
Amazing Benefits of Judo
Benefits of Judo
Judo is one of the best martial arts to learn for both children and adults, here are some of the most notable benefits of judo that you may want to consider as reasons why you should start training judo.
Great for Self Defense
It might not be a popular opinion, but I think if you want to learn a martial art for all the benefits it offers, you might as well pick one that’s great for self defense.
Otherwise what’s the point of picking a martial art specifically, as a lot of other sports and physical activities also offer similar benefits.
But I can also understand and appreciate that some people simply enjoy martial arts training, without the added benefit of physical strength and self defense.
Judo is one of the best martial arts for self defense, period. Especially for those who don’t want to inflict damage with strikes. As judo is great for controlling, subduing or even making someone unconscious if necessary, with throws, locks and choke holds.
Improves Physical Health and Fitness
It may not seem like it looking in from the outside, as you won’t see powerful punches and kicks thrown, but judo training is one of the toughest there is. Even just the warm up exercises for judo can easily make you breath heavy and sweat buckets.
Randori, also known as free sparring, is part of judo training where you practice your techniques against fully resisting opponents. This is easily one of the toughest workouts I’ve ever gone through.
Similar to wrestling sparring, the constant engagement of your core and muscles is super taxing on your body. Just imagine trying to throw someone that’s 200 lbs, and defending against someone trying to throw you for 30 to 45 minutes.
It’s a different type of workout compared to the likes of HITT, but it sure is one hell of a workout!
Develops Core, Balance and Overall Strength
As mentioned above, the constant engagement of core and muscles in judo training, greatly improves your core stability, balance, both overall and dynamic strength.
I often hear people call it judo strength, it’s the functional strength you gain from years of judo training, most notably your grip and pulling strength.
Teaches Discipline and Respect
One of the differences judo training offers from other sports and physical activities, is the built in discipline and respect culture in the art.
Builds Self Confidence and Belief
Consistent judo training not only builds self confidence, but also instills self belief. It’s done partly through hard training, where you feel a sense of achievement by getting good at certain moves or reaching the targets you set for yourself.
Another way it helps with self confidence is knowing you are able to handle yourself, and others if required when things go out of hand. This in turn will raise self awareness, which in turn will help you avoid potential sticky situations.
Helps to Develop Determination and Perseverance
In judo training and competition, it requires a great deal of determination and perseverance to get out of pins, escaping bad positions or defending chokes and locks.
Equally it takes the same determination and perseverance trying to throw, pin your opponent, or trying to keep you advantageous position and getting that submission.
This is one of the values that will help you in real life immensely, as you would have learned that nothing comes easy in life, you must work hard for the things you want. There’ll be blocks and even failures, but you’ll keep your head down and work through it.
Relieves Stress and Improves Mental Health
I feel like in today’s society, we don’t talk enough about stress and mental health. There has always been stigma on mental health, I mean it’s easier to admit you’re an alcoholic than admitting you have mental health issues.
Regular judo training and exercise help release a chemical called endorphins in your body. These endorphins trigger positive feelings in your body, leaving you relaxed both in the mind and body, accompanied by a positive and passionate outlook on life.
Another way to look at this, is by focusing on getting better at judo, setting goals you want to achieve in judo, it helps take your mind off things that stress you out.
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