Martial Arts Beyond Athletics: A Journey For All

Take a look at any martial arts competition, and it’s easy to understand why so many people believe the misconception that martial arts are the domain of athletic people. People notice that most martial artists are fit people with incredible physiques and automatically assume that must be a prerequisite to training martial arts.

That couldn’t be further from the truth since martial arts aren’t reserved for only naturally athletic people. As a matter of fact, many of these systems were designed to give average people a fighting chance in combat.

Many martial artists you see today, like ONE Championship title holders Christian Lee, Stamp Fairtex, and Anatoly Malykhin, weren’t born with incredible athleticism, coordination, or physiques; they gained these attributes by training for years.

Martial arts can benefit everyone  and anyone, regardless of body type, fitness levels, or coordination levels. Learning any combat style is a transformative journey that will sculpt your dream body, improve your mental toughness, and increase your athletic ability.

Why Martial Arts Training Is Perfect—Even If You’re ‘Unathletic

You don’t need to be a superhuman to start training martial arts. Here are some of the reasons why martial arts training is the best thing that could ever happen to anyone who feels unfit, stiff, or uncoordinated:

1) It’s Tailored To Your Pace

Martial arts meets you where you are, starting with the basics and building up—no one expects instant mastery.

Most martial arts classes are structured to meet you at your current fitness level. For example, when you first start training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), your training starts with basic movements. No competent BJJ instructor will try to teach you how to perform helicopter armbars on day one.

Things aren’t any different with striking-based martial arts like Muay Thai. Your instructor won’t pair you to spar with seasoned veterans who compete professionally on your first day. Instead, your training will start with simple drills to build your foundation. Progress in martial arts comes with practice. Instant mastery isn’t a thing.

2) Training Builds Functional Fitness

Martial arts builds strength, coordination, flexibility, and endurance—helping you move better and feel stronger over time.

Martial arts training teaches practical skills that improve strength, coordination, flexibility, reaction time, and endurance. For example, practicing Judo throws engages muscles you didn’t even know you had. Over time, your training will have you moving better, feeling stronger, and happier with your appearance.

3) Improves Your Mindset

Martial arts builds discipline, focus, and confidence—helping you stand taller and assert yourself in all aspects of life.

Martial arts training isn’t just about learning to execute fighting techniques. It also teaches you to be more disciplined, focused, and determined. Building up these attributes will carry over into other aspects of your life.

Most importantly, martial arts training gives you a confidence boost that everyone around you will notice. You’ll find yourself standing taller, making more eye contact, and asserting yourself more the longer you train.

Reasons To Stop Doubting Yourself

Still uncertain if martial arts is for you? Let’s debunk some common myths that might be holding you back from stepping onto the mat.

1) Myth 1: “I’m Too Out Of Shape To Try Martial Arts.”

Whoever convinced you of this hasn’t spent much time inside any dojo. While most dedicated martial artists are in excellent shape, every dojo has it’s fair share of beginners who are just starting their journeys.

Everyone starts as a white belt, so you’ll meet all kinds of people in martial arts classes, from fitness enthusiasts to people who haven’t exercised in years. Classes are designed to accommodate beginners, so you won’t feel out of place!

2) Myth 2: “I’m Not Coordinated Enough For This.”

The reality is that coordination is a learned skill, not innate. The drills performed during martial arts training help improve your movement patterns, hand-eye coordination, and reflexes, making you more coordinated with each training session. You’ll be throwing combinations that would make your former self jealous in no time.

3) Myth 3: “I’ll Embarrass Myself.”

Everyone you see inside a martial arts dojo was once a beginner, and the odds of you doing something embarrassing they’ve never seen before are slim. Martial arts gyms often foster a supportive environment where effort is celebrated more than perfection.

Your training partners will help you get past any hurdles you face when you start training, not laugh at you for making the same mistakes they made as beginners.

Getting Started Without The Jitters

Ready to dip your toes into the martial arts world? Here are some things you can do to make the first steps of your martial arts journey as smooth as possible!

1) Choose A Style That Speaks To You

There’s nothing better than training in a martial art you genuinely enjoy. You have so much fun you forget how hard you’re working. That’s why finding the right style for you is so important. For example, if you’re a lifelong wrestling fan who also loves strategy games like chess, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu might be ideal for you. Find the martial arts style that excites you the most and get started.

2) Find A Beginner-Friendly Gym

Choose a gym with beginner-friendly classes—Evolve MMA even offers free trials so you can explore different styles before committing!

Look for gyms that have classes dedicated specifically to beginners. Large gyms like Evolve MMA offer complimentary classes in all disciplines, allowing you to test the waters before committing to any style.

3) Wear Comfortable Clothes

All you need to start training is hand wraps, a t-shirt, workout shorts, and/or a gi—the hardest part is just showing up.

You don’t need much gear to train most martial arts. You only need handwraps, t-shirt, workout shorts to get started. You can purchase a Gi when you commit to a style to learn like BJJ. The hardest part of training is walking inside a dojo, so just wear some workout clothes and get started.

The Unexpected Benefits Of Martial Arts

One of the best things about learning martial arts is the many physical and mental benefits you enjoy. These include:

• Confidence Boost: Martial arts training teaches you to tackle challenges head-on. Regularly overcoming obstacles in the dojo results in a newfound confidence that spills over into other aspects of your life.
• Lower Stress: Very few things are as satisfying as punching a heavy bag after a tough day. Martial arts training gives you a healthy outlet for stress and an effective way to clear your mind.
• Wider Social Net: Martial arts gyms aren’t just places you train; they’re communities you become part of. You’ll build friendships, find mentors, and enjoy a deep sense of belonging that makes you want to keep coming back.
• Improved Athleticism: Your martial arts training will eventually lead people to think you’re a natural-born athlete as they will watch in awe as you perform high-level techniques.

Why Not Try Martial Arts Today? – A Final Nudge

It’s time to put your self-imposed limits to rest and try martial arts training. You don’t need to be an athlete to train; you only need a willingness to try.

Step out of your comfort zone and come to one of Evolve MMA’s complimentary BJJ, Muay Thai, or Boxing classes to work with the best martial arts instructors in Singapore.

Book your complimentary trial class with our World Champions below!

If you have any other questions regarding Evolve MMA and the programs we offer, you can get in touch with our membership executives at the following locations:

Evolve MMA (Far East Square)
26 China Street
Far East Square #01-01
Singapore 049568
Phone: Evolve MMA (Orchard Central)
181 Orchard Road
#06-01 Orchard Central
Singapore 238896
Phone: Evolve MMA (KINEX)
11 Tanjong Katong Road
#02-52 KINEX
Singapore 437157
Phone: Evolve MMA (Star Vista)
1 Vista Exchange Green
#02-26A The Star Vista
Singapore 138617
Phone: (65) 6539 9590