Should i take kung fu

Note that all sports carry some risk of injury. However, activities like American football and certain martial arts particularly when done competitively do carry higher risks. Various types of martial arts carry vastly different risks of injury. Generally, competition and fighting experiences pose the greatest risk and stand-alone training poses the least.

For example, a noncombat karate class will have a much lower injury risk than a combat-centered program. To reduce the risk of injury:.

Most martial arts programs do not promote violence. In fact, they often focus on self-control and de-escalation instead. However, students do learn powerful self-defense and combat moves, which may make some parents wary, depending on the personality of their child. In some cases, parents may feel hesitant to enroll their teen in a martial arts class due to fear that it will promote violence in their child. This is an important consideration. Only you know what is best for your child and what activities will promote the behavior and values important to you.

However, note that many kids tend to thrive in martial arts, and rather than spurring violence or aggressiveness, many parents may find that their child becomes more focused, driven, and self-regulated after joining a martial arts program. When taught appropriately, martial arts aren't about promoting violence. Instead, the practice of martial arts is about learning self-discipline and self-defense.

The vast majority of martial arts programs teach avoiding unnecessary conflict and rising above petty disputes. Studies have found that, overall, teens who participate in martial arts don't become any more aggressive than teens who are involved in team sports.

Research is lacking on whether they show more externalizing behavior—such as aggression, bullying, and conduct issues—than teens involved in individual sports like swimming or golf. Some martial arts are better choices for teens than others. Some studies show significant differences between the types of martial arts and the amount of externalizing behavior.

For example, one study found that teens taking karate lessons were less likely to become aggressive compared to teens taking judo.

While it's important to take the kind of martial art into account, perhaps most crucial is the role played by the instructor. Their teaching style and perspective can be a big influence on your child's experience. You'll also want to consider the dynamic among the other students participating in the program—is there a healthy, supportive energy or does it feel more cut-throat in the studio?

The American Academy of Pediatrics singles out mixed martial arts as inappropriate for children. The risk of injury is much higher in mixed martial arts than in other contact sports, including collegiate football. Teens who participate in mixed martial arts are at a high risk of concussion and asphyxia, due to chokeholds and hard blows to the head.

Lacerations, upper limb injuries, and fractures are also common. Professional mixed martial arts has become sensationalized in the media. Reality shows and movies about mixed martial artists may make it seem like fighting is an easy way to become rich. Such shows often glorify violent moves, like choking someone out or kicking an opponent in the head. Video games may extol the aggressive aspects of martial arts by emphasizing injuring and killing opponents.

There is evidence that exposure to media violence can increase aggressive behavior in kids. Watching violent acts may also desensitize youth to violence. Limit your teen's exposure to media that portrays martial arts as violent. If your teen has a strong interest in violent media—despite your clear objection—talk to your teen's doctor or a mental health professional before enrolling them in martial arts classes.

Overall, martial arts can be an overwhelmingly positive activity for many teenagers. Just make sure you find a positive, safe class with an excellent instructor. If your teen has a history of physical aggression or a mental health condition , talk to a mental health professional, and possibly the instructor or studio owner, before enrolling them in a class.

There is some evidence that martial arts can be particularly good for kids and teens with ADHD and other behavior disorders, but it's important to discuss your child's situation with a mental health professional. One of the best things about karate lessons or taekwondo class is that it is suitable for people of all ages and various fitness levels. A martial arts center may offer classes the whole family can join.

Of course, not all teens want to take martial arts with their parents. But if you have a shy teen or one who is reluctant to get involved in physical activity, joining together may be a way to encourage participation in physical activity while providing an excellent opportunity to bond as a family. Get expert tips to help your kids stay healthy and happy. Youth participation and injury risk in martial arts. Berkeley University of California Wellness.

Originally the goal of training Kung Fu was to become a well conditioned and deadly fighter because back in the day your life might well depend on it. Today we can use the traditional exercises and forms of Kung Fu to get a great workout.

