Here at Excel Martial Arts, we believe that the true essence of progress lies not just in the achievements but in the art of setting goals. Tony Robbins says “Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible”.
Goal setting is a powerful process, encouraging focus and motivating individuals to turn vision into reality. Let’s delve into the benefits of goal setting and explore why SMART goals are indispensable in achieving success.
One of the paramount benefits of setting goals is the clear direction it provides. Like a compass on a ship navigating through foggy waters, goals guide you towards your desired destination. They furnish a clear understanding of the end objective, ensuring that every effort is channeled towards achieving specific outcomes. This clarity is crucial, particularly in martial arts, where the journey is as significant as the destination.
Goals are the fuel in the furnace of achievement. They offer an objective to strive for, a finish line that awaits your triumphant arrival. In the realm of martial arts, setting a goal to master a particular technique or to achieve the next belt rank can dramatically amplify your motivation. Each training session becomes a step closer to your goal, providing a consistent dose of motivation that keeps your fire burning.
With clear goals, distractions become less obstructive, allowing a sharper focus on the task at hand. Goal setting fosters a sense of commitment that compels individuals to make well-informed decisions and to persevere through challenges. At Excel, we witness daily how setting goals transforms our students’ training; their focused energy and commitment are palpable in each class.
Setting goals inherently establishes a system of accountability. By committing to a specific objective, you not only answer to yourself but potentially to your teachers and fellow students who support your journey. This accountability is a powerful motivator, pushing you to uphold your commitments and strive towards fulfilling your goals.
While setting goals is fundamental, the structure of these goals is crucial for success. SMART goals – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound – provide a framework that enhances the likelihood of achievement. Here’s why SMART goals are vital:
Specific: Clearly defines what you want to accomplish, eliminating ambiguity and making the goal more tangible.
Measurable: Allows for tracking progress and staying motivated by defining precise criteria for success.
Achievable: Ensures that the goal is within reach, fostering a sense of optimism and commitment.
Relevant: Aligns the goal with broader objectives, ensuring that it is meaningful and beneficial.
Time-bound: Sets a deadline to focus efforts and prioritise tasks, creating a sense of urgency.
Incorporating SMART goals into your practice at Excel Martial Arts, or any area of your life, ensures a structured approach that can lead to consistent success. Whether you are aiming to achieve a new belt or simply looking to improve your fitness, SMART goals guide your path and clarify your journey.
Goal setting is a dynamic process that propels us forward, providing direction, motivation, focus, accountability, and immense personal growth. At Excel Martial Arts, we champion the practice of setting SMART goals, believing it to be the backbone of not just martial arts training but any successful endeavor. Embrace the art of goal setting and watch as your efforts translate into achievements that mark both your growth and success.
To EXCEL IN LIFE you have to know where you are going and what you want to achieve to stay motivated, learn and grow.
Embarking on the journey of martial arts at Excel Martial Arts opens a world of physical transformation that extends far beyond typical fitness activities. Our holistic approach ensures that each student not only learns martial arts techniques but experiences profound physical benefits that contribute to a healthier, stronger, and more agile body. This blog delves into the specific physical benefits of martial arts, reflecting our commitment to helping our students excel not just in martial arts, but in life!
Martial arts at Excel offers a full-body workout that goes beyond the limitations of traditional gym routines. Each session involves a variety of movements that challenge different muscle groups. Students develop increased muscle tone, improved strength, and greater endurance. The dynamic nature of martial arts ensures that both fast-twitch and slow-twitch muscle fibers are engaged, enhancing muscular balance and overall physical fitness.
Through the practice of kicks, stretches, and complex movements, martial arts significantly enhance flexibility. This increased range of motion not only aids in the performance of martial arts techniques but also contributes to a lower risk of injuries in daily activities. Agility improvements are equally notable, with students experiencing better coordination and faster reaction times, which are essential for both martial arts and other sports.
Martial arts training is an excellent cardiovascular workout. Regular practice increases heart rate, promoting heart health and increasing stamina. This cardiovascular conditioning is crucial for maintaining energy levels and effectively managing weight, as well as reducing the risk of heart diseases.
Martial arts training consistently emphasises core strength, which is pivotal for overall body stability and strength. A strong core enhances not just martial arts performance but also the efficiency of movements in daily life. Additionally, martial arts practice improves posture as students learn to align their body correctly for various techniques, reducing back pain and improving overall spinal health.
Practicing martial arts is an effective way to manage weight and improve body composition. The high-intensity nature of martial arts burns calories and fat, helping to build lean muscle mass. This shift in body composition is beneficial not only aesthetically but also for metabolic health, reducing the risk of obesity-related diseases.
