Martial Arts: A Fun Way for Kids to Stay Fit and Healthy

In a world where high screen time and sedentary habits are more common than ever, parents face a tough challenge keeping children active. 

Physical fitness is crucial for growing children, but research shows that only 44.6% of school children aged 5-16 in England take part in physical activity for 60 minutes or more each day.

Kids need engaging and fun ways to stay fit, but many “traditional” sports or fitness routines can feel like a chore – and this is where martial arts for kids come in. 

Martial arts offer a dynamic and enjoyable alternative to traditional fitness activities, keeping children motivated and excited while also promoting cardiovascular health, strength, and flexibility.

As one of the foremost Surrey martial arts schools, Pil Sung Do offers martial arts classes in Surrey where children can not only stay active but also develop essential life skills.

How Martial Arts for Kids Promotes Fitness

Improving Cardiovascular Health Through Dynamic Movements

Cardiovascular health is one of the most important aspects of fitness. According to the British Heart Foundation, regular aerobic exercise (moving your largest muscles in a way that gets you warm and slightly out of breath) is one of the best ways to improve your heart health.

With traditional team sports, the focus may be on promoting teamwork or staying in your specified position, which can result in stretches of time during practice sessions involving limited aerobic activity. 

However, martial arts for kids involves constant, high-energy, full-body movement, meaning an excellent workout is embedded in the practice itself. Through fast-paced activities like sparring, jumping, kicking drills, and continuous practice of forms (kata), children experience a steady increase in their heart rate, boosting their stamina and cardiovascular strength. 

Children also stay active for the entire martial arts class, rather than standing on the sidelines waiting for their turn. Kids often don’t realise just how much physical exertion they’re putting in because they’re so engaged in the learning process, which makes exercise feel like a fun adventure.

Building Strength and Flexibility

Strength training is another key component of martial arts. When kids practise at martial arts classes in Surrey, they are using their own body weight to engage and build various muscle groups by performing movements such as kicks, punches, blocks, and stances. 

Starting with simple exercises before advancing to more complex techniques, children are taught to develop their strength gradually. The result is a balanced development of upper and lower body strength. 

Beyond just building muscle, martial arts for kids also helps develop functional strength – the type of strength children need to control their bodies effectively during physical activity.

In addition, repetitive stretching, kicks, and low stances improve flexibility and increase your child’s range of motion. For growing bodies, this flexibility can reduce the risk of injury, improve posture, and lead to greater overall physical agility. 

Pil Sung Do’s Surrey martial arts programs include fun, interactive warm-up routines that help to increase flexibility, making it a seamless part of each class.

Developing Coordination and Balance 

Over time, martial arts for kids helps refine coordination, as they learn to execute moves with precision and control. Balance plays a crucial role in martial arts training as well, especially when performing stances or defensive manoeuvres. 

Complex martial arts techniques like high kicks, spinning moves, and transitioning between stances require children to stabilise and control their body. This not only enhances athletic performance but also teaches kids important motor skills they can carry over into other physical activities or sports.

In martial arts classes in Surrey, instructors create exercises and drills that focus on developing these key skills in an encouraging, supportive environment. By improving balance and coordination, children become more agile, confident, and physically competent.

Offering Long-Term Physical and Mental Health Benefits

Children who train in martial arts develop the habit of staying active and a love of physical activity, which can carry over into their teenage and adult years. As they meet goals and progress in rank, children experience a sense of achievement and self-confidence that drives physical and mental growth.

The structured environment of martial arts classes in Surrey teaches kids the value of setting goals and working towards them, which is key to maintaining fitness in the long run. Other qualities taught by martial arts, including discipline, focus, and perseverance, can also help children stay committed to a healthy lifestyle as they grow older. 

Beyond physical fitness, martial arts for kids can improve mental health by helping children release pent-up energy and reduce stress. The endorphins released by the body during exercise can also boost your child’s mood, reducing feelings of anxiety or frustration. 

The strong emphasis on mindfulness and focus in Surrey martial arts programs helps develop mental clarity and concentration. Plus, the breathing techniques and meditation practices that complement the physical training promote mental relaxation and emotional regulation. 

Why Martial Arts is More Engaging than “Traditional” Sports

There are a number of reasons why martial arts for kids stand out as a more engaging fitness option than more “traditional” team sports. 

For example, martial arts classes in Surrey:

• Offer dynamic and ever-changing workouts, unlike traditional sports that often require practising the same drills repetitively.
• Are interactive, typically incorporating a mix of forms, sparring, drills, and games to hone your child’s martial arts techniques. This makes each session unique and prevents boredom, which is a common issue in more routine-based sports.
• Keep children motivated through a combination of play, learning, and competition.
• Are inclusive and fun for all skill levels, without the pressure to “make the team” or compete for playing time in traditional sports.
• Allow each child to progress at their own pace. Whether your child is just starting out or has been training for years, they’ll always feel challenged but never overwhelmed. 
• Prioritise individual growth and personal development, rather than encouraging constant comparisons to the abilities of peers.

Parents in Surrey can find out more about the many benefits of martial arts for children in our previous blog posts. 

How To Encourage Kids to Stay Fit and Have Fun

Find the Right Class

To ensure your child gets the most out of martial arts for kids, finding the right class to match their personality and learning style is key. Many schools offer trial classes, allowing kids to try out martial arts without committing long-term.

When searching for the right martial arts classes in Surrey, consider factors like class size, the experience of the instructors, and whether the curriculum emphasises fun and engagement alongside fitness. 

It’s important that the classes foster an encouraging atmosphere, so your child feels supported while staying physically active.

Make Fitness a Family Activity

Parents can play a crucial role in encouraging their children to stay fit by participating in martial arts classes in Surrey with them. 

At Pil Sung Do’s Lightwater academy, we offer family classes where parents and kids aged 10+ can train together.

Even if you don’t train directly with your children, you can show interest in their progress to help motivate them to stick with martial arts for kids – by attending belt ceremonies, helping them practise at home, or simply asking them about their classes. 

In this way, martial arts can become more than just a sport; it can be a family commitment to staying healthy and active together.

Martial Arts: The Ultimate Fun Fitness Solution for Kids

Keeping children fit and healthy doesn’t have to be a battle. Martial arts for kids offers a unique and engaging way for children to stay active while having fun. 

At martial arts classes in Surrey, children not only improve their cardiovascular health, strength, and flexibility, but they also develop coordination, balance, and mental well-being. 

By enrolling your child in a local martial arts school like Pil Sung Do, you’ll be giving them the tools they need to stay fit, healthy, and confident – both now and in the future.

If you are a Surrey parent keen to learn more, contact us today, or book a session for your child at our Frimley academy.