10 Best Martial Arts That Get You Ripped
Who among us hasn’t dreamed of looking like Jason Statham, Channing Tatum or Michael Jai White?Mind you,it does take a lot of effort and determination,it’s no walk in the park.
Apart from the obvious option,going to the gym, you can always take up a sport! If you don’t know this already, then we’re going to help you decide. Just check out our choices for the best martial arts that get you ripped!
1. Taekwondo
It is a korean martial art, focusing on kicks. It is extremely popular, having more than 70 million practitioners worldwide ,having its headquarters at Kukkiwon. It has even been introduced in the Olympics, since 2000.
Training is interesting since you will have to build strong toned legs, increase your agility and flexibility, but the benefits are worth it. One of the best martial arts to get into shape ,as the whole body is being exercised, from fingers to toes, thus creating lean fat free tissue.
Should you decide to start training, just know that you are following in the footsteps of celebrities such as Chuck Norris and Jackie Chan, who are masters in this particular martial art, as well as others.But let’s take it one step at a time.
Ever wondered where all those fancy kicks that send the villains flying come from? Et voilà ! Taekwondo all the way!
2. Muay Thai
This physical and mental discipline is known as the ‘art of eight limbs’.
Thai boxing is a form of martial arts originating from Thailand. It resembles american kickboxing, but also employs the use of your knees and elbows, hence the nickname .
Muay thai concentrates on heavy conditioning and is designed to greatly enhance your level of fitness and toughness.Get used to their hellish training regime and you will start losing weight and adding pure muscle in no time.
Muscle endurance, force production are just some of the benefits gained. Not to mention the strengthening of the core and increased mobility and agility from all the striking, kicking and clinching that you perform during training.
You have surely witnessed this in famous movies, starring trained actors such as Jean Claude Van-Damme and Tony Jaa.
3. Wing Chun
Made famous in the western world by Donnie Yen’s ‘Ip man’ movies, it has really sparked interest and gathered practitioners ever since.
Keeping your muscles in tension when punching or blocking will help you develop your muscle fibre. People will start noticing how good your arms look! Wing Chun’s lightning fast strikes means that you will start getting toned in a heartbeat. Training your reflexes and coordination ,your speed and power is a big plus when it comes to this martial art.
It is also a great workout to relieve stress after a long day at work in order to clear your mind. You don’t have to take our word for it, just look at the master, Bruce Lee. Wing Chun was the first martial art that he learned.
Another more modern cinematic example is the Dark Knight himself. Christian Bale has trained in Wing Chun and displayed such moves in the Batman trilogy. How awesome would it be to see these two in a fight scene?
4. Judo
It’s a japanese martial art and Olympic sport that boosts your training programme ,motivating you to adopt a truly dedicated lifestyle in itself. Judo’s strength training regiment includes free weights.
The exercises are done with proper technique and insurance that the appropriate weights and intensities are used for the individual’s level of fitness.Combining physical activity with self defence skills and even breathing calming exercises are the makings of an awesome activity that will not also help get you fit, but keep you motivated as well.
Did you know that martial arts legend and actor, Steven Seagal, was the first to operate a dojo in Japan?
Not to mention that even the ladies enjoy practicing Judo. Check out Ronda Rousey, whom you may recognize from the 2014 hit action movie ‘The Expendables 3’
5. Krav Maga
It is an israelian combat system developed using a variety of the most efficient techniques.It’s used mainly for self defence,however there is a militarised version employed in actual combat. Krav Maga has one of the most intense physical workouts based on drills and conditioning.
Imagine throwing punches or kicks at full strength for a few minutes. Exhausting ,right? This alone should tell you that hard work is necessary. But with hard work comes great succes as well ,and your body has nothing to lose and everything to gain from committing yourself to such a training environment.
Practitioners have tremendously high metabolic rates which means they burn all the fat on their body constantly and develop increases in endurance, speed and strength.
‘Undisputed’ star, Scott Adkins , used it to get in shape for his fight scenes and close ups.
6. Sambo
It’s all about throwing skills, takedowns and fast groundwork. Using your momentum and inertia, throwing your opponent to the ground and holding him there will get your fitness levels through the roof.No more huffing and puffing just so you can climb a set of stairs.
Training in Sambo makes you lose weight, sharpens your mental and physical dexterity and makes you more agile and disciplined, to name just a few advantages. A russian martial art fit for a president!
Vladimir Putin, the russian president , has been practicing sambo since he was fourteen.
7. Pencak Silat
Strong as a tiger or fast as a jaguar? Pencak Silat was developed in Indonesia using animal movements and natural surroundings. Bring out the animal inside you and get fit with this unique martial art. Training with your own bodyweight means that you no longer need the lengthy ,boring marathons on the treadmill just so you can lose a few pounds.
Pencak silat training involves a lot of bag work, skipping and high intensity cardio. All in preparation for the sparring focused drills that will wear you out and get you into shape quickly if you have the determination to go through with them.
Check out 2011’s ‘The Raid: Redemption’ and its 2014 sequel. It’s a fast paced ,action packed movie that will really help you understand more.
8. Savate
Also known as French boxing, it is an enjoyable sport for all ages that helps with your flexibility and conditioning. An efficient and elegant style of kickboxing , you will find it useful in a ring. Working with both your hands and feet will ensure a full body training and development of muscles.
A savateur will experience elevated levels of cardio-vascular fitness,strengthen his core , intensify his flexibility and why not? Even boost his self-confidence.
Who can forget the classic movie ‘Universal Soldier’ where Dolph Lundgreen uses savate to be a cunning and formidable villain?
9. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
This form of Jiu-Jitsu that emphasises grappling techniques and ground fighting was made popular by the Gracie family. Sparring will give you a hell of a workout as it involves trapping your opponent and making him tap out.
Your sense of balance will be off the charts! A core principle of this martial art is that you needn’t focus on strength as much, rather rely on your flexibility and agility,.
Police officers around the world use these non lethal techniques to apprehend and arrest suspects.MMA legend and actor,Randy Couture ,used Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to win the UFC tournament many times in various weight categories.
10. Capoeira
This quirky brazilian martial art is a mix of dance, acrobatics and music. Using power ,speed and fast spins , the practitioner delivers fast and accurate kicks from a low angle that surprises the opponent. Training like this involves your core and those abs will start popping any time soon.
All to the rhythm of drums! How’s that for special? Capoeira training builds muscle fiber, enhances breathing and blood flow, hand -eye coordination, effectively turning your body into a fine tuned machine.And who doesn’t want that?
In order to become Loki on screen, Tom Hiddlestone, took up capoeira and entertained all of us in Marvel’s movie ‘Thor’.
Tell us what martial arts do you practice and why?
