| You paid good money to join a health club and | | | | |
| what did you get in return? Having to put | | | | A martial arts workout has more benefits to |
| your name on a sign-in sheet just to use the | | | | offer then a gym workout. In the gym your |
| cardio machines, televisions blasting, | | | | pretty much limited to working on strength |
| cleaning up sweat off of some piece of | | | | and endurance (cardio). In a martial arts |
| equipment because the person who previously | | | | workout you get not only strength and |
| used it didn't have the courtesy to wipe it | | | | endurance, you also receive flexibility, |
| down. A singles club atmosphere complete | | | | balance, coordination, body unity, alignment, |
| with uninvited attention, waiting to use the | | | | hand eye coordination. Plus your body can |
| free weights because some clown is spending | | | | get used to a gym workout very quickly, which |
| way too much time primping in front of the | | | | means our progress will level off. Martial |
| mirror? This is hardly a refuge for most | | | | arts constantly makes your body guess what's |
| busy men and women looking to get fit! | | | | next which will keep it moving towards higher |
| | | | levels of fitness, |
| Have you ever considered the martial arts | | | | |
| alternative? Many adults are disgusted with | | | | When you go to a gym, you may get a few |
| the run-of-the-mill fitness centers and have | | | | sessions with a personal trainer as part of |
| looked to the martial arts as a way to get | | | | your membership package. Once that's |
| into shape. Martial art training can provide | | | | finished, you're basically on your own unless |
| you with all the benefits of physical | | | | you want to pay for more sessions. What's |
| exercise without the circus-type atmosphere | | | | nice about martial art training is that as |
| of the average health club. | | | | you advance through the curriculum through |
| | | | some type of belt or sash grading system, |
| The traditional martial arts curriculum is | | | | more is expected of you physically. By |
| designed to develop your overall fitness | | | | following the curriculum laid out by your |
| level. Classes always include some | | | | instructor, you progress to higher levels of |
| flexibility training in the form of | | | | fitness. In the meantime, you are learning |
| stretching exercises. The various movements | | | | to defend yourself! |
| and techniques that you practice during class | | | | |
| help develop your cardiovascular health, as | | | | Martial arts classes are also fun! Working |
| well as stamina and focus. The modern | | | | through the various levels in the style you |
| martial arts instructor welcomes students who | | | | have chosen is both challenging and exciting. |
| are looking for a fitness alternative and has | | | | You'll have a sense of pride and |
| gone out of his or her way to incorporate | | | | accomplishment that you'll never get jogging |
| strength training either with lightweights | | | | aimlessly on some treadmill! |
| and/ or resistance exercises. | | | | |