It’s important to keep fit and stay active, but if you’re bored by running laps, uncomfortable when cycling and not a fan of swimming, your cardio options may seem limited. Combat sports are a great cardio exercise. To start with, the sports that are covered by combat sport are diverse! Covering disciplines from kickboxing and boxing to an array of martial arts, there’s something for everyone! The best option will vary from individual to individual, depending on personal interests, financial conditions, and available resources in their local area. However, with the rise of online training videos, there are many more options out there for all ranges of fitness levels.
Finding a sport
For anyone contemplating a venture into combat sports, do some self-reflection and think about which sport might suit you best. Look into the sports that are available in your surrounding area. Are they accessible to you? Are you willing to go further for a one more than another? Can you get online courses for any of them? Once you’ve found a couple that you’re interested in, it’s time to dig deeper.
Looking into providers
After identifying potential options, investigate each one more deeply. Familiarize yourself with what they offer, visit their premises, engage with the instructors or owners, and, if possible, observe a class. Reach out to friends or family who have previous combat sports experience – they may provide valuable insights and guidance.
Find an inspiration
Once you’ve found your sport, it’s a good idea to find an inspirational figure to keep you motivated. If you’re into MMA, maybe look at some of the best UFC lightweights for their routine or techniques. Boxing more your thing? Look at Instagram accounts such as Boxing Highs for further information on your favorites. There’s a lot online about the top performers in each sport, so be sure to find someone who resonates with you and your goals.
Nourish Your Body with Quality Nutrition
Despite it being often overlooked, nutrition is essential for progressing in the field of combat sports. No matter what sport you’ve chosen to pursue, ensuring your body is properly fueled is key to achieving success in the sport. Whether you wanted to focus on improving your performance, a quick yet full recovery, or even effective weight management. By putting a focus on a balanced diet, packed with high-quality foods that nurture your body and offer lasting energy, you’ll see improvements in performance across the board.
Problems with weight management, energy levels, and workout recovery can be caused by ignoring nutrition so be sure to look into food plans online, or consult a coach to support you on a healthy meal plan that matches your goals. There are many resources devoted to nutrition in combat sports online, and coaches that are experienced in combat sports. This extra care and dedication will help improve your body composition, speed up your recovery from injuries, and strengthen your workout routine.
The path into combat sports is a personal one, and there’s no universal blueprint that fits everyone. The best choice, the one that fits your life, will need to resonate with your unique interests, match your comfort zone, and suit your practical needs. Making this decision could open an exciting, fulfilling, and health-promoting new chapter in your life.
Warm-Ups are Key: Get Your Body and Mind Ready
The value of a proper warm-up cannot be overstated. A proper warm-up helps you get the most out of your workout and speeds up your improvement. Injury risk is reduced, performance is boosted, and physical fitness is maintained. Foam rolling, rotations, and dynamic warm-up exercises are all great ways to get your muscles and joints ready to go in the short 5–10-minute warm up period. After that, spend another 5-10 minutes doing cardio exercises like speed ladder drills, crawling, or jogging. A well-executed warm-up is the foundation upon which a productive and risk-free workout may be built.
Getting the Right Kit
Without the proper safety equipment, participating in a combat sport can be dangerous. Here’s a rundown of some safety gear you might want to think about investing in:
- Headgear
- Groin guard
- Mouthguard
- Boxing gloves
- Fighting gloves
- Shin guards
It’s important to know your equipment well and be sure you’re comfortable in it. No-one wants a mouthguard that doesn’t fit right and causes ulcers, or a headgear that is too loose that it falls off, or too tight and gives you headaches. Even if you just wear it for a casual gym training session, it needs to fit correctly to properly protect you. And remember, what you wear matters too, so take the time to make thoughtful clothing choices such as lightweight, but durable sports shirts and shorts.
Participating in combat sports can lead to self-reflection and personal development that benefits your overall well-being and sense of self. Given the right equipment and guidance, even the smallest of steps towards a goal exercise regimen can result in a major change to your physical and mental health.
If you’re looking for a new fitness journey, want to be in better shape without running in circles, or want to challenge yourself mentally and emotionally, try taking up a combat sport. You’d be amazed at how much you can do with the right tools, some effective education. and a growth-oriented frame of mind.
