Rise of women in combat sports
No longer a gender stereotype
Going all the way back to the ancient Greek Olympics, combat sports pertained to men. However, this has been rapidly changing. While there isn't a single comprehensive statistic, in recent years there has been a noticeable rise in the participation of women in combat sports. This trend can be seen across various sports like mixed martial arts (MMA), boxing, grappling, judo, wrestling, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ).
Nicholas sparring with Nicole, a client
One of the many reasons why there has been such a big shift is the increased media exposure. Women’s combat sports have gained more visibility, thanks to platforms such as the UFC. The broader cultural shift towards gender equality in sports and the success of female fighters like Ronda Rousey and Amanda Nunes has inspired many women to pursue combat sports.
The same trend has been seen in self-defence training. One of the main reasons my coaching business has taken off in recent years is the rapid increase of new female clients who have wanted to take up self-defence, particularly Krav Maga. Based on general client interest in combat activity, my training sessions evolved to a combination of pad-work, Krav Maga and grappling. The combination of self-defence technique teaching with a dynamic combat activity, like boxing and grappling has made the sessions very popular.
There are of course some given factors which have made combat training so favoured among my clients. However below are a handful of the positive things that my sessions have been told to help with:
Personal safety – As London has seen an increase in crime, many clients want to equip themselves with self-defence skills and confidence to be able to encounter a physical attack. Moreso crime is not limited to street attacks. Domestic violence, stalking and even sexual harassment and assaults in the workplace are also concerning to many female self-defence students.
Mental boost – One of my new clients’ reasons for starting to train was as she said the fact that she had been under a lot of stress. She wanted to participate in a combat activity to relieve some of that stress and improve mentally.
Getting fighting fit – Fitness doesn’t always have to be just about weight loss. In the most recent years, the trend has shifted with the majority of females now focusing on gaining muscle and strength rather than being concerned about the number on the scale. Many of my female clients are regular gym goers but also find self-defence sessions and combat activities like boxing and grappling a great way to complement their strength training and improve their physical fitness.
Having fun – Last but not least, many of my clients find joy in learning and sparring. Rolling on the mats allows for an emotional boost while engaging both mentally and physically.