What are the health benefits of performing Muay Thai?

 

If you want to improve your health and become the best version of yourself, combat sports can be an excellent solution. Sports like muay thai stand out because not only do you get to learn how to defend yourself, it’s also a great way to stay in shape. What you will notice is that Muay Thai comes with a vast range of exceptional health benefits. It’s all a matter of getting started and learning how to perform this great sport. Here are some of the benefits you get from performing Muay Thai!

Improving leg strength

One of the things to consider when it comes to Muay Thai is that it constantly encourages you to push your limits. You will be using your legs quite a lot during every match and training as well. As you do that, you improve your endurance, your footwork becomes a lot better, and your stability improves exponentially. Even your leg muscles become firmer, which is exactly why muay thai is such a great sport to begin with.

Working on your core strength

Another benefit of Muay Thai is the fact that you can work on your core as well. In fact, as you train, you will be working on your pelvis muscles, abdominal, lower back muscles and many others. Since you’re improving these muscles, it just becomes much easier for you to stay in a great shape, and results can be exceptional thanks to that.

In addition, muay thai requires you to do repetitive movements. You get to be a lot more focused on precision, which means you will have better conditioning. In the long run, you get to improve your core strength, enhance your muscles and ensure that you can defend yourself against anyone without any problems.

Better hip mobility

With help from Muay Thai, you can also work on your hips. For a lot of people, the idea of dealing with hip issues is always problematic. But the truth is that you will always find yourself without very good, mobile hips. It’s a much better idea to try and perform Muay Thai, since it allows you to better work on your hips.

After all, you’re kicking and kneeing all the time, which requires you to use your hips often. You will also stretch your body too, which makes the entire process a lot easier. All in all, it just becomes a great idea to perform Muay Thai, because it’s efficient, it allows you to get the job done, and it’s an amazing routine that everyone should try out.

Cardiovascular health improvements

What’s interesting about muay thai is the fact that it’s both an aerobic and anaerobic activity. It adds a lot of pressure on your cardiopulmonary system. What’s great about it is that you will be able to improve your cardio and overall resistance, which in turn makes the process better. Your body will deal with more stress, and that can build up your stamina.

You will last a lot more during fights, and you can also run on a prolonged distance. It just goes to show the true value of muay thai, and how much of a difference it can make in your life. It might not seem like much, but these changes will help improve your health immensely.

Faster reaction time

One of the great things about Muay Thai is the fact that you will learn how to react a lot faster. It’s a sport that relies heavily on your reflexes. Once you get started with Muay Thai, you will learn how to improve your reflexes, react a lot quicker to attacks and ensure that you’re not getting hit. So not only will you have a faster reaction time, it also allows you to avoid any dangerous injuries.

Less anxiety and stress

Another thing to consider is the fact that most of us are dealing with anxiety and stress on a daily basis. We need to find the right ways of eliminating those issues from our lives. And the best way of doing that is certainly with a sport like Muay Thai. You get to keep your stress levels under control, while focusing on the action in front of you. Plus, you get to have more trust into your instincts, and that can lead to exceptional benefits down the line.

As you can see, Muay Thai is amazing and it can provide excellent benefits. Not only will you improve your core and leg muscles, but you’ll also have faster reflexes and improve your focus. Plus, action sports like Muay Thai will help you become a more disciplined person too. That’s why we highly recommend giving this sport a try. It’s one of the best action combat sports, and you’ll be extremely impressed with the progress once you get started!

 

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: A Beginner's Guide To Grappling!!

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a vibrant martial art focused on ground combat and submission holds. It is designed to allow individuals with smaller stature to defend against larger foes through precise leverage and tactical techniques. This guide will introduce beginners to the fundamental aspects of BJJ, outlining its methods, principles, and the myriad benefits it offers.

What is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?

Initially developed in Japan, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was refined in Brazil during the early 1900s by the Gracie family. The art form evolved from traditional Judo, derived from Jujutsu's ancient Japanese martial art.

