We get a lot of questions about martial arts training and weight loss. If you’re someone who wants to lose weight, then martial arts training could provide part of the solution. Here are 6 ways that studying the martial arts can help you lose weight.
#1: Burning Calories
There’s a reason that exercise is at the core of physical fitness. If you want to look your best by losing weight, then it’s essential to burn calories — and any martial arts class you choose will help you do so.
Martial arts workouts are intense and aerobic. It requires a lot of energy to perform a kata in karate class or to make it through a kickboxing combo. The more calories you burn, the easier it will be for you to shed excess weight.
#2: Toning Muscles
Another thing that a martial arts workout can do is to tone your muscles. When you take a Judo or Jiu Jitsu class, you tone your core muscles as well as the muscles in your arms and legs and your upper body.
People who have a high percentage of muscle burn more calories at rest because muscle tissue requires more energy to maintain. With every kick and sparring session, you’ll be increasing your muscle mass and giving your body what it needs to lose weight.
#3: Increasing Energy
It might seem counterintuitive to think that intense martial arts classes that require kicking and grappling would increase your energy, but it’s true. People who hit the gym regularly tend to have more energy than those who don’t.
More energy means that you’ll be more likely to engage in cardio activity outside of class. Even if it just means you spend a little more time on a fun walk with your dog, it creates opportunities to burn fat.
#4: Encouraging Healthy Eating
Martial art training is a challenge even for people who are at a healthy weight. It becomes a bigger challenge for people who want to make weight loss a goal. A big part of using martial arts for weight loss is eating a healthy diet.
It’s here that your martial arts instructor can help you make healthy eating choices. Providing your body with the right fuel in the form of lean protein, healthy fats, and plenty of fruits and vegetables, will give you the strength and energy you need to learn self-defense while losing weight.
#5: Improving Self-Esteem
One thing that can get in the way of weight loss is low self-esteem. When we believe that we are unworthy of the good things in life, we may struggle with weight loss as well.
The best martial arts classes combine physical activity with lessons that improve mental wellness and self-esteem. When you feel good about yourself, it’s a lot easier to make healthy choices about diet, exercise, and everything else in life.
#6: Making Exercise a Habit
If you want to get in shape, making exercise a habit is one of the best things you can do. Martial arts classes provide necessary structure. As you learn MMA or boxing techniques, you’ll also be burning hundreds of calories per hour.
Best of all, exercise will become something you look forward to because you’ll recognize how much better you feel as you get your body in shape. Before long, you’ll be craving your martial arts workouts the same way you used to crave processed foods!
The best martial arts class for weight loss is one that you look forward to. You should have the opportunity to get your body in shape while you learn!
