Why Is Everyone Suddenly so Into “combat Training”?
Last week, one of my most meek and wimpy friends (said affectionately) invited me to a boxing class. Perhaps it was completely out of character, but for me, it confirmed a trend I’d already noticed. Boxing, jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai, and all other forms of martial arts-inspired training are experiencing a resurgence. Much of this isn’t news—how could I erase the legacy of the ” Tae Bo community?” —but I’m not the first to notice the rise in popularity of “fighting-style” training on social media and in fitness clubs these days. So what’s really driving this trend? And, more importantly: even if you don’t plan to step into the ring, what can you glean from fighters’ training that’s still worth your time?
Why “combat training” is gaining popularity
From my perspective, we’re seeing several things converging. During the pandemic, many of us were looking for workouts that felt purposeful and grounded. Meanwhile, a generation raised on the UFC, combat sports documentaries, and social media content about fighters and athletes transitioning is now entering adulthood culturally conditioned for this type of training. As a result, it seems influencers, personal trainers, and fitness studios simply see an opportunity. Now, workouts like boxing and kickboxing are accessible to people who would never have set foot in a traditional fighting gym—people like my friend and me.
Within five minutes of starting boxing, I realized the appeal of martial arts training runs much deeper than just the physical exertion. Compared to the boredom that can occur in a regular gym, “training like a fighter is a whole different experience,” saysTre Hubbard , a former college football player who lost over 120 pounds and became a Golden Gloves boxing champion. “You’re not just training—you’re learning how to move, breathe, and stay calm when you’re tired,” Hubbard says. “You can’t fake it.”
Even for those of us who don’t plan to fight for real, “fighting-style training is very popular right now because it makes people feel strong, capable, and engaged,” says Terri Tateossian , a certified personal trainer who incorporates martial arts techniques into her training programs. “It creates a feeling of confidence and competence,” Tateossian says.
As a long-distance runner, I’ve always noticed in gyms how many modern fitness machines are designed to make training easier. Machines guide movements, screens distract, and so on. Now, however, there’s a real demand for martial arts-style training, which eliminates all that unnecessary distraction. “People are looking for engagement and purpose,” says Tateossian.
“Training like a fighter gives you a sense of real progress,” says Hubbard. “You become more focused, faster, more resilient, and more mentally tough. It’s one of the few types of training where your confidence actually grows because you know you’re earning it.” And whether you’re learning how to throw a jab correctly, use smart footwork, or how to timely avoid defensive moves, your mind really needs to be focused.
Why Fighter Style Training Is Such an Effective Workout
From a purely physical standpoint, combat training covers a wide range of aspects. A single boxing workout might include dynamic warm-ups, shadow boxing, punching bag work, pad work, footwork, and circuit training. “You’re training endurance, strength, coordination, and overall fitness all at once, without even thinking about it,” says Hubbard. Compare this to a standard gym workout, where you might spend 45 minutes working on individual muscle groups and finish on the treadmill.
Tateossian elaborates on some of her favorite physical benefits. Rotational strength—the kind you develop through kicking or punching—strengthens the core. Footwork exercises develop balance, agility, and reaction time, qualities that directly contribute to injury prevention and improved fitness in everyday life. And for her specific clientele—women over 40—Tateossian finds martial arts-style training particularly valuable for preserving fast-twitch muscle fibers, which weaken with age and are crucial for strength, reaction time, and the ability to catch yourself if you trip. “There’s also a psychological component that helps people stay in the present moment,” says Tateossian. “And it’s more like ‘learning a skill’ than ‘drilling,’ which improves stability.”
Of course, consistency is the key to almost everything in fitness. “The most important thing it gave me was structure,” says Hubbard. “It gave me something to dedicate myself to when nothing else was working.” After all, even the best fitness program in the world won’t work if you don’t stick to it.
How to start combat training
None of this means you should head to a martial arts gym tomorrow and immediately sign up for full-contact sparring. “Training too intensely too quickly can lead to injury and fatigue, and it’s not ideal for beginners,” says Tateossian. The intensity that makes this training effective also makes it risky if you skip the proper preparation phase.
The good news is, you don’t need to spar, compete, or even get hit to reap most of the benefits. Much of what makes fighter training so valuable is accessible to anyone willing to master the fundamentals properly. If you’re interested in fighter-style training, start with the basics. Find a coach or group who can teach you things like punching bag work, footwork, and endurance drills.
In a fitness world full of loopholes and tricks, fighter-style training might be just what you need to regain some structure and focus. Just remember that your goals should go beyond simply burning calories—although, in my experience, you should also be prepared to burn a lot of calories.