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11th December 2023

What's the Best Martial Arts for Fitness?

Martial arts aren’t only used as self-defence tools. They can be a fun and exciting way to keep fit, with the added bonus of being able to take care of yourself should the situation arise.

This kind of training is highly rewarding, both for your fitness and mental wellbeing; but for beginners, the hardest part may be picking which discipline you wish to practice. Struggling to differentiate your Muay Thai from your MMA? We’ve put together a guide with an overview of five types of classes offered at UMF Academy, taught by martial arts veterans, so you can decide which one is best for you – and your fitness goals. 

Choose one that works best for you and get ready to experience exercise in a new, challenging and rewarding way.  

Table of contents

The Best Marial Arts for Fitness

Wing Chun Kung Fu

Popularised by Bruce Lee, Wing Chung is a self-defence system originally from China that will help you protect yourself. This is one of the close-range types of martial arts that focusses strongly on balance: this practice teaches the idea of a centre line in the body that guides every action.

Attacks in this practice are mostly rapid strikes performed when moving towards the opponent, so think close contact requiring quick reflexes. Wing Chun uses very few kicks but can be tough on the forearms.

Benefits of practising this direct and effective type of MMA include improving coordination and flexibility, developing self-discipline and working out the full body while lowering your blood pressure and heart rate.

What makes UMF’s Wing Chun class stand out from other martial arts training providers is our training methodology. We teach our students scenario-based responses for commonly encountered situations, such as street violence. Wing Chun is not a combat sport and is governed by the principles of consent, awareness, preparation and rules and regulations.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Are you looking for a ground-based martial art? The grappling and “rolling” of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) could be for you. First popularised in the early 1900s, this hybrid of Japanese Juitsu and Kodokan judo is incredibly strategic and involves mental clarity and acuity.

BJJ also requires the ability to out-strategize and out-manoeuvre your opponent by controlling the ground. This takes more than physical strength; intelligent problem solving, strategic skills and clear techniques also come into play in this sport. The objective is to put your opponent in a submission hold that causes them to submit.

This type of combat revolves around the concept a smaller person can successfully defend against a stronger, heavier opponent by using leverage and weight distribution. Sparring in BJJ is called “rolling”, which is essentially wrestling, and makes for a very intense full-body workout. This teaches you to use your body as one unit and helps increase your body awareness. 

Muay Thai Kickboxing 

Muay Thai is a kickboxing practice that originated in Thailand. This combat sport uses attacking and defending techniques such as stand-up striking, sweeping and clinching.

It is often referred to as ‘the art of eight limbs’ as you can use your fists, feet, elbows and knees to strike your opponent. This makes it an effective and intense cardio workout, as well as one of the best for self-defence outside of the class.

UMF Academy’s unique curriculum offers drills and exercises to take your training to the next level, in turn developing your coordination and upper body and core strength, as well as improving your endurance and balance.

Street Edge Krav Maga 

Krav Maga is an Israeli martial art that was developed for the Israel Defence Forces to be used in real-life combat situations and teaches you practical knowledge like how to disarm an attacker in addition to punches and kicks.

These classes are not just standard martial arts lessons: they offer a mixture of effective skills for defence in real-life situations, including knife and gun attacks, home invasions and unarmed scenarios. You will learn not only the physical skills, but the correct mental attitude that allows the appropriate reflexive actions should you need it.

Krav Maga translates from Hebrew to ‘contact combat’, and this is what you’ll practice. There will be plenty of intense workouts with drills that aim to discipline you to fight when your body is tired.  

At UMF, we offer Street Edge Krav Maga classes that are focused on self-defence tactics for both your physical body and mind to help you navigate dangerous real-world situations.

Our program is designed by Paul Johnstone, the official Australian representative of this martial art, with over 30 years of experience. He also has vast experience in holding high-profile positions in the area of self-protection across multiple countries.

Boxing

Boxing is a sport that focuses on the art of punching and evading punches, emphasising striking techniques using fists and footwork. Engaging in boxing demands the coordinated effort of your entire body, making it a rigorous workout that simultaneously enhances cardiovascular endurance and builds strength. 

Beyond its physical benefits, boxing hones mental attributes as well. Over time, practitioners experience heightened focus, improved concentration, and refined hand-eye coordination.

Despite what many think, boxing also offers an avenue for children to channel their energy positively, promoting a healthy lifestyle, as well as helping in developing motor skills, coordination, and agility from a young age. This is why UMF offers a specialised class for children that incorporates elements of both kickboxing and boxing.

What martial art is best for me?

In short, the type of martial art you pick is entirely up to you and what works best for your lifestyle and goals. Martial arts aren’t just combat sports – most of them are designed to empower, teach self-defence, and improve physical fitness; so while you’re working out, you’ll be learning invaluable practical life skills.

Joining UMF Academy will start you on a journey toward mental and physical self-improvement.

You can trial one of our many classes, book yours today
You can trial one of our many classes, book yours today

You can trial one of our many classes, book yours today

The best way to see if any of our classes are for you, is to experience it first-hand. See our Academy, meet our instructors and emerge yourself in the UMF culture.

To register for your trial class simply check the class schedule, then click the link below to fill in the registration form.

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