At Excel Martial Arts, our goal is to foster a nurturing environment where each student can achieve physical excellence through martial arts. Our teachers are dedicated to guiding each student through a journey of physical transformation that enhances strength, flexibility, cardiovascular health, and overall physical fitness. We invite you to join our community, where you belong and can excel together with us.
Martial arts offer significant physical benefits that can transform your body and improve your health. At Excel Martial Arts, we are committed to helping our students achieve these benefits and encourage a lifestyle of fitness and well-being. Join us to experience the physical benefits of martial arts and to excel in life through the art of martial arts.
If you’ve ever considered taking up martial arts, you’ve probably heard about the incredible physical benefits that come with the training. Improved fitness, flexibility, and enhanced mobility are just a few of the benefits that await you on the training mat. However, what might surprise you are the numerous mental benefits that martial arts can provide. In this blog, we’ll explore how martial arts can be a powerful tool for boosting your confidence and transforming your mindset.
One of the most remarkable aspects of martial arts is its ability to tap into your inner strength and determination, something that lies within you that you might not have unlocked before. At Excel we believe that confidence is not just a state of mind but a skill that can be cultivated, that’s why we teach it in so many elements of our training.
From life talks, to student creeds, adults and children (ministrike & juniors) alike will get the opportunity to discover strength and master confidence.
Confidence doesn’t happen overnight; it’s a gradual process that involves developing your voice, body, and mind. In our martial arts program, we emphasize these three pillars of confidence:
Voice: Martial arts training empowers you to speak with conviction and assertiveness. As you progress, you’ll find that your ability to communicate effectively both on and off the mat improves significantly.
Body: Your posture and body language play a vital role in building self-assurance. Martial arts instill discipline and proper body control, helping you carry yourself with confidence in all aspects of life.
Mind: Martial arts require a sharp and focused mind. Through continuous practice, you’ll sharpen your mental capability, which will enhance your decision-making skills and self-belief. Not only this, but you learn to think kindly about yourself which will help you mind become a positive place.
What makes martial arts unique is that confidence isn’t just a facade; it becomes an integral part of who you are. What once may have felt like self-imposed lessons in confidence gradually transforms into second nature. It’s not about pretending to be confident; it’s about genuinely becoming a more confident individual.
Martial arts training is not just about physical techniques; it’s about conquering mental barriers as well. Through perseverance and discipline, you’ll learn to face challenges head-on, overcoming self-doubt and fear. This newfound mental fortitude extends far beyond the training mat, enabling you to tackle life’s obstacles with confidence and resilience.
Our students & coaches continuously talk about the mental health benefits they’ve gained from being a part of Excel (see for yourself on our YouTube).
At Excel, we understand the importance of community in nurturing confidence. Our members and coaches form a tight-knit family, providing you with unwavering support throughout your martial arts journey. Surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals who share your passion can be a powerful catalyst for growing your confidence.
Martial arts offer a unique and transformative path to boosting your confidence. It’s not just about physical prowess; it’s about unlocking your inner strength and resilience. If you’re ready to start your journey to a more confident you, enquire now by giving us a call on 0114 2485188. We can’t wait to help you Excel!
When it comes to martial arts, it’s not just about the punches and kicks; it’s a sport & a journey that can significantly impact your life. While martial arts is suitable for individuals of all genders, let’s explore how it specifically benefits men. In this blog, you’ll find five advantages that martial arts can offer men, encompassing physical fitness, mental strength, and personal growth.
Martial arts is an incredible way for men to stay in peak physical condition. The rigorous training sessions, which include cardiovascular exercises, strength training, and flexibility drills, help you build lean muscle, improve endurance, and shed excess fat. Whether you’re looking to sculpt your physique or enhance your overall fitness martial arts has you covered.
But it’s good to know that, when you train at Excel, you don’t need to be physically fit before you come as we’ll support you in achieving any of your goals.
In the world of martial arts, mental strength is just as crucial as physical prowess. Training pushes you to confront challenges, teaching you discipline, focus, and perseverance. These mental attributes developed on the mat can translate into greater success in your personal and professional life. Facing adversity head-on becomes second nature.
One of the most practical benefits of martial arts for men is the acquisition of self-defence skills. Knowing how to protect yourself and your loved ones is an asset in today’s world. Martial arts instils confidence in your ability to handle physical confrontations, reducing feelings of vulnerability and fear. Our training also focuses on avoiding violence where possible by covering defensive combinations and moves.
