Muay Thai or Thai Boxing is a martial art that teaches its practitioners how to become more aware of their surroundings and protect themselves from an aggressor. Muay Thai also offers many health and fitness benefits! Let's see which ones if you've decided to practice Muay Thai in Atlanta!
Increased Flexibility and Range of Motion
Muay Thai practitioners often have greater flexibility and range of motion than those who don't practice martial arts at all. This is because Muay Thai involves a wide variety of stretches and poses that help to increase flexibility.
That way, Muay Thai practitioners can strike and defend themselves even when they haven't had time to fully prepare. If you're looking for martial arts in Atlanta that will help you increase your flexibility, Muay Thai is a great option. If you devote yourself to the practice, you'll likely see a marked improvement in your range of motion.
Improved Cardiovascular Health
Muay Thai is one of the most cardio-intensive martial arts out there. Practicing it regularly can help improve your overall cardiovascular health, making you less susceptible to conditions like heart disease and stroke.
In fact, one study found that regular Muay Thai practitioners had lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels than those who didn't practice any form of martial arts. Additionally, practicing Muay Thai can help you lose weight or maintain a healthy weight, which is another major contributor to cardiovascular health.
Stronger Bones
Muay Thai is a great way to strengthen your bones, especially if you're older. The impact of strikes and blocks helps to increase bone density, reducing your risk of developing osteoporosis later in life.
In fact, one study showed that Muay Thai practitioners had denser bones than those who didn't practice any form of martial arts. This is likely due to the high levels of impact and stress that come with practicing Muay Thai more regularly.
So, as younger you start practicing Muay Thai, the stronger your bones will likely be as you get older.
Improved Mental Health
Muay Thai is more than just a physical activity - it's also a great way to improve your mental health. The discipline and focus required to practice Muay Thai can help you learn how to control your emotions and stay calm under pressure.
This is particularly beneficial for those who struggle with anxiety or depression. Additionally, Muay Thai can help you develop a more positive self-image, which is crucial for maintaining mental health.
On the other hand, Muay Thai is an empowering form of exercise that can help boost your self-confidence and self-esteem, which are crucial for overall mental health. Practicing Muay Thai increases feelings of empowerment and creates a shift in focus from negative thoughts to positive ones. This is important because feelings of inadequacy and powerlessness can often lead to anxiety and depression. If you're looking for a martial art that can help improve your mental health, Muay Thai is a great option.
Improved Hand-Eye Coordination
Muay Thai requires excellent hand-eye coordination to effectively block and strike an opponent. As you practice and improve your skills, you'll likely find that your hand-eye coordination improves as well.
This is important not just in terms of self-defense, but also in terms of other activities you might participate in, like driving or playing sports. Excellent hand-eye coordination can help improve your performance in all sorts of activities. For example, studies have shown that athletes displayed better hand-eye coordination than a control group of non-athletes.
Increased Energy and Endurance
Muay Thai is a type of high-intensity training or HIIT. These types of workouts increase your overall energy levels while also helping to improve muscle tone and definition over time.
Additionally, Muay Thai is an incredibly physically demanding martial art, making it great for increasing your endurance levels, compared to other forms of exercise or even other martial arts. It is because of these factors that Muay Thai is a popular workout regimen in military training, as well. Practicing it regularly can help you build up your stamina and strength so that you have the energy to get through even the toughest workouts.
Even if you're not in a great physical state at the moment, practicing Muay Thai can help you improve your health. Though, it's important to keep in mind that results will vary depending on several factors, including how often you practice and what types of diet and fitness regimens you follow outside the martial art itself.
To get the most out of your Muay Thai training, it's best to pair it with other forms of exercise like weight-lifting, cardio, and flexibility training. If you do this, the fitness benefits of your practice will multiply!
