The Many Benefits of Wrestling:

• You can burn up to 1,000 calories during an average wrestling practice. This makes wrestling a very effective exercise option for those who have limited workout time and want to get in shape quickly.

• The fact that wrestling is a cardiovascular exercise means that you’ll get your heart pumping in short order. You’ll also benefit from increased cardiovascular endurance.

• All major muscles get a workout when you wrestle. As you take wrestling classes regularly, your lung capacity will grow and you will develop great core strength.

Furthermore, wrestling can give you the incentive you need to make healthy lifestyle changes. It is hard to eat right in today’s day and age. Most of us are often too busy to cook meals at home or don’t have the willpower to choose a piece of fruit over a chocolate bar. Work and family related stress can also cause us to pick up unhealthy habits such as smoking or drinking more than we know is good for us.

However, anyone who gets into wrestling will soon discover that eating right and drinking enough water every day is a must. Without proper nutrition, your body will not recover from a grueling workout session. Once you take up wrestling, you will have no choice but to make healthy living a reality in your life.

Additionally, those who intend to compete know that gym practice alone does not guarantee success on the competition mat. Aspiring competitors also work out during the day to meet weight class goals or stay in good physical shape. Doing so increases their chance of winning a medal.

Wrestling also offers mental health and fortitude benefits that any professional is sure to find useful.

• Wrestling trains your mind to push the limits and persevere at seemingly impossible tasks. You will learn to not get discouraged when success is incremental rather than sudden.

• Wrestlers gain self-confidence and build self-esteem as they make goals and steadily meet them.

• At the same time, wrestling will also teach you how to lose in a graceful manner. Every single wrestler loses at least once, but meeting your match does not mean your self-confidence has to take a hit. Instead, wrestlers learn how to respect their opponents without feeling lower than them.

Danville Jiu Jitsu, Wrestling and Kickboxing Club offers three leveled wrestling classes.

These are available every single Wednesday afternoon.

• Level Two classes are 50 minutes long

• Level Three classes are 55 minutes long

• Level Four classes are one hour long

There are also dedicated wrestling classes available for children. All wrestling classes focus heavily on teaching submissions. Additionally, adult morning and evening Jiu Jitsu classes also teach wrestling submission moves.

While it may seem like five minute incremental increases in length are hardly worthy of note, the fact is that wrestling is a very intense sport. If you are learning wrestling for the first time, we encourage you to start slow. Doing so will help you avoid injury or muscle damage that will set you back. As you gain skill and physical strength, you can increase your workout length over time.

If you intend to engage in professional wrestling and need help training for a competition, we offer one on one training at your convenience. Our club has flexible workout hours to make it easy for professionals who hold a day job to train as and when they are able.

Dave Anderson and Marty Armendarez, our wrestling coaches, have competed at a professional level.

They can not only teach you winning moves and techniques but also give great advice related to competing with other professionals. With their help, you can approach upcoming competitions with excitement rather than trepidation.

Wrestling is not a sport for the faint of heart. However, don’t allow preconceived ideas about size, weight, gender or age keep you from learning this skill. Wrestling is combative by nature but will also teach you how to work well with others. You will likely make many new friends no matter what class level you start at. This sport offers an intense, full body workout that burns calories with amazing speed. It also keeps you nimble, mentally and physically strong and helps you release stress, frustration and anger in a healthy manner.