Jan 3, 2021

5 Reasons Why Training Martial Arts Should Be Your New Year’s Resolution

How to be a great Muay Thai training partner

You might agree that 2020 has certainly been an unpredictable year. After all, COVID-19 affected the world, which led to countries imposing lockdown restrictions and the overall decline of the global economy.

These things may have been out of your control, but at the very least they showed you why it’s important to have control over one of the only things you could – your mental and physical health.

Now that we’ve entered 2021, why not use your New Year’s resolution wisely and make a pact to do something that will help you take control over your health? Here are five reasons why picking up martial arts as your New Year’s resolution is a great choice.

#1 Martial Arts Helps You Lose Weight

Two friends train Muay Thai at Evolve

At any given time, delicious foods are available at an arm’s length away all throughout the holiday season, so it’s easy to pack on the pounds and not notice it until the festivities are over.

If this sounds like your current situation, you’re going to need something to help you shed the weight – and this is where martial arts comes in.

Although training in martial arts isn’t a short-term solution to controlling your weight, it’ll only be a matter of time before you experience the long-term benefits, which include weight loss, weight maintenance, and the other lesser-known advantages.

#2 Martial Arts Helps You Make Friends

BJJ practitioners at a Singapore gym wear mouthguards

Many times, we turn to New Year’s resolutions when our lives feel off. We feel like we could be more fit. We feel like we need to develop better habits. Or, perhaps we’re not happy with our current social circle.

This is when it’s time to make the lifestyle changes that will get you fit, more focused, and surrounded by a better group of people.

When you join a martial arts gym, you’ll meet people who are on a similar path, and because you’ll push each other past your physical limits, you form deeper bonds with them.

#3 Martial Arts Keeps You Healthy

Petchmorakot Petchyindee Acamdey hits the pads with his trainer

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic made it starkly known that if you don’t keep yourself healthy, you could be in for a rough bout with the virus.

People whose immune systems were already compromised were more likely to be affected by COVID-19 than those with healthy immune systems.

When you train martial arts, you’ll work out regularly. Regular workouts will help you release stress, and because you’re pushing yourself, you’ll sleep better. By doing all of this, you will boost your immune system.

#4 Martial Arts Gets You Out Of The House

No-Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champion Bruno Pucci instructs at Evolve in Singapore

Depending on where you live, the winters can be long, dark, and cold, which means you’ll be more inclined to stay home until the weather improves.

But by sitting home all winter, you’ll be living a sedentary lifestyle that is most likely unhealthy for you.

Training in martial arts will give you a reason to get out of the house, whether on a cold Saturday morning or a dark weekday evening – and this will help you fight those winter blues.

#5 It’s A Resolution You Can Stick To

Christian Lee demonstrates a boxing technique at United MMA in Hawaii

Unlike trendy resolutions that often fail after the first few weeks, making martial arts your New Year’s resolution will be something you can stick to indefinitely.

First off, you’ll most likely have to sign a six-month or 12-month contract, which means you’re more likely to commit to the journey.

And second, you’ll have teammates and teachers who will keep you accountable. It’s easy to skip a run if you don’t have anyone counting on you. But when your usual training partner doesn’t see you at the gym, you may be getting a phone call or text message.