Martial Arts is a perfect way to make your body healthier. It employs different techniques and conditioning methods that keeps the mind and body constantly guessing. Additionally it is a hobby, pursuit and passion for some because it teaches a person about their abilities, heart and what they can do.

Aerobic exercise (like Martial Arts and Kickboxing)use large muscle groups for a continuous period of time. The muscles need more oxygen to handle this workload. This requires the heart to beat faster. Your breathing gets heavier and faster to meet the demand for more oxygen. In order for your heart and lungs to benefit from your workout, you must exercise within the aerobic heart-rate range and keep the workouts varied.

Exercise makes you healthier. It strengthens the cardiovascular system which is the heart and blood vessels and improves circulation. The heart is a muscle that needs regular conditioning. A well-conditioned heart can pump a large amount of blood with fewer beats than a weak heart. Exercise makes your heart more resistant to stress, heart attack, and other health problems.

Lack of exercise can lead to changes in the body that threaten the heart. If you combine lack of exercise with overeating, you gain excess weight and your cholesterol rises. This can cause heart disease and circulation problems. As the body and heart become more fit, your blood pressure goes down, HDL cholesterol, the "good" cholesterol, goes up, and you lose fat. All these changes are good for the heart.

The American Heart Association advises doing 30 to 60 minutes of aerobic exercise at least three or four times each week. Exercising 4 or more times a week will increase your health benefits. Sticking to this advice advances heart and lung fitness.

Physical fitness is the result of regular physical activity, proper diet and nutrition. It is a critical element in a persons overall health. Not only does it keep your body in shape but it is vital in maintaining mental health as well.

Physical fitness is often divided into the following types:

* Strength - the extent to which muscles can exert force by contracting against resistance (holding or restraining an object or person)

* Power - the ability to exert maximum muscular contraction instantly in an explosive burst of movements (Jumping or sprint starting)

* Agility - the ability to perform a series of explosive power movements in rapid succession in opposing directions (ZigZag running or cutting movements)

* Balance - the ability to control the body's position, either stationary (e.g. a handstand) or while moving (e.g. a gymnastics stunt)

* Flexibility - the ability to achieve an extended range of motion without being impeded by excess tissue, i.e. fat or muscle (Executing a leg split)

* Local Muscle Endurance - a single muscle's ability to perform sustained work (Rowing or cycling)

* Cardiovascular Endurance - the heart's ability to deliver blood to working muscles and their ability to use it (Running long distances)

* Strength Endurance - a muscle's ability to perform a maximum contracture time after time (Continuous explosive rebounding through an entire basketball game)

* Co-ordination- the ability to integrate the above listed components so that effective movements are achieved.

All of this can be achieved through a consistant Martial Arts Program.