Do Martial Arts Classes Provide a Full-Body Workout?

It’s common for parents to enroll their kids in a martial arts class because they want their children to be physically active. Adults take martial arts classes for the same reason. In fact, if you want a full body workout, martial arts training is one of the best ways to get it.

To be fit and healthy, every major muscle group must get worked regularly. The body’s largest muscles and the smaller ones in the upper body coordinate during a martial arts class, providing a workout that combines cardiovascular fitness with strength training.

Why Is It Important to Get a Full Body Workout?

There are many types of martial arts, and each provides an excellent workout. You may choose to enroll in Kickboxing, Jeet Kune Do, Krav Maga, or Taekwondo, but regardless of which martial art you choose, you should understand why working all the major muscle groups is essential.

A martial arts workout is a full body workout. Working your entire body is a must for these reasons.

• You’ll burn calories. A workout that uses most of your muscles is a calorie-burning workout that can help you lose weight if that’s something you want to do. Large muscles require the most energy and remember, a calorie is a unit of energy.
• You’ll build more muscle. Muscles need to be worked to get toned. Using multiple muscles in the same workout can help you get the sleek, toned arms and legs you’ve always wanted. 
• You’ll get stronger. A total body workout builds strength quickly, particularly if you do bodyweight exercises like the ones in martial arts classes. 
• You’ll become more flexible. A full body workout keeps your joints lubricated and supported as you tone your muscles. Lubricated joints are more flexible, and less prone to injury, than joints that don’t get worked out regularly.

A workout that requires the use of several muscle groups at the same time is good for your body. Even something as simple as a session with a jump rope can help, but we know that martial arts training is one of the best total body workouts around.

Which Muscle Groups Are Used in Martial Arts?

To understand how martial arts training, including Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Karate, provide a total body workout, let’s explore the various muscle groups that engage during a typical martial arts class as students develop and improve new skills.

Back Muscles

The back muscles, including the shoulders, do a lot of work in martial arts. Any type of manual strike engages these muscles, helping to build control and strength. For example, a strike that breaks a board or pounds a target engages the muscles of the arm, but it also engages the shoulder, chest, and neck muscles.

Abdominal Muscles

The abdominal muscles are engaged at every moment a student is participating in a martial arts workout. We call them the core muscles for a reason. They are also in use if a student strikes and kicks using a heavy bag or spars with a partner.

Upper Body Muscles

The muscles of the upper body, including the arms, chest, and shoulders, all get engaged during a typical martial arts workout. Whether you’re studying Muay Thai or Mixed Martial Arts, you’ll be building upper body strength.

Leg Muscles

The leg muscles work hard in every martial art. Any time a student spars or practices kicks, the legs are getting a workout. If you balance on your right leg and kick with your left leg, both legs are working and getting toned.

As you can see, martial arts classes work every muscle group in the body, improving strength, flexibility, balance, and cardiovascular fitness. If you’re looking for a full body workout that’s fun and challenging, sign up for a martial arts class today!