Walk into most martial arts schools and you'll be likely to see classes full of kids. You might even see classes mixed with kids and adults. Sights like these turn many adults away from the possibility of actually training themselves and even reinforce common misconceptions about martial arts. There are so many great reasons that disprove these misconceptions, and you owe it to yourself and your body to read this article and to open your mind to at least the possibility of training martial arts.
1. You may think you're too old to start.
You're never too old to start training martial arts - whether your 18 or 78, your body will thank you for it! There are so many physical benefits to training martial arts; it's difficult to know where to begin. First of all, training martial arts increases flexibility. Increased flexibility will give you better posture, more ability to relax your muscles and lower occurrences of injuries. Even if you're currently physically active, martial arts will bring your physical conditioning to a new level. You'll be working your entire body and reaching a variety of muscle groups with each workout. When training martial arts, there isn't a need to "alternate" muscle groups because the workout is always changing. Finally, training martial arts is a great way to burn those extra calories and to lose weight.
2. You suspect that you're not in the physical condition necessary to do such an activity.
If you find the right school and the right instructor, your training will move at a pace that's compatible with your abilities and conditioning. This will allow you to move as fast or as slow as you need to remain comfortable in your training. Training martial arts with the right instructor will also lessen your chances of suffering an injury. Your instructor will be there to monitor your moves to make sure you're not making a mistake that could potentially be injurious.
3. You think it will be easier to just join a gym and lift weights.
You could get many of the same benefits of training martial arts by joining a gym, but there are some benefits of martial arts that cannot be replicated elsewhere. Martial arts give you a full body workout - both cardio and conditioning - at every session. At a gym, you have to plan ahead to make sure you're reaching every muscle group during conditioning and still have time to do a cardio workout as well. In addition to that, training martial arts with an instructor is like having a personal trainer with you at all of your workouts.
Training martial arts also gives you a mental workout like nothing else. While most people say that any physical activity can reduce stress, martial arts goes one step further. The inner balance needed to participate in these activities puts you in tune with your body, better than any other physical activity. You cannot do martial arts while reading a magazine or day dreaming about your upcoming vacation. You will be focusing on the here and now and that will help you clear you mind and better be able to deal with the daily stresses of life after your workout.
4. You don't want to have a class with a bunch of kids.
If you cannot find a school that can give individual instruction, you can look for classes that are strictly for adults. Classes like this often become people's highlight of the week. You'll soon find yourself looking forward to the fun and excitement of getting together with your "group".
5. You don't think you have the time to spend on a new activity.
The focus and concentration you develop while training martial arts will carry over into all parts of your life. You may not realize it now, but the hours during the week that you spend training in your martial art will actually help you make better use of your time outside of your training. You'll be able to focus on your job, home and family. You'll be able to concentrate and get your tasks done more efficiently. Training martial arts is also a spiritual experience that can help you have inner peace - yet another quality to help you get through your busy schedule more easily.
Still not completely convinced that adults can successfully start martial arts training? Do some research and find a great school in your area to give it a try. I'll even make it easier for you. Just contact me and I'll send you my free guide on how to choose a martial arts school.
Sincerely,
Mr. Robert Jones
Master Instructor
The Academy of Kempo Martial Arts
For more information on this article or others go to Articles on Martial Arts.
Robert Jones runs three successful martial arts schools located in Bellevue, Lynnwood, and Kent Washington. He has been helping families make positive changes in their lives through martial arts for over 20 years. He has also written A Guide on How to Pick a Martial Arts School.
He can be reached at the Academy of Kempo Martial Arts. 800-508-6141. His schools can be found on the web at Bellevue Martial Arts and Kung Fu.
No comments:
Post a Comment