Last Updated on April 24, 2023.
There’s no way around it – if you want to be in great shape, you need a healthy heart. That means finding a workout that gets your heart pumping. Studies have shown that only around 23% of adults in the United States hit the American Heart Association recommended guideline of at least 150 minutes of aerobic exercise weekly.
If health and fitness are a priority, one of the best ways to improve your cardiovascular system is by picking up a martial art. Martial arts classes will get you off the couch and moving – all with the added benefits of making friends, learning self-defense, and improving your self-esteem. A lot of people cringe at the thought of doing cardio (which partly explains why so few Americans are getting enough aerobic exercise), but they probably haven’t found the right cardio workout for them.
If the idea of jogging around your neighborhood in the winter doesn’t sound very appealing to you, consider starting a martial arts class at Tiger Schulmann’s Martial Arts in Stamford, Connecticut. Sensei Nicholas Demetrius has years of experience helping martial artists reach their fitness goals, no matter whether they are beginners just starting out or grizzled vets looking for a new challenge.
Are Martial Arts Good for Cardio?
There’s no doubt about it – practicing martial arts will improve your cardiovascular fitness. Generally speaking, martial arts involve a mix of aerobic and anaerobic exercises, which will improve your cardiovascular endurance and overall fitness.
Learning the movements and techniques of martial arts will get your heart pumping. Most martial arts classes start off with a warm-up period in which you do light exercises like jumping jacks to get the blood flowing before moving on to more intense parts of the workouts. By keeping your heart rate up for an extended period of time, martial arts classes can strengthen your heart, expand your lungs, and lower your blood pressure.
Additionally, martial arts training incorporates anaerobic exercises. Anaerobic exercises are the other half to unlocking excellent cardiovascular health, utilizing strength training, plyometrics, and explosive movements. By taking what you learn in martial arts class and implementing the techniques in training sessions, you can improve your strength, build muscle, and improve your posture – all of which will contribute to your overall cardiovascular fitness.
What is the best martial art for cardiovascular fitness?
Taking any kind of martial arts class will improve your fitness. However, some consider certain kinds of martial arts superior if your main goal is to improve your cardiovascular health.
At Tiger Schulmann’s Martial Arts, we offer a wide variety of martial arts classes for both adults and children. When it comes down to it, the best martial arts for cardiovascular fitness is going to be the one that you stick with! For some, that might mean the grappling-focused “gentle art” of Jiu-Jitsu, and for others that might mean the fast-paced dynamic striking of karate.
One of the best cardiovascular activities is cardio kickboxing. The kicking and punching techniques used in cardio kickboxing will get your heart pumping and leave you dripping in sweat – exactly what you’re looking for. Unlike martial arts, classes for Jiu-Jitsu and karate, which may focus more on technique and discipline, cardio kickboxing is all about getting the best workout possible.
That being said, martial arts like Jiu-Jitsu, karate, and Muay Thai are all great cardio workouts in their own right. We offer a variety of martial arts classes at Tiger Schulmann’s Martial Arts in Stamford, meaning you can find the right martial arts workout for you. Our mentors meet you where you’re at – whether you’re a beginner or an advanced martial artist, we cater the classes to meet your needs.
How do martial arts classes reduce stress?
We’ve mentioned how important exercise is for cardiovascular health – but one often-forgotten aspect is stress! Chronic stress can increase your risk of heart disease just like a lack of exercise can. Thankfully, taking martial arts classes is a great way to reduce your anxiety, build self-esteem, and make new friends.
Our expert mentors at Tiger Schulmann’s Martial Arts in Stamford can equip you with everything you need to improve your cardiovascular fitness. We will guide you on your exercise journey, teach you breathing techniques to reduce stress and create a positive environment that promotes growth and health.
If keeping your heart healthy in a fun and exciting way sounds like something you’d be interested in, reach out to take a martial arts class at Tiger Schulmann’s Martial Arts!