It will keep your interest as you learn new material. If you want fitness that is more than just calisthenics or a simple collection of drills and exercises that you will probably find boring in a couple of weeks, then you should learn Kung Fu. As stated previously Kung Fu is originally a fighting art. Each movement in Kung Fu is practical and can be used to defend against an attack. But, Kung Fu training is more than just techniques. As you learn Kung Fu you train your mind and your body, you develop coordination and confidence, and you develop awareness.

These aspects are essential when facing any situation. Of course the punches, kicks, joint locks, and throws help too. One of the benefits of a great workout is how it can enhance your health. When people think about Kung Fu they might picture high kicks or acrobatic forms but that is only one aspect of what Kung Fu is.

There are still ways to get a good MMA style workout at home. Many martial artists would be surprised to see boxing on this list. However, boxing is one of the purest forms of martial arts in history. It is highly effective in MMA as well, teaching fighters head movement and footwork technique.

It is also extremely effective in self-defense situations, as most fights start standing up. Boxing is a sport that has been celebrated by the masses throughout history. Conor is actually a fantastic boxer with a karate style stance.

This is how you know MMA is special, a boxer with a karate style stance that has been able to win multiple UFC titles. A normal training day in boxing can include a variety of different training techniques. One day you could be working on head movement and footwork, while others are focused on punching power and speed. There will be days you can spar with a partner, but almost every boxing gym will give you the freedom to choose whether or not you want to spar.

Boxing is something that almost everyone should try at some point in their lives. Boxing helps with reaction time, footwork, and head movement. There is no substitute for a good trainer and boxing gym.

Research nearby boxing gyms you can usually find reviews from beginners on Yelp , but take them with a grain of salt and take a drop-in class. Most boxing gyms offer at least one free day to prospective members. You can check out my at home MMA workout guide for some suggested boxing combos to start with at home.

If you want to jump start your progress, check out some of the instructional videos offered by Dynamic Striking they have boxing videos from Anderson Silva, Cain Velasquez and other huge names in MMA. Teddy Atlas, who helped train Mike Tyson and other world champion boxers, has a great Fundamentals of Boxing course with Dynamic Striking that provides a solid overview of boxing for beginners:.

View Course. Muay Thai Kickboxing is a great starting point for a beginner martial artist. Muay Thai is a kickboxing style sport that started in Thailand. Believe it or not, children in Thailand start having Muay Thai fights at the young age of 5. Thai people celebrate Muay Thai in the same way Americans do Baseball.

Muay Thai also focuses on the clinch technique which is useful for many other martial arts such as judo and wrestling. There are many professional MMA fighters that focus solely on Muay Thai techniques to help them win fights. Edson Barboza is a good example of a traditional Muay Thai fighter. Muay Thai is also popular with celebrities that want to both learn to fight and get in shape.

Wiz Khalifa for example is obsessed with Muay Thai and you can see him on his Instagram stories training at all hours of the day. Your first day of Muay Thai might be rough depending on your instructor. After time, this pain eventually went away. I no longer feel pain in my shins when I kick heavy bags. Muay Thai is extremely high intensity training that involves conditioning of the shins and core. That depends on how important you value stand up fighting techniques.

Muay Thai will teach you discipline that is needed to study any other martial art, and it will get you leaps ahead other fighters when it comes to stand up fighting. In Muay Thai, your offense IS your best defense. Call ahead to see what the schedule is, and here are some tips for what to know before your first class. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a ground based grappling technique that involves the use of joint locks and chokeholds.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu BJJ promotes the concept that a smaller, weaker person can successfully defend themselves or another against a bigger, stronger, heavier assailant by using proper technique and leverage. BJJ is an amazing first martial art to learn because of the amazing self-defense it provides.

Unlike boxing or Muay Thai, Jiu Jitsu does not allow strikes. This is followed by a lecture in technique, and students practicing that technique again and again. BJJ is a lot of repetition, and also figuring out how to use each position as an advantage against your opponent.