As we welcome in the new year of 2023, many of us are thinking about our resolutions and goals for the coming months. For many, staying fit and healthy is at the top of the list. It can be challenging to stay motivated and on track whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned fitness enthusiast, but maybe you just need a breath of fresh air.

With the new year comes a fresh start and new opportunities to focus on your fitness goals. Why not try out new activities this 2023? Starting martial arts may be something you’d like to consider.

A typical misguided notion about martial arts is that there are strict prerequisites. That you have to be at a certain age or a certain level of fitness, or that you have to be super dedicated before you get into it. But that’s not the case at all.

Martial arts is a fun activity anyone can practice at any level of commitment. Sure, there are hardcore practitioners who aim to compete. Some follow a strict regimen as they train for fitness. However, some are in it purely for recreation.

After all, the benefits of martial arts extend far beyond its physical fitness and self-defence aspects. In this article, we list down seven reasons why starting martial arts in 2023 is a good idea and answer some of your burning questions about martial arts for adults.

• 1 It is a great way to start off the year

  People usually start things at the beginning of a distinct time period. Most people wouldn’t start a diet at the end of the day. (I’ll do it tomorrow.) Nor would they start building new habits mid-week. (I’ll be stricter with my sleeping routine starting Monday.) There are even some things that don’t start until the month ends. (I’ll start planning my meals next month.)

  

  Ever wonder why that is?

  Temporal landmarks mark the beginning of a new period. It’s a clean slate, and new years are the cleanest it could ever get. It gives you a fresh start, and it’s the best time to start on long-term goals. 

  Starting martial arts in 2023 is an excellent way to establish new routines and do away with bad habits. If you want to be healthier and lead a more active lifestyle, this is the perfect opportunity to begin.

• 2 You can feel at ease around other beginners

  We all want to try new things and view the world with optimism. But there are many things that can cloud our view. One major deterrent people face when trying a new activity is beginner’s anxiety. People worry about feeling lost and not knowing what to do inside the gym. Another common concern is doing things wrong and looking funny because of it.

  

  No one’s going to judge you for not getting it right the first time.

  Doing things wrong is the hallmark of being a beginner in any activity. Sure, you may feel (and look) awkward with the movements. But we’ve all been there at some point, so no one’s going to judge you for that.

  If it makes you feel less exposed, you may rest assured. You definitely won’t be the only beginner starting martial arts in January. As we said before, the new year is the perfect time to start on new goals. You can expect a whole lot of others like you in the gym.

• 3 Make fast friends with your fellow newbies

  Being beginners in the same space gives you a common ground with your peers. It’s the prime time for you to reach out and make new friends! Having fun with others is the best way to build rapport with them. What better way to do that than laugh at your mistakes together?

  

  If you’re lucky, you’ll find people as dedicated as you are to your lifestyle goals. When that happens, maximize the benefits of having like-minded friends. Keep each other accountable to your goals, exchange tips and tidbits, and keep each other on your toes.

  Do you know how to make sure you’ll keep going back to the gym? Have fun with what you do. You’re more likely to be in for the long haul when you enjoy your gym experience. The people you interact with are a big factor in that.

• 4 Enjoy healthy competition with your peers

  There are several benefits to having training buddies. It improves motivation, first of all. When you and your buddy encourage each other, you work harder and get better results. It also helps you become more consistent. (After all, it’s hard to slack off when people are counting on you.) Lastly, it improves your sense of adventure. You’re more open to trying new things when you’re with a group.

  

  Working out alone is all fine and dandy if that’s the way you roll. If you’re the type to gain energy from your friends though, a healthy dose of competition never hurts. Competitiveness is one of the best perks of working out in a group. Even if you don’t think you’re in great shape, you just keep doing what everyone else is doing. Why would you give up when everyone else is still going?

• 5 Improve your sleeping habits

  When’s the last time you’ve had a decent amount of sleep? Many people barely ever get a good night’s sleep, and it affects everything. The most notable is your mood, since your mood affects how you see and interact with the world.

  

  Think about it. When you’re in a bad mood, everything is a nuisance. On the flip side, you appreciate the world with a positive outlook when you’re in a good mood.

  It’s not just that. Unhealthy sleeping patterns can adversely affect your health. Improving sleeping habits should be on our New Year’s Resolutions list. 

  Starting martial arts will reset your body clock and improve your quality of sleep. It helps you burn the excess energy that keeps you tossing and turning at night, giving you a good night’s sleep.

• 6 Boost your immunity and keep your body healthy

  It hasn’t been an easy year to tread through for most of us. And if you made it out of 2021 relatively unscathed, you’re a rockstar! The following year gives us a chance to go beyond simply surviving. What’s more important than having the ideal body is ideal health.

   

  At this point, we don’t need anyone to remind us to eat and sleep right, take our daily dose of vitamins. You know the drill. Sure, exercising to sweat off a hundred calories or so is a step closer to fitting back into those old jeans. More than that, just a few minutes of increased blood flow and body heat can boost your immunity. How does it do that? By strengthening antibodies that help fight infection.

  A few minutes of movement already provides that kind of benefit. Imagine how much more of if you can have through consistent vigorous training?

• 7 Welcome the new year with a new you

  Moving further up our resolutions list, we’d be able to find one particular goal. It maybe never left last year’s list of resolutions since it rarely ever survives past February for most of us.

  

  We all have something we want to leave behind. And we all have something to look forward to in the future. Our goals are all achievable if we go at them with consistency.

  Many aim to improve physically, mentally, and socially in the new year. For those who do, starting martial arts may be a good option to consider.