Many people practice all kinds of martial arts like karate, kung fu, wushu, taekwondo, and muay Thai just to protect themselves from the rampant crimes out there.
Regular self-defense sports are also very beneficial for supporting body health, you know!
Muaythai is a martial art that is currently popular among young people. Not only to protect oneself, but the benefits of Muaythai for body health also are not small either, from losing weight to maintaining heart health. Muaythai is a martial art from Thailand that relies on punches and kicks. Muaythai also uses many locking techniques around the opponent’s head (clinching).
Muaythai, for one, is a sport that can be considered quite challenging. Not just men, this one sport now has multiple classes that women can participate in too. Well, not unlike other martial arts, Muay Thai also has many health benefits for the body. The moves you perform in this martial art can help increase your strength, endurance, speed, and agility.
At first glance, Muaythai may look almost like kickboxing. The difference is that only hands and feet can be used in kickboxing. Muaythai now allows attacks with elbows and knees in addition to hands and feet.
Muay Thai Health Benefits
Muaythai is classified as a high-intensity exercise, so it is effective in burning calories and losing weight. The number of calories that can be burned with this exercise is around 350-500 calories per hour. This amount is almost equal to the number of calories in a bowl of ramen noodles. Doing this regularly can also give you other Muaythai benefits including:
-
Improve heart and blood vessel health
High-intensity exercise like Muaythai can improve circulation and encourage the body to pump more blood throughout the body. These benefits make Muaythai a good sport for heart and blood vessel health.
-
Strengthen muscles and balance
Movements in Muaythai can strengthen the muscles of the upper and lower body. In addition, the speed of movement in this martial art can also improve flexibility, balance, reflexes, and body coordination.
-
Maintain mental health
The punching and kicking moves in Muaythai are effective for relieving stress and frustration. In addition, this exercise can also stimulate the production of endorphins, which can improve mood and even reduce pain, stress, and anxiety. Not only that, but Muaythai can also be a means to socialize with your friends or coaches so you don’t feel lonely.
-
Improve sleep quality
After exercise, your body feels tired, but you can become more relaxed, making it easier for you to fall asleep. This condition makes it easier for you to get a good night’s sleep, especially if you have trouble sleeping.
Not only that, sports like Muaythai also consume a lot of energy, thus encouraging you to rest more to restore your body’s energy.
-
Combination of cardio and strength training
Muay Thai’s reputation as a challenging sport has long been known. However, this is also comparable to the benefits you get from doing Muaythai regularly. Muaythai works almost every muscle in the body. This sport is the perfect mix of cardio, strength, and endurance training.
-
Learn self-defense
One of the benefits that can be felt in Muaythai is that indirectly, mothers also quickly learn self-defense. Many women follow Muaythai because it is also a martial art. The techniques learned are simple, effective, and easy to learn. For six months after a person starts learning Muaythai, they can defend themselves fairly well in most situations.
According to a study described in the journal Violence Against Women, women who are good at self-defense are better equipped to deal with potential strangers. They also have more positive feelings about their bodies, are more confident, and have better safety strategies.
-
Stressful
Muaythai exercises are very effective for dealing with pent-up stress. This has to do with how demanding the sport is and how much time is spent kicking and punching. After all, the body is more relaxed afterward because a lot of energy is dissipated.
Doing Muaythai never gets boring either, because you’re always learning new moves so you can improve your skills even more. According to Harvard Health Publishing, any type of exercise can reduce stress and improve mental health. However, keep an eye on the condition of the body, so as not to force yourself. Vigorous exercise for 15-20 minutes, moderate exercise for 30-40 minutes, and still resting between workouts.
-
Build muscle
This is good news for those who want to show off their six-pack abs one day. By practicing Muaythai regularly, one of the benefits that can be obtained is a toned stomach. Since Muaythai is a kicking sport and the function of the knees and shins plays well, it is only natural for the abs to form.
In Muaythai practice, you will do shadow boxing, jab cross, skipping knees, and more. All of these moves tighten the abdomen and build a six-pack muscle. In addition, when the movement hits hard, the fat in the body is burned and the muscles around the abdomen become tight.
-
Shaping the body structure
Have you ever wondered why so many people don’t stay true to their sport?
Why do some of them stop in the middle when trying the gym or regular training schedule?
This also usually happens because they feel monotonous and bored with the often repeated exercises. However, since Muaythai is a martial art, you will learn many variants of self-defense tactics. The benefit that one can feel from practicing Muaythai consistently is good body structure. Of course, that’s everyone’s dream, isn’t it?
-
Confidence increases
A strong sense of self-confidence makes a person bolder to face any opportunity. Interestingly, Muaythai benefits give you the boost you need for yourself. When learning self-defense techniques, stress and anxiety are reduced, physical health becomes fitter than before, and self-confidence is boosted. Muaythai not only trains the body but also the mind or mindset. From Muaythai, you will be able to make better decisions. This naturally gives the body a high level of self-confidence.
-
The body is fresher
As we age, our immunity also decreases. Starting a Muaythai class is the right way to make the body fresher and healthier. You will learn to learn new techniques while burning fat in the body. Movements in Muaythai also help develop other aspects of fitness such as flexibility and motor skills. The kicking motion helps build bone tissue, especially if you’re on a calcium-rich diet. This sport is not boring like other monotonous sports, but full of excitement and fun.
-
Stronger leg muscles
Kicking and footwork play a big role in Muaythai. One of the movements that characterize Muaythai is the roundhouse kick. Learning to pedal strengthens the muscles of the lower body. Every muscle in the lower body benefits from practicing various kicks and footwork exercises in Muaythai. Other benefits such as mobility, calves getting stronger and full energy can be felt.
Safe tips for Muaythai practice
Muaythai is a martial art, so the risk of injury is quite high. Injuries that usually occur in this sport are sprains, both in the shoulder, back, hip, knee, and ankle areas.
To prevent injuries while practicing Muaythai, there are several tips you can follow, including:
- Warm up properly before exercising.
- Start the exercise at a low intensity and then gradually increase it.
- Make sure that the exercises are carried out under the guidance of a professional trainer.
- Use body protection such as boxing gloves, head protection, knee pads, and mouthguards during sparring.
- Make sure that the body’s fluid requirements are always sufficient during exercise.
- Complete the training session with a cool down.
To reap the benefits of Muaythai, practice at least 1-2 times a week for around 45-60 minutes.
If you suffer from certain ailments or medical conditions, it is best to consult your doctor before beginning any Muaythai training session. This is important so that you can get the maximum benefit from it and avoid injury or other health problems while playing sports.