by Glenn Magas

Created on: October 11, 2010

You’ve carried your baby for 9 months, your life has changed, and your body has changed. Now, its time to get back into the swing of things and get back into the fitness routine you promised you would get back into while you were pregnant.

There are many ways to maintain your fitness, regain your fitness, or start a new fitness regime as a ‘new mom’: Yoga, Boot Camp, Cross Fit training, join a gym or get the running shoes out and just run.  If you want to get in shape, gain confidence in yourself, and be part of a gym with people with the same goals as you, karate is a great option for new moms!

“Karate” comes in many forms - all grouped under that title or umbrella. There are different styles, systems, and training. The one that is for you is personal, and whatever you chose, make sure it fits your needs. But a karate class should always offer a way to achieve a healthy lifestyle, a way to build your confidence through self-defense, and a safe place to train with like minds with similar goals as yours.

As a new mom, here are a few questions to ask as you transition into the world of Karate or martial arts:

1. Do you want a karate class for Cardio purposes to get into shape?
2. Do you want to learn a form of Self Defense?
3. Do you want to fight?

Basically, what do you want to gain from karate?

If you are looking to get back into shape, a good start could be a cardio-kickboxing class.  This class could be incredibly low impact for the beginner to build strength, learn hand and kick combinations, get your heart back into ‘workout mode’, and a very ‘always active’ hour of workouts. This will lead to more intermediate work with heavy bag work, focus pads with the instructor, and possibly, full contact in the ring for the more ambitious mom!

If you are interested in self defense, a traditional karate system will teach you hand and feet techniques. Many are form based or ‘kata’ based where you learn long and short exercises with techniques and how to apply them in self defense. There are others that are strictly self-defense oriented – close contact with an attacker and how to control the situation as well as avoid the situation.  It is up to you to decide what type of system you are looking for when it comes to self defense.

Mixed Martial Arts and the world of full contact fighting is one of the fastest growing extreme sports in the world! And many want to feel how it is to

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