The black belt is widely considered a mark of true proficiency in the martial arts, an achievement that impresses people both inside and outside of the subculture. The requirements for black belt are not universal, varying widely from art to art...
Tai chi is an exercise program that originated in China and shares many qualities with martial arts such as kung fu and wing chun. Although learning tai chi in a class environment will produce the best and fastest improvement, not everybody has...
"Karate" is probably the most popularized name for Asian martial arts in the United States -- so much so that it is often used as a generic term for martial arts in general. However, a number of defined disciplines exist in the martial-arts world;...
There are many types and categories of gym mats. Gym mats can cover a wide range of activities spanning from wrestling mats to tumbling mats used in gymnastics and even weight drop zone mats used in fitness centers and home gyms. With such...
When it comes to martial arts equipment, the best gear depends on your needs. For example, a muay Thai fighter will require different equipment for training than a karate student. In terms of the best choice among similar equipment, clear choices...
Many styles of martial arts use colored belts to identify the practitioner's skill level, or degree, of knowledge. Belt colors, and the order in which they are attained, will vary among martial art styles but will generally start with white and...
As a general rule, martial arts rank is not governed by a centralized authority, and judo is no exception. Organizations set their own standards of training, competition and skills that determine when a student qualifies to test for rank. Because...
Muay Thai kickboxing is the national sport of Thailand. Kickboxing was developed as a way for the Thai people to fight off perpetual invasions from neighboring countries. Muay Thai kickboxing utilizes the head, fists, elbows, knees and feet as the...
Although the moves and tactics of jiu-jitsu can help a smaller opponent fight a larger one on relatively equal footing, the difference between many women's experience in jiu-jitsu and that of men is very different. This comes both from the...
Many forms of fitness require sufficient exercise mats before they can be performed safely. Sports such as wrestling, mixed martial arts and gymnastics require thickly padded mats that can absorb your body's impact when it comes in contact with...
Strengthening the muscles of your back is a key component of fighting mild to moderate back pain. However, it's important to approach this carefully, because overdoing it can exacerbate rather than alleviate your symptoms. The key is to start with...
Tae kwon do, like karate and most other forms of martial arts, relies on a belt system to signify your growth in the martial arts system. Although many schools add or take away belt colors or internal rankings within a belt color, most martial...
Western cinema audiences love martial arts movies, and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) marketing machine has managed to turn cage fighting into a respectable, even honorable, pursuit. What you see in the movies, though, isn't always a...
Martial arts are an ancient method of training your mind, body and spirit to act as one. Martial arts practitioners strive for harmony, but also learn effective and often devastating self-defense techniques. Children who get involved in martial...
Strong forearms benefit you in sports where gripping comes into play, such as tennis, mixed martial arts, wrestling and baseball. Your daily performance with general physical activities will also improve by strengthening the forearm muscles. To...
No matter what corner of the Western world you live in, you probably have classes offering Chinese martial arts, often referred to by the general term "kung fu," somewhere within a short driving distance. Even though you might not know much more...
Kyokushin karate was started by Masutatsu Oyama, better known as Mas Oyama. He was born in Korea in 1923 and lived in Manchuria and Korea until he was 15 years old, at which point he moved to Japan. After traveling and demonstrating what he could...
Karate is a martial art that emphasizes self-defense. It was developed in Okinawa by peasants who sought to defend themselves against rulers who denied them possessions. Through refining ancient Chinese fighting methods, these peasants developed...
Bruce Lee is known worldwide as a cultural icon for martial arts, as well as general fitness. Although his almost-otherworldly power and agility might seem out of reach for the average person, Lee's strength can provide the inspiration for your...
The Kung Fu schools in Rancho Cucamonga, California, teach the San Soo style of Kung Fu. This style was brought to the United States by Jimmy H. Woo. In the Rancho Cucamonga area, this tradition is continued through the teachings of Grand Master...
One of the most popular martial arts weapons available to the general public is also one of the few legal options for daily carry by normal citizens. The kubotan was developed by legendary karate master Takayuki Kubota as a "force multiplier." Its...
Some aspects of home martial arts training, such as those required to perform a particular technique, are specific to a particular martial arts. Others involving overall physical fitness and endurance are likely to improve performance in most...
Speed bag guru Alan Kahn notes in his book "The Speed Bag Bible" that even though the speed bag is traditionally associated with the sport of boxing and martial arts, persons interested in general fitness can still benefit greatly from using the...
According to the National Women's Martial Arts Federation, ". . . self-defense techniques are those you would use for the real dangers women and girls face in our society today, such as harassment, abuse, and sexual assault." Men, of course, can...
Billy Blanks is a fitness guru who created his own exercise workout called TaeBo, a combination of Tae Kwon Do, boxing, kickboxing and high-impact aerobic movement for high-intensity, high-calorie burning workouts. Billy's TaeBo workouts burn...
Swimming and kickboxing are both excellent forms of aerobic exercise, and engaging in either or both sports on a regular basis will reduce your risk of obesity, heart disease, certain cancers, stroke or high blood pressure. Because the actions and...
Women's self-defense has become popular as a specialized field of self-defense. There are several ways you can help yourself or others feel safer and be safer, including taking a self-defense class. An important part of learning...
Thanks to movies like "The Karate Kid" and champions such as Chuck Norris, the art of karate is almost synonymous with martial arts. In reality, karate is only a small part of the martial arts, and represents only one aspect of the Japanese arts....
Capoeira is a Brazilian dance-fighting style that evolved as a way for the slaves of Brazil to entertain themselves as they practiced an effective martial art under the guise of innocent dancing. The result is a fusion of dance flourishes and...