So you’ve seen the beautiful movements and crazy acrobatics of the Afro-Brazilian martial art of Capoeira and you might be thinking that only extremely fit and unbelievably flexible people can accomplish such feats. Would you be surprised to know that most students begin capoeira because it's an excellent way to get in shape? Less than 20% of my students are in very good shape before they begin. But a good fitness routine is only good if you keep to it. Find out why people who train capoeira do so for years, not months. Here are five reasons capoeira will get you (and keep you) in the best shape of your life.

1. Capoeira has a way of getting you in great shape without focusing on exercise. When I first saw capoeira, I was amazed, but never dreamed it was something I could do. When the opportunity presented itself to try a class, I imagined it helping me with my fitness goals and maybe I could learn a few cool moves. In fact many of my students tell me they began just to burn a few calories, lose some unwanted weight or improve their fitness level. What we all discovered is that regardless of why you begin capoeira, you will get in the best shape of your life. You will discover muscles you didn’t know existed, you will gain flexibility that you thought out of your reach (pun intended) and you will do some really cool moves.

2. Capoeira is an addiction, but a healthy addiction. Don’t be surprised if after a few classes you begin to daydream about capoeira at work. It’s perfectly normal. The fact that you are losing weight, building muscle, gaining flexibility or improving your cardio level will not be on your mind. It will be the next movement you are hoping to learn. In capoeira there is always something you are working on. Even the basic movements take on new challenges as you combine them to form cool new sequences. When life seems to get in the way of your workouts, capoeira will keep reminding you of what you’re missing. We develop a lot of bad habits, but capoeira is the best addiction you’ll ever have.

3. Capoeira comes with a supportive community of friends. A sense of belonging, not a guilt trip will keep you on your fitness path. Don’t doubt, you will get busy and find yourself missing a capoeira class or two. Sometimes wanting to train isn't enough. What you will find in most capoeira schools is a supportive community of other busy people who will let you know they missed you. In a recent survey of capoeira students, 80% cited a sense of community or friendship as one of the most important benefits of capoeira. Experts identify a supportive peer group as one of the most important factors in determining whether we reach our fitness goals. The only thing better than getting in the best shape of your life is doing it with your friends.

4. Capoeira is a lifestyle change, you may wonder how you lived without it. The trick to making a long term fitness commitment is choosing an activity that doesn’t become tedious. A good capoeira school offers variety of learning opportunities, including acrobatics, music, folklore and even learning a new language (Brazilian Portuguese). The “game” of capoeira allows for a certain amount of individualization and improvisation. As you get more skilled in one area, you will challenge yourself to improve in another. What will be consistent though is your ability to stay in great shape.

5. Capoeira will not only get you in shape, but you will learn how to defend yourself. Only 20% of my students come to capoeira as a means to learn self defense. Some are even surprised that such a beautiful art could be effectively used in a fight. It’s often months or even years after beginning capoeira that you realize that you have become an efficient fighter. Luckily most of us live fairly safe lives where we don’t need to protect ourselves from violent attacks, but the added confidence and respect you get from being an efficient martial artist is just one more benefit of training capoeira.

Capoeira is one of the fastest growing martial arts. Every major city in the United States has at least one capoeira school. If you’re lucky there might be a studio close to you. Search here to find the nearest studio or visit Capoeira Superação Arts & Fitness Studio if you live in South Florida. Even if you aren’t ready to jump in feet first and join a capoeira school, there are many capoeira studios that will allow you to try a class for free or complete a short term beginner course. You will know in short order if capoeira is for you. If not, don’t give up, there are more fitness opportunities today than ever before. If capoeira is for you, I wish you the best as you begin your journey.