Best martial arts for women to stay fit and safe

In a world filled with unexpected danger, many people learn how to protect themselves to stay safer. Becoming physically fit is one way to stay safe. The best martial arts for women to learn can increase physical abilities while helping you effectively and quickly protect yourself if you’re in danger. Please note that while this post focuses on women – that’s what I do here! – martial arts can benefit any gender.

As www.momsintofitness.com knows, a physically fit mom has more energy to get through the day. Plus, when moms are active, their children learn how to be active too.

Moms can share martial arts training like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, judo, Muay Thai, and many more with their children and partners. Here are the six top choices for females:

Judo

Anyone can learn the techniques presented in Judo, which are not built on punching and kicking. Instead, women will learn how to use simple moves to throw an opponent into submission. These lethal moves help women learn to defend themselves in ways disarming to an attacker. Again, anyone, not just women, can benefit from these moves.

Judo teaches women to defend themselves against attackers of any size. Surprisingly, learning Judo and other martial arts can help relieve stress. By knowing self-defense skills, women can be more relaxed out in public. By simply practicing martial arts, women also lower their stress levels by participating in a physical activity that lets them release any frustrations.

Judo practice can lend itself toward being more mindful too. Also, learn to live a healthy lifestyle by eating a balanced diet, all of which contribute toward a better understanding of your unique body.

As a result, you can react better to unexpected situations. And if all of that’s not enough to get you starting Judo, immunity improves, and recovery speeds up too over time.

Judo has been in the Olympics since the 1960s and has been popular for decades. In the first class, you’ll likely stretch and warm up. Then, the first thing you will learn is how to fall safely, which involves tucking and rolling rather than using your arms. Then, practice the techniques with people of all levels.

As the class closes, you will finish with strength-building activities, such as calisthenics and breathing exercises. At the end of most classes, students end up chatting and it could be that you make new friendships along the Judo learning journey.

Muay Thai

This type of martial arts for all genders began in Thailand. Here, individuals learn to use body parts other than their fists to fight off attackers. Fists are generally not effective in a fight because they are weak; while it’s a Muay Thai technique, there are many more than just that.

Fists aren’t the only option, as fighting with a fist takes time and lots of upper body strength. If you don’t have that strength yet, then Muay Thai teaches you how to use other body parts, such as your head, elbows, and knees.

Muay Thai is known as the art of eight limbs because practitioners learn to use their bodies gracefully, even though they are learning to defend themselves and hurt their attackers. While other martial arts techniques focus more on the techniques than physical fitness, that is not the case with Muay Thai, as those who practice it develop very toned bodies.

The full-body workout also develops mental strength that improves self-confidence and discipline. Through hard work, see how much you can accomplish if you simply put your mind and body into it. The martial arts practice also helps you stay calm in stressful situations. You learn to assess your role and adapt to the situation without losing self-control.

Tae Kwon Do: More of the best martial arts for women to learn

Next is Tae Kwon Do, a form of Korean martial arts. Its popularity has grown over the years, and it’s now an official Olympic sport. As practitioners kick and punch their way through different colored belts, they learn self-defense techniques and build physical fitness.

Tae Kwon Do is a good choice for women because it strongly focuses on the lower body. By learning powerful kicks, women can better defend themselves against attackers, as can any gender in fact. With the techniques of Tae Kwon Do, women are not only better prepared to defend themselves, but they also develop an attitude of strength and confidence that keeps potential attackers away.

Women who practice Tae Kwon Do tone their muscles and develop flexibility too. All of which improve their self-image. They also learn discipline and respect, as well as a sense of calmness.

As for what to expect with Tae Kwon Do classes, participants have bare feet and wear loose-fitting clothing. If you decide to attend class regularly, you’ll likely purchase a uniform from your school in time.

In most classes, you will learn and practice techniques while standing in a line with other students. It’s there that you’ll practice fundamental kicks and punches. Eventually, spar with classmates or work on forms, which are patterns of movements to master before moving to different belt levels.

Hapkido

Other martial arts for women might be better known than Hapkido, but this style is absolutely one to mention here. The Korean word Hapkido translates into harmony, power, path. It is similar to Tae Kwon Do as it has defense at its core rather than offense and uses throws, kicks, and joint locks to fight off attackers.

