Pursuing your lifelong dream of becoming a fighter, or looking for a fun way to burn calories? Either way, martial arts offers both mental and physical benefits, making it a great form of exercise for adults and kids alike. Here, we round up our top five gyms for martial arts in Singapore, specialising in karate, taekwondo, jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai and more.
Mixed Martial Arts in Singapore
Evolve MMA
Evolve MMA is Southeast Asia’s largest and most comprehensive Mixed Martial Arts gym offering Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai and boxing. Its state-of-the-art facilities include a full-size boxing ring, octagon cage, airdyne bikes, rowing machines, treadmills, power racks, gym sleds, TRX and more. Classes are led by world-class champion instructors from across the globe. With over 800 classes per week, there’s a class suitable for you, whether your goal is to shed some weight, strengthen your body or just maintain a healthy lifestyle.
There’s also a children’s martial arts programme that’s designed to teach self-defence, build social skills and instill martial arts principles like disciple and focus in little ones.
5 reasons to try MMA
#1 It’s a full-body workout
MMA training is a total-body workout that blends techniques from boxing, wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai and other martial arts disciplines. In fact, with all that punching, grappling, kicking and other cardio moves, you’re likely to burn up to 1,000 calories in a single session! MMA training also tones and strengthens, and will have your body burning fat long after you leave the gym.
In addition to its weight loss and cardiovascular benefits, MMA builds endurance, flexibility and balance, and improves athleticism all around.
#2 It’s an effective mood booster
With an intense workout comes the release of endorphins. These feel-good hormones can make you feel calmer and lift your mood significantly.
Endorphins aside, the social aspect of the sport can act as a mood booster. In fact, the social-connectedness of MMA training is an added benefit. Training partners tend to become support systems and, in many cases, great friends outside of the gym as well.
#3 It strengthens the mind
Your physique and mood aren’t the only beneficiaries of MMA’s strengthening effects. Your mind can also reap the rewards with improved concentration and mindfulness, and a better capacity to keep calm under pressure. You may even notice sharpened problem-solving skills, thanks to the quick thinking on your feet that’s required when deciding which move you’ll make next to take down your opponent.
#4 It’s a great form of stress release
Letting out all your aggression in the ring can also be just the release you need to ease your stress levels and purge those pent-up emotions. Plus, the focus it takes to perfect uppercuts and takedowns will likely force you to forget about your long list of to-do’s – at least for an hour!
#5 It builds confidence
In addition to the feel-good factor that comes from getting in shape, there’s a sense of confidence and fulfilment that can come from learning and perfecting a skill. As a newbie, you might feel intimidated at first; but once you start mastering the moves you once struggled with, you’ll feel like you can clear just about any obstacle that comes your way!
Of course, knowing you can hold your own in any self-defence situation doesn’t hurt either!
Evolve MMA
Four outlets islandwide: Far East Square, Orchard Central, KINEX, Clarke Quay Central
6536 4525 | evolve-mma.com
Karate in Singapore
Karate Nation
Looking to take up karate in Singapore? What started out as a small kids’ karate class taught out of pure passion by French expat Cyril Martins is now a state-of-the-art martial arts school offering group and one-on-one karate programmes for all ages and abilities. Starting from the Mini Ninjas classes for ages two and three years – designed to develop body awareness and coordination skills – to Karate Kids for four- to six-year-olds and Karate-Do for ages seven and up, every session is designed to develop physical strength, boost self-confidence and enhance social skills. There’s even a dedicated women’s class that offers a karate experience focused on self-defence by empowering women to strengthen their reflexes, beat stress and defend themselves.
Taekwondo in Singapore
INDUK Taekwondo
This taekwondo school offers specially designed programs that cater to students of all ages. Instructors here are experienced and passionate, and classes are conducted in two dojangs (training studios) that are fully equipped, spacious and lined with safety mats. Starting from the Supertots classes for ages three and four years – designed to engage them in play that improves motor sensory development – to Induk Toddlers for four- to six-year-olds, and Induk Kidz for those up to 15 years, every lesson is fun and engaging. Adults can pick up the sport, too; adult classes are combined with full-body cardio and physical conditioning, thus giving you a complete workout.
231 Mountbatten Road (via Guillemard Crescent) Block G, #01-03
6241 8005 | induk.com.sg
JH Kim Taekwondo Singapore
Since its opening in 2003, JH Kim Taekwondo Singapore has been a leading taekwondo school under Master Santos Rivas’s guidance. Established internationally in Malaysia, Korea, China, the US and Ireland, this martial arts school is also part of the World Taekwondo Federation, as well as being affiliated with the Singapore Taekwondo Federation.
The Taekwon Tots (three to five years old) program is focused on enhancing kids’ motor skills, cognitive development and social skills, while the T-Kids (five to 15 years old) program introduces children to the fundamentals of the sport. Want to pick up self-defence skills? Adults can also participate in various classes, from fitness and flexibility classes to self-defence for both men and women.
Five outlets islandwide: Millenia Walk, Katong, Siglap, Tampines and West Coast
6299 0495 | jhkim-singapore.com
Judo in Singapore
Jagsport
Established in 1997, this martial arts training centre offers judo classes for both children and adults. Here you’ll get to learn from the pros; coaches and trainers are top local athletes who work closely with the Singapore Judo Federation (SJF) and Sport Singapore. Children learn to roll safely on the mat, and escape from grabs and holds. Upon mastering these critical skills, students learn how to apply techniques to disable an opponent. The programmes are also designed to provide your child with the necessary skills to defend or escape from dangerous situations. Regular competitions and grading provide opportunities for application and demonstration of skills, and the motivation to do better.
340-B King George’s Avenue
9173 3793 | jagsport.com
Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai and mixed martial arts in Singapore
Impact Mixed Martial Arts
Located in the heart of the CBD, this martial arts gym offers a variety of programmes to choose from, including Muay Thai, mixed martial arts (MMA), boxing and wrestling. Not sure which to choose? Try Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), renowned for being the most effective martial art for situations where a fight has gone to the ground. Psst… There are also 45-minute lunchtime slots (cardio Muay Thai and MMA conditioning) on weekdays, perfect for a quick workout sesh before heading back to the office!
3 Shenton Way
#03-06A Shenton House
6223 8275 | impactmma.com.sg
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