Karate classes are the ultimate combination of a total body workout and a self development program that teaches life-saving self defense skills – all rolled into one. The martial arts changes more that just your body – it can change your life.
From adults to teens to kids, self defense classes offer benefits that you can’t find in any other type of activity or hobby. The unique combination of strenuous mental and physical training helps individuals perform better in every aspect of their lives.
Contents
Benefits for Adults
Martial arts training for adults is the only program that strengthens all aspects of your health and fitness, makes you mentally stronger and teaches you how to protect yourself and your loved ones – and it has been for thousands of years. It is the best-kept secret of total body functional fitness for adults in the world.
Self defense training is one of the best total body workouts on the planet. Most people start to feel the difference immediately and see physical changes in their bodies within weeks. What most people don’t realize (and can’t see) are the physiology improvements to their internal systems.
Improve Heart Health
When taught properly, self defense instruction is physically challenging. The way you move when learning or practicing martial arts varies from style to style, but generally the type of exercise is almost identical to interval training. These short, intense bursts of movement and exertion, followed by periods of lower intensity performance are medically proven to be one of the fastest and most effective ways to increase your heart health.
Lower Cholesterol
Karate classes help lower your cholesterol in a couple ways. First, losing weight helps lower your bad (LDL) cholesterol levels by stimulating enzymes that move the LDL from your blood to your liver, where it is processed and removed from your system. Next, exercise increases the size of the protein particles that carry cholesterol in your blood, referred to as “lipoproteins”. The smaller lipoproteins are the ones that are bad for you as they can get lodged in the nooks and crannies of your cardiovascular system. Strenuous exercise helps increase the size profile of your blood lipids to the larger, healthier size.
Lower Your Blood Pressure
Along with lowering your cholesterol, self defense training helps lower your blood pressure, too.
Your heart is a muscle and just like every other muscle in your body, the more you exercise it the stronger it becomes.The stronger your heart the more blood it can pump with less effort and less effort equals a lower blood pressure.
For people who already have healthy blood pressure levels, karate lessons can help maintain your blood pressure levels as you age by keeping your weight in check and keeping your heart in tip-top shape.
Regulate Glucose and Insulin Levels
Diabetes and other diseases are linked to levels of glucose, insulin and systemic inflammation.
Insulin is a hormone that acts like a “key” that unlocks your cells and allows glucose (blood sugar) into your cells to be used for energy. Your body breaks down everything you eat and drink into glucose, then releases it into your system where it floats around, looking for cells that need energy. Insulin is created in your pancreas; when glucose is created by your system, your body tells your pancreas to secrete the correct amount of insulin to go with the glucose created.
Problems start when your body either makes too much or not enough insulin to process your blood glucose. If left untreated, this can lead to type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Strenuous physical exercise helps insulin transport the blood glucose into your cells, regulating your insulin and blood sugar levels.
Reduce Systemic Inflammation
Systemic inflammation has been linked to heart disease, cancer, diabetes, dementia and other age-related chronic conditions. Regular physical training releases anti-inflammatory substances that are naturally created by the body. Excess insulin and blood glucose is also inflammatory to the system, so the more you exercise and regulate your insulin and blood sugar levels, the lower your overall systemic inflammation.
Boost Endurance
We mentioned earlier that self defense training is intense, very similar to interval training. One of the things that is unique to martial arts is that you get this sort of intense, interval-like training – for thirty to sixty minutes per session. This supercharges your fitness levels as not only to do you condition your short-term performance levels, but you greatly increase your endurance, too. Your body has to adapt to short, intense periods of exercise with brief periods of lower intensity, but done over a long period of time.
With your increased endurance comes the ability to stay focused longer, have steady energy throughout your day and no more of those afternoon energy crashes or feelings of exhaustion at the end of a busy day.
Develop Animal-like Flexibility
There is a saying in the martial arts about flexibility; “A tree that is unbending is easily broken.”
As adults get older, we begin to naturally lose flexibility. If we exercise over the years without working on flexibility our muscles, tendons and ligaments shorten, causing tightness throughout the body. This can lead to problems with balance, range of motion in our joints, pain, lack of mobility and injuries.
Unlike other fitness programs, martial arts develops your flexibility as you are training, instead of having separate movements specifically designed to increase your range of motion. Because self defense training teaches you how to protect yourself in various situations using your entire body, your body learns to perform in all directions, on all planes of movement and through full ranges of motion. The more your train, the more fluid and smooth your movements become, like an animal in the wild. Strong, but relaxed and explosive.
Improve Balance
Improving your balance happens when you practice going through the full planes of movement – forward, back, side-to-side and rotational. If you don’t practice working on your balance, it will deteriorate. As we age, becoming unsteady on our feet can lead to falls and serious injury – even death. Like we mentioned earlier in the section on flexibility, martial arts training constantly takes you through these planes as a byproduct of performing the techniques. More than one martial artist can tell you how training helped them prevent getting injured when they tripped or stumbled over something and was able to regain balance quickly before falling.
