There’s no doubt that martial arts disciplines such as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, kickboxing, and Tai Chi have maintained their popularity in the United States. But despite how prevalent these activities are, there’s still a lot of misinformation that continues to spread about them. These incorrect assumptions might dissuade you from participating in one of these disciplines — a mistake that could cause you to miss out on a highly beneficial and enjoyable passion! In today’s post, we’ll take a closer look at some of the most popular misconceptions you might believe to be true and set the record straight.
“These sports are too dangerous.”
Some people assume that BJJ, MMA, and other disciplines are highly dangerous, especially for children. There’s no doubt that any contact sport has its risks, but these activities may actually provide a much higher level of safety than a team sport played out on a field. Maintaining your safety is of the utmost importance to instructors and the studio at-large. Although many of these disciplines have a foundation of self-defense, it’s important that you (and your classmates) are not injured in any way. You’ll work with your instructors to ensure all precautions are taken to protect your physical well-being. While you still do have to pay attention to how hard you’re pushing your body, you should never face an unsafe physical situation.
“You have to already be fit to participate.”
It’s easy to be intimidated by the people who are longtime practicers of martial arts. Many are in fantastic shape, so it’s easy to see why you might think it’s a prerequisite to be physically fit. But the truth is that 2.38 million people over the age of six participated in MMA in 2017 for the purposes of fitness. You do not have to already be in peak physical condition to participate in any of these disciplines; in fact, many people decide to enroll in order to get in shape. It’s a highly effective workout that can help you burn 500 calories or more per hour. It’s an excellent activity for those at all skill and fitness levels. Even if you don’t feel you’re in prime fighting shape, you soon will be!
“You have to start young. I’m too old to begin.”
It’s true that many people do start participating in these disciplines at a young age — and that the younger you start, the better off you’ll be. But it’s absolutely not a requirement! You can start at any time of life, whether you’re in your mid-20s or in your early 50s. As long as you make a consistent commitment, you’ll be in a position to prioritize your physical and mental health. In addition, there are certain types of martial arts that are actually ideal for older people, such as Tai Chi. There’s really something for everyone, regardless of age.
“You’ll have to compete if you take classes.”
You might be apprehensive to participate in Muay Thai or Jiu Jitsu training if you assume you’ll have to partake in competitions. While there are certain disciplines that have competition opportunities, there’s nothing that says you have to take this on. You don’t have to be a serious competitor to participate. You can simply dedicate yourself to classes without the added pressure of outside competition. On the other hand, you can certainly opt to take part in competitions if you so choose. It’s really up to you and your instructor.
We hope this blog post clears up any misconceptions you might have had about participation in martial arts. Of course, the best way to become more familiar with these disciplines is to experience them for yourself! To find out more about the classes we offer, please contact us today.