8 Benefits of Taekwondo for Adults

Taekwondo is great for adults of all ages, and while it might be easy to think that kids and teens are the greatest beneficiaries of the sport, adults also have a lot to benefit from by participating.

Age is not a barrier, so don’t let that hold you back from enjoying the enormous benefits that this art has to offer you.

Also, let the story of the 94-year-old 6th-degree taekwondo black belt (oldest ever sixth-degree black belt) remind you that taekwondo is for all ages.

Now, here are some of the benefits of taekwondo for adults.

You Learn to Defend Yourself

Taekwondo is an effective martial art or combat sport that is a powerful tool for self-defense.

Taekwondo literally means “art of hand and foot fighting,” and is more than two thousand years old.

Yet, its physical and spiritual content has never been so vigorously sought after and practiced as it is now.

Uniquely developed in Korea, Taekwondo is largely considered the oldest self-defense martial art in the world.

Interestingly, some adults sign up for Taekwondo just for the main purpose of learning self-defense techniques.

And if you are one of those adults, you shouldn’t have any trouble since most taekwondo schools have dedicated adult self-defense programs.

Help Relieve Stress

Taekwondo is a huge stress reliever making it perfect for adults looking to relax their nerves after long periods of stressful activities at work or home.

Taekwondo training produces serotonin which is known to relieve stress, but it is more than just that.

Taekwondo being a stress reliever can also be attributed to the fact that Taekwondo is a beneficial form of exercise, and as you might already know, regular exercise helps the brain to produce endocannabinoids which produce sensations of calmness, and relaxation, and can also help to reduce the perception of pain.

Learning to strike by punching and kicking a defenseless bag is a great way to relieve stress.

Develops Physical Fitness

Taekwondo, just like most martial arts and fitness classes can greatly improve your overall physical fitness.

Studies have reported that regular taekwondo training can effectively enhance physical fitness, such as aerobic capacity and flexibility, and body composition.

Participating in taekwondo can help you;

• build stronger muscles, bones, and joints
• build strength, speed, stamina, and balance
• develop flexibility and mobility
• improve coordination
• combat obesity (weight loss)
• increase cardiovascular endurance
• develop sharper reflexes

After just a few weeks, expect to start noticing your reflexes getting faster, and your muscles getting stronger as you learn to kick, punch and block.

And as you practice more, you will develop balance and gain core strength.

Improves Heart Condition

Taekwondo is a promoter of healthy hearts both in elderly men and women.

For example, a trial has shown the positive effect of regular taekwondo training in the reduction of hypertension in elderly women.

When you participate in martial arts classes such as taekwondo, you undergo intense cardiovascular workouts.

Taekwondo training stresses the heart, leading to improvements in your cardiovascular health.

So, as stated earlier, high-intensity taekwondo training sessions can give you an improved level of fitness which lowers your heart rate and blood pressure.

Improves Self-Confidence

Self-confidence is an issue not only for kids but also for some adults.

Luckily, being proficient in Taekwondo sure helps to develop self-confidence.

Taekwondo improves the self-esteem and confidence of all participants using its built-in core values such as courtesy and respect.

Taekwondo makes a difference not just to your skill and fitness levels but your outlook on life.

Confidence is about self-belief and the ability to succeed.

Once you go beyond beginner classes and start to develop form and take part in sparring, you will be amazed at how that impacts other parts of your life.

With taekwondo, you become more comfortable in all situations, whether you’re in danger or just doing a task that takes you beyond your comfort zone.

 You’ll discover you can accomplish anything you set your mind to.

It Is an Activity to Share With Your Kids

If you have kids, taking taekwondo classes will surely be a great opportunity to bond with them.

Not only will you be able to help one another, but you can practice and stretch together at home, therefore, promoting a healthy lifestyle in the house.

Socializing

Yes, taekwondo is an individual sport, but it remains a group activity requiring teamwork and support to succeed.

This is true for you and your kids who may be taking a Taekwondo class.

According to legendary Greek philosopher Aristotle “Man is by nature a social animal” who doesn’t always like to be alone.

Being alone, especially for extended periods is never fun and it can sometimes get quite depressing.

So, taking Taekwondo class a few times, or even just once a week, can be a great way to get out of the house, get a change of scenery, meet new people, and possibly make new friends.

The truth is that friends are important and a Taekwondo class is a great place to find them.

You Feel Happier & Better

Participating in taekwondo is a great way to lift your mood and feel happier about yourself and your environment.

This is because Taekwondo training causes your brain to produce an excess of neurotransmitters such as serotonin.

Serotonin is a chemical produced by the brain which produces feelings of joy, happiness, elation, and calmness.

Serotonin, also known as the “feel good” neurotransmitter, plays a part in our well-being and is important in balancing mood.

This chemical would make you feel happier than you usually would.

This makes it useful for fighting depression and anxiety, which are usually caused by a lack of serotonin in the brain and an overall imbalance of neurochemicals.

Also, the simple fact that Taekwondo is a social activity will make you feel happier since you get to socialize with people and make new friends.

Let’s not also forget the joy and happiness you would get from learning a new discipline and learning to defend yourself as well.

Conclusion

Adults of any age can learn Taekwondo as it offers many benefits such as self-defense, stress relief, increased fitness, self-confidence, self-esteem, etc.

With proper guidance, you should gradually undergo a solid physical workout that would help tone you up and calm you down relieving your everyday stress.

To learn more about adult participation in Taekwondo, visit my article Can Adults Learn Taekwondo?

Also, see: 8 Benefits of Taekwondo for Students