Another skill you learn is how to fall properly in the event you trip, are thrown or tackled. Learning how to fall correctly can be a life-saver and be the difference between simply getting up off the ground or suffering a serious injury.
Develop Rock-hard Muscle Tone
When training, everything you do revolves around you using every ounce of your body weight to move and perform your techniques. This type of total body training is very similar to bodyweight calisthenics, which have been used for centuries by the military and athletes to get in supreme condition. Physical training that builds giant muscles that cramp up when you attempt to run across the parking lot doesn’t do you much good – although you may look great. Karate training builds lean, functional muscle that is the perfect combination of strength, speed, size and endurance.
Melt Away Stubborn Body Fat
Getting rid of stubborn body fat is one of the biggest surprises people get when studying the martial arts. While the focus of training is NOT looking good in your skinny jeans or getting into those clothes that you used to wear when you were twenty pounds lighter, students discover that after a month or two of training, their bodies are changing.
According to medical studies published in the Journal of Obesity, the type of exercise done while training in the martial arts burns 36% more body fat then regular aerobic exercise. This training is the most effective method of burning subcutaneous fat (the cottage-cheese fat directly under your skin, like on your love handles, thigh or buttocks). It also stimulates the release of growth hormone, which helps to continue fat burning even after your training session.
Skyrocket Your Metabolism
Another hidden benefit of martial arts training is the increase in your metabolism. When you are increasing your lean muscle mass, burning fat and building your endurance, you naturally rev up your metabolism. Students often report that they can eat as much or more than they used to eat in the past and still lose fat because their metabolisms are burning calories as fast as they consume them.
Mental Toughness & Focus
When you challenge yourself to do something you have never done before – and you do it – not only do you feel better about yourself but you develop mental toughness and focus.
This mental toughness is a form of courage; it is the ability to recognize and acknowledge the butterflies in your stomach when you are afraid of something, facing a challenge or doubting yourself – but getting yourself to take action anyway. It is knowing you can handle anything that comes your way, no matter what.
When you are taking your martial arts class, your mind has to be one hundred percent focused on the task at hand. Because of the physical and mental demands of this kind of training it is almost impossible to think about work, family or anything else. The more you train the stronger your mental focus becomes, making it easier for you to get things done at work and at home.
Unshakeable Self Confidence
The most powerful and life-changing benefit of the martial arts comes as a byproduct of the demanding physical training and learning to protect yourself – confidence.
As you see and feel your body change, you feel better about yourself and how you look. Knowing that you have the ability to protect yourself and your loved ones gives you a sense of calm and power. When you feel better about yourself, you stand up a little straighter, smile a little more and are more relaxed. You handle the pressures of family and work better, have more energy to tackle daily challenges and have the feeling that no matter what happens, you can handle it.
The Ultimate Self Development Program for Adults
When you look at all the benefits of martial arts training, it is hard to find another activity that even comes close. While there are other fitness routines or hobbies that deliver some of the benefits, there isn’t one that delivers what the martial arts does – on top of providing skills that can save your life or the lives of your loved ones.
If you are ready to see what martial arts lessons can do for you, fill out the form below for a FREE 30 Day Test Drive – No Cost, No Obligation.
Benefits of Martial Arts for Teens
With all of the growing challenges facing our teens today, there has never been a better resource than karate lessons to keep your teen happy and productively on track.
Teens have unique needs as they mature from childhood to young adulthood. Self defense classes are proven to provide the safe and structured environment teens need to face the physical, emotional and mental challenges of adolescence.
Provides and Outlet for Excess Energy
As teens grow into their bodies, they go through phases where their physical coordination suffers. Teens need activities that continue to develop their gross motor skills and overall strength and conditioning, while also developing their smaller muscles, support structures and fine motor skills. Teens – when they aren’t sleeping – have energy to burn, so they need an outlet to release all this energy. Their bodies need to be challenged physically, allowing them to grow, get stronger and develop coordination.
Helps Develop Self-Confidence
Teens crave a sense of achievement and competence, which is driven by their need for attention and praise. By learning and being able to demonstrate techniques in front of their peers in class, teens develop confidence in their abilities to perform, which carries over into other areas of their lives. They also develop the confidence that comes from knowing they can protect themselves.
Mentally Challenging
Teens need to feel a sense of growth. Karate training provides this through mentally challenging drills, techniques and training scenarios, which forces teens to focus, think and perform under pressure.
Provides a Sense of Belonging
As teens mature, they look for a sense of belonging; an identity. One of the reasons we see teens being drawn to cliques, gangs or clubs is that they get a sense of belonging, a feeling that they are with people who understand them and can relate to them.
A good martial arts school provides a positive social network and support group of like-minded people focused on health and personal development. This provides the feeling of belonging teens crave, while keeping them surrounded by positive influences.
Teaches Responsibility, Accountability and Goal Setting
Responsibility – As teens learn self defense, they are taught techniques and principles that can be used to protect themselves in a violent encounter. Teens are taught that along with the power of being able to protect themselves comes the responsibility of knowing when and where to use this knowledge. Teens are taught not only are they responsible for their actions, there is a responsibility that comes along with knowing martial arts that encourages them to help others who cannot protect themselves.