Life can be stressful, and martial arts provides a healthy outlet for managing it. The rigorous training sessions allow you to channel stress and frustration into focused energy. This not only helps you leave your worries behind but also promotes emotional well-being. Studies have shown that martial arts can reduce anxiety, decrease stress levels, and improve self-control, providing a holistic approach to mental health.
Martial arts communities are renowned for their strong sense of camaraderie and brotherhood. Joining a martial arts school like Excel means becoming part of a tight-knit family. These connections offer men a valuable social network that extends beyond the training mat.
Martial arts has a multitude of benefits tailored specifically for men. It’s a holistic journey that enhances physical fitness, cultivates mental strength, equips you with practical self-defense skills, provides a healthy outlet for stress relief, and fosters strong bonds within a community.
Whether you’re looking to boost your fitness, develop your mental resilience, or simply embark on a path of self-improvement, martial arts offers a fulfilling and transformative experience for men of all ages. You can join us in our Mens Beginner Kickboxing Courses that happen throughout the year. Enquire here.
As exam season is drawing to a close, it’s important to remind ourselves that for many young people this time of year is extremely anxiety inducing and can have a massive impact on self-confidence.
We should encourage our children and family members who are doing exams that as long as they do their best, that whatever the outcome, they are amazing and that these are life lessons which will help them to EXCEL in life.
According to Harvard University neuropsychologist and educator Howard Gardner in his book Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences, there are eight types of intelligence.
These are:
This means that every child can vary in their type of intelligence and certain exams or exams completely may not be for them.
Coming out of an exam, most students start to ask each other how did you answer this question or that question, and this can create a feeling of dread and make many young people feel like they’ve failed before they’ve even found out their results!
The important thing to remind the young people in our lives at this point is that no matter the outcome, this chapter in their life is just another lesson.
It is an opportunity to learn how to handle our emotions, preserve in the face of challenges and should it come to it, learn to handle failure.
A reminder to all that: Failure is just another step on the journey to success.
Exams are just one small chapter in the huge journey of life. Though they may feel big at this point in time but there will come a point where these exams have no bearing on the young people in our lives. Their portfolio of artwork, apprenticeship, people skills, or life experiences will have far more value than these exams.
It is our duty to continue to remind them of this. No matter the outcome, tell them they are loved and you are proud.
Unfortunately, bullying is not uncommon. 1 in 4 children reported they were bullied a lot or always according to The Anti Bullying Alliance.
So, what can you do if your child is being bullied?
Making sure your child knows they can ask for help is the first step in helping them deal with bullying.
It’s likely that your child has a person they feel most comfortable talking to whether it’s you or a teacher or a grandparent, letting them know that talking about what is happening will not only help them feel better but will also mean that you can help figure out ways to deal with it.
Don’t forget to remind them that you “Ask for help not because you are weak but because you want to remain strong” – Les Brown.
This might not immediately sound like something that can help with bullying, but exercising can help us feel more confident. Whether it’s because we feel stronger or faster, exercising can help a child focus on positives.
Exercising in groups or academies also provides an opportunity for children to socialise in an environment away from the bullying they’re facing and hopefully form positive friendships.
Helping your child to stay focused on the things which positively benefit them and deter them from focusing on the bullying will be extremely important to help them navigate this time in their life.
It is important that, in spite of the bullying, your child continues with hobbies, schoolwork, socialisation to ensure that when the bullying ends (and one day it will) that it has not impacted their future.
It can be hard to not give up in the face of bullying, especially when it can have a negative impact on self-esteem and confidence but learning that no matter what you face to never give up, is a really important skill for children to have.
You will find that as they learn to never give up, they will apply this perseverance to so many other tasks throughout their life.
Giving your child the skills to stand up for themselves doesn’t mean encouraging them to respond with violence or retaliate to bullying.
Instead, it means giving them confidence to say no, report bullying or even provide them with the self-defence skills they need to protect themselves against physical attacks.
If you’d like to chat with our teaching team about how our tuition can help your child with bullying, get in touch!
As you consider taking up martial arts, it’s easy to see the physical benefits you could gain from training. The likelihood that, like with many sports, you could improve your fitness, mobility or even flexibility is a benefit you can see from the outset.
It isn’t until you dive deeper into the world of martial arts, that you can recognise just how many mental benefits there are.
Training in martial arts is an opportunity to channel your stress. At Excel, we say that as you step on the mats for training, it’s in that moment that you leave the worries of your day behind and focus on the task in hand.
You can use your frustration as a tool to drive your focus and strength into your combinations and sparring.
