Martial Arts has always been looked at as a great outlet for focus, balance and strength. Parent’s sign their children up for development in coordination and core strength to help with overall health and other sports. Adults turn to martial arts for self-defense and exercise. Did you know that athletes turn to martial arts as well? Some believe in the spiritual way of martial arts and the absolute focus and discipline it can bring while other athletes use the many physical benefits of martial arts such as balance, flexibility and movement/blocking to better their game.
Tae Kwon Do, Karate and Kung Fu have been styles that a lot of professional athletes have trained in. Recently, Jiu Jitsu has exploded on the scene as one of the “go to” martial art styles for many athletes and celebrities alike. It is a great form of self-defense and cardiovascular/strength training all mixed into one. Many that train in BJJ also know the kind of patience and strategy that is developed through grappling. Patience can definitely help on the field or in the court. Other great attributes such as leverage, body positioning, the push-pull relationship and total body endurance can be explored through martial arts.
Here are a few athletes that have found benefits in martial arts:
Deron Williams
Deron Williams is an NBA superstar that opened up his own MMA gym in Dallas TX. Even more, he plans to compete in competitive BJJ once his basketball playing days are over.
Michael Westbrook
Michael Westbrook is a former NFL wide receiver who played for the Cincinnati Bengals. He now spends his time competing on the BJJ competition circuit as a black belt.
Phil Mickelson
This professional golfer, who has won five PGA major championships in his career, practices Kung Fu and Tae Kwon Do. He attributes his ability to focus on the golf course and his control over his body to the practice he’s had in martial arts.
Even World Wrestling Entertainment has recently hired former UFC and MMA fighters to teach their entertainers how to properly strike and use martial arts to better then professional wrestling matches. Their Performance Center is the most sought after developmental program in the world for pro wrestlers, and all athletes must train in martial arts as part of their athletic development.
Martial Arts can help anyone in any walk of life and it can even help super athletes at the pinnacle of their sport better their performance and skill!!