Motivation in Martial Arts

"Some succeed because they are destined to, but most succeed because they were determined to." Motivation in Martial Arts is essential, you need it to get started and it's also the driving force that keeps you going once the novelty wears off.

Ernesto Hoost, one of the best examples of what motivation can make you achieve!

Most students have the same goal: to get good at what they are learning, usually as quickly as possible. Sometimes expectations are that once the technique is taught then grading should take place and a belt be presented. The desire to progress is natural, after all that's why you give up your free time, money and effort.

When results don't appear as quickly as expected motivation can disappear. This initial disappointment is often followed by a tendency to attend fewer lessons, fail to progress and then quit. Once enthusiastic beginners leave feeling that Martial Arts was fun for a while but "just wasn't for me".

To avoid this discuss with Mr Murray how much time to expect between grading and leave your mobile number with Fran to be alerted of future gradings. You will be informed about grading during your introductory classes but it doesn't hurt to enquire again. Timescales will vary between individuals depending on attendance, attitude and natural ability.

Understand that only the first half of each level spent may be spent learning new skills. The second half will usually focus on developing a true understanding of the technique, as well as teaching your body to perform it like a reflex action. Accept that this requires commitment and patience, and that it can take more training time than you initially expected.

Take pride in the progress you make, no matter how slow it seems and don't forget to look back at how much you have learned and achieved. Try to remember how unnatural it once felt to perform each technique, of course we all have days when we feel we're back to square one but don't dwell there.

Sometimes the hardest part of a days training is actually turning up to class. One way to combat this is by turning up to class ten minutes early to see the higher levels training, it can help to get a preview of what you could achieve.

"First we form habits, then they form us." What can you do to maintain motivation? There are many ways to do this and the answer that sits best with you will not always reflect the reason you had for signing up to begin with. For example, you could have started training to lose weight, to learn self-defence, or to increase fitness levels but continued to train once you achieved this to some degree.

Technique and skills are nothing without motivation!

If your initial goal was a short-term gain you'll feel the pull to give up sooner than most so read on if you want some tips on staying power.

Make A Commitment. View your training as a permanent feature in your life; try to see it as a long-term investment in your body. Once you have accepted any form of athletic training as a fixed feature in your life it feels natural and right to train at every given opportunity, and unnatural and frustrating not to.

Keep Track of Your Progress. By setting yourself daily, (or weekly), measurable and reasonable goals you allow yourself to feel successful more often. Take pride in the achievement of these goals, only you really know how hard you worked to achieve them.

Make The Effort and Be Accountable. Realise that your energy and attitude are essential ingredients to your success in training, (your instructor is vital too but we'll get to that next time). Enthusiasm will not maintain itself so be practical, you are the driving force in your training and only you can guarantee that you will turn up on any given night.

Keeping 'Your Eye on The Prize' is another way to motivate yourself. Although this can present its own frustrations if you don't remain realistic, it is still a valuable tool if you're in it for the long run.

Remember nothing will work unless you do so try substituting a night at home, or the local gym, with one at your nearest Prokick venue. No two classes are the same, which keeps things interesting for instructor and students alike.

Sign up to Prokicks beginners class, relish 6 weeks of it and give everyone earache telling them how wonderful your life is now ...The reason you'll come back to Prokick is the obvious one...you'll love it.