A 2019 study by Am J Mens Health, states that martial arts can be credited for reduced anxiety, self-control, decreased stress levels, and physical relaxation.
The opportunity to find a channel to de-stress through is highly beneficial for both adults and children.
At Excel, a huge part of our tuition is focused on confidence. Our 3 secrets to confidence (they aren’t all that secret) include VOICE, BODY and MIND.
As you carry yourself within training and outside of training, you are given the tools and knowledge to speak with confidence, carry yourself with confidence and know you are confident.
Your self-belief makes you look at your body and ability different.
Through the continued practice of these skills, you really do become more confident. What once was you teaching yourself to become confidence becomes second nature.
From our ministrike to adult programmes, we work on focus and memory. Focusing on singular moves and then incorporating these into combinations, means you’ll have to focus hard and remember them too.
The repetition of these moves means that, in time, they’ll be stored in your brain becoming muscle memory which helps you move faster and easier.
As there are many different areas of the brain that deal with memory, it is suggested that memory training (cognitive training), which can be done through martial arts, is good for your overall brain health.
The Alzhemier’s society has highlighted that “The results from several observational studies have indicated that people who do cognitively stimulating activities may have a lower risk of cognitive decline and dementia”.
Community is a huge part of training with us at Excel. Our range of members along with our coaches have become one big family.
And surrounding yourself with a community is so important in navigating mental health challenges like depression.
On top of this, a community situation helps encourage people to work on their social skills. We have seen how our academy has helped younger students learn how to communicate with people in class but also at school, home and in other hobbies.
We have also seen previously introverted adults build lifelong friendships through sparring partners and meeting like-minded individuals which has helped them establish increased confidence and improved emotional wellbeing.
Despite the fact that martial arts is a contact sport, a 2016 study in children aged six to 18 showed that martial arts reduced violent behaviour including but not limited to behaviours associated with criminal activity.
The reduction in aggression could likely be accredited to the practice of life skills such as confidence, concentration, mindfulness, compassion, and focus (all which are taught in Excel tuition).
The practice of these skills in young people can be seen to create a more well-rounded individual who has respect for themselves and others and is less likely to be led astray.
Not only this, but martial arts is a great way to channel anger and frustration in a safe and non-judgemental environment.
Fancy giving a class a go to get started on experiencing these amazing benefits? Contact us today.
Many parents are concerned about their children getting hurt when doing martial arts and that’s totally understandable. As parents it is our job to help our children navigate potentially dangerous situations and avoid getting hurt.
As martial arts is a contact support, there can be risks of injury or getting hurt but our programmes are tailored to be suitable for children at different levels of development to help them avoid injury where possible.
For example, our 4 to 6 year old students (Ministrike), don’t spar and contact only happens when paired with their parents to practice exercises like bobbing and weaving or moving out the way.
Where our junior students (age 7 – 12) then start sparring they will be wearing full protective gear and paired with a student of similar size and level.
At Excel, we teach a mixture of martial arts including kickboxing, but all with a focus on defensive skills.
It is important to us that your child’s first instinct when needing to navigate a potentially dangerous situation is to use skills to defend themselves and avoid putting themselves at unnecessary risk.
Whilst we do still cover offensive techniques, we prioritise techniques such as falling safely, using your body to minimise damage, bobbing and weaving and creating distance.
However, we know that this will not always be the case and that’s where calculated risks come in.
With the implementation of our life skill programme, our students are instilled with skills beyond martial arts. These life skills include confidence, practice, control, co-ordination and more.
When applied correctly to martial arts, these skills allow students to take calculated risks. So, when sparring with a fellow teammate they can decide when is best to use offensive techniques.
Calculated risks also mean performing martial arts in any environment like our academy where there are soft mats, supportive individuals and first aid trained professionals instead of a scenario where a child could fall unoccupied and increase their risk of injury.
And this is where our students begin to trust their bodies abilities.
Building confidence, co-ordination and balance, allows children as young as 3 and 4 to begin to assess the risks of a situation and know when something is safe or not.
For example, it is more likely for a four year old to get hurt from falling over doing martial arts as they might not have the best balance. As their balance improves, they will be able to decide what they can and can’t do safely.
This encourages them to make mistakes and try again if they don’t succeed*
So if your child does get hurt doing martial arts, it is highly unlikely to be severe injury in a safe setting like our academy.
But minor setbacks like falling over, or getting a bruise (for older children), are instead great lessons. They teach that instead of walking away from the situation, we can figure out what we can do differently next time to avoid the same thing happening.
They teach us to never give up and instead EXCEL IN LIFE.
