MMA for Kids: Why you should let your Kids Practice Mixed Martial Arts

Image by Ionas Nicolae from Pixabay

MMA for Kids: Why you should let your Kids Practice Mixed Martial Arts

Numerous accounts of people who have changed their lives for the better as a result of practising mixed martial arts exist. One significant myth about mixed martial arts, though, persists today: that it is only appropriate for adults. Contrary to popular belief, mixed martial arts can benefit kids just as much as, if not more than, it can adults. Imagine being able to go to sleep at night knowing that your kids are safe. What if you could be certain they’ll make the right decisions? What if you could have the assurance that your kids are doing well?

Although some parents may believe that this is unattainable, you can have this experience if your kids take mixed martial arts classes. Kids classes aim to train the mind, body, and soul for a lifetime of physical and mental fitness, in contrast to traditional sports that concentrate on conditioning the body for particular physical motions and techniques.

Participants wear more padding than adults to make the sport less hazardous and brutal for children, reducing the possibility of injury throughout the competitions. Sports regulations for children differ from those for adults, however, there are no standard set rules and they may vary from area to region. The following are just a few of the numerous reasons why you should let your Kids Practice Mixed Martial Arts.

1. Improved Physical Fitness

Photo by Jyotirmoy Gupta on Unsplash

Children nowadays are witnessing a couch-surfing pandemic as a result of technologies that they do not require in their life. Any exercise that gets them off the sofa might be useful. When it comes to a physically demanding activity like MMA, punching drills and punching bag workouts are sufficient to improve a child’s physical fitness and agility.

To put this in context, in the United States, 50% of children aged 5 to 8 had elevated blood cholesterol. That should be enough to persuade you to enrol your child in a Mixed Martial Arts class or any other physically demanding sport.

2. Lower the risk of childhood obesity

Because today’s children have so many indoor and sedentary diversions, far too many of them fail to obtain the exercise that their developing bodies require and become dangerously overweight. Few other things get youngsters moving like mixed martial arts lessons. They learn to use all of their body parts and develop a good level of physical fitness.

3. Improved discipline

Today’s world is filled with quick satisfaction and lightning-fast entertainment. Children’s attention spans are shrinking, making it increasingly difficult for them to stick to assignments. Mixed martial arts can assist kids in developing the discipline required to work regularly and persistently toward their goals.

They will also learn how to fine-tune their concentration talents as they participate in each class and discover precise tactics. Discipline is the foundation of any martial art. When instilled in a kid at a young age, the capacity to control one’s body and mind can extend to one’s academic success. Consider it an early lesson in self-discipline, which most adults lack.

MMA exercises and regulated, non-violent interaction sessions expose children to obstacles that teach them the value of following rules. Time management is taught early, which can benefit the child much when they reach maturity.

4. To build self-esteem and confidence

Confidence is a necessary component of life success. Learning new skills and methods and mastering them greatly boosts your child’s confidence. Children have sadly received the short end of the stick since the COVID-19 epidemic has made social connections difficult. In certain circumstances, it has become more difficult to instil confidence in a youngster!

In mixed martial arts, your children will learn a variety of techniques and have the opportunity to demonstrate them in front of their whole class. It aids in changing their perception of themselves and increasing their self-esteem. Mixed martial arts, a discipline emphasising self-mastery, allows your children to hone their talents while also feeling good about themselves.

They begin to believe in themselves more and are willing to take on any task. This self-assurance fosters a positive perspective in them, allowing them to attain their objectives.

5. Improving kids’ social skills

Classes are taught by a Sports Educator graduate photo by Bestoflove69 – Wikimedia commons

Nowadays, most MMA courses emphasize and encourage compassion. Children are encouraged to choose nonviolent, peaceful solutions to situations. This teaches kids how to cooperate with other children, frequently as a team, and it also teaches them the significance of not resorting to violence to address small situations that can be resolved civilly.

Children learn how to collaborate with other children, and the value of collaboration, and all of this serves as a chance for them to socialize with children of all ages, socioeconomic backgrounds, and races. This is one of the healthiest kinds of social growth we’ve ever witnessed. 

