Which type of "Martial Arts" should I study?

Question

I'm pretty new to the whole martial art world, but I am looking for something that involves a lot of punching...kicking...some holds...and also being able to reverse anything that comes my way...I'm also looking for something that teaches how to concentrate my body's energy and even raise my endurance

I know martial arts is basically about self-defense and that's kinda way I want to learn...plus I might as well beat the living hell out of someone who thinks they have the balls to throw the first punch...

Anyways...any suggestions

Answer 1

Martial Arts are no longer about self defense..
I suggest you study Brazilian Jujitsu for thre ground and Muay Thai for stand up like everyone else in thre UFC.

A 1st degre black belt in Tae Kwon Do may get his butt kicked in a street fight if he tries one of those flash kicks and his name isn't Chung Lee. Why? Most street fights are boxing, ground fighting/wresting or Holding.
Tae Kwon Do has no ground fighting.

Answer 2

I think you should pick a good style with striking, that may have some ground fighting/defense included. For example:

TKD (Some schools actually teach ground fighting contrary to the asinine judgment from certain people that have never taken the style in their lives, and know nothing about it [*Cough* the person that first answered this question]), Karate, Kung Fu, Muay Thai, Jujutsu, Systema.... Pretty much any striking style really, but you just have to find that good school. In some styles, it is much harder to find a good school, but if you do: You will be in good hands.

Now I threw in jujutsu and systema, and those styles would cover you pretty good all around (Try to find a jujutsu style that has striking include). I might also suggest another style: Hapkido. It's an ecletic Korean Martial art that is centered around striking (Defensive striking mostly: Usually to stop your opponent, so that you can set them up for the following), joint manipulation/locking and submissions. Jujutsu would do the same for you, and no I am not promoting this style because I am currently taking it (I don't believe any art to be better than another), but I am trying to use what you said you wanted as an example. There's way more styles you can pick that will teach you striking, and holds, like: Ninjutsu, Jeet Kune Do (Which is more of a concept, but a school is likely to teach you a variety of Martial arts in a mixed form, so that you have a fluid movement across those styles), Free Hand Kung Fu, and more.

You could also take these two examples as well:
1. Take multiple styles or hybrids- That way you can punch, kick, or apply a submission when someone wants to start stuff. :p If you take multiple styles, I suggest styles that have differing elements. For example: If you take Muay Thai, you should take a grappling art like jujutsu or sambo, so that you have ground game, and standup.
2. Take a self-defense based art- Krav Maga/Haganna/CQC are good examples of this. They are self-defense at the core, and while some may consider the tactics "Dirty," they are meant to get the job done quick and easy. I still don't know what you are looking for though.
Other than what I listed: Just pick for yourself. Look around, and try to find a good school for whatever style you decide to take. You could always come back for another question if you have the site information from the school of your choice. We will do the critique. ;)

Good luck!

Answer 3

Well the "do" art that I have trained in for over 35 years, Shito-ryu and those I trained under was very closely associated with the idea and need for a "jutsu" art and so they always encouraged training and studying that as well. Many "do" arts did not take that approach back then and I think I was lucky and fortunate to find those people in Shito-ryu after first studying Shotokan for several years. It did not hurt that I had already also studied Judo as a child and saw a need for both ground fighting as well as stand-up fighting capabilities if a person was going to be a complete martial artist in my mind also. Of course many stand-up or "do" arts now include more "jutsu" and or teaching those aspects in their arts to make their students more capable and well rounded. However that was not the case in the late 60s and early 70s in most stand-up arts as I stated earlier. I think its great that they do now and the mark of a good instructor among other things is that they are well rounded and well versed in their art in total-not just those stand-up aspects. They must of course be willing to learn and train in those aspects as well in order to teach and coach others in those aspects and some are. The only bad side to it is that you still have some that don't and will only focus on and teach the stand-up or "do" aspects of their art and really don't know what they are doing when addressing and teaching the "jutsu" aspects. Then of course the teaching is not so good in some ways but it in some ways might still be better than nothing especially if we are talking about self-defense and if a technique saves a student from being assaulted. I think also some of all this has also brought about a resurgence in TMA and some people now understanding that some "do" arts always had a "jutsu" aspect to them which was not taught maybe, or as heavily emphasized as it is now.

