Tips To Get The Most Out Of Your Martial Arts Training
Train Consistently
If you want to get better at any martial art, you need to practice consistently. Try to join two classes every week to learn new techniques and practice what you already know.
Inconsistency can greatly hamper your progress. Missing a few weeks of classes will make you forget some of the techniques you already know, and you’ll lose the chance to learn new things. Then once you get back to training, you’ll have to spend a couple of sessions just catching up. That’s why it’s important to regularly attend classes.
It’s often recommended you attend classes at the same time each week. Although we offer classes all throughout the week, we encourage our students to stick to a schedule. It will be hard to build the habit at first. But once you get the ball rolling, you’ll find it much easier to keep going than stopping.
Obviously, life can be unpredictable and something will eventually get in the way of your training. But there’s no reason to fret. You can still be consistent by having a basic, minimal training routine as a backup. Try out a few techniques at home, or do one of your favourite katas. Either way, make sure you continue practicing on your off days.
Learn Intentionally
Martial arts contain a lot of hidden complexity. What looks like a simple technique can be extremely difficult to perform properly. That’s why it’s vital to develop a learning mindset.
To start, you have to accept that you don’t know everything. Whether you’ve been practicing for 1 month or 15 years, there will always be more to learn. Don’t block things out by assuming you already know them.
In the same vein, pay close attention to your sensei. Listen to what they have to say, and try your best to follow their example. A good instructor will have a lot of hard-earned experience and knowledge, so make the best of your limited class time by listening to them.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions from your instructor or other students. A dojo is a safe environment where everyone is trying to improve, so ask any question you want, because people will be more than happy to answer.
Try to improve yourself every session. Find that one thing, no matter how small, that you can do better and work on it. Then do it again the next session. And again the next session. Before you know it, you’ll have made massive leaps of progress.
To motivate yourself, track your progress. Pay attention to when you get a new karate belt or the number of katas you know. Try setting SMART goals and tracking them.
If you want to take your training to the next level, consider taking notes after every session. Write down the feedback you received, the new techniques you’ve learned, and any area you want to improve in. By taking notes, you’re actively thinking about how to improve, and you build a good point of reference for your techniques.
Live Healthily
You can improve nearly every area of your life by taking good care of yourself, and martial arts are no different. Just make sure you get enough sleep, food, and water.
Make sure you sleep enough because it will keep you energized and focused during training. If you’re not getting enough sleep, try going to bed earlier or avoiding screens for the last few hours of the day. Or try talking to a doctor if nothing seems to help.
Improve your health by adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet for all those micro-nutrients. And don’t forget to eat plenty of protein to fuel muscle growth which will improve your strength and speed when practicing martial arts. You should try to avoid eating too many processed foods, since they’re high in calories but low in nutrients.
A lot of people struggle to drink enough water, so always keep a bottle of water nearby. You’ll naturally find yourself drinking more water and staying hydrated. This is incredibly important, especially when training, since you expend a lot of water when you sweat.
If you’re looking to improve even faster, you should do strength training outside of your class. When combined with a good diet, strength training will quickly improve your muscle strength.
Don’t forget to stretch, since martial arts involve a wide range of motion. Improved flexibility will make it easier for you to perform these techniques, and it reduces the risk of injuries.
Finally, pay attention to your own body. If you’re feeling unwell or are in pain, talk to your instructor and sit aside. Don’t try to go over your limit, or you’ll injure yourself and will miss training while you heal.
And Other Advice
Have fun when training. People naturally work harder and learn more when they enjoy what they’re doing. So find things you’re passionate about, and focus on them.
Spend time with the people at your dojo. You all have something in common, and dojos tend to foster a friendly environment, so try to make friends with the people you practice with.
Don’t overthink things. It’s easy to get stuck analyzing things, but it won’t matter if you never start practicing. Just go ahead and join a session. Call us at +971 4 430 1011 or send us an email at info@martialartdxb.com to get started.