6. They will learn respect

Many parents nowadays complain about their children being rebellious to them or their instructors. It’s a sad fact, but something can be done about it. Mixed martial arts may be an excellent approach to instilling respect for both others and oneself. Respect for elders, authority, or anybody in a higher position is uncommon in today’s youth. Respect, on the other hand, is an important aspect of mixed martial arts and its traditions. As a result, the kid will learn to be courteous not only to their teachers but to everyone else.

Children will have the opportunity to spar and compete with their classmates as they move through the levels of mixed martial arts. All of these are environments and chances for children to learn to respect others.

7. Enhances Self-defense 

kids during training at Jack & Jill School Dojo in Bacolod City photo by Jjskarate – Wikimedia commons

The self-defence advantages for children are amazing in all martial arts, but with MMA, the kids are learning functional defence that works both on their feet and on the ground. The contact that children become accustomed to during MMA training allows them to deal with any physical altercation with a level head without becoming overly emotional.

Finally, and most importantly, your children will grow in self-confidence, they will ‘Walk Tall’ and carry themselves in a manner that will not make them a victim of bullies. One of the main fears that parents have is that their children would be unable to defend themselves in times of need (i.e. being bullied). Apart from educating children to avoid problems, martial arts will also educate them emotionally and physically to defend themselves if the need arises.

8. It Keeps them out of trouble

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Young and vulnerable children who lack structure and supervision during their free time are considerably more prone to participate in risky activities. Without planned activities, your children are vulnerable to a variety of harmful influences that might lead to a bleak future. MMA programs not only keep them busy, but an emphasis on dignity and respect helps them develop the skills they need to attain their goals.

9. It will fortify their minds

MMA not only builds the body, but it also strengthens the mind. Most of the time, it is our minds that prevent us from functioning to our full potential. MMA will drive anyone to break through boundaries, conquer fears, and overcome hurdles. A strong intellect is a tremendous instrument for assisting youngsters in overcoming adversity and succeeding in all aspects of their lives.

10. Provide them with the tools they require to thrive in life

MMA lessons provide students with vital skills for being successful, upstanding members of society by teaching honour, discipline, and respect in addition to physical conditioning. MMA also helps students develop confidence and a positive self-image while developing relationships and learning how to collaborate with others.

Check out the top ten best martial arts schools in London and New York City.

Are my children safe training in MMA?

Training of MMA fighters photo by Vladyslav Lohvin – Wikimedia commons

Due to the growth of the UFC and the proliferation of mixed martial arts clubs recently, kids’ MMA has gained a lot of popularity. To advance the sport and create future champions, more and more schools are dedicating time to teaching the younger generations.

Kids’ martial arts still have to deal with some of the same problems they did in the past, though. Some people believe that children who practice martial arts or MMA will become bullies or that MMA is unsafe for children, however, this is untrue when the discipline is taught properly. It is also advisable to watch MMA to understand the nitty gritty that goes into training.

When trained properly, young participants (7 to 12 years old) should be mastering techniques, acquiring cross-disciplinary knowledge, and obtaining a high degree of motor proficiency and fitness. Participants shouldn’t engage in any type of stand-up sparring unless they have mastered the necessary skills and can protect themselves (usually a year or more in). Stand-up fighting should involve mild contact, controlled grappling, and minimal to no head impact. Students should be taught to care for their training partners.

The participants will realize that they are on the mats to compete, not only to beat up their opponent, if this strategy is used in the delivery of a kids’ MMA program, along with the instillation of strong traditional values. They are aware that they are taking part in a sport, and that there are regulations they must abide by exactly as in rugby, soccer, netball, and other sports.

Image by Ionas Nicolae from Pixabay

Conclusion: Should You Allow Your Kids to practice Mixed Martial Arts?

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Do the benefits thus exceed the drawbacks? We lack the power to make a judgment on that. However, we must concur that practising self-defence techniques over using a phone or playing video games is something we would much rather see our children do.

As you can see, mixed martial arts has a lot of fantastic aspects that your kids may make use of. I am aware that I would much rather have my kids pounding a punching bag and doing mixed martial arts than holding a phone or playing computer games.

Your child will suffer pain in some form or another as they develop into adulthood. Why not, if an MMA class teaches them to face it head-on and battle their way through it?

Be sure to check out the best MMA trainers which will come in handy when finding a perfect coach for your youngin.