What is the best martial art for overall fitness?

Question

I bow to your knowledge.

Answer 1

Most martial arts can in someway add to fitness level. Some influence certain elements more than others, but I think what you really need to be looking for is a style that comes with a lot of sparring and aliveness training.
Tae Kwon Do
Jeet Kune Do (If you find a school)
Most grappling styles (Hapkido, Judo, Jujutsu and Sambo included)
Kung Fu
Karate (K-1 and Freestyle sparring can really get you strong)
And more...
One of my personal favorites in regards to fitness level is the good ol' Afro-Brazilian beat down: Capoeira. ^_^
Capoeira has a good 1000 moves or so. This includes hand strikes (In some styles), kicks, feints, escapes, ground work, acrobatics, "floreios" (I guess you can call these "Ground Acrobatics"), many neutral stances (Stand, stay on the ground, even the handstand is a neutral stance), and more.
Pros-
1. Blocking is an implied concept in the escape and countering sense of Capoeira. The lack of actual blocking (And the formation of strategy based around that) allows for good Capoeristas to dodge at the blink of an eye. The Martial Art is playful because you are trying not to block strikes (Dodging is more important), and you are hiding your true intentions. This is a pro because with reflxes like a cat, you will be more in tune with your body.
2. Cardiovascular fitness- The sparring ring is called a "Ho-da." Music is played as you do your moves. The thing about it is you do your moves to the beat of song which can be slow, but is usually uptempo to incredibly fast. That seems easy at first, but when you have to try to keep with the beat, and throw out moves and combos, it can get tuff.
Plus you have to continously move while in the ring: The base move (Called the "Ginga") has the be done at rest to keep you moving. A simple back tuck is one of the moves which is ok, but you have to land it as smooth as possible so you can get back into the Ginga again. :P
No drink break for you. :P
Strength- This is sort of a pro and con. If you are looking to get really big muscles: Capoeira isn't what you're looking for.
If you are looking to use your bodyweight in a multitude of ways to build your strength up: Capoeira might be the answer to your question.
I can say that it isn't the greatest for building tone in the biceps, but many of the moves (Like the constant practicing of the handstand [And crazy acrobatic moves like spinning on the hands and kicks from the handstand position) build upper body strength.
Lots of high and low kicks, plus extensive work on the ground - Lower body strength and endurance.
Torso- (Sigh) Ow. :P
You use your abs a lot in Capoeira, because the core is really important for many of the moves. For example: Helicoptero
Do a cartwheel, but in the middle turn your legs in the opposite direction of where you are going with your cartwheel, and land on your opposite foot. The abs get twisted up a bit.
Capoeira is arguably one of the most physical Martial Arts currently being practiced, but on the basis of strength: It only uses bodyweight, which may not be the best depending on a person's goals, and many other Martial Arts excel in the strength training basis than Capoeira.
Here's a roda and an example of "Helicoptero":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hS38bKr6vYE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKJjIeghqKw

Answer 2

For just fitness and not too worried about effectiveness then go for a style that does lots of kicking especially high kicking. This uses the most energy as you have to use the largest muscles of your body repeatedly. Arts such as Taekwondo and Kick Boxing would be perfect.

If you're not that flexible or stable I'd say your next best option would be western boxing which focuses on bag work and punch combos plus very demanding cardio.

If you are interested in wrestling or anything like that you can get a good workout as long as you do regular sparring sessions, technique training won't help that much with fitness. So BJJ, wrestling or anything like that would be great.

Good luck man, really anything that involves moving around will be great fo you.

Answer 3

capoeira. You burn about 1000 calories a class. Within a few weeks you will be able to start doing back flips and other amazing attacks. You are always in a continuos squat-like dance, on your hands, jumping, or on the ground. You can watch capoeira videos on you tube for a hint of what you do. However, those are mostly just hodas (rings where skill is practiced)

The actual capoeira training outside of the hodas requires the continuous practice of the basic movements and whatever combination the instructors put together.

I've taken athletic people to a capoeira lesson (body builders, runners, other martial artists etc.) and they usually start sweating in 5 minutes and don't come back.

Shaolin is another good martial art for the development of physical fitness. The founding exercises of shaolin (I ching Chings) were enough to get all the monks of china into peak physical condition and attract the interest of the chinese army in a short time. These exercises also get the athletic types sweating fast. Shaolin-do is a good line of shaolin schools (shaolin-do.com) that I am a part of. This martial art is also good for overall fitness.

Answer 4

The most common physical BENEFITS from practicing Karate are: Improved Health And Appearance, Cardiovascular Fitness, Uniform Muscle Development, Body Conditioning, Normalize Weight, Increased Flexibility, Improved Coordination, Improved Reflexes And Balance, Increased Stamina and Agility, Increased Speed And Strength.

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Answer 5

For fitness any martial art will do the job provided you train at least 3 times week.

There are martial arts known for brutal conditioning, such as muay thai, boxing, and jiu-jitsu.

Answer 6

martial art fitness

Answer 7

yeah id have to agree with what "No Brainer" said, but id would like to add that it comes down to you and what type of mindset have you got ? Do you need someone there to be pushing you, traditional karate or judo,ju jitsu lessons where the instructor will be pushing you in a heavlly traditional sence in a class inviroment or would you be more inclined to go to a gym enviroment with a more one on one approch. i suggest if you havnt really got a clue ,chuck yourself in the deep end and go for it until you find something your happy with! so on that note mate! " all the best with your quest!!"

Answer 8

Any one that a totally dedicated Martial Artist practices.

Answer 9

im no expert but this past 4 weeks i have been doing 4 sessions of kung fu a week ...and the diff already in my overall health and fitness is a nice surprise.....lots of kicking sparring grappling

Answer 10

Depends on the degree of fitness you have now and want to have. Tai Chi will keep you fit.