Whether it’s old-school action films like Karate Kid and Enter the Dragon or the exhilarating fights on television from prestigious sports organisations like the UFC and ONE Championship, you have probably come across some form of combat sports throughout your life.

These fascinating disciplines, whether as a form of self-expression, competition or general fitness have prompted many to consider picking up these relatively new sports that are now growing faster than ever.

But like any other sport, going into combat sports requires a great deal of commitment while also coming with a whole range of benefits and drawbacks that should be weighed up before making a decision.

Developing Discipline

Training in combat sports can be brutal, especially for beginners due to the intensive cardio involved. The explosive movements combined with the controlled strength and conditioning exercises are physically demanding which requires the full commitment of practitioners.

Legendary Muay Thai trainer Ajarn Gae once said “fight not easy, fight not lie”. One amazing aspect of combat sports is that if you have a weakness, whether it be in technique or strategy, it will show. Having all your shortcomings exposed and acknowledging them takes a great deal of courage.

Recognising your shortcomings and taking action by repeating the same techniques over and over again until you can overcome the obstacles presented fosters a great sense of discipline.

These benefits can carry over beyond training, paying dividends to aspects of daily life as you approach other commitments with a new sense of dedication and perseverance.

The risk of injury

The risk of injury is likely the largest concern when it comes to combat sports given the nature of most of these sports as they incorporate striking into their arsenals.

Even the sports that do not incorporate striking like Brazilian Jiu Jitsu or Judo are not necessarily “safer” with throws, takedowns, chokes and body locks forming the whole base of these sports.

From personal experience, my earlier days of sparring in boxing resulted in a lot of bloody lips from getting hit by uppercuts when my defence was not executed properly.

As a high-contact sport, injuries can be difficult to avoid at times, particularly if you are looking to compete or spar, which emphasises the importance of proper technique as well as defensive skills.

But thankfully, injuries are minor, often nothing more severe than a bruise or small cut and are extremely rare for those who do not engage in fighting.

Improve Your Physical Wellbeing and Mental Fortitude

Here’s a joke for you. What is a coach’s favourite number? Nine.

It’s a common stereotype, especially around the Muay Thai circle that when a coach tells you to do ten reps, they will most definitely make you repeat the ninth rep several times. Though this is a joke practitioners throw around, it speaks volumes about the mindset required to pursue combat sports.

While intensive training sessions are likely to leve your body aching the next morning, the benefits are unparalleled. From the release of endorphins to improved blood flow while also teaching you to weather a storm with a stoic heart, these things make all that rigorous training worth it.

Although combat sports typically garner a stereotypical image of aggressive bodybuilders trying to knock each other out, the reality is that combat sports can be beautiful.

If there is one thing I have learned from my own journey, it’s that you can truly do more than you believe. By expending all your effort in training and getting pushed by your coach to keep going, you discover a hidden potential within by showing yourself that you can go beyond what you thought was your limit. For many, this leaves you with a greater sense of confidence as they learn to believe in themselves, which can develop a newfound sense of resilience.

Financial barriers

Combat sports can be surprisingly costly with expenses quickly adding up beyond the initial membership fees.

Take boxing for instance – you will need to invest in various pieces of equipment such as headgear, a mouth guard, hand wraps, training gloves and sparring gloves. These equipment, especially if they are from more popular brands like Cleto Reyes or Winning do not come cheap, especially when they are purchased in New Zealand.

Thankfully, boxing takes kicking out of the equation because for a sport like Muay Thai, the costs just keep rising with the addition of shin guards and elbow pads.

If that wasn’t enough already, specific sports may require specialised clothing such as a gi for karate or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

As a result, the overall costs could pose a barrier to getting started with martial arts. But despite the high costs, these investments are often worthwhile, because, in addition to the skills and fitness you develop from combat sports, quality equipment can last years before they need to be replaced.

Take Your Stress Out

Life can get busy at times and having to relieve that stress or manage the pressure can be difficult when there is a whole pile of work that needs to be done. But luckily, combat sports can provide a great outlet to dissipate that stress when it begins to build up.

As contradicting as it may sound, hitting the pads or rolling on the mats with a partner for an hour can actually be quite therapeutic, allowing you to relieve the pent-up stress of daily life. Compared to “relaxing” through say, indulging in social media, the mental clarity and lifted mood that kicks in post-training can give your mind a little reset, boosting your mood and therefore, your productivity for the rest of the day.

Action films might never be the same again

On a lighter note, diving into the world of combat sports might just change the way you view action films forever.

Once you experience the techniques actually used in real life, the flying kicks and movie stunts that seemingly defy gravity on screen can begin to feel a lot less impressive as you approach them with a touch of scepticism.

But even so, perhaps you might just find yourself critiquing fight scenes with a newfound appreciation for choreography, turning your binge-watching sessions into a blend of admiration and playful critique which adds a new layer of enjoyment to your experience.

Perhaps you might just find yourself critiquing fight scenes with a newfound appreciation for choreography and a touch

Should you participate in combat sports?

The pursuit of combat sports offers a combination of physical and mental benefits including discipline, stress relief and physical fitness which can be transformative even beyond the gym. At the same time, it’s key to be mindful of the potential drawbacks like injuries and financial costs.

However, the wonderful thing about combat sports is their flexibility – just about anyone can do it as the experience can be modified to suit a person’s preferences. For instance, someone who wants to box but doesn’t want to get punched in the face can simply take fitness classes without ever having to step in the ring against an opponent. This can also reduce the financial barrier significantly as you forgo purchasing several pieces of sparring gear.

As long as one has the time, taking up combat sports is a wonderful pursuit and who knows, maybe you can become a world champion one day!

If your interest in combat sports has been piqued, then consider finding a local gym for a free trial or, checking out the Macleans Martial Arts Club sometime in the near future!

Friday, August 2nd
Written by Aaron Huang, edited by Emma Li
Photography Pablo Robolledo on Unsplash