Which martial art is best?

Question

I'm interested in taking a martial art, and my main purpose is fitness/getting into shape, but I'd also like something that would come in handy in case I need to defend myself (but not necessarily to "whoops ***" or hurt the other person). What do you recommend?

I guess I'm looking for something to build up my endurance more than anything else. Also, I'm more interested in something that will help me in the real world, not in tournaments or anything like that.

Answer 1

I dont want to confuse you dude, but there is no such thing as "best".

Avoid the ones which cover those crappy "kata's". Focus on arts that actually give you your moneys worth.

For me....... (in no particular order)

Freestyle Wrestling: There are not many classes in England with this... but it is good for fitness and you learn some great tecniques to get the guy to the ground and control him.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: In my class mostly, it is a great art which mostly covers ground work and submissions. Normally uses a Gi (Uniform).

Judo: Depending on the class, this can give you some good knowledge for takedowns and throws. Ocassionally it will cover ground wrok and submissions also. However, they include kata training.

Sambo (Sombo) Wrestling: A Gi style of wrestling. Include great takedowns with great hold and submisison holds.

Submission Fighting: Learn to control your opponent standing and on the ground... Mostly an art WITHOUT the gi. Also covers deadly submission holds.

Dont ignore how to 'street' fight also. Also, even though these arts are more grappling... dont ignore striking. A boxing class is good not only for punching but for fitness also. You also have Kick Boxing or Jeet Kune Do which I favour most in striking arts. Mix them all together and you will be your own breed. Thats what I do.

Find out which classes you have and go from there. I study all of these art... and a few others I am not gonna mention. You have to find them yourself. Good luck!!!!

Answer 2

Martial arts ans sport are 2 totally different concept. They by no means are equal. The 2 look different and are practiced different. Unfortunately many today do not know the difference. Many are being taught a sport and never learn the art. Therefore people with no knowledge of the arts see a weak version of a true art and gauge everyone according to their knowledge of martial arts and they don' have any knowledge. I love how pugspaw, sensei scandal, stillcrazy put it. I have nothing against those that play games. That is great for them. However, I am interested in having the knowledge and ability of self defense. I'm interested in budo. I do not even want to use the term martial with sport. The 2 does not go together. One is a game. The other is war. There is nothing better than when attacked knowing how to position yourself in a manner that the attacker can't do anything, but is exposed to everything that will stop the threat immediately. When I was a child I played tag. I don't play that childish game anymore. We used to trade punches in grade school. I don't trade punches anymore. If I hit you I mean to stop you. I do not look for a referee to say you tapped out. I'll know you are out when the lights go out and you go limp. I'll know that you surrender when I hear or feel the joint snap. I'll know you can't use that limb right now to attempt to harm me or my family.

Answer 3

Don't look at the style. Look at how they train. If they have you stand in row and throw a punch/kick on command, multi attacker scene, roleplay where the person do perfectly as they're told to without try to avoid or resist you, then RUN AWAY!!!

If they make you gasp for air, spar hard, do lot of pads and bag works, roll/grappling almost every night, have you do real live sparring and stuff then this is the school you want.

Those that usually do realistic teaching are following but not limited to:

Muay Thai, boxing, jiu jitsu, judo, sambo, wrestling, and few more.

It's better if you cross train in two diferent arts.

Think about this, if you want to learn drive, would you trust someone who say they don't teach you how to drive on street because it's dangerous but they will teach you how to drive in a car that don't run. Would you really trust this person to teach you how to drive?

Answer 4

The answer depends on your particular preferences. All martial arts have a self defense component, and all have a fitness component. The level of both will vary from instructor to instructor and from school to school. Even within the same style of martial arts, you'll find differences in the focus of the training.

My advice is to go to several gyms in your area and check out their classes. You'll form a better idea of what is ideal for you based on what you see. Also, keep in mind there's no reason to restrict yourself to one style. If you really enjoy it, you can always learn another martial art later on down the road.

Answer 5

You should really review past questions this gets asked more frequently than once a month. I have answered this one like twenty times now.

There is no best martial art. Look for a good school in your area, not a good style.
Good school will not have the following...
-contracts
-"masters"
-unruly students
-dirty area
-a head instructor who cannot tell you his lineage
-multi-styles glued into one (tae kwon do-karate)
-paid rank test
-lots of different ranks
-opening fees
-no free class
-closed classes


Beware, there are many crooks out there who will sell you anything to make a buck.

Answer 6

There are three stages of a real life fight that you have to consider. There is a different martial art that is good for each of these stages.
Stage 1 - Avoiding the attacker and ending the situation without an attack, only with defense.
Aikido - throws and locks designed to immobilize an opponent by using his weight and momentum against him.
Stage 2 - Defend and attack. Ending the situation by using blocks and attacks.
Karate - Uses blocking and attacking to end a situation by taking out the opponent before things get out of control.
Stage 3 - Ground Work. The fight gets out of your control and goes to the ground.
Brazilian Ju-Jitsu - There is no better ground fighting technique than Gracie BJJ. Lets you lock, hold and break opponent. Sort of like wrestling but without the rules.

These are the three stages of a real fight and the best martial art to handle each.
I would suggest that you go and visit ALL of your local clubs and watch some classes. Find something that interests you (it doesn't have to be one of these three) and go for it.
The secret to staying with it for the rest of your life is to enjoy it. Have Fun!

Answer 7

Before you learn any of the martial art you should ask yourself why you are learning them. Martial art is an "art" and it help to keep you fit. All martial arts has its plus point. But the main plus point is you must be in the right mindset to learn any martial arts.

Answer 8

All are worthy . All are a discipline. For me i called around till i found what i liked. i choose jiu-jitsu , kickboxing and grappling.This way here i am well adversed in most typical situation. This is from the gracie school. But remember it is ti be used wisely. Not intend to bullying people. This is only last resort. But effective. Learn what you fell comfortable with, and work hard and you will succeed . This is good mentally as much as physical. good luck





all

Answer 9

stay away from Tae Kwon Do and McDojo's. Consider Hapkido, Kempo, Kung Fu. Aikido is not as much focused on fitness as these (I do Hapkido, Aikido, and have done Kempo and Karate). Hapkido will get you in shape while also teaching you how to control the other person...

Answer 10

Aikido