Accountability – Along with responsibility, teens learn that they are accountable to their fellow martial artists and instructor for their behavior both in and out of the dojo (training hall). There are strict standards of conduct and a level of expectation for teens and there are consequences for their actions, both positive and negative.
Goal Setting – Through the belt ranking system, teens are taught both short and long-term goal setting. They are taught how to decide what their goals are, set a deadline for achievement of that goal, make a plan to reach the goal by the deadline and how to check on progress to make any changes. They are also taught that once they achieve a goal to celebrate, enjoy the win and move on to the next goal, with the ultimate goal being achieving a Black Belt.
Instill Self Discipline
By nature, self defense training instill self discipline. Teens learn in a very structured environment that requires them to listen, focus and perform every single time they come to class.
Through repetitious exposure to this environment, teens begin to become conditioned to structure, direction and being focused. When combined with the other aspects of training, teens start taking it upon themselves to do
what is necessary to achieve what they want.
This is the essence of self discipline – doing what you are supposed to do, when you are supposed to do it without anyone watching or telling you to do it. Or, another way it has been described is doing what you said you were going to do, when you said you were going to do it, even if you don’t feel like it and no one is checking up on you.
A Structured, Safe Haven for Growth
Teens hate being embarrassed, feeling out of place or feeling stupid because they made a mistake. A good martial arts program provides a safe, clean, supportive environment free of judgment so teens feel safe to make mistakes, learn and grow. Teens also need strict guidelines and boundaries to channel their newfound feelings of independence. The structured environment of a martial arts class provides the necessary boundaries while giving them freedom of expression.
There simply is no better activity for a growing teen than martial arts.
Find out for yourself how karate training can change your teen’s life for the better. Fill out the form below for a Free 30 Day Test Drive – No Cost, No Obligation:
Benefits of Karate for Kids
Karate lays the foundation for future success by providing an environment for children to develop mentally and physically while teaching fundamental values that will guide them later in life.
Through karate classes, children not only develop physically and learn valuable self defense skills, but they also develop their mental and emotional skills, too.
Here are some of the benefits of martial arts for kids:
Build Stronger, Healthier Bodies
Children have energy to burn and need to develop their gross motor skills as they grow. No matter if it is warming up, stretching, exercises, drills, techniques or in-class competition, self defense training always involves the entire body. The more kids train, the more they build their coordination and strengthen their bodies. This level of exercise also helps fight one of America’s biggest health concerns right now – childhood obesity.
Develop Unshakeable Self Confidence
As children develop, they can sometimes feel unsure or self-conscious; they want to explore, try new things, develop talent and be able to impress their peers. They are also unaware or unsure of how to act in certain social situations. By learning martial arts skills, demonstrating them with partners in class and interacting with fellow students, children get a sense of achievement and competency that raises their self-image and builds their confidence.
Build a Rock-Solid Self Image
As children develop their self confidence, their self-image – how they think of themselves – also improves. By practicing, learning new things and showing improvement, children begin to see themselves in a positive light. They develop a, “Yes I Can” attitude.
Develop Laser-like Focus & Listening Skills
Martial arts training requires that children learn to focus on the instructor, follow commands, listen to instruction and work both individually and in groups. Through constant exposure, children learn how to focus their minds on the task at hand, follow directions and pay attention to detail. These skills help children perform better at home and at school.
Instill Consistent Self Discipline
With karate classes, children learn discipline as they must follow commands while working with an instructor, with a partner or in a group. Self discipline – which can be defined for kids as developing the ability for them to get themselves to do what they know they are supposed to do, when they are supposed to do it – is developed by giving the kids instructions, then having them drill or practice on their own while under the watchful eye of an instructor. This teaches them how to work and do things on their own. Being self-directed is one of the most valuable traits children must learn for their future success and happiness.
Provide Structure & Set Clear Limits
Children want to show their independence every chance they get. While they are given the space to be themselves, they are also given strict guidelines of behavior and expectations of performance while in class. This helps to instill the concept of healthy boundaries.
Provide A Safe, Clean, Supportive Environment
The martial arts school is a place where children can come and feel safe to make mistakes, learn and grow without fear of judgment from their peers. Because the training is physically and mentally challenging, children develop a common bond with their peers as they face these challenges together.
Provide Positive Influences
Children need relationships with strong, positive adults. Being in martial arts classes provides children with positive influences through their instructors and fellow martial artists.
If you look at karate classes for kids as opposed to other activities for children, there really is no comparison. Martial arts for children is the only activity that meets the critical developmental needs of children while developing the mind, body and spirit.
Discover Your Ultimate You with Self Defense Classes
Self defense training is the Ultimate Personal Development program for adults, teens and kids. It is the only program of its kind that develops the mind, body and spirit and allows you to unleash your true potential as a person and martial artist.
But – don’t take our word for it; take us for a FREE 30 Day Test Drive – No Cost, No Obligation – and see for yourself what the martial arts can do for you.
Click here or fill out the form below to find out the details on how you can get started with us for free:
Feel Free To Visit One of our Locations in a Following Areas
