My parents had me start martial arts when I was six years old because I was having a really hard time with bullies at school and the daycare I attended. I hated going to school and would come home everyday crying because I’d gotten picked on again. But then I started going to karate classes two or three times a week and everything changed for the better. Here are some reasons I think you should take martial arts classes. Whether it be karate, MMA, jiu jitsu, or krav maga, I think everyone should at least try it.

1. Everyone should know how to defend themselves.

Life doesn’t always give you what you expect. One moment you could be walking home and the next minute, someone is threatening you with physical harm unless you give up your purse or your wallet. Everyone should know how to defend themselves when they’re put into that kind of situation in some way. There are people who are comfortable getting a concealed-carry permit and carrying a gun around with them, and if that works for you, that’s great. However, for the people who don’t feel comfortable carrying a gun, I suggest martial arts. It’s something that will teach you what to do when life throws you a curve ball.

2. Self-confidence.

Once I started martial arts, everything changed for me. I became more confident in myself and I learned what to do when someone started to bully me. Overall, I just felt better about myself. For people who need a confidence boost, martial arts is great because you can’t practice it without confidence. It’s one of the best ways to do it.

3. Discipline

Martial arts teaches you discipline in a couple of different ways. Each class starts with a bow to the teacher and after a brief warm up, the class starts to practice specific moves that can include punches, kicks, blocks, and take downs (moves vary depending on the style). Throughout this practice, the participants must be focused at all times to assure they’re performing the moves properly. If they don’t, then they risk injuring themselves or another person in the class. This is also good for kids who need something to focus on or those who have trouble focusing.

4. Great workout.

Martial arts is a full body workout. Let me walk you through one of my regular classes when I practiced. We would start by saying the “Student Creed,” which was a pledge to only use our skills in situations requiring self defense and to act with responsibility and respect. Then we’d start our warm up that would involve some form of cardio and dynamic stretching. After that we’d move onto punches and blocks to work our upper body. We would then move to kicks to work our lower body and hips. Most classes are thirty minutes to an hour long and will give you an excellent workout.

5. Control.

Most people seek some kind of control in their life, whether it’s because they have an awful boss at work or they’re going through some family problems, sometimes people just need to hit something. In a martial arts school, you can do that in a safe space with people who won’t judge you. For ten years, my dojo was my escape. When I had a bad day, I would go to class and work off my bad day with my friends there and my awesome instructors.

6. It's so much fun!

Learning martial arts is so much fun! I was at the dojo three to four times a week and each time I was there it was for anywhere from an hour to four hours. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

Martial arts is a great way for people to not only blow off steam, but to get in a great workout too. It’s one of the best things that’s ever happened to me and I hope you give it a try too.