Hand-to-hand combat is one of the oldest sports and most popular modern workout regimens for achieving whole-body fitness. Whether you’re craving a toned core or want to learn empowering self-defense skills, Muay Thai and traditional combat sports can accomplish these goals.

What is a Combat Sport?

Combat sports, also called fighting sports, are the purest forms of self-defense and sportsmanship. In these contact sports, two combatants are pitted against each other and challenged to earn enough points for one fighter to be declared the winner. Although combat sports seem rough, all fighters must follow the same rules of engagement. The technical conditions vary depending on the discipline. In some cases, the rules are based on specific challenges, demonstrations or practices. They are typically designed to encourage hand-to-hand engagement that incorporates moves learned through katas and training sessions.

Different Combat Sports

Today, there are many different combat sports. Boxing, kickboxing, wrestling and martial arts are all fighting sports. Some of these sports are modern while others have been practiced for centuries. Most martial arts follow a specific set of rules and traditions. These sports are practiced for self-defense, competition, physical fitness and mental development. Many of these sports require fighters to use only his or her body to perform approved strikes. Other disciplines emphasize swordsmanship and weaponry. For example, boxing is a contest of strength, speed and endurance until a knockout is achieved, or a winner can be declared at the end of the rounds. In swordsmanship, the swordsman must battle an opponent using only a sword. Kickboxing is a group of combat sports that employs traditional kicking and punching moves that are used in martial arts.

Judo is a popular Olympic-level combat sport from Japan that was developed by Jigoro Kano in 1882. The objective in this highly competitive system is to throw the opponent to the ground or to immobilize the competitor using a legal grappling move. Muay Thai is a traditional combat sport that is practiced in Thailand and parts of Asia. This system uses a series of strikes and clinching moves that must be completed while standing.

These sports keep you fit and safe

Any of these combat sports can keep you fit and safe. In fact, these sports can be practiced daily as an alternative to traditional exercise regimens. Regular exercise detoxifies the body, benefits the organs and improves endurance. Combat sports are ideal for improving self-confidence and self-discipline, which can help at work and in many dangerous situations where determination, endurance and self-defense skills are required.

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