, martial arts are a great option for anyone looking to tone down their figure and increase muscle gain in the healthiest of ways. Since martial arts are so much more than just a sport, they’re proven to be very beneficial not just for the physical but mental well-being as well.

Where to start?

If you’re considering taking up martial arts you should first do some research and see which type you want to try out. The fact is that there are numerous disciplines of martial art, so you should first take the time and try to find the right one for you. Browse the internet and see what type of martial arts there are and find more on fightingreport.com. Once you find something that seems fitting for your personal style of exercise, see where you can sign up for practices. 

What to expect?

Depending on the martial art you’ve chosen, the exercises themselves will differ from one another. However, the first few minutes of training sessions are more or less the same. They all mostly focus on warming the muscles up and preparing them for the exercise ahead. After the warm-up, you can expect to have a stretching session after which the exercise will begin. 

Martial art exercises usually focus on light work-outs repeated a number of times, instead of a single strenuous workout. This way your body will burn fat far quicker and thus tone your muscles. By keeping up with this routine on a regular basis, you will not only increase your physical strength and readiness but it will also help shape your midsection, arms and legs.

Other benefits

Since martial art classes are usually held 4 to 5 times a week, you will be able to exercise as frequently as your schedule allows it. Aside from that, you will be surrounded by people of similar age and physical ability, as this is most commonly how martial art classes are being formed. This way, you won’t feel inadequate or like you’re falling behind the rest of the class.

Additionally, depending on the martial art you decide on, you will potentially learn useful skills like self-defense that will help you stay safe in dangerous situations. This can particularly be useful to women as they are generally speaking in a higher-risk category.

How to choose?

As mentioned earlier, you should choose the type of martial art based on the goals you wish to achieve. As an example, kickboxing, taekwondo and karate are excellent choices for people looking to achieve a good cardio-vascular workout. On the other hand, Mau Thai, Wing Chun Kung Fu, Kendo and Krav Maga are excellent for people looking to learn how to not only stay physically active but defend themselves the best possible way.

Finally, martial arts such as Tai Chi, Chi Gong (usually done with Tai Chi) and Wushu are the perfect choice for people who want to learn how to control their inner energy. These are some of the low-activity exercises that have great results but are not too complicated to start practicing.

The majority of martial arts focuses on bringing the entire body in balance and not just on strenuous physical exercise. The thing that makes martial arts such a popular choice is the fact that they treat the entire body – and mind – like an inseparable whole that works best when it is completely in tune. So, if you’re looking to tone your muscles the right way plus gain some additional benefits, consider signing yourself up for a martial arts class.