We all know and love MMA. Maybe we don’t know why we love it, but we know watching it and practicing it does a lot of good for us. Maybe some of you can elaborate why you love MMA so much and why it’s so good for you, but this is not an article for you. This is an article for those who love MMA but don’t know why and for those who don’t love it yet, but will certainly rethink their positions after seeing how beneficial it can be.
While we’re on the subject of MMA’s benefits to your health and overall well-being, it’s essential to have the right gear to maximize your performance and comfort. Our comprehensive guide on MMA Shorts will help you make an informed decision when searching for the right wear, so you can focus on honing your skills and enjoying the benefits of MMA practice.
So, if you want to know the 15 main reasons why MMA is good for you – just keep reading!
What Are the Benefits of MMA?
1. Everyone can do it
One of the best things about MMA is that it’s so diversified and so broad that anyone can find something that fits them. It is a very complex discipline that encompasses a lot of disciplines, meaning that you’ll certainly find something that suits your interests and preferences. Also, because of that width, it can be practiced by practically anyone. So, whether you’re a man, woman, young, old, or whether you’re a manual labourer or hold a PhD – you can find something in MMA that suits you. It’s also good because you can adapt your training according to your preferences and it doesn’t matter at what age you start, because it’s never too late to do it.
2. Effectiveness and realism
MMA is not that different from other combat sports or martial arts, at least in the fighting aspect of the training. But, unlike some disciplines, MMA is more realistic and it prepares you for more real-life situations. You probably won’t, for example, enter into a real-life situation where you’ll use your karate skills in the same way you use them during practice; on the other hand, MMA is so diverse that it imitates a real-life situation better than a precisely defined Oriental martial art. Since it prepares you for a real-life situation, it is certainly more effective than some other similar disciplines.
3. Full-body workout
MMA is a discipline that is not just a good fighting preparation, it is great for workout. Since a lot of MMA disciplines use specific training techniques that activate your whole body, it’s only logical that MMA provides an excellent full-body workout for you. It will activate and engage every part of your body – from head to toe – and will burn c. 1,000 calories per session for you!
4. Fitness 2.0
MMA trainings can be a good replacement for fitness trainings, but it’s so much more. Fitness can be boring and monotonous, even if you do it in a group. The exercises are usually the same and after a while – it all becomes a routine. In MMA, you’ll achieve the same results, but with a much more dynamic approach that will stimulate not just your body, but also your mind. MMA is so much more than regular fitness that it can be described as fitness 2.0, an upgraded version with which you’ll have to do more, but also achieve more in less time.
5. Self-defence
Although self-defence is – directly or indirectly – a part of a vast majority of combat sports and martial arts, none of them provide such a good blend of different styles such as MMA. Due to the fact that MMA is a combination of combat sports and martial arts, you can learn a variety of different self-defence techniques in one sport. If you relate this aspect to the one mentioned in point 2, you will quickly deduce that the realism of MMA is an excellent addition to the self-defence techniques you’ll certainly want to learn, because – it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Here is our full analysis of how good MMA for self-defense really is.
6. Strength
Due to the fact that MMA is both demanding and physically straining, you’ll have to be quite strong to successfully follow all the training sessions. But not all people start doing MMA fully prepared and bulked like Anthony Joshua. No, most people start off slowly and then work until they reach the desired level. MMA is good because it enables you to work and upgrade your strength in a relatively short period of time. So, if you want to become strong quickly, MMA is definitely something you should try.
7. Conditioning
This part is closely related to the one before. Namely, strength and conditioning usually come in pairs and if you work on one, you’ll automatically increase the other. Conditioning is important if you want to follow MMA training sessions and become better and just like with strength, MMA will allow you to work on that part quickly. You’ll still have to put a lot of effort and dedication if you want to achieve something quickly, but just imagine the satisfaction when you finally get to where you wanted to be when you started!
8. Competitiveness
Although you don’t have to become a fighter, MMA will certainly try to increase your competitive spirit and if you allow it to do so, it will succeed. MMA is very competitive and that kind of spirit doesn’t come just with professional fighting. It comes from the beginning, from the starting point of an MMA career – the training arena. So, whether you want it or not, MMA will train you to want to be better, to actually be better. Of course, it’s up to you how you’re going to use that competitive spirit – you can become a pro or just a recreational sportsman – but your competitive spirit will certainly increase and you can easily translate that into other fields.
9. Respect
Although MMA is usually perceived as aggressive, brutal and vulgar, with a lot of trash talking, it actually teaches you how to respect your opponent and the rules of the game. To be frank, this is a thing all combat sports and, especially, martial arts do, but even if it doesn’t look like it – MMA will certainly teach you respect. Respect is very important in MMA. You have to respect your coach, your opponent, your rules and you will never become a good and well-respected fighter until you give the necessary respect to others.
10. Problem solving
Interestingly enough, MMA can be just as effective as chess in some aspects. Well, it won’t stimulate your brain the same way, but MMA is a very unpredictable discipline that requires concentration and constant mental activity. You have to watch out for your opponent, you have to apply an adequate tactical approach and you have to know how to get out of a tight spot. Certainly, your physical predispositions are more important, but brute force won’t get you very far if you’re fighting an intelligent opponent who knows how to play to his strengths and to your weaknesses.
11. Confidence
Building on point 8, it has to be said that MMA will also increase your confidence. Confidence usually comes from self-satisfaction and by elevating your stamina, your physique and your boldness, MMA will raise your confidence to new levels. After seeing what you can do in the ring and during training sessions, you will use the newly found energy in all other aspects of your life, so it’s not surprising that MMA has its psychological benefits as well.
12. New skills
MMA will teach you something new. Even if you’re not a complete “noob” when it comes to combat sports and martial arts, the complexity and diversity of MMA will always allow you to learn something new, no matter what. This is also a psychological benefit of MMA, but it can be related to several aforementioned points. So, if you want to broaden your horizons and learn something new, MMA will certainly give you enough material to do exactly that, so don’t hesitate and use it to your advantage.
13. Socialization
Although you probably won’t start doing combat sports to find new friends, it’s one of those benefits that comes with the programme, whether you want it or not. Although the fights are one-on-one, training sessions don’t have to be; plus, you’ll always meet new people in the gym. So, with everything going on, you’ll learn how to be a part of a larger, new group of people who share the same interest and passions as you do, and that is always a good thing.
14. Stress
You know those rooms full of stuff and furniture, where you can pay to go and smash stuff? It’s a very efficient form of stress relief, albeit a tad destructive. Well, MMA works in a similar way. Namely, the punches, the kicks and the “aggression” of MMA are actually a great form of stress relief and it’s certain you’ll benefit from it.
15. You never know…
You might not become Conor McGregor, but – you just might? MMA careers are often unpredictable and it is the underdogs who surprisingly succeed on many occasions. You never know – you might just be one of them so it would be a shame if you missed your chance!
And that’s it for now. Keep checking to see our new content and more on the topic of martial arts.
