When you’re committed to a consistent, long-term martial arts practice, you must take care of your body and recover well in between training sessions. Part of taking good care of your body includes protecting your joints from unnecessary stress.
Protecting your joints includes paying attention to your movements and ensuring that you’re not adding any unnecessary strain. For example, you might find that your knees, hips, and shoulders need some extra attention; they tend to bear a lot of the weight and pressure of training, as well as the stresses of daily life.
Here are a few ways to protect your joints both on and off the mats:
1. Increase mobility and flexibility.
Improving your mobility improves your joint range of motion and reduces your risk of injuring your joints. At the same time, increasing your flexibility can help condition all of your joints to better receive impacts. Keep up with weekly mobility exercises and incorporate some stretching or a yoga class in order to increase the flexibility of your muscles.
2. Work on good posture.
Whether you’re training or sitting at your desk, poor posture can lead to tightened muscles, bad form, and unnecessary stress on your joints. Working on good posture removes this added stress and promotes good joint health.
3. If you experience sharp pain, stop.
Ultimately, your body will tell you if there is an issue with your joints or muscles. Some discomfort while you’re training is to be expected. However, if you experience sharp pain or feel like something isn’t right, it’s very possible that it’s not. So, protect your joints, and rest when you think it’s necessary.
If you’re interested in learning more about Jiu Jitsu and how it could improve your fitness, as well as your lifestyle, contact us. We’d love to answer any questions you have about the programs we’re currently offering at Classic Fight Team in Fountain Valley.
