It takes a very special kind of person to start training martial arts as an adult. Being a martial artist is not easy but millions around the world embrace it because of all the benefits it brings. Training martial arts consistently helps one to burn fat and be fit. It also helps the mind stay sharp and motivated. There are many takeaways from being a martial artist but here are some that all martial artists can relate to.
Spending More Money On Gym Clothes Compared to Regular Clothes
Martial arts can be very addictive and before you know it, you can go from training twice a week to training every day. With more training days, comes more training clothes and that means spending more money. Whether it is a new gi for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or new spats for FaMA Fit, martial artists are always investing in new gym wear to look fresh and have breathing space between laundry days. Workout clothes will also be the first choice for martial artists when they are going out for casual drinks or meet up sessions. And if you reach John Danaher status, you are allowed to wear your rashguard everywhere.
Vacation is Usually Planned Around a Competition
Tokyo in September? That’s during the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) Asian Open. Las Vegas in August? That’s during the IBJJF World Masters. Phuket in December? Where can I train when I am there? These are questions that martial artists would ask before planning a trip. The fear of missing out on training is real and many martial artists try to sneak in a training session or a competition while they are on vacation. Thankfully for FaMA - Fitness and Martial Arts members, they have a wide network of reciprocal academies across Asia, North America, Australia and Europe where they can train for free when they are visiting.
Family Means More Than Just a Blood Relative
Martial artists spend a lot of time on the mats with their training partners and the bond that they build will last a lifetime. Training partners and teammates often spend time eating, traveling and competing together when they are not training at the gym. Also, it is not only for strangers to find new friends. Family members can also train martial arts to become closer. Parents can train alongside their children to make it a family activity. Couples can use martial arts to get closer to each other.
Feeling Safe and Confident In Any Situation
Those who train martial arts develop a sense of awareness and alertness through their training. Being aware of their surroundings helps martial artists stay safe in almost any situation and a heightened sense of alertness stops anyone from sneaking up on them. Those who train martial arts also develop a sense of confidence that is unlike any other. Whether it is walking down a dark alley or in a crowded concert, a martial artist will always be prepared for anything.
FaMA - Fitness and Martial Arts Established in 2016, FaMA is a world-class martial arts training facility located in the heart of the Central Business District in Singapore. Walking distance from the Clarke Quay MRT station, FaMA’s main goal is to help people improve their lives through martial arts regardless of age or athletic capability. Each program is led by experts in their respective fields. Whether it is weight loss, a fun workout, camaraderie, competition training, or just to break a sweat, FaMA has something for everyone.
Muay Thai
Muay Thai, or The Art of Eight Limbs, is a martial art developed in Thailand thousands of years ago to help the Kingdom protect itself against invaders. Using the human body as a weapon, Muay Thai practitioners are well-versed in punching, elbowing, kicking, kneeing, and clinching with their opponents. What was once only used for self-defence and protection of the Kingdom, Muay Thai has grown to become one of the most popular sports not only in Thailand but in the world. Muay Thai is known to provide a complete total-body workout that will help build lean muscle, core strength, and help with weight loss. At FaMA, Muay Thai classes are taught daily by Tanaphong Khunhankaew, or better known as Kru Ping, and Kru Jerel Louie.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, or BJJ as it is commonly known around the world, is a self-defence martial art that enables a smaller, weaker person to protect themselves against a much larger attacker using leverage and pressure. Formed from Kodokan Judo in Japan, Jiu Jitsu found its way to Brazil in the 1910s through Mitsuyo Maeda, a Japanese judoka and no-holds-barred prize fighter. During his time in Brazil, Maeda accepted a young Carlos Gracie as his student. Carlos would later pass on his knowledge to his brothers, most notably Helio Gracie - the father of modern Brazilian Jiujitsu. The Gracie family would go on to spread BJJ through The Gracie Challenge and eventually the creation of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Today, BJJ has grown to be more than just an effective unarmed fighting system. It helps young children deal with bullies and adults live a healthy lifestyle. BJJ classes are offered daily at FaMA under the tutelage of Black Belts Zoro Moreira, Robyn Goudy and Thiago Gaspary.