| There can be more to body building than just lifting | | | | grasp. Also many of the ancient moves are |
| weights. For variation in your routine you might want | | | | specifically about developing grace and strength. |
| to engage in martial arts style activities such as | | | | Some of the martial arts forms are more about |
| Aikido, Karate, Judo, Qi Gong or any of the other | | | | developing a longer lithe body shape that can help |
| ancient Asian disciplines that are about building | | | | you mimic the movements of certain totem animals |
| muscular strength. The great thing about learning | | | | like a panther or a crane. This is why studying the |
| martial arts as well is that you are also taught how to | | | | martial arts is also ideal for women as it is not as |
| be very spry on your feet. | | | | much about developing the truly shiny iron man type |
| Martial arts training also teaches you how to focus | | | | muscles that are not necessarily that attractive to |
| yourself mentally. In a way you could refer to it as | | | | females. |
| "applied body building" as eventually you end up | | | | The most popular forms of martial art that are |
| fighting an opponent in these disciplines. There is a lot | | | | currently taught in the Western World as an adjunct |
| more to it than just "pumping iron" which is great for | | | | program to muscle building are Aikido, Capoeira (a |
| those who want a little bit of variance to the way | | | | form of dance mixed with street fighting), Kendo, |
| they work out. | | | | Wing Chun and Wushu. Almost all are based on |
| The benefits of martial art training are similar to | | | | ancient Asian sword fighting or hand combat |
| those of straight muscle building, only the activities | | | | techniques except for Capoeira, which is actually a |
| are a bit more aerobic as there is lots of jumping, | | | | form of martial arts practiced by African slaves in |
| swinging the arms in the air and kicking. In fact most | | | | Brazil. |
| martial arts professionals also weight train. Many | | | | The only drawback to supplementing your |
| people who try Tae Kwon Do and the other Asian | | | | weightlifting routine with a martial arts building |
| disciplines experience many physical and psychological | | | | program is that it can be hard on the joints. This is |
| benefits. The physical benefits consist of, but aren't | | | | because there is less stationary exercise than there |
| confined to the following: loss of body fat, healthier | | | | is with just a straight program of muscle building and |
| year round, becoming more energetic, better physical | | | | therefore more risk of injury. This may be of some |
| aerobic condition, as well as stronger joints. | | | | concern to you if you are an older muscle trainer or |
| However martial arts is directly related to anaerobic | | | | have joint pain. Almost all muscle builders suffer from |
| exercise because there are many postures and | | | | joint pain or growing pains of some kind sooner or |
| weight bearing type exercises that mimic the holding | | | | later. This can usually be treated with liniments and |
| of a weapon even if there is none in the persons | | | | calcium magnesium type supplements. |