Recommendation for Martial Arts Training for Self Defense?

Question

I'd like to get some basic training for self-defense. I'm not sure which type of martial arts would be best for me, so perhaps others could provide a recomendation based on the following: I'm a family man (so I don't have as much free time as I did when I was younger to put into training, etc.); I'm in my mid 30's (so I'm not as athletic as I was when I was younger); I'm in reasonable shape (not overweight, I like to run, and occasionally lift weights); and I'm not looking to kick someone's butt, but just defend myself if I can't avoid a hostile situtation.
I'd prefer to avoid the wrestling on the ground types of martial arts. And I'm probably not the strongest guy in town, so I don't want to have to rely on strength either.
Thanks!

Answer 1

Don't take a traditional martial art if all you want is to learn self defense quickly. They are a huge time commitment. You'll probably spend the first year just learning the stances and how to count in a different language. You need to know how to hit someone without hurting yourself, to break someones grip, and basic evasion. There are several effective techniques that you can learn in just a few minutes. I would recommend taking a weekend seminar that teaches very basic strikes and escapes as well as tells you what to look out for when going about your daily life to keep you safe. It will be a good start and if you enjoy it then you might want to make a commitment to regular training in any number of martial arts. Muay thai is a great one if you really want to learn to street fight. (knees, elbows, low kicks, strong punching, and real standup defense) If you do decide to take a martial art go to serveral classes with as many instructors as possible. Don't sign anything long term until your sure its really for you.

Here' s a good site
www.basrutten.tv/videos

Answer 2

Hi. I practice Tae Kwon Do and think that this might suit you. You don't need to be super fit or strong to practice. The techniques are designed for anyone to use and in such a way that you are using physics rather than brute force. TKD is a standing system (mostly kicking and punching) so there is no grappling or wrestling on the ground although you will learn self defence locks and holds and also ways to get out of them. TKD has a philosophical side to it also so its not at all macho or aggressive and you will get fitter the more you train. I can also recomend kickboxing which is similar in style in that it is mostly kicking and punching techniques. The training is slightly more physical but is an excellent form of self defence for the street. You can become good at kickboxing more quickly as there are less moves than traditional martial arts. Muay Thai boxing in particular is extremely effective. There are lots of good clubs, don't be put off by its more aggressive image. Good luck.

Answer 3

The quick and easy way is to take a self-defense class. These classes teach tricks, like how to throw a punch or how to punch someone with your car keys (this causes lots of pain, so it makes people think twice).

For martial arts there are many. You want to select a school that is not very serious, but treats it more as exercise and self-defence. Some places only want very serious committed students.

I am in favor of jujitsu, because it combines hard blocks, soft blocks, punches, locks and throws. So is probably a good all round combination.

You can also try the Korean Tae Kwon Do and there are many types of schools teaching this, some a very serious and others are more suitable to what you want.

A fairly general Karate or Kung fu school will often take a range of different styles and put them together. Most martial arts teachers study many different styles and teach what they like the most.

But the martial art that often wins most fights is boxing. Generally someone who learns boxing meets someone who studies an Asian martial art, the pugalist will be the one left standing.

Answer 4

I'd suggest Kempo, it's a newer version of Karate that uses ones strengths and doesn't require you to work your weaknesses as much. It's a standing art, so there's little to no ground work.

However, almost any art is good for self defense in a "normal" situation. On-on-one, this guys wants to take my wallet/hurt me/is drunk and belligerent, almost any martial art will teach you to deal with those situations. Judo and JuJitsu, which are ground arts, teach some of the best holds and grab defenses but are not so useful against groups (bar fights against two or more attackers are the most common form of these, also group muggings do occur). Standing arts teach better moves against groups, but usually require a certain amount of room, Tae Kwon Do is a perfect example since it relies on a lot of kicking so these aren't great for indoors or confined spaces. Kempo teaches a little grappling but really focuses on using your strengths and the enemies weaknesses in whatever environment you're in. A good Kempo school should teach you how to fight around things like boxes, trashcans, dumpsters, in hallways, etc.

Find a good school in the area that you can attend as often as possible and then stick with the training. Don't worry too much about which art you take as long as it's something you can stick with.

Answer 5

first off if you are looking for self-defence, ask why?

And do you really need it for self-defence or are you learning to fight so you dont' have to put up with s hit and dont' want to be pushed around in "non-lethal" or non serious situations where you can walk away, but would rather not.

Ask yourself and be honest with yourself first.

If you are looking for true self-defence, then realistically you should look into weapons styles. This would be weapons you can carry with you such as knifes, small stick, cane- if you can justify carrying it, etc. or get a carry permit for a handgun.
supplement this with a form of unarmed martial arts, but your weapons training should take precedence. It depends on where you live though because if the reality is that people who are going to harm you, are going to be in groups or have weapons, then you aren't going to be maximizing your odds if you don't have one.

If you are looking for unarmed training, then the first thing you should be looking for is a good teacher and school. It is not always easy to find a good one even in a major area. You should find one that trains realistically, if you find yourself doing kata or prearranged forms and point sparring as opposed to training moves and drilling and sparring realistically (a fully resisting opponent) then you are not training properly.

Answer 6

Hello. Martial Arts is a way of life, a lifestyle. Getting a multi-disciplinary foundation can increase a person's self confidence, and ability to protect yourself. After years of training, mostly pistol and rifle....it turned out that 4 days knife fighting training in 1999, saved my life a year later while traveling alone in the andean region of peru.
Bringing knife fighting training into the USA, was my goal...with 7 day, 40 hour, seminar, scheduled to run from Aril 9 to April 16, at my facility at a private airport on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska.
Students just need to show up...flight into anchorage. Rustic lodging (throw out a sleeping bag), at the facility, and immersing yourself into training, can bring survival skills to the student.
[e-mail], 398 398 7157
www.globalknifefighting.com

Answer 7

Based on your criteria yeah probably, Japanes jiu jitsu, aikido, or Hapkido. But that is just based on your criteria. It will take a long time to be able to use that if ever. I sure would start anybody out there by choice. Boxing is a great place to start for many reasons, but not everybody is cut out for that. It takes a different mindset to go to a smelly gym day after day and work till you puke or get your bell rung.

tae kwon do is Korean for "quick trip to the hospital" alot of "black belts" are all too easily humbled. I've seen that a bunch. I guy with a house full of "tournament " trophies walks into the boxing gym and discovers that his years of training haven't prepared him for the speed of boxing.

Answer 8

It sounds like to me that Tae Kwon Do is perfect for you. I'm in the Adult class and one of the youngest there. There are a lot of people over 30, sometimes they don't even do the stuff we do, but my master doesn't have a problem. And sparring at my school you don't have to kick someones butt but you will know that you can. Which I know I can, even though I have to fight low belts.
Hoped that helped.

Answer 9

Aikido is a very good form of self defense because it uses the opponents strength against themself. But, most martial arts is good for self defense. Karate, Tae Kwondo, Kung Fu...all of it is good

Answer 10

i would sugest kick boxing for a few reasons.
1.its a great way to learn to defend yourself,quick right and in a hurry.
2.its an awsome workout.you will get in shape real fast.
3.the cost is pretty reasonable.

I started out with kickboxing and thats what it did for me.