Mixed Martial Arts, or MMA, has exploded in the last few years. MMA fighters, their methods, and their training strategies are featured everywhere, from mainstream fitness magazines to late-night television. Aside from helping you develop discipline and self-confidence, MMA training has numerous health benefits. Recent research completed by the British Journal of Sports Medicine shows that people in their 40s and 50s who habitually practice a martial art are fitter than their counterparts. But you don’t have to fight to get the benefits of MMA, or even step into the octagon. If you put in the effort, training like an MMA fighter will reward you with health and vitality.
Functional Strength
Functional strength is what people used to call farm-boy strength. A farm-boy may not be able to run a marathon, and he may not be able to deadlift 500 pounds like a gym rat, but he can do more grueling, intense labor than a jogger or a bodybuilder. Functional strength is less about looking like a Greek God and more about applied strength and fortitude.
MMA training is functional. It is a full body workout that targets all of the major muscles. Instead of concentrating on one skill, MMA training guides you through a wide variety of techniques that require both cardio and strength training. Both upper and lower body workouts are used, often at the same time. MMA training is all about the balance between strength, movement, and agility.
Endurance
One of the significant benefits associated with MMA training is cardiovascular health, which benefits your veins, arteries, and heart. Signs of cardiovascular deficiency include fatigue and shortness of breath. Research suggests that the only way to enhance your cardiovascular system is through doing activities that stress the heart. You can do this by increasing your endurance. Almost all of the techniques taught in MMA concentrate on explosiveness, which will raise your endurance rapidly. As an added bonus, learning techniques is more stimulating than running on a treadmill so you will be more likely to stick with it.
Balance
With improved endurance and functional strength comes balance. You will be practicing moves like high kicks and jumps which will train your balance with practice. As you practice these moves your core strength will increase. With core strength comes the ability for your body to balance itself naturally. Plus, core strength guards against osteoporosis and the weakness associated with aging.
Safety
Unlike the examples above, safety does not have to do with becoming healthy; safety has to do with staying healthy. We talked with East Coast United Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu who explained that with MMA training, when someone threatens or attacks you, you’ll be in a much better position to come away uninjured. They said, “MMA helps train you for a wide variety of variables. Traditional wrestling will build strength, but doesn’t translate in an actual fight. Boxing teaches you how to punch, but it is bunk if you end up on the ground. Brazilian Ju-Jitsu is great for subduing people and fighting on the ground, but it’s useless in a fist fight. MMA trains you in all of these styles; you’ll learn how to get out of headlocks, kick, punch, and grapple.”
Stress Relief
Stress takes a huge toll on your body, but being able to put your all into an intense exercise is great for reducing anxiety. Researchers found that exercise is one of the easiest ways to improve your mental state. But simply knowing how to fight can also make you calm. Here’s an anecdote: I remember reading a story about goats whose horns were misshapen to make them look like unicorns. Though it wasn’t the intention, this gave them a distinct advantage when fighting. But these fake unicorns didn’t become bullies or killing machines. Instead, they were known for being calmer than most goats because they knew they could win a fight.
When you know MMA, you don’t have to worry about making the muscle head ahead of you in line angry. You’re a little more in control, and when you are walking down the street you will feel a little safer and more capable. You’re strong and you know it, so there’s no need to prove yourself. If there is a threat it’s easier to walk away. Life will still have stresses, but there will be just a little less on your plate to worry about.