If you are interested in your child starting martial arts but you are concerned about them getting hurt, get in touch on info@excel-in-life.com or call us on 0114 2485188.
As people grow older, they try to find ways to be more productive and make use of their time. For over 60s, in particular, they find that there is even more time they need to utilise and want to do so effectively. You may go out and find other jobs or pursue hobbies and activities that you never could before. Martial arts is one activity that many over 60s should take advantage of in their pursuit of finding a participatory activity. There are many benefits associated with taking martial arts classes.
Growing older can be a wonderful thing as people become more experienced and wise in their lifetimes. However, the brain does not function as quickly or healthy as it did during childhood. With that said, over 60s tend to experience more issues such as memory loss or slower reactions. Martial arts can significantly help alleviate these symptoms. It does so through the discipline and constant practice of reflexive routines that help seniors keep their mental alertness. The brain is a muscle that needs to be exercised just as much as other muscles within the body. Martial arts for over 60s is especially important in maintaining your own mental health and awareness.
As over 60s grow into their retirements, their friend circles may decrease over time. You may no longer be going to work each day and seeing co-workers on a regular basis. Enlisting in and taking martial arts classes gives you a chance to make new friends and build a community. People in martial arts classes share a common interest in the sport. They may all have joined for different reasons, but the outcome is the same. There are a multitude of exercises that involve partner and group activities. This builds teamwork and each person feels connected to the entire group. They all build a sense of camaraderie and hold each other accountable. Again, this is a great reason for over 60s to join martial arts classes because they may need to be able to socialise and feel welcomed in things that foster that type of behaviour.
Exercise is vitally important to everyone, but specifically to over 60s. Bodily functions and strength are just not the same when it comes to a your body versus people in their 30s. In order to keep up a healthy body, you should be sure to build muscle and bone strength. Osteoporosis is one of the most common conditions that any senior will begin to experience. This comes from a weak skeletal structure. To protect your bones, you need to build up muscle strength. Martial arts tremendously helps with building that muscle strength as well as a person’s overall endurance.
Heart disease is another common ailment for people over the age of 40. Practising martial arts will significantly reduce risk of heart diseases because of the physical routines associated with its art.
Martial arts for over 60s should be something that many people consider to be an all- around activity. Not only does it provide a chance for them to be active, but it can give them multiple mental benefits as well. Giving you the chance to do something once considered unconventional is an amazing opportunity to get back your sense of self and confidence.
The years of schooling can be quite the experience for any child. It is a place where a child not only learns academically but one where a child must learn to socialise and function in the world. Unfortunately, there are a lot of negative experiences that a child may have when going through school. Whatever those experiences may be, it would be a good idea to have a child participate in martial arts classes as doing so will give them the tools they need to survive the academy experience. The benefits associated with taking martial arts classes are essential for them to be able to navigate the world.
Getting good grades is a reflection of a child’s understanding of what they are being taught at school. But, it is also indicative of their discipline and responsibility traits. Through martial arts, students earn the fundamentals of strength and physical routines. They also learn to become disciplined with practice and keeping up with their cleanliness of uniforms. Children learn how to be punctual and can focus their daily thoughts on the tasks at hand. Thus, being able to exhibit these positive traits will translate to better grades and better behaviour.
Bullying is a very prominent and unfortunate experience that many children will either witness or become victims of in their lifetimes. Being a part of martial arts can give children the strength and confidence that they need to stand up to these negative individuals. Not only will they learn about self-defence strategies, they will be able to feel assertive and courageous. Possessing self-confidence is the number one way for a child to be able to stand up for themselves in any threatening situation. Through martial arts, they will learn that not all conflicts have to be physical. They will possess the mature mindset to tackle any conflict with assurance and pride.
Having friends and keeping them can be the big difference between a positive and negative school experience for children. They will latch onto people who share common interests with them and feel devastated when those relationships disappear. However, for children who regularly practice martial arts, they have a different capacity to make and keep friends in their circle. Besides making friends in the martial arts classes themselves, children are able to easily socialize and collaborate with other students. They instil a lot of the same discipline and traits they learn from martial arts in their everyday lives. For instance, they may be first to initiate a conversation with quiet students because they feel confident in themselves to do so.
Being a part of something special such as martial arts can be greatly impactful for children, helping them gain invaluable skills and behaviours that will allow them to have more successful experiences in social settings. Although school is meant to teach them about a variety of things, having martial arts as a supplement can significantly affect the way they approach learning and their overall experiences.
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Excel Academy, Longacre Way, Sothall, Sheffield
S20 3FS