| There can be more to body building than just | | | | ancient moves are specifically about developing |
| lifting weights. For variation in your routine you | | | | grace and strength. Some of the martial arts |
| might want to engage in martial arts style | | | | forms are more about developing a longer lithe |
| activities such as Aikido, Karate, Judo, Qi Gong or | | | | body shape that can help you mimic the |
| any of the other ancient Asian disciplines that are | | | | movements of certain totem animals like a |
| about building muscular strength. The great thing | | | | panther or a crane. This is why studying the |
| about learning martial arts as well is that you are | | | | martial arts is also ideal for women as it is not as |
| also taught how to be very spry on your feet. | | | | much about developing the truly shiny iron man |
| Martial arts training also teaches you how to focus | | | | type muscles that are not necessarily that |
| yourself mentally. In a way you could refer to it | | | | attractive to females. |
| as "applied body building" as eventually you end up | | | | The most popular forms of martial art that are |
| fighting an opponent in these disciplines. There is a | | | | currently taught in the Western World as an |
| lot more to it than just "pumping iron" which is | | | | adjunct program to muscle building are Aikido, |
| great for those who want a little bit of variance | | | | Capoeira (a form of dance mixed with street |
| to the way they work out. | | | | fighting), Kendo, Wing Chun and Wushu. Almost all |
| The benefits of martial art training are similar to | | | | are based on ancient Asian sword fighting or hand |
| those of straight muscle building, only the activities | | | | combat techniques except for Capoeira, which is |
| are a bit more aerobic as there is lots of jumping, | | | | actually a form of martial arts practiced by |
| swinging the arms in the air and kicking. In fact | | | | African slaves in Brazil. |
| most martial arts professionals also weight train. | | | | The only drawback to supplementing your |
| Many people who try Tae Kwon Do and the | | | | weightlifting routine with a martial arts building |
| other Asian disciplines experience many physical | | | | program is that it can be hard on the joints. This |
| and psychological benefits. The physical benefits | | | | is because there is less stationary exercise than |
| consist of, but aren't confined to the following: loss | | | | there is with just a straight program of muscle |
| of body fat, healthier year round, becoming more | | | | building and therefore more risk of injury. This |
| energetic, better physical aerobic condition, as well | | | | may be of some concern to you if you are an |
| as stronger joints. | | | | older muscle trainer or have joint pain. Almost all |
| However martial arts is directly related to | | | | muscle builders suffer from joint pain or growing |
| anaerobic exercise because there are many | | | | pains of some kind sooner or later. This can |
| postures and weight bearing type exercises that | | | | usually be treated with liniments and calcium |
| mimic the holding of a weapon even if there is | | | | magnesium type supplements. |
| none in the persons grasp. Also many of the | | | | |