How to Choose the Right Martial Arts for You

Maybe you’re a fan of actors like Jet Li or Jackie Chan, or you’re a fan of martial arts films in general. Or maybe you enjoy watching MMA matches, or enjoy reading comic books where at least one of the characters uses martial arts.

However you were introduced to the various fighting styles, they’ve piqued your curiosity and your imagination, and now you’re considering learning one of them. It’s not as easy as signing up for, say, an aikido course at your nearest local dojo that offers it. The truth is, the martial arts you’re interested in might not be the best fit for you.

With that, here are the things you’ll want to consider before choosing what martial arts to learn.

Overall Style

Not all martial arts are the same, and not just in appearance; they all have a different overall goal. In aikido and judo, for example, the aim is to throw an opponent or take them down; in karate, taekwondo, and kung fu, practitioners aim to stay on their feet so they can strike the opponent and keep them at a distance. Then there are the martial arts like tai chi and baguazhang where the focus is on proper breathing and fluid motion, rather than on self-defense.

Once you know what you want to be able to do thanks to studying martial arts, you’ll be able to narrow down your choices a little further.

Offense or Defense?

In certain films, characters practicing martial arts are able to handle themselves pretty well in a fight. The truth is, not all of the styles teach defensive techniques. For some like muay thai, the focus is on offense. For others like Krav Maga, the opposite is true. Whether you want to learn how to defend yourself, or believe that strong offense is the best defense, keep that in mind when looking into which martial arts to learn.

The End Goal

Do you want to apply what you’ve learned to real life, or do you want to try your hand at MMA fighting? Are you in it just to get stronger and fitter, or are you looking for a way to manage your emotions better?

If you’re looking into martial arts as a form of anger management, then more traditional practices like karate and taekwondo are a good choice. Neither one has many real-world applications and a typical training day is steeped in tradition, including meditation exercises before and after the session.

If you want to protect yourself better while on the streets, consider Brazilian Jiu Jitsu or Krav Maga. Both – especially the latter – teach techniques that can be applied to real world situations; they just focus on different aspects.

What about those wanting to give MMA fighting a try? Boxing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Judo, and Muay Thai are all good styles to fight with, each with their own benefits.

Carlos Wagner