From Million Dollar Baby (2004) Clint Eastwood to Mary Kom (2002) Omung Kumar through Rocky (80s) or Fighter (2010), fighting sports are popular. And women are not left out because it is estimated for example that one French boxing member out of two is a woman. Want to adrenaline, to let off steam, to practice a sport with the complete muscular reinforcement or to learn to defend itself, the reasons to put to a sport of fight are multiple. Are you tempted, too? First, try to find out what your goals and abilities are in order to choose the most appropriate combat sport.

WHAT COMBAT SPORT IS DONE FOR ME?

There are combat sports of grip (where one catches his opponent to block it or to make it fall). If you are cozy, this type of combat sport is probably preferred. Otherwise you can choose a combat sport of contacts. Some disciplines combine both aspects. The best way to be sure to make the right choice is to do a test session.

In the most famous fighting sports, we can talk for example of boxing that is practiced with fists (gloved) only. Only strokes above the waist are allowed. French boxing (or savate) allows, as for it, to fight with the fists and the feet, but not the shins, as opposed to the kick boxing or the Thai boxing. The elbows and knees are also allowed in Thai boxing, which sometimes causes serious injuries ...

If you are more tempted by defense than attack, choose krav maga (imagined by Israeli soldiers) or self-defense. The fight, meanwhile, requires to return his opponent on the back, with his bare hands.

Among the martial arts, judo (path of flexibility) solicits all muscles and consists in playing on the weight of his opponent, more than on his own strength. In karate, you will work on accuracy, speed and balance. For its part, taekwondo solicits more legs with quick kicks, while kung fu (Chinese boxing) allows to use the feet and fists, but less violent than in the classic boxing. Aikido finally allows to immobilize his opponent by dodging his attack.

THE VIRTUES OF COMBAT SPORTS

There are points in common with all combat sports: knowing how to defend oneself, attacking or immobilizing an adversary without hurting oneself. What can be useful! You will be able to protect yourself (or at least know some notions of defenses).

The benefits of combat sports are numerous. They allow you to relax your body, build muscles and lose weight, gaining agility. They also learn to better manage their reflexes and get better coordination in the movements. In addition, they are a great way to develop self-control and learn how to manage emotions, while relieving stress and tension. By gaining physical and mental strength, you will feel better about yourself.