How to build confidence- it’s an age-old question. Nowadays, we are so quick to compare ourselves to anyone, anywhere. It’s easy to not feel “good enough” in your relationships, your work, or any area of your life… but it’s NOT true. If you’re struggling with confidence, self-esteem, and understanding just how awesome you really are, check out these 5 ways that adult karate classes can help build confidence in you from the inside out.
How to Build Confidence Step 1: Make Fitness Fun!

How do we make confidence achievable? We make fitness REALLY FUN. For starters, punching and kicking in the form of adult karate school is an awesome form of stress relief. When you get your whole body moving, you’re releasing all that stress from work, kids, relationships, and that pushy lady at the store who jumped in line … Your endorphins are pumping and you feel GREAT.
Not only is the workout itself incredibly fun, but it’s also effective. Whether you’re using your own body weight or gloves, you’re going to get toned in your arms, your legs, and your core. Long story short, you’re going to break a sweat and have fun doing it. Some really amazing people are also waiting for you in your first class.
Our members are part of a big, happy Glen Mills family here that supports each other and make each other laugh, so if you’re looking for some awesome new friends who can cheer you on while you’re kicking some serious butt, you’ve found the right place. What does all of this have to do with building your confidence? If you’re at the gym or in your basement and not really excited by the exercises you’re doing, you’re definitely not going to have confidence.
Let’s say you’re finally melting all that tension with martial arts, and your fellow students are cheering you on to achieve your goals, How could you not feel like the awesome athlete that you are? Getting hooked on having a blast and breaking a sweat is really the first step in building confidence. Your goals are within reach because we teach good times and good workouts in adult karate classes!
How to Build Confidence Step 2: Achieve and Persevere

So after you’re no doubt obsessed with your sessions and those feel-good endorphins after every class, you’ll naturally want to go to class regularly because you’re seeing some improvements right away. Maybe your arms and legs begin to show some definition, or maybe you notice yourself punching harder, kicking quicker, and becoming more flexible.
Seeing these little improvements build up over time is critical in building confidence. When you witness these small gains turn into massive gains over time, you start to see how discipline and perseverance will lead you to achieve your goals, and before you know it it’s belt rank time and you’ve absolutely crushed it, getting your very first belt.
The surprising thing about martial arts is that, yes, it is an awesome workout, but it’s also a tool for personal development. You will begin to discover your inner strength when you consistently show up for yourself. When that team of classmates is behind you, supporting you every step of the way and celebrating all the tiny achievements, you’ll start to feel more confident, capable, and “Wow, I can really do this!” than ever before. And it’s all thanks to the confidence boost you got from signing up for adult martial arts classes!
How to Build Confidence Step 3: Develop a Positive Mindset

So now that you understand personal growth you’ll see- martial arts classes really are about so much more than just punches and kicks. People of all ages and from all walks of life have been using martial arts for thousands of years to hone their focus and master their mindset in a community of like-minded people. Our school operates on the notion that martial arts is a life-changing tool that, when wielded properly and consistently, helps people become the absolute best versions of themselves.
And in every single class, our teachers are committed to bringing the best version out of you. When asked how to increase confidence, our instructors will tell you – mindset is incredibly important. Our instructors believe in the best version of you and will encourage you until you achieve your potential and then some.
One lesson after another, you’ll start to inherit the mindset of your instructors and see for yourself your own potential and your own awesomeness. This is what confidence truly means – it’s in believing in your own capabilities before anyone else can influence that thought. Getting toned and losing weight can be important.
But combining that with honest confidence from the inside makes you an unstoppable force. And this is why martial arts is a serious tool for change – it’s been creating confident leaders from the start!
How to Build Confidence Step 4: Learn to Defend Yourself With Adult Karate Classes

You’ve made it—you’re finally feeling some confidence and stoked about your new exercise routine … and suddenly you find yourself in an emergency situation. You need to defend yourself or someone you love, and you need to do it now. We always say that self-defense is one of those things you never want to need, but don’t want to be caught without it. On top of self-worth, confidence, and fitness, those adult karate classes are really teaching you self-defense.
At the same time, you’re having a blast exercising and getting fit, you’re actually learning how to protect yourself in case of an attack. Knowing you can walk down the street and handle what comes your way if anything happens can take you to a new level of confidence and ease in yourself.
An added perk for your friends and family is that they will feel safe knowing you can protect them (we do offer kids martial arts too – just saying!), which is 100% the icing on the confidence cake.
How to Build Confidence Step 5: Give Us a Try!
Whether you’re struggling to feel confident or you’re just looking for a killer workout with tons of perks – try our East Coast Karate Institute adult karate school in Glen Mills. You’re going to fall in LOVE with our classes, and you’ll pick up some awesome skills along the way. Check out our risk-free trial and see for yourself why hundreds of our students in Glen Mills love martial arts.