Metabolism is a widely used term to refer to many things at the same time, and not all of us know exactly what it is. However, we do understand that it is associated with chemicals in our body and has to do with hormones, nutrients and calories. When we are talking about metabolic health we are comprising all of the chemical reactions that happen inside the body and both in the inside and the outside of our cells. For example, our energy metabolism is the one that’s behind of fat burn, and as a result of a proper body metabolism we are able to eliminate toxins and promote proper body functioning. Is there a sport that improves metabolic health as a whole?
In sports we have two main categories. They are aerobic and anaerobic training, and each one of them is associated with a distinct benefit. Aerobic training forces the body to use more oxygen in less time, and the heart rate increases to keep up with these increased requirements. This type of training has many health benefits, including an improvement of cardiovascular health because our heart becomes stronger and it is easier to put up with higher demands. However, not everybody knows that aerobic exercise is also involved in a regulation of body chemicals (metabolism) by reducing our circulating levels of fats and glucose. Thus, it is often recommended to type 2 diabetes patients, who have a dysfunction in their metabolic system.
The other category is anaerobic training, which is basically weightlifting or bodyweight training. This type of training might seem as something purely aesthetic, but it’s not. It stimulates muscle and triggers a series of reactions in the body that improves the sensitivity to insulin and increases the amount of calories you burn every day.
The best sports for metabolic health should not only include one of these exercises but both at the same time. However, it is unlikely that you will find this type of exercise. You either have aerobic sports such as walking, jogging and bicycling or anaerobic sports such as weightlifting. Still, there is one sport that fulfills both categories at the same time, and it is Muay Thai.
Muay Thai boxing is a sport from Thailand or Phuket island, and many fitness enthusiasts have enrolled in Muay Thai boxing classes in gyms and martial arts academies. That is because Muay Thai combines body movements and types of training in a unique way that promotes the best cardiovascular and metabolic health benefits. A session of Muay Thai is a perfect blend of aerobic and anaerobic exercise consisting of body movements and combinations that involve all of your body and bodyweight training to strengthen muscles and ligaments. Thus, by practicing this sport, many people have achieved rapid weight loss and improved fitness levels in less time.
Even though it is possible to learn this discipline almost anywhere in the world, the best place to learn is Thailand at Phuket island. Muay Thai at muaythai-thailand was born in Thailand and Thai instructors are the best qualified to teach, not only movements and patterns, but also the principles and deep meaning of Muay Thai. Thus, if you are in Thailand, do not hesitate to book an appointment in one of our Muay Thai training camps to try this discipline for yourself and see the results on your metabolic health.