REDEFINING ‘FIGHT LIKE A GIRL’
We have all heard the phrase ‘you fight like a girl’. In many cases, the person uttering it does so to put down and criticize an opponent- usually a man-. In others, when the target is a woman, the saying’s use is supposed to remind her of her inferior or ineffectual fighting skills. But despite these less than stellar origins, women everywhere are willingly taking ownership of the phrase by boldly taking up lessons in different fighting disciplines. So now, ladies are leaning into the saying and are driving a shift in how we think of the words ‘fight like a girl’.
Even as they expand their horizons and redefine their limits by participating in various fighting specialties and classes, martial arts remain the discipline they seek after most. As a result, more and more women enroll in courses for different fields, including Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, Krav Maga, Muay Thai and Boxing. Moreover, they are deriving significant benefits from their efforts. Some of them include:
Better Physical Health
The martial arts are very physically demanding. As a result, they are also a very effective way of enhancing physical fitness. The primary drivers of these outcomes are the various exercises and movements. So, if you take, for example, Boxing and Muay Thai, you will notice that the core kicking and punching actions require agility, balance and coordination. Then, as you make progress, you begin adding strength and speed. Beyond that, your pad work and drills serve to get your heart pumping. Therefore, just taking up martial arts proves very good for your cardiovascular health while helping you develop your speed, agility, strength, balance and endurance.
Beyond the skill aspect, martial arts training also helps you burn some serious calories. To get an idea of the significant differences they make, running on a treadmill will burn 300 to 400 calories. At the same time, a Boxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or Muay Thai session burns 700 to 1000 calories in the same period.
Enhanced Mental And Emotional Strength
The learning process isn’t easy. It will test your limits and fortitude at every turn. Therefore, having doubts and questioning yourself is not out of the realm of possibility. However, if you take the journey at a sedate pace to build your skills over time, you will gain much more than fighting prowess. The process will help you build up your mental, and emotional strength. These new skills will translate into your daily life.
Protection
Learning martial arts also avails you of some of the best self-defense techniques. Additionally, the complementary skills you gain from disciplines like Krav Maga, Muay Thai, Boxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ensure that you have an effective mechanism available for use should a situation arise.
Character Building
The one thing that is incompatible with martial arts training is ego. There is no room for showboating and one-upmanship during sparring sessions. Therefore, one of the most crucial lessons you will learn during your journey is how to respect the skills of your fellow trainees and opponents. In addition, you will always meet a more skilled martial artist when you attend competitions and sparring sessions.
So, martial arts training is no longer an exclusive space, available only to men. You can gain so much from taking it up that you will be able, with time, to proudly declare that you are redefining fight like a girl!
