What Martal Art is best for a 5"6 150Ibs 26 year old with a small reach?

Question

instead of ranting about how I worded my question, how about you just answer it. I'm thinking jiu-jitsu is best for me. I want something where I won't be at a distance from my opponent because that is obvisious my weakness.

Answer 1

For your size, I would suggest a grappling art such as Judo or BJJ. If your reach is small, you don't want to focus on striking arts until your short range game is good. Then, as you progress you may want to move to somethiung like Muay Thai or Boxing just to round out your abilities.

Answer 2

I agree with the answer from mojo755, while I wouldn't say 5'6 is giant size, but you aren't exactly a midget. Watch out for places that tries to "guide" you to different types.

Also, Bruce Lee was like 5'7 and Jet Lee is only 5'3 so I'd say you can pretty much practice any martial arts you please. You know the well known martial artists in Asia? They're mostly pretty short. So height shouldn't be an issue.

Being 150lb and 5'6, you have an avg. build. I wouldn't choose some thing like wresling though since you're undersized. I think you're better off choosing one of the asian arts since they were designed for people more like your size. But of course, you must have a pasion for the which ever art you choose or else it will just be a waste of your own time.

Answer 3

Kosen Judo. Good for Grappling, throws, and with your height leverage will be you biggest weapon. Also check out Sambo. Same deal.

For striking I would recomend Muay Thai. You dont need alot of reach to throw and elbow or knee.

STAY AWAY FROM TAE KWON DO!!!!

Have a nice day.

Answer 4

Dude, there is NO "best" Martial Art for ANYONE, no matter what size, weight, height, body type, etc.

the only thing YOU yourself can do is find a Martial Art discipline that you feel that will work for YOU, and help you become the BEST Martial Artist that YOU can be.

and you have to find a class that will emphasize teaching you the proper way to defend yourself instead of promising when you'll get your next belt rank, or how soon you'll become a Black belt in the discipline you choose to study.

the QUALITY of the teaching is THE most important aspect you have to look for, not just the name, how many students they currently have, or have taught in the past, or how many competitions their students have won.

Answer 5

Probably a grappling art, jiu-jitsu or krav maga. Maybe do a little boxing just to round it out. If you have a mixed MMA school, try that.

Answer 6

Conditioning is the most important weapon their is. Definately lift weights and learn Jui Jitsu, train the body to give pain, withstand pain, and never tire. Practice to avoid getting punched, taking people down and choking them out. Perfect for someone that might not have fast and dangerous strinking abilities.

Answer 7

so your about the size of Bruce Lee or me ive done three years Judo then three years of Tai kwan do and then five of tai chi and then six years of sparring in hand-to hand combat ,, if your arms short learn the cat stance and work out of a six foot range to kick and diengage thwen kick again Wing-chun kung fu may be a good base and then add judo and boxing the key to bruce lees personal style he was a dance champion at the cha-cha timed in and out how to lead an opponant and change rythmn on them and suddenly be inside and out again

Answer 8

Hapkido, Shorin Ryu.
taekwondo has good at a distance but you might want to work with someone that does both close and distance
these are good but i would go and watch some of there classes to see if i wanted to be with that master.

Answer 9

Good observation about getting in close. A grappling style or something like Muay Thai might also be good for you.

Answer 10

One of my daughter's friends is smaller than you, and he's been taking Tae Kwon Do.
He's a brown belt now.
I wouldn't advise a grappling discipline, but shop around, and ask the sensei of each dojo some serious questions before you decide.