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Martial arts covers a very broad range of activities in self defense, physical fitness, and personal development. People practice martial arts for different reasons. Some do it for self defense, some do it for physical fitness and better health, some for sports, and some just out of interest. There are a lot of good reasons to join martial arts but they all fall into 5 categories.

1.) Self Defense. Martial arts was created primarily to defend one's self. It is a system of codified practices and traditions of training for combat. The main goal of martial arts over the years is to physically defeat other persons and to defend one's self and others from any threat. Different martial arts disciplines has self defense principles incorporated within them but some disciplines have stood out among others when it comes to self defense. Martial arts teach proper self defense movements and more importantly, conflict resolution and avoidance, and personal responsibility.

2.) Physical Fitness. Martial arts improves one's physical abilities and state. Martial arts is a great cardiovascular activity and in the process also develops one's strength, coordination, balance, flexibility, and energy levels. Generally, an hour of martial arts activity will burn about 600-900 calories depending on one's weight. Since it is a highly intense activity, martial arts increases one's metabolism rate. It is a great activity for fat and weight loss and also in maintaining weight.

3.) Life skills. Studies have shown that martial artists have sharp mind generally. Aside from making one physically fit, martial arts also helps in making a person mentally sharp and active. Through martial arts the mind develops a powerful skill of being able to be patient and alert for longer periods of time. Being mentally sharp is the key of learning and discovering new things and in the future, fuels one's success.

4.) Behavioral skills and values. Aside from being a highly physical and competitive activity, martial arts is also a spiritual endeavor. It teaches the value of determination, perseverance, patience, humility, kindness, self control, and discipline just to name a few. Overall, martial arts develops a person as a whole.

5.) An avenue of unwinding. Day to day activities and responsibilities can be so tiring. It drains a person emotionally, mentally, and physically. It is a great activity and place to meet and know new people and make new connections. It is also a great opportunity to learn new things even outside the martial arts realm.

Martial arts is a great activity and offers lots of benefits. Though people join for different reasons, it all heads on the same way, it makes one a better person in time.

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