There has been a surge in the number of women actively engaged in combat sports and not all of them have aspirations of being UFC fighters. Many women are now taking up mixed martial arts or MMA and kickboxing as both a fitness routine and vocation.
The craze for women in combat sports is seemingly spreading like wildfire on social media platforms like Instagram and Tiktok where women host live events or share their pre-recorded combat and kickboxing workouts to their enthusiastic followers.
But did you know that apart from the obvious fitness benefits that combat sports can offer, it can also be a route to relieving stress and dealing with other mental health challenges?
Indeed, while cardio and strength kickboxing will promote great physical conditioning, they will also stimulate your mind by building your mental toughness to face the day-to-day challenges of life.
This article reveals why more women are taking to mixed martial arts (MMA), kickboxing and other popular combat sports by highlighting the benefits that women can gain from taking up combat and kickboxing workouts as a key part of their daily scheduled training routine.
The Benefits of Combat Sports to Women
There are quite a few benefits of combat sports to women and here are a few worth noting;
#1. Improved Skeletal Muscle Strength
You can improve your strength levels when you incorporate combat sports in your workout program. Whenever you partake in kickboxing for example, you tend to train your majority of your upper and lower body muscle groups.
As you throw offensive and defensive kicks and punches, you get to build up the strength in your arms, shoulders, core and legs.
#2. Improved Cardiovascular Conditioning
With combat sports, women can build up and improve their cardiovascular conditioning. When you take part in a combat sport like kickboxing, you engage in short bursts of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) routines that are sure to improve your cardiovascular conditioning to boost your stamina and endurance levels.
#3. Empowerment through Kickboxing and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
Women that take up mixed martial arts (MMA) and kickboxing attest to how the combat sports have enhanced their self-esteem and self-confidence.
Combat sports like kickboxing offers women the opportunity to learn and improve their self-defense skills which can prove to be useful in life threatening situations.
#4. Greater Agility, Balance and Coordination
As you take up a combat sport, you will soon realize that mastery of the sport you decide to partake in requires a tremendous amount of controlled, concise movements that will ultimately improve your reflexes, agility, balance, stability, hand-eye coordination and motor skills.
Combat sport will keep you physically agile and mentally sharp which can most definitely be crucial in your everyday activities.
#5. Kickboxing for Stress Relief
Whenever you participate in a combat sport like kickboxing, you are not just improving your physique, strength and agility, but also training and easing your mind.
By engaging in high-intensity repetitions through kicking and punching, you will be able to significantly reduce those stress factors or stressors responsible for anxiety, mental fatigue and stress.
How to Get Started with Your Combat Sport Journey
To get started with your combat sport journey there are a few important things you need to sort out first. Let’s take a look at what you need to do if you want to begin today.
#1. Decide on Your Preferred Combat Sport Workout
There are many combat sport workouts that you can decide to take up today. It’s left to you to choose your preferred combat sport workout and there’s quite an array of combat sport workouts to choose from.
You can decide to take up MMA, Muay Thai, traditional kickboxing, or even Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. If you are a novice to any of these combat sports, it may be challenging to decide on which one to adopt.
#2. Research and Join a Coaching Class
Once you have decided on which combat sport to take up, you really should search for a coaching class in your location that you can join.
As a novice, it is important to learn the fundamentals of the combat sports workout including how to apply proper form and technique.
Joining a class is also important as it allows you to workout with like-minded individuals which can be both inspiring and fun.
#3. Safety Comes First
Safety is the one thing you never compromise when it comes to your combat and kickboxing workouts. To this end, you need to know what safety equipment is needed for your preferred combat sport. In the case of kickboxing, hand wraps and a pair of gloves are basic necessities.
You may also need barefoot training footwear or functional athletic shoes that offer greater grip strength and prevent you from accidental trips or slips.
In addition to having the right gear for whichever combat sport workout you choose to adopt, you should also learn the rules and etiquette of your chosen combat workout. Learning the rules and etiquette will help keep you safe at all times, especially during a sparring session.
Conclusion
Women holistic health and fitness is never complete unless it addresses a person’s physical and mental wellbeing.
This is why combat and kickboxing workouts standout as one of the most effective workouts around. You only have to decide on the workout that works for you, get a class to join, and have safety as your watchword at all times.
What’s more, combat workouts will improve your strength, agility, core stability and balance, mental toughness, sharpness, and cognitive skills.
In addition to this, combat workouts will enhance your cardiovascular conditioning while improving your heart health and function. Combat sports workouts can also help you overcome mental health challenges by boosting your self-confidence, reducing your stress levels, and combating anxiety.
If you choose to join a coaching class in your vicinity, it is an opportunity for you to make new friends that share your passion for combat sports workouts. If you want more information about combat workouts, you can contact an expert for free at Anabolic Coach today.
