If you want to improve mindset with martial arts, you’ve come to the right blog! Martial arts is a unique form of fitness in that at the same time that you build muscle, you also build perseverance, resilience, and mental strength- key tenets in any mindset-improving journey. Read on to find out about how martial arts classes will build a resilient mindset and help you determine your own destiny!
Mindset and Muscles – Martial Arts Builds Both
It’s no secret that adult martial arts classes are incredible workouts. Through hard work and rigorous training, students all over the world have gained incredible benefits from martial arts- and looked amazing doing it! Sure, the killer physique is a huge plus, but martial arts provides you the opportunity to sweat with a purpose through the punches and kicks of practical self-defense.
Aside from being an awesome tool, you can use whenever you need to protect yourself or your loved ones, one of the best-kept secrets about adult martial arts is this: it will strengthen your mindset, too. Yes, it’s true- martial arts will bring you noticeable physical results like a stronger core, arms, and legs… But there is growing evidence that adult martial arts will train your mind too, proving that a strong mind will create a strong athlete.
So what does this “mindset work” mean? It really boils down to three key principles – discipline and consistency, building confidence, and, last but not least, overcoming self-doubt.
Discipline and Consistency Will Improve Mindset With Martial Arts
How many times have you said to yourself, “I’ll go to the gym tomorrow,” only to find yourself after work the next day, TV remote in hand, wanting to do anything BUT go to the gym… again? A monotonous gym workout may be the last thing on your mind. And it’s just exercise- it can wait. Right? (WRONG! Way wrong- multiple studies have shown that exercise is one of the best things for your mental health. But we digress…)
Here’s the thing- boring workouts are the enemy of physical progress, which is why we make martial arts classes REALLY FUN. So many students in our classes forget they’re even working out! Martial arts is tough (learning to master the moves and ascend the belt ranks is not easy), but it’s FUN (mostly because our instructors are one big goofy family). And when something is FUN, it’s much easier to convince yourself to get off the couch and build a healthy habit around it. And, if you actually show up to your adult martial arts classes, you’ve got:
a) Already won half the battle just by getting your butt to class, and
b) you’ll gain special gratitude for, and adherence to, self-discipline.
The sense of accomplishment you’ll feel leaving the studio will make you actually want to go back the next day (hello, healthy habits!). Discipline and consistency are the building blocks of a healthy mindset.
And this mindset change can be extremely beneficial to other areas of your life as well. Think of it this way- maybe you’ve been wanting a raise for a while at work, but you’re anxious about bringing it up with your manager.
This is probably something you are not looking forward to (kind of like putting on your gi and getting to martial arts class…), but the result could be a real game-changer in your life (kind of like how your martial arts classes will make you stronger and teach you life-saving self-defense techniques).
A lack of discipline and consistency with your own actions could be the reason you may never ask for that raise. But here in our studio, our students practice hard work and discipline every single class so that they can improve mindset with martial arts to stand up for themselves and finally make huge life changes.
Adult martial arts classes are going to be your go-to exercise if you want to boost your mindset in this area. Everyone has the desire to be more dependable in their words and actions and with adult martial arts classes, this is one of the biggest rewards you’ll receive through martial arts training.
Build Confidence with Adult Martial Arts
A magnificent thing happens when you set goals and then use that discipline and consistency to achieve those goals. It’s that rockstar thinking that we call “confidence.” No, it’s not magic…and yes, anyone can have it!
Losing weight with exercise is a goal almost everyone has, but for a lot of people, it feels like a total uphill battle. You know that losing weight will make you feel better in your clothes, but it can be a challenge to get yourself to the gym. Ever wonder why? If you’re going at it alone, staying on track with your class schedule is tricky. And without peers to support you, check in on you, and celebrate you, it’s difficult to stay consistent with your training- especially when that cozy couch in your living room is calling your name.
With adult martial arts classes, your instructor and fellow students will be by your side the whole way, encouraging you to get to your classes. Staying on track becomes easier with their help. With the support of others cheering you on as you kick, punch, and actually start to have fun getting in shape, you start to see those weight-loss results…and fast! Imagine getting on that scale and seeing your goal weight a little closer and how amazing that will feel. Confidence boost achieved!
And it ties into self-discipline too – again, the importance of just showing up to class cannot be understated. It’s these progressive wins over time (showing up on time, giving 110%, finally nailing that move after so many tries) that build true, untouchable confidence. You show yourself (and the rest of the world!) that you will achieve your goals no matter what. You become more confident because you’ve done the exact thing you set out to do. This is why confidence is such a huge part of improving your mindset with martial arts classes- you become the person you always knew you could be.
Overcoming Self Doubt with Adult Martial Arts
Motivation will crumble under the pressure of a very common problem: self-doubt, and it can manifest in many different ways. Fear of trying will totally block anyone on the journey to self-improvement and negative self-talk will pull any unsuspecting student down in no time. Saying “I can’t.” and giving up at the most difficult point of your workout keeps you stuck where you are. These are common problems that we see in many of our students during their first tries in adult martial arts classes.
But when one of those students sees even a little bit of progress, they can say “Ha! Take that!” to their self-doubt. Not only that, but our instructors are natural at highlighting your strengths and will start to call you out on your achievements and celebrate your successes, big or small. In turn, self-doubt slowly diminishes and becomes a thing of the past. The voice of fear becomes a mere whisper as the confident, strong voice of an accomplished martial artist gets louder.
Let’s be honest- in your first classes, it’s super daunting to put yourself out there and try something new. Self-doubt will definitely get in the way if you’re afraid to try. But once you try (and try again), and show up consistently with a readiness to learn, slowly but surely you will see how self-doubt is simply a no-so-great way of thinking that you’ve learned over time. And- great news!- that means it can be unlearned. You can overcome self-doubt by learning adult martial arts in a safe, healthy environment. You will be assured that no one will be judging you because all of our instructors were beginners at one point too!
Anyone who has ever been super successful didn’t start out as an expert in their field or with a lot of awards. They had to start at square one and take on big, intimidating things to see little gains over a long period of time. It’s just the same with you and martial arts. As we say, every black belt was once a white belt, and it’s TRUE.
There’s no reason that you can’t do the same sort of fear-smashing and get to the top of your game when you put self-doubt on the back burner and keep practicing. When you keep practicing, your skills will improve, yes- but you’ll also begin to see and feel how adult martial arts gives your mindset a boost because you’re proving to yourself that you can- and that you will- get better at a new skill with patience and a willingness to try. And THAT is worth its weight in gold.
Adult Martial Arts and Your Mind
In this day and age, different techniques to how to improve mindset with martial arts are all the rage, but adult martial arts classes are one of the best and most effective forms of exercise to learn on your path to becoming more aware and strengthening that positive mindset. Interested? Give us a try with our risk-free web special and see how YOU can become the best version of yourself with adult martial arts classes!