kick boxing or karate? which is best for self-defense?

Answer 1

I am convinced after, watching many Karate and Kickboxing matches over the years, that it doesn't really matter as long as one learns the practical application of ones art through actual full speed, full contact sparring.

There is no substitute for contact. Without the experience of actually having been punched and kicked there is simply no way one can be fully prepared to defend oneself.

Answer 2

Kickboxing is really more about the workout than developing fighting ability. Karate, or more properly, any other form of martial arts, will probably be better for self defense. I don't like karate for self-defense either, simply because karate schools rarely train for contact without padded gear that encumbers movement and cushions blows. I'd say if you're really into self-defense, go with kung fu (not wushu, as that's mostly for impressive kicks and stuff as well), or jujutsu. Aikido's good too, but it's much harder to find an aikido dojo in the U.S. Jujutsu incorporates joint locks and holds that will enable you to defend yourself while causing minimal harm to your opponent (so you don't get sued for use of excessive force).

Answer 3

Sparing in either style is done after you stretch out, have on loose uniforms, have on safety gear and normally you have a defined ring and ref of some type. How close to the street does that sound?

Don't get me wrong, I love martial arts, but I'm also realistic. You can learn a lot of good skills by practicing martial arts but real self defense in brutal, ugly and unforgiving. You seldom get to learn that in a typical martial arts school.

Also most martial arts schools don't teach you about things like awareness, avoidance and de-escalation skills. You don't much learn about avoiding risky behavior or about ways to protect your self in the home.

Decide what you want, to learn a martial art, or to learn self defense. While there is certainly some overlap, don't confuse the two.

Good luck

Answer 4

As others have pointed out, the most important thing is that whatever you take up - kickboxing, karate, kung fu, boxing, muay thai, whatever - you need to practice it with full contact sparring at speed.

Its interesting to talk about whether experts of style A would do well about expers at style B. That's interesting if you're going to do MMA but doesn't matter that much in a street fight. You are more likely to wish you'd trained harder then to wish you'd trained in a different style.

Answer 5

Same thing. Karate in motion equals kick boxing.

Answer 6

Karate.

Answer 7

There are "many" styles of Karate
American or Kenpo Karate is very good all round.

Kick Boxing Is very good and very effective.

Kenpo has elbow and knee strikes but they are not "stressed" as they are in Kickboxing.

Kick Boxing has "no" sweeps,joint locks,chokes,flips, throws,or take downs.

I suggest at least 3 years in American,Kenpo,or freestyle Karate.Follow up with at least 3 years of Kick boxing.

A person following this advise,(and training hard),would be able to defend themselves "Very Well"

(There has "always" been "Plenty" of "Full Contact" Karate) Anyone Remember " Benny Urquidez ","Joe Louis",etc,etc,?
"Full Contact" Team Karate used to be on TV!
(Before you kids were born!!)

Answer 8

Actual Karate does not use full contact. Therefore, kick boxing may be a better self-defense since it incorporates full contact. Tae Kwon Do actually is a very effective self-defense martial art that requires much discipline to master. Whatever self-defense method you choose will require hours of practice and self-discipline. Here is a link that effectively explains Tae Kwon Do:http://www.tkd.net/tkdnetwork/taekwondo.html

Answer 9

Neither; when you are wearing pads and have rules about where you can hit and not being able to clinch and fight dirty you are not learning anything about self defense. Quite the opposite, you are learning to avoid hitting the best areas on the body to disable and you are learning that you stop hitting after a point has been scored.

If you like a Style than train in the style don't try to make it into something it isn't.

The best self defense is being able to be nice to people, avoid places that are prone to violence and be aware of your surroundings all the time.

http://www.nononsenseselfdefense.com/martialarts.html

Answer 10

Kick Boxing is great if you just want total striking of the hands and feet.

Karate is great for well roundedness and to have all types of skills such as takedowns and strikes.

So they are both great, but I would say Karate if you want to fight.

Thanks for your time.