 

Mitsuyo Maeda, a Japanese Judo master, migrated to Brazil, where he taught Carlos Gracie. Carlos and his brother Helio refined the techniques to suit smaller, less powerful individuals, thus forming the modern Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Key Principles of BJJ

The core philosophy behind BJJ is that technique and strategic positioning can overcome brute strength and size. Practitioners use their opponents' strength and momentum against them, aiming to subdue their adversary on the ground using various holds and locks.

 

The primary goal in a BJJ match is to gain a dominant position on the ground and to execute submission holds effectively, forcing the opponent to "tap out."

Core Techniques of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Understanding Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu's core techniques is crucial for effectively practicing the art. These foundational skills help practitioners control and submit opponents, essential for mastering the art. Let's explore these essential techniques that form the backbone of BJJ.

1. Positioning:

Positioning is fundamental in BJJ. Success in this martial art relies on obtaining and maintaining superior positions on the ground. Key positions include:

 

●      Guard: The practitioner lies on their back, using their legs to manage and control their opponent's movements. Variants include closed guard, open guard, and half-guard.

●      Mount: Sitting atop the opponent's torso, controlling them, and opening submission opportunities.

●      Side Control: Dominating the opponent from the side, restricting their movement, and facilitating various submission holds.

●      Back Control involves controlling the opponent from behind, typically with hooks (the legs controlling the opponent's body), and looking for choke submissions.

2. Escapes and Defenses:

Learning to escape from compromising positions is vital. Techniques such as the bridge-and-roll and shrimp move help practitioners escape from under an opponent. Developing defensive skills is also crucial to prevent being submitted, emphasizing the importance of position awareness and escape timing.

3. Submission Techniques:

BJJ is renowned for its wide array of submission techniques, which force an opponent to submit due to applied pain or threat of injury. Submissions can be broadly categorized into:

 

●      Joint Locks: These techniques focus on separating an opponent's limb and using the body's positioning to form a lever, which is then employed to exert force on the joint. Common joint locks include arm bars, kneebars, and ankle locks.

●      Chokes: Techniques that impede blood flow to the brain or air to the lungs. Examples include the rear naked choke, guillotine choke, and triangle choke.

4. Sweeps:

Sweeps are techniques used to reverse a position, moving from a disadvantageous position to a dominant one. They involve unbalancing an opponent and shifting the control dynamically. Mastery of sweeps improves a practitioner’s ability to regain control during a match.

5. Drills and Sparring (Rolling):

Drilling involves repetitive practicing of techniques to build muscle memory and fluency. Sparring, or 'rolling', is a controlled combat practice that allows practitioners to apply techniques in a live setting. Rolling is instrumental in understanding the practical application of BJJ techniques and strategies.

Training Focus for Beginners

Those new to BJJ should focus on learning the fundamental techniques and understanding the mechanics and principles underlying the art. Beginners should concentrate on:

 

●      Fundamental Positions: Learn and practice the basic positions and transitions.

●      Defensive Techniques: Prioritize defense to increase mat longevity and reduce the risk of injury.

●      Basic Submissions: Start with a few basic submissions to understand how to finish a fight.

●      Conditioning: BJJ is physically demanding, so improving general physical fitness can greatly enhance one’s ability to train effectively.

Summary:

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) offers a profound and strategic approach to combat sports, prioritizing technique and leverage over brute strength. Ideal for beginners, mastering its core techniques and principles fosters not only physical improvement but also mental resilience.

 

Discover the art atUltimate Combat Training Center in Salt Lake City, where classes led by a 12-time world champion cater to all levels, emphasizing practical skills like throws, takedowns, and submissions. Enhance your fitness and self-defense skills in a supportive environment. Join us today and start your BJJ journey!

 

Meta Description: Explore Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fundamentals, covering techniques, benefits, and classes at Ultimate Combat Training Center in Salt Lake City.

 Meet our new Boxing Coach!!

My name is Nifai Tonga. I am from San Bruno, California, and have been a Utah resident for the past 9 years. I have recently wrapped up my collegiate footbal career at the University of Utah. I love boxing and physical fitness. I enjoy coaching and helping others. My approach to coaching is to understand and bring positive energy. I am very excited to start this new chapter and continue to chase my goals.