If you want to improve mindset with martial arts classes, you’ve come to the right blog! Martial arts is a special kind of exercise- at the same time that you build muscle, you also build perseverance, resilience, and mental strength- important pillars of mindset that will change your life for the better. Read on to find out about how martial arts classes can improve your mindset and help you determine your own destiny!
Mindset and Muscles – Martial Arts Builds Both
Pretty much everyone knows that adult martial arts will keep you in tip-top shape. 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.
What does this mind-strengthening look like? 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, halfway through a bag of chips in front of the TV, wanting to do anything BUT go to the gym… again? A grueling gym session 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 will put the kibosh on your healthy habits faster than you can change channels, which is why we keep our classes fast-paced, interesting, and, most importantly, 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 tell yourself to get off the couch and go do it. And, when you finally DO make it to your adult martial arts classes, you have a) already won half the battle just by getting your butt to class, and b) you’ve basically guaranteed yourself a new appreciation 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!). This kind of consistent action is what makes achieving your goals possible- and it’s all through a healthy mindset.
And this mindset change can have a HUGE impact on 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 a little nervous to bring it up to your boss. 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).
If you don’t have a strong sense of self discipline or consistency within yourself, you may never ask for that raise. But what’s so awesome about martial arts classes is that, through that hard work and discipline on the mat, we’ve seen so many of our students build the confidence to stand up for themselves and finally make huge life changes.
Adult martial arts classes are one of the best ways to improve mindset with martial arts in this area. We all want to be more consistent in our words and actions and with adult martial arts classes, this part of your daily mindset will be one of the most noticeable rewards you’ll have the joy of knowing 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!
A common goal is to lose weight with exercise, 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 pretty darn hard to get to the gym. Why is that? Without someone holding you accountable, staying on track with your class schedule is tricky. And without other students to support you, check in on you, and celebrate you, it can be tough to keep the momentum up.
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. Making regular progress becomes easier with their help. With the support of others cheering you on as you kick, punch, and actually enjoy fitness with a purpose, 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!
It all intertwines with self discipline too- again, the importance of just showing up to class cannot be understated. It’s these progressive wins over time (getting to class, giving it your all, perfecting a certain move after trying it again and again) that build true, untouchable confidence. You show yourself (and the rest of the world!) that you can do anything you put your mind to.
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 improve mindset with martial arts classes- because it helps you become the best version of yourself.
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 stop anyone dead in their tracks on the journey to self improvement and negative self-talk will take you 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 stand up a bit taller and say “Ha! Take that!” to their self doubt. Not only that, but our instructors are pros at positive reinforcement and will start to call you out on your achievements and celebrate your successes, no matter how small.
In turn, self doubt begins to fade into the background 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 can be intimidating to try something new. Self doubt will eat up your mindset 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 there is no judgment in our gyms 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 the beginning and learn new 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, not only will your skills get better, but you will start 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- become a pro at this new, big thing with patience and a willingness to try. And THAT is worth its weight in gold.
Adult Martial Arts and Your Mind
There are many new ways to improve mindset with martial arts out there, but adult martial arts classes are one of the most rewarding and fulfilling ways to help you on the journey of gaining self awareness and strengthening those mental mindset muscles. 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!