Judo is a Japanese martial art that is becoming increasingly popular worldwide. What’s more, judo is a competitive sport that also offers numerous physical and mental health benefits. In this article, we’ll look at 10 reasons to practice judo for a healthier life.
1. Improves strength and endurance
Judo is a sport that requires great strength and endurance. By practicing judo regularly, you can improve your physical strength and endurance. Whether you’re training or competing, the repetitive efforts required in judo will develop your physical strength. Practicing judo also improves the strength in your hands and fingers, from gripping your opponent’s judo kimono.
2. Develops flexibility
Judo involves many twisting, bending and stretching movements that can improve your body’s flexibility. Whether standing or on the ground, your body will be subjected to different forces that will strengthen it as you train.
3. Strengthens heart and lungs
By practicing judo, you can improve the health of your heart and lungs through aerobic exercise. High-intensity or long-duration workouts work your whole body, especially your heart and lungs.
4. Helps you lose weight
Judo is a very intense sport that can burn a lot of calories and help you lose weight. First of all, judo is a form of aerobic exercise that stimulates metabolism and increases fat burning.
Finally, judo can also help you lose weight by promoting a healthier, balanced diet. Judokas need to be conscious of their weight to compete, which encourages them to adopt healthier eating habits and reduce their calorie intake.
5. Improves coordination
Judo is a sport that demands precise, rapid coordination between different parts of the body. Technical movements such as throws, chokes and immobilizations require effective coordination of the upper and lower limbs, as well as body rotation.
Judo is also a discipline that teaches hand-eye coordination. Judokas must be able to grab their opponent at the right moment and with the right strength, while controlling their own balance and avoiding counter-attacks.
Finally, regular practice of judo can improve overall body coordination by strengthening muscles, increasing flexibility and improving proprioception – the ability to sense one’s body’s position and movements in space.
6. Promotes concentration
Promotes concentration: Practicing judo requires you to be focused and attentive, which can improve your ability to concentrate in other aspects of your life.
7. Reduces stress
First of all, judo requires concentration and focus, which can help eliminate negative thoughts and reduce anxiety. By concentrating on technical movements and sparring, judokas can take their minds off their worries and relax mentally.
What’s more, judo is a physical sport that releases bodily tension and reduces stress. Judo movements and techniques involve the whole body, relaxing tense muscles and stimulating blood circulation. Judo can also help improve sleep quality, which in turn helps reduce stress and anxiety.
8. Boosts self-confidence
By learning new skills and overcoming challenges, judo can boost self-confidence. Passing grades makes you feel valued, and reaching milestones boosts your self-confidence.
9. Forging links / creating friendships
Judo is often practised in groups, which can encourage camaraderie and positive social relations. By meeting up several times a week with your training buddies, you can expand your social circle. It may seem trivial, but it’s very important for his psychological balance.
10. Promotes Japanese culture
Judo is a Japanese martial art, and by practicing judo, you’re helping to develop the Japanese culture around you. The culture of the Land of the Rising Sun is developing rapidly in the West, and the practice of judo shares the values and ideas of this country, often highlighted for the respect and simplicity of its people.
Now you’ve got no excuses for taking up judo. There’s no better way to stay in shape, become competitive or relax mentally or physically. We’ve mentioned the 10 reasons to practice judo for a healthy life, but there are many more! It’s up to you to discover them by practicing this martial art in a club near you!
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