Which martial art should I try?

Question

I really want to do Krav Maga, but they don't have it in my area. Which martial art is best in terms of exercise?

Answer 1

MMA, Find a gym or fight club that teach mixed martial arts. This is the stuff that you see in the UFC, PrideFC and other shows around the world. I know your looking for fitness reasons and believe me these gym's will get you in top shape without getting bored. At my gym I can take submission grappling on monday's, western boxing on tuesdays, Muy Thai wed, and Judo on thurs, not to mention MMA classes through out the week where you learn to put it all togather. Its not just for people who want to compete. We have doctors, construction workers, mothers, and grandmothers who come out for various reasons. Plus if your interested in self defense then don't let anyone in the world tell you different, This is BAR NONE the best self defense course in the world! You learn only what works and if you want proof turn on the next UFC event and ask yourself this question. Where are all the 10th degree DAN blackbelts I see on the cover of all the martial arts mags! The answer is they would get KILLED by even the newest guy to set foot in the ring/cage. You can look up Straight Blast Gym. They have training centers throughout the states and they are not just for athletes looking to compete! You can train with people who are just like you! Maybe wanting to learn to fight or get in shape without getting hit in the face all week long! If this doesn't interest you then check out BJJ.
Jiu Jitsu is by far one of the most strenuous work outs next to wrestling that you can get! Good Luck and stick with it!

Answer 2

Krav Maga deals with supposedly real life situations and was bought to the Israelis and most prolificlly their Special Forces by Imi Lichtenfeld originally from Hungary and Czechoslovakia.

If you really are unable to get to a Krav maga school - these are the alternatives that I would suggest -

Try - Escrima - sometimes called - Arnis/Kali or Stick Fighting
this concerntrates on weopans, close contact hand to hand fighting and also deals with empty hands and knife fighting - both things that are prevalent in Krav Maga - try Wiki - here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eskrima

or this one - another knife based art -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pekiti_Tirsia



If on the other hand you are just after something completly fitness based with no real need to practically applicate the art for yourself - I would chose either Muay Thai or Bjj - both fantastic for fitness and should you eventually want to use them practically - you can as they are both very effective arts

Answer 3

You should think about Jeet Kune Do or Hawaiian Kempo. They both are in a way similiar since they take whats practical from every fighting style and apply it to real life situations like a knife fight, gun put to your head, multiple attackers, fighting from the ground with multiple attackers, street fighting, stuff that would really work. If you just want to take it for the art then check out some karate or kung fu, something traditional. But if you want it for training for when you get in a fight, look into some Mixed Martial Arts training, better yet Jeet Kune Do.

Answer 4

probably a kickboxing class at a local gym, or a cardio kickboxing class at a local school if you're just looking for fitness and toning.

Other wise I'd just look into what schools offer any exercise related Martial arts.

Any Martial Art is going to give you a decent amount of exercise whether it's forms, sparring, etc, you just have to research what IS available and pick the ones you interested in the most and then watch some of the classes to make your decision as to which one you want to study, good luck.

Answer 5

If exercise was the only goal, grappling arts like Judo are some of the best all-around exercise you can get, both aerobic and strength-building. And it won't cost you an arm and a leg either, many YMCA/YWCA's and rec centers have Judo classes.

If Judo doesn't appeal to you, keep an eye out for MA schools that are conducted in gyms/exercise centers or have gym equipment /weight equipment on site...that's a good sign that a fitness regimen goes with the MA instruction.

Good luck!

Answer 6

ALL of them are great for exercise. (1000 kcal/kjoules per hour). Find a school that will let you work out for a month for free and try it. (actuall most good schools will give you a free try time period, maybe not a whole month, but our schools ususally give that much time to see if you really want to pursue Kempo).

And don't worry about getting a black belt. If your really enjoy it, you will get one. Further, if you think of Martial Arts as a paint-on, get your belt, you will soon burn out. Martial Arts as a life style will carry you far beyond simple issues.

Answer 7

I taught three styles of karate along with judo & jujisu for 25 yrs. If it's excersize you want from the martial arts begin studing under an older sensai that still believes in values and discipline. Just for excersize though, Sport Judo.
bigbair70 Never let them see you sweat

Answer 8

i have studied martial arts for 15 years. Kickboxing is good for cardio if thats what you want from it. However if you are looking for a more conditioned body like i did, then have a look at Kuk Sool Won, its a bit like Tae Kwon Do but with wrist locks and throwing and sparring and all weaponry...... i could go on and on the syllabus is that big. If you have a look at my 1st blog on my 360 page you can see my instructor spin kicking 3 boards at the european demo. Hope you find what you want.... peace x

Answer 9

It's not officially a martial art, but sport fencing is along that same vein. See fencing.net for more information.

Answer 10

You should try Segals Aikido Style or Chan's Wushu Kung-Fu or Jeet-Kun-do, Master Bruce Lee Prodigy.