Which martial arts would be best for me?

Question

I've been wanting to get back into martial arts, but I wanted to take one that will help me defend myself in real life situations not these flashy gimmicky ones that show you super fancy moves that you would never get the chance to actually do in a real fight.

Now they say most fights end up on the floor, so I was looking into Brazilian jujitsu which looks nice but I don't want to depend on having to knock a guy down to work my magic. I'm a fairly small guy. 5'5 150 lbs

I tried karate around 2 years ago but it wasn't for me, the whole wasting time on "kata" crap wasn't for me, plus I felt it was too straightforward. I prefer things with more finese. Pressure points, joint locks and stuff sound pretty cool. Though I'd prefer to end it as quickly as possible.

I've been told to check out Krav Maga, Hapkido, Kung fu and Ninjutsu schools in my area but I was wondering how effective those would be in real life situations?

Answer 1

Since you don't like kata, that rules out most styles. I suggest Muay Thai, not because it was my choice, but because it seems to fit perfectly with everything you have stated in your question.

Most street confrontations are between two untrained combatants who THINK they can fight because they watch fights on TV. Their fights last about 30 seconds, then both are totally exhausted. If you train and learn how to fight, in the rare chance that you actually have to defend yourself, you will be able to not only defend yourself for more than 30 seconds, but you will most likely prevail in less than 30 seconds.

Answer 2

I would stick to basics; blocking, counter-striking, etc. pressure points are difficult to mark, unless you've spent years practicing. Hapkido, i've heard, is varied in their techniques, which might appeal to you. I'm a firm believer in the basics. If you know how to counter, and counter-attack, problem's solved. Mostly it's a mental thing. All the techniques in the world are great, until your body freezes, and your mind shuts down.
In defense of kata, they do serve a purpose. Ideally, the practitioner uses the kata to learn better technique, and actively thinking how each technique would be used in an attack. However, it does require great discipline to work.
Any martial art will take time, and effort to learn. I would give anything you take several classes, like three, before deciding. By that time, it'll sink in whether or not the specific art is good for you. As for practicality...you have to be careful of all the "military-trained, splatter the guys' brains in .05 milliseconds" arts. They seem to be all around these days. From your list, Krav Maga seems pretty useful. I have experience in a blended art, which taught striking and ground work.
Best I can say is do what you feel is most comfortable for your body type and mentality. Hope this offers some assistance...martial arts is a real personal thing. Without knowing you, it's hard to say.

Best of Luck!!

Answer 3

Hi there

My advice is to at look whats available in your area and check them out one at a time until you find one that suits you best. Personally I've trained in quite a few different arts over the last 17 years and all i can say is one will speak to you more than the others. The art doesn't fit the person the person fits the art. People on here will only recommend their art or something they have seen on the TV. Brazilian Jujitsu being a modern favorite at the moment due to UFC champions using it to win. Doesn't mean its the best it just works in that environment. A good instructor will help you connect better to the art if they know their stuff.

Regards

Idai

Answer 4

Kenpo is a street proven self defense art with devastating techniques, with lots of the "Pressure Point strikes and Joint locks".

I have been learning and teaching the art of Kenpo Karate for just over 10 years now. Nothing I have done in the past even compares to it.

Check out some Kenpo demos on youtube.com search some name like, Jeff Speakman, Frank Soto, Larry Tatum and Ed Parker just to name a few.

If you have an open mind to the arts you'll enjoy the demos and see the true vaule of Kenpo at it's best.
Good luck.

Answer 5

Jiu jitsu, Brazilian or otherwise, can be effective even if you're not a muscleman. Its not hard to just jump on to some guy pounding on you. You may take some damage, but in short order you're gonna dislocate his elbow.

Have you ever seen Royce Gracie when he used to do the UFCs? Amazing. He might spend 20 minutes getting his opponent into position, but suddenly the kickboxer (or whatever) is tapping out because he likes his arm attached.

My 7 year-old was showing me one of the moves he learned (he does TKD, but they learn stuff from other arts), awesome stuff. I'd think twice about letting my 11 year old try it, he's big enough to actually get some leverage.

Answer 6

No way did someone say Kajukembo:

http://themartialart.com/whatis_kajukembo.htm

Defending yourself in real life situations?

Do you plan on needing this skill frequently?

There is always someone better, faster and stronger than you; oh and he has a bunch of nasty tricks up his sleeve just in case your double dragon dim mak is working.

In the real world, that "most fights end up on the floor" crap will get you killed. The floor in this case is the ground, the ground with the broken glass, rocks and your opponents friends doc martins ready to stomp your skull. The ground is the last place you want to be out in the real world.

The goal is to avoid physical confrontations in the real world.

Be nice to people
Be aware of your surroundings
Don't go into areas where violence is common

Those are the effective tools for dealing with real life situations.

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

Answer 7

DO NOT DO TKD.HAPKIDO,.OR ANY FORM OF KUNG FU. THESE ARE IMPRACTIAL USELESS ARTS. YES THEY HAVE A FEW (VERY MINIMAL) EFFECTIVE MOVES THAT CAN BE USED IN ACTUAL ENCOUNTER BUT BASED ON PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE AND ENDLESS RESULTS OF MIXED MARTIAL ARTS COMPETITION WHICH PITS ART VS ART ALL THE TIME, BY FAR THE MOST EFFECTIVE ARTS ARE MUAY THAI AND BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU. I STUDIED TKD FOR A WHILE THEN RYU-GOJU KARTATE. THESE PLACES WERE THE BIGGEST WASTE OF TIME IN MY LIFE, COTTAS ARE AN ABSOLUTE JOKE AND ANYONE ATTEMPTING TO USE THEM IN A REAL LIFE FIGHT AGAINST A TRAINED OPPENENT WILL GET THERE FACE RE-ARRANGED. I COULD TELL YOU THAT FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE AFTER 4 YRS OF TRADITIONAL MARTIAL ARTS WHEN I DECIDED TO GO TO MUAY THAI. I SAID I WAS ABSOLUTLEY ABLE TO SPAR BECAUSE OF MY TMA BACKGROUND. WRONG! I GOT ROCKED MANY TIMES AND REALIZED I NEEDED A REAL ART I CAN ACTUALLY USE. I STARTED MUAY THAI AND BJJ CROSS TRAINING AND IVE NEVER LOOKED BACK. PICK ONE OF THESE IF NOT BOTH.

Answer 8

Judo, AIkido, and Hapkido are your best bets.

Answer 9

Try kajukenbo.