Martial Arts for Good Exercise
Many martial arts styles can be found across the world, and they vary well beyond the commonly known karate and judo. Jiu jitsu is a Brazilian martial arts grappling style that evolved from the teachings of Japanese judo and grappling experts, and today, jiu jitsu is widely taught and practiced. This and similar martial arts such as Muay Thai kickboxing, karate, and even Bruce Lee’s Jeet Kune Do can provide all sorts of benefits to the practitioner. Brazilian jiu jitsu can allow a person to learn self defense, get some good exercise, and take part in tournaments if they choose. Many martial arts studios and fitness centers offer guides classes for learning Muay Thai, jiu jitsu, and more, and students may learn a lot. How often to Americans practice martial arts such as jiu jitsu, and how can martial arts of all kinds promote good health? One may first consider common health issues among Americans today.
Lacking Exercise
The human body is naturally designed to move and exercise every day, a holdover from caveman days when early hominids chased game animals for food. Today, no one is chasing their dinner, but the innate need for exercise is still there, and many Americans fall short. The unfortunate trend is that many American kids and adults alike are not getting the recommended amount of exercise, and these demands aren’t even particularly high. It has been determined that under 5% of American adults today get the recommended 30 minutes of physical activity per day, and about one in three gets the recommended amount of physical activity for the entire week. Kids often fall short as well, and they don’t often get the one hour of recommended exercise per day.
Often, sedentary lifestyles are the norm, and this can cause some health issues. Kid and adults alike are spending a lot of time per day using electronic screens instead of exercising, and this can lead to weight gain when combined with a poor diet. Kid are spending hours per day on computers or handheld devices even on school days, and many adults are working sedentary desk jobs, then continuing that sedentary behavior at home. Kids in particular may suffer adverse health effects from this, since gross motor play is important for their muscle groups and mental development alike. Adults, meanwhile, may face increased risks of heart disease, stroke, arthritis, and diabetes. Obesity and a lack of exercise can also lead to mood disorders and disrupted sleep. What can be done?
Diet and Exercise
A person can take control of their health and reverse current trends of obesity and bad diets. Anyone can change their diet, and able-bodied kids and adults alike can take part in martial arts and other cardio to work out. Of course, a person is urged to see their doctor or a nutrition expert first, to ensure that their intended weight loss program will be effective and healthy. Those with complex health conditions or needs such as a bad back, or recent surgery or health problems, should certainly see their doctor first.
Once a person is ready to start, they can replace unhealthy fast food and processed foods with healthy, organic foods with great nutrition and no added sugars or fats. This can make weight loss easier, and boosts nutrition and also adds some new cooking recipes all the while. A good diet, when paired with proper exercise, can make all the difference. Cutting down on sodium might also help.
Cardio such as martial arts, swimming, jogging, bicycle riding, and more can a be a fun and effective way to burn calories, work out muscles, and improve a person’s hand-eye coordination and balance. Swimming and martial arts in particular can work out nearly all the muscles in a person’s body, and these activities can be highly rewarding. Martial arts can be taught in a class, and people of all ages can learn these skills. These new fighting skills can double as a fine means of self-defense, too. Martial arts classes can be found when a person looks online, such as “kickboxing classes Boston MA” or “jiu jitsu studio Los Angeles CA”. A local class can teach all this with a qualified instructor, and good health and new fighting skills can both be acquired.