This type of martial arts is mixed, but it is not like Jiu-Jitsu or other MMA styles because it focuses on defending against an attacker rather than fighting the attacker. Thus, Hapkido practitioners know how to defend themselves when in a dangerous situation.

If Hapkido is something you pursue, expect to work through a system of colored belts. Usually, it’s at least three years to reach black-belt status.

In a typical Hapkido class, practitioners learn to channel their energy through meditation, stretching, and breathing exercises. Then, they practice their techniques individually and in pairs. The classes typically end with meditation and breathing exercises.

Krav Maga

This form of martial arts originated in Israel and is used by the Israeli Defense Force. Practitioners develop skills that help them defend against someone armed or unarmed. The skills you can learn in Krav Maga are not only physical but mental too. Learn to use unexpected body parts, like elbows, to fight off attackers rather than only thinking about using fists.

It’s during Krav Maga training that you’ll also build endurance and stamina. Develop a stronger core to improve balance to more effectively ward off attackers than before. Also, learn how much force is necessary to exert in an attack, as well as when to attack and when to flee.

Mentally, Krav Maga and many of the other best martial arts for women to learn to show you how to retain self-control, even when under duress. It’s invaluable to learn to trust your instincts and to use those instincts for protective purposes. The martial arts systems also help you carry yourself with certainty and confidence, which will help you achieve great things in life with the right mental mindset.

Krav Maga’s classes are usually an hour long. They begin with a physical warmup that often includes calisthenics and stretches.

Once everyone is warmed up, the instructor leads you through strikes with demonstrations from advanced students or the instructor. The instructor breaks down the techniques, and practitioners move through them step by step in front of a mirror. As soon as the skills are understood, students practice with partners.

Even in your first Krav Maga class, you’ll likely begin learning to fight off violence. You might even use pads and heavy bags immediately to learn to use your elbows and knees effectively.

Jiu-Jitsu is among the best martial arts for women to learn

With the popularity of Ultimate Fighting, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, or BJJ, has become a favorite style for women and others. While you may not want to get into the ring, appreciate learning effective self-defense techniques.

Learning to defend yourself is a good reason to learn any type of martial art, but with Jiu-Jitsu, you can learn so much more, from body appreciation and the extent of your abilities. All body sizes and shapes can master the skills in Jiu-Jitsu, as this female shows with her shoulder and other body parts.

If you want to learn Jiu-Jitsu, it’s a good idea to watch a class before you take one. Once you decide to take a class at Martial Arts Beaumont, wear comfortable clothes that fit well and are free of belts and pockets.

Eventually, teachers ask their students to buy a Jiu-Jitsu uniform. It’s also helpful to pull long hair into a ponytail and to keep your fingernails short.

And you might even develop friendships with the other women in the gym. Women also become role models for their children who see their physical and psychological strength.

Lastly, some BJJ classes begin with gentle stretches, while others start with heavy exercises. And expect to run at the beginning of each class before moving on to learn basic moves from day one onward.

In these classes, learn basic Jiu-Jitsu techniques and drill through them individually several times before grappling with other students. You will learn to position yourself, so your opponent will submit, and also learn sparring rules, so you don’t hurt your partner in an unintended way.

As these classes are physically draining, expect that they will tire you out by the time they’re done. Eventually, your body will adapt to the physical exertion, and you will feel energized when class finishes.

Conclusion on the best martial arts for women

Now you know the six best martial arts for women to learn! Whether your goal is to improve your physical health or stay safer (or both), the techniques above can help you achieve the goal.

While this post focuses on women, please note that any gender can stand to benefit from the classes above. As with any other sport, before starting something new always consult your doctor to ensure the physical activity is suitable for you, given any existing medical conditions and other factors.

There are plenty of options! Judo, Muay Thai, Tae Kwon Do, Hapkido, Krav Maga, and Jiu-Jitsu made the list! There are other types too – Sambo, Karate, and Boxing are some that come to mind. Have you done any on the list, or do you plan to add it to your bucket list?

 

Top photo: Judo in action! Photo by Oliver Sellner – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.