Your children and grandchildren may take martial arts classes, such as karate, and you're curious about the sport too. This skill and technical sport is actually a perfect activity for nearly any age group, including seniors. As you consider an adult martial arts program, explore the perks to learning this complex sport.
Increasing Your Confidence
As you grow older, you might be concerned about your safety walking to and from your home. You want to feel comfortable being yourself with some self defense ready if trouble erupts. Learning martial arts increases your confidence about yourself. You'll be able to hold your ground if a person threatens you. In fact, you might scare off a person by just holding your martial-arts stance on the street. Feeling good about yourself benefits the entire body, which leads to a healthier lifestyle in your senior years.
Concerning Bone Health
One caveat to the benefits of martial arts programs is bone-health concerns. These exercises sometime require you to balance on one leg for an extended time period. Although this requirement may seem benign, seniors with bone issues may see complications. Osteoporosis and other ailments might be aggravated with balancing exercises. Ideally, speak to your doctor about any bone concerns before taking up a martial-arts program. If you have a clean bill of health, your bones will only grow denser as a result of the martial-arts effort. Brittle bones from a chronic condition may indicate that low-impact sports might be in order, such as swimming.
Growing Lean Muscle
When you consistently perform martial arts, you'll develop more muscle tone. Your body will actually use itself as a resistance tool. Balancing, kicking and punching will encourage muscle growth. These muscles can increase your metabolism, which leads to fat-burning benefits. As a senior, you're probably losing muscle when exercise isn't part of your daily routine. Taking on martial arts gives you a chance to build muscle where it helps your health, especially at the cardiovascular level. Your heart health improves because it's receiving a workout as you move across the fitness mats.
Improving Your Physical and Mental Focus
Performing martial arts requires intense concentration. As you focus on your opponent, your mind is improving with the enhanced thinking. Because you're practicing these focus techniques, brain cells create new pathways to deal with the situations. A sharp mind in your senior years can ward off mental decline, such as dementia. Keep your mind sharp by continuing in martial-arts classes. Every new skill that you learn will create a new, nerve-signal pathway that only helps your daily clarity.
Creating Lifelong Bonds
As you enter a martial-arts class, you'll form instant bonds with other learners. Because you're a beginner, everyone in your class will have the same skill level. Practice together, discuss strategies and let the sport permeate your conversations. Bonding with others is an important part of mental health as you enter your senior years. By feeling connected to the community, you reduce your chances of fighting depression and other ill effects. These friendships can last a lifetime when you nourish them with supportive banter and helpful criticism.
Many cities and towns have local martial arts classes that you can try out. Ask the facility manager about beginning classes and other details surrounding the class. Reputable trainers are thrilled to welcome any beginners regardless of age. In a matter of months, you'll be kicking and punching like a professional.