5 WAYS MMA CAN BENEFIT WOMEN

5 WAYS MMA CAN BENEFIT WOMEN

MMA or Mixed Martial Arts combines a range of combat training styles such as Boxing, Muay Thai, Wrestling, Judo, and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. Even better, the sport incorporates three general techniques – striking, control, and finishing holds – to help fighters gain dominance over their opponent. 

 

Developing mental and physical strength is imperative for women, especially when exposed to rampant gender-based difficulties daily. Mixed Martial Arts for women can be an effective medium to channel their energy towards building a healthier body and mind. 

 

Moreover, being a full-contact fighting sport, MMA benefits touch all aspects of women’s lives by helping them gain increased confidence and enhanced fitness. 

 

Here are some significant physical and mental health benefits that MMA brings for women. 

 

  1. Self-Defence Training 

Even the safest of cities can be dangerous at times, especially for women. Therefore, it is crucial to take all precautions possible to ensure safety and well-being. Being able to defend yourself is the most immediate advantage of the MMA fighting style. 

 

MMA benefits women by becoming the quintessential self-defence technique. It builds a defined set of fighting skills to help its female combat training aspirants achieve a sense of security and maintain peace of mind when put in potentially threatening situations. 

 

Further, there are several basic self-defence tactics that women can master with ease. Some of them are listed below: 

 

  • Front Push Kick: A relatively simple move to execute, the woman has to extend her leg and kick the attacker in the torso region to disbalance or knock him down. The kick is more effective if directed from the side and aimed at the stomach or hips. In addition, such kicks are helpful to maintain a safe distance between the victim and the perpetrator.  

 

  • Open Hand Palm Strike: The technique is recommended for beginners because of the reduced damage to the striker herself. As the name suggests, the woman hits her attacker with an open palm causing minimal damage to herself. In addition, it allows the defender to land multiple precise blows while occupying more body surfaces for hitting.

 

  • The Takedown: One of the most frequently portrayed self-defence techniques, the takedown is used to slam the attacker on the ground, disorienting them successfully. Its execution requires the defender to come close to her attacker, grab their triceps or shirt collar, and hook her legs with the attacker's legs to force their body down while standing upright herself. 

 

Although quite effective, the technique requires quick reflexes. Keep in mind, the close distance between the attacker and victim increases the risk of a counter-attack.

 

  • Guillotine Choke: To do the guillotine choke (or Mae Hadaka in Judo), the defender has to slide her arms around the opponent’s neck in a chokehold, resembling a guillotine. The move is possible on the ground and while standing up. Again, though, for a firm chokehold pushing the perpetrator against a wall works the best. 

 

  • Rear Naked Choke (RNC): The RNC is a unique technique that includes choking the attacker from behind and locking them by grabbing the biceps of your other arm. It is a body equalizer move since the fighter can use it on people her size or bigger. 

 

  1. Gaining Self-Confidence

A routine MMA training coupled with undeterred concentration lets a combatant refine her skills and gain faith in herself as a fighter. It does not deny the fighter's vulnerability but teaches her the methods to accept and work on overcoming it. 

 

Not only this, the extensive workout can help women achieve their personal fitness goals, thereby helping them feel more confident in their skin. 

 

  1. Building Mental Endurance

Martial arts was cultivated a long time ago, undergoing several transformations over the years. Despite this, the values underlining combat sports have remained the same. 

 

MMA teaches its fighters the importance of discipline and persistence. With every move, the fighter understands the value of time, effort, and an abundance of patience. 

 

The fighter's decision to keep letting the body endure physical and mental pain in the training process contributes to developing a resilient mind. In MMA, women learn how to take a punch and not let anger or fear fuel their response to it. Thus, it benefits women by improving their self-discipline. 

 

Bonus Read: We’ve curated a complete guide on combat gloves, for both MMA and boxing.

 

  1. Relieving Stress 

Exercising is proven to be a great way to relieve stress. Workout routines like MMA training sets can help get your blood pumping while the body releases endorphins. What's best is that endorphins are the body's feel-good chemical, enabling humans to get better sleep and be generally happier. 

 

Additionally, when MMA requires fighters to focus on their breathing patterns and body movements intensely, it regulates their ability to focus on themselves. Thereby, MMA benefits women as improved focus means a better ability to clear the mind of harmful stressors. 

 

  1. A Replacement for Weight-loss Diets 

The last, but most attractive MMA benefit for women, is weight loss. MMA makes losing the excess fat for a healthy, toned body achievable. 

 

As mentioned before, the intensity of MMA workouts helps burn an impressive number of calories. The trainee has to do callisthenics, strength training, cardiovascular exercises, and skills' practice over regular one-hour training sessions. 

 

Note: Interestingly, it can help burn around 500 calories for a 70 kg person during an hour of MMA practice. 

 

Furthermore, the workouts stimulate the body such that it continues to burn calories at a higher rate even after several hours of ending the session. This contributes to faster weight loss as early as the first weeks of training. 

 

Verdict

MMA, for women especially, has gained a lot of popularity in recent times. In the male-dominated space of combat training, MMA attracts many females to join in the journey of improved health, fitness, endurance, and discipline.