7 Reasons Your Kids Need To Learn Martial Arts Now!

Your kids live in an era when it is very easy to slip into a sedentary lifestyle. All they have to do is go to school or attend online study lessons, do their homework at their study table, play videogames or watch online cartoons in their spare time, eat and then sleep. However, this kind of lifestyle can have a terrible impact on your child’s future health - both psychological and physical.

It is time to shake up their routine. Your kids need a little more activity in their lives. What better way to get them to stretch their limbs than to enrol them for martial arts? People say that martial arts can change lives! This is not an understatement, especially if one starts training from his/her childhood. The benefits of martial arts will transform your kids’ health in multiple ways.

Here are some martial arts benefits for children to convince you that your little ones need to start practising:

1. Stamina, resistance and strength

Childhood is when your kid’s body is in its developmental stage. During this crucial phase, if efforts are made to get a body strong, then a tough foundation can be laid. When children learn kung fu, karate, jiu-jitsu, etc., they will experience the following martial arts benefits:

• Joints will become stronger and bone density will improve
• Muscle function will improve
• Muscles, tendons and ligaments will become resistant to wear and tear
• Reflexes will become faster
• Brain and body coordination and balance will improve
• Body will become flexible and future joint problems will not arise 

2. Weight management

One of the chief benefits of martial arts for kids is weight control. Obesity among children is a rising concern. It is just as dangerous for children as for adults. If a child has a high BMI (over 25), then it can trigger severe health complications, such as diabetes, asthma and high blood pressure. In future obesity can also lead to heart diseases, stroke, liver failure, etc.

Martial arts are very demanding on the body. Constant practice is the best kind of exercise. It acts as cardio exercise, resistance training and weight training all rolled into one. Your child loses weight and stays in shape. 

3. Tougher immunity

One of the most vital health benefits of martial arts is the effect it has on child’s immunity. To be safe from pathogens like viruses, bacteria, fungi or pollutants and allergens, your child needs an excellent immune response. Martial arts are famed for their ability to strengthen immunity. This form of exercise activates the production of more white blood cells (body’s immunity cells) that destroy harmful microbes and counter the harsh effects of toxins and allergens.

Besides, training in martial arts increases blood flow to all parts of the body. The cells receive more oxygen. This strengthens them from the core and makes them resistant to microbial attacks. 

4. Builds self-confidence

Not trusting their own abilities can be a curse for children. This makes them an underperformer and can even lead to depression in later life. One of the lesser-known benefits of martial arts is that it instils confidence in kids. Children have to earn belts in martial arts to proceed. They train hard and when they win a new belt and defeat their competitors, it makes them confident of their own skills. This will apply to all aspects of their lives. They will not fear challenges, understand their worth and develop a strong sense of self-esteem. 

5. Conflict resolution

Learning to find solutions for problems is the key to a successful life. Martial arts teach your children to clear their minds of all stray thoughts and focus on the task at hand. With concentration and a clear mind, children learn to think analytically and rationally. This helps them to resolve conflict. 

  6. Self-defence

We all know that one of the most important benefits of martial arts is self-defence. Martial arts can help turn your child into a lethal weapon. Danger lurks in every shadowy street. However, with extensive martial arts training, children (especially girls) will know how to overpower assailants with crushing punches, kicks and jabs using nothing more than fists, knuckles, knees and feet. 

7. Mental health

Children too get depressed. They also have to deal with anxiety and stress triggered by multiple reasons. This can have a life-long impact on their psychological well-being unless you do something about it. Fortunately, martial arts can help. One of the benefits of martial arts is that they help relax children’s mind. The drills and practice release stress and teach children how to cope with anxiety and depression.

Now you know that your child has nothing to lose by signing up for martial arts lessons. Not just this, children will reap the benefits of martial arts all their lives. Every aspect of their health will improve.