Initially someone gets into frequently going to the gym for two reasons. Number 1 (and main reason), to look good. Number 2, to become an overall healthier person.
For those people who have been working out for a while and have reached many of their fitness goals it can start to feel like there’s no light at the end of the tunnel. Given, nobody is ever fully and 100% satisfied with their appearance. Even when completely shredded you’ll always look in the mirror and see something you need to work on. As far as the overall strength and athleticism built in the gym, what are we doing with it? We’re just getting stronger to be able to lift heavier weight? We’re building endurance to be able to run longer? We’re building stamina to go harder for longer? That’s all great but something feels empty about it after a while.
That’s where Martial Arts comes in.
Martial Arts can give you a real reason and drive to want to get stronger, faster, more flexible, or overall healthier.
You can hop on Google, type in Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, MMA, or whatever might peak your interest and usually get started with a free class immediately.
It can feel daunting to jump into a combat sports gym initially. You need to keep in mind however, Martial Arts gyms are businesses just like any other gym. Instructors WANT new people to come through the door. Students WANT new partners to train with. 90% of the time you’ll be welcomed with open arms. Now, there are a few gyms here and there that are the exception, that other 10%. The Instructors might have a day job to where the gym is not their main source of income and they’re just kind of teaching on the side. They may not have the passion other instructors have. It’s possible they don’t install that “teammate” mentality into their students to create a welcoming vibe. There also might be gyms where your vibe just doesn’t match their vibe. This is why it is important to try multiple gyms in your area to find your fit.
Once you get started, you learn some basics, and then start learning counters it’s not hard for addiction to take over. At that point a congratulations is in order. You now have a purpose for your new found strength and athleticism. This is the light at the end of your tunnel. A new glorious reason to lift heavy in the gym and make it through grueling cardio sessions. When you’re on the treadmill and you put your headphones in to zone off into your own world of imagination you’re now thinking about successfully landing that submission, winning your next match in great detail, sparring your rivals, getting your hand raised in the cage, etc.
Enter a whole new world of motivation.
