According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ National Health Survey in 2017-18 an incredible 67% of Australian adults are overweight or obese! That’s 12.5 million people that should be reading this article. For many of these people however, the idea of getting fit seems daunting and that simply comes down to having the wrong perception of what “getting fit” actually means.
For people who are overweight or obese, finding the right exercise routine often involves choosing one boring gym over another. But losing weight can also be a fun experience which can open up a world of opportunity to try something new and give you the confidence you need. Maybe it’s time to pull on a pair of gloves and leave your boring workout routines behind.
IT’S MORE THAN JUST PUNCHING AND KICKING
Though it’s true that you can learn effective self-defence moves through martial arts practice, some of the most sought after benefits involve the development of the mind and body. Martial artists all over the globe practice their skills for a variety of reasons such as competition, self-defence, health, recreation, and mental and spiritual development.
The ancient art of Kung Fu, for example, was developed as a way for Buddhist monks to get fit. To this day the Shaolin monks continue to impress the world with their physical feats and incredible levels of discipline and fitness.
LITERALLY ANYONE CAN DO IT
A lot of people feel self-conscious or even intimidated when joining a martial arts school. However, the truth is that there is nothing to be afraid of. Not every martial arts practitioner you will find is trying to be the next Bruce Lee or Conor McGregor.
There are significantly more people that practice for health or recreational purposes than there is those who do it to compete. Martial arts can also be practiced by people of all ages and sexes, especially kids!
YOU DON’T NEED TO BE IN SHAPE TO GET STARTED
You may think that you need to already be in top physical fitness in order to start practicing Martial Arts. Well, this is a big mistake as classes at IMC accommodate fitness levels in order to encourage development at the beginner stage and challenge the limits at the advanced stage.
BUT HOW DOES MARTIAL ARTS HELP YOU LOSE WEIGHT EFFECTIVELY?
Cardiovascular training is a big component of any weight loss routine. Not only does cardio help you burn the extra calories you don't need, but it also increases your metabolism and promotes fat burning. Martial arts becomes a perfect weight loss method since it heavily features cardiovascular exercise.
Since Martial Arts usually involves at least an hour punching or kicking pads, sparring, and shadow boxing, you'll be working your muscles in a way that going for a jog cannot. In fact, depending on the intensity of your workout, you can expect to burn anything between 600 and 1200 calories per session!
If you are interested in starting your Martial Arts journey CLICK HERE to sign up for a week of free class to see for yourself what the fuss is all about!
