it's purely fitness. Lots of yoga (some pilates too) running, weights (not as much as I use to due to other demands). Doing some neijia training and recreational Judo once a week, again for health reasons.

MMA training keeps you fit and healthy and active whole day...i want more opinions about martial art training ...please share your ideas and views about martial art.

I was always interested in martial arts ever since I watched "Enter the Dragon" growing up. It touched my spirit...I take that back...it grabbed my sprirt and never let go! Beyond self defense I am empowered [menatlly] with the thought of having the ability of standing up for what I beleive in without fear [well overwhelming fear anyway], knowing that if someone wants to get physical with me, it will be one they will rememeber well [wether I win or not].

I am determind now to regain some of what I lost physically from years ago and of course to learn and develop my personal expression of combat as Guru Lee and Inosanto teaches us. To see what new things I can be capable of .

Its a big mix of things for me, but mainly for my own fulfillment. The journey of becoming better and better in this combative form of expression. I want to try and become the absolute best that I can be.

Some times it deals with learning how to fight and protect myself. But its not really about learning self defense because if I really wanted to keep myself safe, I'd go get a knife or something.

And I'd say it doesnt have to deal with fitness either, as I can probably attain more results in the gym.

Culture, philosophy, meditation, and natural talent. I've always been interested in Asian culture and they way it's associated with martial arts, thats what got me started. I'm also a very philosophical person and enjoy how martial arts is like a physical embodiment of that. Then thers my natural talent I'm not saying I'm the best but martial arts has never been a struggle for me, it's challenging yes but it's something that my body can do naturally well and I enjoy that. Its also good for meditation and has made me a more level or centered person.

After I was in it for a while and developed more it also grew in to a curiosity for all fighting styles how they relate and human anatomy. Theres always the health benefit but thats not really a central reason for me I can stay healthy on my own with other activities I enjoy.

Mostly health benefits, to better my ability to concentrate, to have discipline in my life, and self defense.
Hopefully I'll never be in a position to have to use the self defense portion of my training. I'm pretty non-confrontational, and I don't hang out in places (bars) where fights tend to happen. I'm one of those guys who has always been able to defend himself respectably if the situation arose, but now I feel much more confident in my ability to take care of business if I have to.
I lifted weights for many years, but became bored with it because my only motivation was to lift heavier weights. After I got older, I came to the conclusion that it would be more beneficial for me to train for endurance and cardiovascular fitness, but the idea of spending hours on a treadmill wasn't exactly appealing for me.
Karate was a good choice for me because it encompasses strength, cardio, discipline, character building, and self defense.
A side benefit for me is that I've become a calmer and less tense person. Little things that used to annoy me no longer affect me, and I'm better able to go with the flow of life rather than stewing over things that I have no control over.

I train so I can get chicks! Cuz chicks dig a dude that can kick ass lol but sometimes it backfires and i end up scaring them away, plus a lot of ppl tell me i look like the lead singer from Pantera so that probly doesn't help either. but nah i really train just cuz I like to do it, plain and simple.

I train because I've never been able to fill the void left after I quit training. I won't run,play hoops,volleyball...just about anything else..boring.
I like to push myself. You only are old if you slow down to think about it.
I still get that great feeling when I grasp the meaning of a new technique. Sometimes it's a old technique that I'm finally understanding. karate is a journey that has no finish.I had someone at work ask me how much longer my class went? I said, "till I drop dead."Ha!Ha!

I like the people.

Where else in the known universe can we do what we are doing; striking, choking, throwing people and STILL being friends afterwards... day in day out?

Intensity of this kind is very rare stuff... to share IMV. These are some of my reasons...
Jeff

I could never fully understand doing martial arts for health. Why not just sign up with a fitness gym?