Each year, the American Heart Association celebrates Heart Month to bring attention to heart disease and heart health.
What many might not realize is that martial arts offer some incredible benefits for heart health, making it an excellent way to improve cardiovascular fitness.
Here are several ways martial arts classes at American Family Martial Arts can help protect and strengthen your heart:
Martial Arts Raise the Heart Rate
One of the primary ways martial arts benefit the heart is by raising your heart rate during workouts. Since the heart is a muscle, it needs regular exercise to stay strong. Martial arts classes increase your heart rate, pumping more oxygen into your blood and helping you burn calories even after your session ends.
This is beneficial for people of all ages who need to keep their hearts active and healthy.
Martial Arts Lower Blood Pressure
High-intensity martial arts workouts can help reduce high blood pressure, a major contributor to heart disease.
As your heart grows stronger from regular exercise, it pumps blood more efficiently, requiring less effort and ultimately lowering your blood pressure.
Martial Arts Lower Cholesterol
Martial arts also aid in reducing “bad” LDL cholesterol, which is known to contribute to heart disease. By engaging in regular workouts, you can lose weight and decrease LDL cholesterol in your bloodstream. Moreover, exercise has been shown to shrink the proteins that carry cholesterol, making them less harmful. On the flip side, martial arts can also help raise “good” HDL cholesterol, which supports heart health.
Martial Arts Reduces Stress
Unlike many other forms of exercise, martial arts combine physical exertion with mental stillness. This blend promotes mindfulness, which helps reduce stress and anxiety in both kids and adults. Since stress has a direct impact on heart health—contributing to high blood pressure and related issues—managing stress through martial arts is a significant heart-healthy advantage.
Conclusion
Beyond heart health, martial arts also improve discipline, coordination, and self-confidence. This Heart Month, why not make martial arts part of your fitness routine? Our adult karate programs at American Family Martial Arts are a great way to give your heart—and your overall health—a boost!