which is the best martial art for small built (5'6)?

Answer 1

Any of them.

There isn't a "best" Martial Art for anyone. Martial Arts don't have specific rules for or disciplines that "can only" work for people with SPECIFIC body characteristics (height, weight, body type, gender, etc.)

you're not gonna find EVERY single type of Martial Art in the area you live, and no one here is an expert to tell you which Martial Art is going to work for YOU.

Only you can make that decision, no one else can do it for you.

When you ask: "what's the best Martial Art for me to learn?" or "what's the best Martial Art for (insert next part of question here)?" this question here, you just beg people here to start slinging out names of disciplines that may not even be available where you live. and secondly, that's a question YOU need to ask yourself, and not anyone else.

and just because someone throws out a name of a discipline, doesn't mean that since they like it, or it worked for them; doesn't mean you'll like it or it'll work for you.

I can sum up your question by one word: RESEARCH.

All you can do is look up the schools around the area you live by looking in the phone book or on the internet if the schools have websites and pick 3 schools that interest you the most.

Watch several classes from each school and make your final pick out of the 3 schools you first chose.

Next, you'll want to see if the school you chose has trial classes to see if you really like the class and the instructor(s), if you do; enroll in the class. if you don't go to your second choice.

You just need to find a Martial Arts School that will provide a safe, friendly, "family like" environment for you and that the instructor(s) are going to help you become the best Martial Artist that you can become.

The discipline you may wind up studying DOESN'T MATTER because there is NO discipline that is better than another, because they ALL have their strengths AND weaknesses

What matters is that you feel comfortable in the classes (and like the classes) and feel comfortable that the instructor (and the instructor's TEACHING style and not the discipline itself) can properly teach you self defense.

Each individual discipline has their strengths and weaknesses, so therefore not one single discipline is better than another

choosing a Martial Art is about personal choice. What is it that YOU want to get out of studying Martial Arts for YOUR OWN PERSONAL BENEFIT?

more confidence, fitness, sport, a hobby, self defense, perhaps it's for personal enrichment (ie becoming a better person through learning discipline and respect) or enlightenment?

again each person who studies Martial Art has to figure out for themselves what they want out of the discipline they choose, no one can tell them which discipline will work for them.

Answer 2

There are no bests arts, only bests artists.
Find a good school, not a good style.
The quality and frequency of your training will far outweigh your style.
I understand that Asian men were not large in stature, most the arts from the Pacific Rim will have been invented by men about your height.

Tips for finding a good school:
Never sign a contract.
Never pay for rank testing.
Find a clean, respectable atmosphere.
Ask for lineage, research it.
Ask to see their sparring practices.
Ask to see a whole class session.
Ask for free classes.
Only train where you feel comfortable, it is indicative for the timely process.

Answer 3

quiksilver had a good response there.
Each martial art has its strengths (and its weaknesses). Even in each individual art, there are techniques and applications that are more suited for different builds.

The best advice is probably to select an art that you are comfortable learning and using. If you can't do it in practice, you probably won't be able to use it for real. (This comes after knowing your own personal strengths and weaknesses, of course.)

Answer 4

It really depends...I suggest you try finding your strengths, first...for example, if it's the speed and power you want to have or develop an advantage in, you could try some Tae Kwon Do or Muay Thai...if it's grappling you want, try some Aikido or Jiu Jitsu...

If I'm not mistaken, I'm about the same size as you...I am a Tae Kwon Do practitioner...I too have a lot of friends who practice this discipline and they're even smaller than I am...

it depends on you, really...

I hope I was able to help you out.

Answer 5

If you have no preferences at this time, I would suggest
that you pick a school that is most accessable to you.

It doesn't really matter which discipline you pick, but when you
pick one you should stick with it.

If there are multiple facilities available, go with spidertiger's
priorities.

Answer 6

im with quick silver figur out what u wanna do.. what you would be strong n weak at and go with the 1 that fits u best... then later u might wanna pick out another art that addresses ur weaknesses.... or if u can find a place that just covers everything..... go with that... me friends do tien shan pai kungfu and they know thiere way around kicks, grappling, throws, punches... weapons...

Answer 7

Wing chun

Answer 8

If you want to train for self defense in real life situations then you should really look in to Krav Maga.

Answer 9

Hire a bodyguard!

Answer 10

it depends what you're into.

i'm 5'6 and i do brazilian jiu jitsu. i love it. it's all grappling and submissions...on the ground.