Healthy Eating Before Martial Arts Training - By: Pat Tray

It’s that time of the year again, when those of us who’ve formulated New Year’s resolutions dust off the exercise gear and start planning our assault on the extra ‘padding’ we’re carrying around. There are so many options available: a weekly game of basketball with the guys from work; arranging a game of tennis at the weekend with the other half; or for those looking for something else in Northern Virginia and Fairfax - martial arts! If you’re brave enough to take plunge and go for broke this year by entering the fascinating world of martial arts, then you’ll want to make sure you set off on the right foot.

So, wherever you are, here are some top tips from Fairfax martial arts instructors about the fuel you’ll need to take on board, and the food you’ll want to eat in order to give you the greatest benefit and to produce the best results for your change to a healthier life:

Before your workout

While most people won’t have a fastidiously structured nutrition plan, Fairfax martial arts instructors stress the importance of at least considering carefully the food that you take on board while you are attempting to increase the amount of physical activity in your life. It’s important to eat before you start physical activity: if you start out with your gut rumbling, you’ll lack energy during your workout, and you’ll probably stuff your mouth on the way home.

The rule for pre-exercise snacks is that you should avoid protein and fat. These elements of food can take a long time to break down and will divert your body’s resources to your stomach rather than the muscles that need it. This will also increase your risk stomach cramps while working out – and we all know that you will soon call a halt to your exercising if the cramps really kick off.

So What Should You Eat?

Fairfax martial arts instructors and other personal trainers provide the following advice: a meal approximately two hours before your martial arts training, consisting of around 300-500 calories. A bowl of oatmeal, some wholemeal toast or something slightly stodgy like some sweet potato can provide you with all of the energy you need before you begin training.

If you don’t have time to fill up that long before your workout, then you can have a nibble 10 minutes before you start: something containing around 50-100 calories, such as a piece of fruit like an apple or a banana, should give you the energy you need until you eat later on.

About the Author

Pat Tray is chief instructor at the Trident Academy of Mixed Martial Arts, the premier training and instruction centre for Fairfax martial arts. Trident is the perfect base to study Jeet Kune Do, Filipino Martial Arts, Combat Submission Wrestling and Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu, bringing together the best instructors for Fairfax martial arts from across the NOVA and DC area.

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