The origins of Martial Arts date back as far as 3400 BC, and have continued to be developed and used to this day.
But, why have Martial Arts stuck around so long and continued to grow in popularity?
Aside from the obvious benefit of knowing how to protect yourself, Martial Arts provide a tonne of value both mentally and physically.
The infographic below illustrates the 8 top health benefits of Martial Arts.
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What are Martial Arts?
The term "Martial Arts" originally depicted combat systems originating in Europe during the 1500's, however have now become more associated with the disciplines of East Asia.
Martial Arts can be broken down into three distinct categories - striking, grappling and armed.
Striking Martial Arts involve throwing physical attacks at your opponent, usually a punch, kick elbow or knee. Some popular examples of a striking Martial Art are Karate, Muay Thai and Kickboxing.
Grappling Martial Arts involve throwing, pinning and submitting your opponent. Popular examples include Judo, BJJ and Sambo.
Armed Martial Arts include the use of different weaponry. These are becoming less popular today due to the fact that we as a species, no longer casually own the weaponry used in these disciplines.
To this day, Martial Arts continue to evolve, with MMA (mixed martial arts) being the perfect example. As the name suggest, the sport involves the incorporation of all different striking and grappling based disciplines, blended into one sport with it's own individual rules.
Popular Martial Arts
BJJ
BJJ stands for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and originates from traditional Jiu Jitsu, which was founded in Japan. BJJ is mainly fought and won on the ground, usually by amassing a total number of points, or by submitting your opponent.
BJJ is typically practiced wearing a Gi, however there is also another type known as no-GI, where the participant typically wear tight clothing such as a rash guard (you can see some of the best rash guards for BJJ here).
MMA
MMA stands for Mixed Martial Arts, and as the name suggests, involves merging multiple disciplines into one sport, with its' own set of rules. MMA involves both striking and grappling your opponent whilst either standing or on the ground.
MMA has evolved a lot over recent years, partly due to the massive rice in popularity of fighting championships such as the UFC and Bellator. As such, it is becoming one of the most popular martial arts in the world.
What Equipment do you Need to Get Started in MMA?
Goves
Head Gear
Shin Guards
Mouth Guard
Shorts
Why Everyone Should Try Martial Arts
The following are some key reasons why you should consider taking up a martial arts:
Final Thoughts
Over the years, Martial Arts have helped me in a tonne of different ways, allowed me to meet some great people and enjoy developing my abilities.
What ever your reason, they're definitely worth a try.