Answer 4

I've personally dabbled in martial arts over the years. I knew what I wanted in a martial art.... A fighting method not steeped in bull [add your own expletive here if you wish] or horse [ditto]. Things like colored belts and uniforms mean nothing to me. You think a real opponent will care about your belt, black or otherwise? I didn't want a sport or some quasi cult where nothing can be questioned. I found a Wing Chun school that is just that.

I want you to think about something. Look at some of the martial arts tournament's fighters... Some of it, really looks all the same when they are sparring. Karate-do, Tae Kwon Do, Tang Soo Do....Heck I can't tell the difference when they're trading blows and thats the point of Wing Chun, you don't end up trading blows, it about destroying your opponent from the first strike in as few moves as possible.

Why did I choose this martial art?

I'm going to be working unarmed with maximum security prisoners in close quarters and this style is optimum in those situations versus say, Capoeira, which needs a lot of space, there is no economy of motion. Trading blows with styles like Karate or the other types of karate [TKD and TSD are often referred to as Korean karates] I don't find to be efficient.

But in the end, its up to you. But check out a Wing Chun school... you just might be impressed like I was.

By the by, this is the same style that has the stop hit, slap block, other various interception methods and the one-inch attacks.

Answer 5

I would shop around and look for a good karate school. There are many out there but some are better than others so it pays to shop. Also some don't have very strong self-defense aspects in their program and also some don't fight or spire. Since you are looking for one that does and want self defense along with some Jiu-jutsu or grappling aspects go and watch a class or two at those that you are considering and see what they offer and teach. Talk to the students and see if they have the same interests as you and if they are happy with the training they are receiving. Also talk to the instructor and see what his background and experience is. His age, maturity, training, background, and experience along with how he relates to his students are all important factors for you to consider.

Martial arts schools and shopping for one is somewhat like buying a car. Shop around, do a little reading on the Internet and become informed, ask questions, spend some time watching a few of the classes at each place, look at the price and check to see if there are any hidden costs and be prepared to say, "No" and not take advantage of that special offer that expires this week. If you do all this and keep your interests in mind you will more than likely make a good decision that you will be happy with for sometime to come.

Answer 6

You really have to check out a school to see if that's what you want. People often have preconceived notions about things and you won't find out if what you believe is true until you see it for yourself. If you want self-defense, pretty much any art can provide that although there are some that focus on this, such as krav maga. Wing chun, mentioned above, is probably also an excellent choice for this. Neither art has a lot of kicks so if you really want to learn kicks then you might want to check out something else. As for "beating the living hell out of someone"...you don't need to learn a martial art for that and most current martial arts would probably frown on that --other than MMA in competition.

Answer 7

1 Kajukenbo
2 CHA 3 kenpo
3 Jujitsu
4 Muay thai
5 Hung gar

Answer 8

I would go for Taekwondo. I love Taekwondo. I am getting my yellow belt in a few weeks. I just started about a month ago.
And I already know my form, and part of my one step.

So, pick Taekwondo. Its a good martial art.

Answer 9

hey
i would choose taekwondo as the best martial arts
i has a lot of kicking we study self defense too and punching
it also teaches how to concentrate ur body's energy and even raise ur endurance
i am getting my green belt in a few weeks : i am proud of me and scared of nothing but jesus!

Answer 10

I do not know where you live but if there is a "tiger rock academy" near you I would advise you to sign up immed. heres why....

after you reach the blue belt (about 8-10 monthsinto your training) you are eligible to begin studying in the TKD "minor fields of study" they include ....."native korean swords", " tactical short stick"...."ground escape"....and another form a lot like jujitsu called "ha mun do"