Family Enjoyment....

This is an excellent way to spend time together with your family! Some martial art schools allow families to train together and others separate classes by age groups. Regardless of how classes are segregated, families find themselves enjoying the time spent together. It is not unheard of having a family all test together for various ranks and black belts.

Meet New People....

Many martial art schools structure their classes into three age groups: Kids – which can range from about 5 to 11 years old, Teens – 12 to about 16 or 17, and Adults – usually starts at 18, but some schools make exceptions because if Billy is 16 and weighs 160lbs he won’t learn much training against a 12 year old. Sometime schools also offer a “Little Dragons” program, which are geared towards the 4–6 year old crowd. These age groups are then broken down into belt ranks. This allows you to train with people that are relatively of equal skills and age. Often times people that start martial arts together and develop a bonding friendship end up obtaining their black belts at the same time because they pushed one another during their tuff times

Coordination....

Martial arts does require a lot of hand, foot, eye, and mental coordination, but all of this is developed over time. If you consider yourself as an uncoordinated person, training in the martial arts will help you grow those skills. You’ll be amazed what your body is capable of doing! Even if you are a natural athlete, standing on one foot, while kicking with the other, and blocking with your hands is quite difficult and involves coordination.

Fitness....

Martial Arts does not have to focus only on fighting or self-defense as some styles are based more on fitness. Tae Bo and Tai Chi are two examples of this. However, those with an interest in the fighting & self-defense aspects of Martial arts will find their fitness levels quicly increasing as training not only develops various muscle groups, but flexibility and balance as well. One's level of fitness can be just as important in winning a match as one's skills and abilities.

Self-Defense....

One of the most common reasons to study martial arts is to learn how to defend one’s self. A number of schools may dedicate class time and/or offer a scheduled class that strictly goes over self-defense tactics. Also, depending on the MA style or school, self-defense can be a large part of the curriculum, which can be beneficial to those interested in "applicable arts" (arts you can use in every-day life) as opposed to "traditional arts".

Self-Confidence....

As you train in martial arts, you will notice a lot if improvements, such as your physique, balance, awareness, flexibility, and many other physical and mental characteristics. Martial Arts will teach you how to combine these capabilities and use them to succeed in competitions, attaining higher belts, building friendships and protecting yourself if necessary. The more you can do, the more confident you will be.

Self-Discipline....

Webster defines self-discipline as the “correction or regulation of oneself for the sake of improvement”. Whether it be trying to make a high-school team or meeting company deadlines, once you learn the focus necessary to succeed in Martial Arts you can apply it to the rest of your life. Success is mental, and Martial Arts will teach you the self-discipline necessary to succeed at anything you put your mind to.