10 benefit to training MMA
MMA is widely considered the most popular combat sport. But apart from a dream about making a career out of it, many people join MMA training to experience many of its physical and mental benefits.
The majority of modern MMA academies offer training programs for both amateurs and professionals. Many people join the classes to train MMA to improve their overall fitness, physical and mental health, and of course, self-defense abilities.
Yes, learning MMA and becoming proficient in multiple fighting disciplines is hard and takes a lot of time. But the benefits are many and in this article, we are going to discuss the 10 most important ones.
Let’s dive right into it.
Practical Self-Defense Skills
MMA is widely regarded as one of the most effective self-defense martial arts you can train in. From striking to grappling, you learn a wide range of techniques that can be applied if you ever need to defend yourself. Compared with other arts, MMA is the most advanced system that resembles freestyle combat.
As a concept, MMA includes striking with punches, kicks, knees, and elbows. It covers striking at all ranges, including inside the clinch which is quite important for self-defense. Next, it teaches you how to grapple at close range, wrestle, and fight on the ground using chokes and joint locks. A lot of street fights end up on the ground at some point so grappling skills give you a big advantage.
Improves cardiovascular health
MMA workouts are intense and practitioners push their limits and challenge their cardiovascular systems like no other sport. This intense training regimen has a positive impact on cardiovascular endurance and overall heart health.
For instance, striking drills such as heavy bag work and pad work require quick bursts of energy combined with short recovery periods. This interval-style training helps improve both aerobic and anaerobic capacity, enhancing overall cardiovascular endurance.
Furthermore, grappling techniques in MMA involve explosive movements that engage multiple muscle groups simultaneously. These dynamic movements not only build strength but also improve cardiorespiratory fitness by elevating heart rate during training sessions.
Also, specific exercises like skipping rope, running sprints, or performing high-intensity circuit training are commonly incorporated into training. These exercises not only increase stamina but also strengthen the heart, reducing the risk of diseases such as high blood pressure and heart attacks.
Improves Full-Body Strength and Conditioning
Full-body strength and conditioning play a crucial role in achieving success inside the octagon. MMA fighters require a unique combination of power, endurance, agility, and flexibility to succeed.
This is where the emphasis on functional strength programs comes into play.
The program focuses on exercises that mimic real-life movements and improve body functionality. Unlike weightlifting which isolates specific muscles, MMA training involves dynamic movements that engage multiple muscle groups simultaneously. This not only enhances overall strength but also improves coordination and stability.
Fighters with superior physical attributes have a significant advantage when it comes to delivering powerful strikes and executing takedowns, and are capable of absorbing more damage in matches.
Apart from performing with better form, functional strength reduces injuries and increases durability.
Enhanced Flexibility and Mobility
Practitioners usually do dynamic stretches and mobility exercises before the workout to warm up the muscles, and static stretches after the workout to cool down.
Dynamic and static stretches utilized in MMA not only improve flexibility but also contribute to better overall mobility. This increased mobility plays a vital role in preventing injuries, as it ensures that joints and muscles can move freely through their full range without strain or stress.
Also, practitioners need to be flexible in order to execute techniques with proper form. For instance, throwing kicks and grappling on the ground requires a high level of flexibility, especially in the hips. So naturally, each practitioner must do stretching workouts both in the gym and at home to improve their performance.
Effective Weight Loss and Body Composition
MMA training sessions are cardio-intense. Each class is a mix of aerobic and anaerobic workouts where practitioners are asked to perform with few breaks. Naturally, the dynamic and high-energy nature of these workouts elevates metabolism, which results in a high-calorie burn and excess loss of pounds.
Depending on their weight and other factors, students can expect to lose up to 800 calories per hour of training. Or close to 1000 if the training sessions last 90 minutes and include a lot of sparring. This means that, if you combine training with healthy eating habits, you can expect to get in top shape in a short period.
And, the combination of cardio and strength training contributes to a more sculpted and toned physique.
Improved Mental Focus and Discipline
MMA training includes mental challenges that go beyond physical exertion. First, grueling cardio workouts and sparring will often push your mind to the breaking point and over the limits. Then, you need a high focus to be able to execute techniques in sparring, apply tactics, or anticipate the opponent’s actions.
Discipline is also a big factor. MMA is a complex sport so you need to regularly show up to classes, and work hard in order to progress to the higher levels and enjoy the benefits. Working in a group also helps because it encourages a person to put the same level of effort into training as other people.
Though initially hard, regularly overcoming the obstacles in your mind will result in stronger mental resistance, confidence, focus, and discipline. No matter how hard the training session is, you will have enough inner strength to go through it.
Naturally, this will also have a big impact on your private life and the way you deal with relationships, problems at work or home, etc.
Stress Relief and Emotional Well-being
Speaking of the mental health benefits, MMA is known as one of the best and healthiest ways one can relieve stress and aggression. The physical activity involved triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural mood enhancers, leading to an instant uplift in mood and a stress reduction.
First, a training session occupies your mind and focus. The hard exercises and focusing on what you’re doing help you forget about things that bother you. It’s like a way to clear your mind. Then, working hard and giving it all to get rid of that excess negative energy trapped inside, and let it all out. Finally, socializing with other students before and after a workout is also a good way of lifting your mood.
No matter how hard or painful the training session might be, you will feel relaxed afterward and leave the gym with a smile on your face.
Doing MMA doesn’t just help during the workout. It also helps you feel better in your everyday life as it improves your stress tolerance and the way you respond to it. Instead of being impulsive due to the accumulated stress, you will be more rational and emotionally stable.
Enhanced Reflexes and Coordination
MMA training makes your body move faster and helps you get better at reacting quickly. The exercises are fast-paced because practitioners need to think, react, and adapt quickly, especially during the sparring exchanges. In the long run, this improves how fast you react to things, and how well your body coordinates its movements.
For instance, a striking aspect of the game significantly improves your hand-eye coordination. You will learn how to follow the target with your eyes and hit it using your hands, elbows, knees, or kicks. Grappling, on the other side, trains you how to use different limbs simultaneously to maneuver which improves body awareness and coordination.
So, doing MMA doesn’t just make you good at fighting; it also helps you in regular life situations. You become quicker at making decisions, and your body learns to move in a more organized way. This is not just important for fighting but also for everyday things like catching something before it falls or reacting quickly to situations.
Sense of Community and Camaraderie
Each MMA training group includes between 10 and 20 people working together. It’s like being part of a team, where everyone trains together and supports each other toward achieving individual goals. All legitimate gyms emphasize respect between the students and a positive atmosphere.
Since you will spend time with people who share similar passions, you are likely going to make strong friendships as well.
Adaptability and Problem-Solving Skills
MMA as a concept is versatile and complex. There are so many variables, techniques you can use, and strategies that you constantly need to adapt and learn how to deal with different situations and find a way out. For instance, when you spar with others, you’re not just throwing punches; you’re also figuring out what works and what doesn’t. It’s like solving a puzzle with your body.
If one move doesn’t work, you quickly try something else. This teaches you to think fast and be flexible and find solutions in the heat of the moment. These skills you learn in MMA aren’t just for the gym–they’re like life skills you can use anywhere.
