which is more effective - silat or aikido?

Question

Hi,
Which of the two martial arts is more effective, with respect to self defence, physical fitness, weapons training, etc?
Pl respond only if you know.
Thanks

Answer 1

That all depends on what you're looking for...

Aikido requires a lot of time, and patience to master. What it does is based on exact precision in timing, distance, balance, and so forth. Does it work well when mastered? Yes.

I've done some training in Yoshinkan Aikido, and those boys trained balls to the wall with everything they did. Suffice to say, I came away with a lot of respect for what they did after I was done training with them.

The trouble with Aikido....is that most schools use entirely unrealistic attacks coupled with no-pressure defensive technique training. Though, if you can find a good dojo like I did with those Yoshinkan guys, you'll enjoy yourself.

Now, I don't know a lot about Pentjak Silat...but what little I've seen of it I've been highly impressed with.

What they do is very complex, and multi-faceted. Lots of locks, joint breaks, strikes, throws/takedowns, and numerous aspects of weapons work.

It's a generally complete system, whereas Aikido is not. I would check out both styles and see which one you prefer and which one suits what you're desiring more.

Answer 2

As a general rule I tend to let people know that any martial art is an effective one...depending on how long and hard you train.

The differences between aikido and silat are pretty vast, and its almost like comparing apples to oranges...if you can find good instructors in both (another issue in the martial arts community).

Aikido is an art form that takes a great deal of patience and timing to get good at or even master. The weapons side is more traditional and structured.

Silat is more flexible and is based on weapons work first, empty hands second. Its a little more combat oriented and "this is what works in a fight" where Aikido is more traditional with great attention to detail in the ceremony of the art.

Both are effective arts, but each has a different approach.

Aikido - Achieve harmony and balance in combat.

Silat - Hit fast, hit hard, hit often.

These are generalities and meant to give an idea. To know more, you'd need to look into the arts more yourself.

Instructor McWethy

Answer 3

BTW there is no Ninjitsu. There's Ninjutsu, but no Ninjitsu. That is not a real martial art, just made up. Personally, of Silat and Aikido, I would choose Silat, most likely. My dad knew an Aikido master, who no one could beat up (except for one of my dad's other friends, who was in the black ops - he never lost a fight.), but Silat has more of a practical use. Also, I personally don't think that Aikido is more spiritual or better at teaching than Silat. Some of the most important stuff in Silat to the Silat masters is the spirituality and patience/discipline of Silat (watch the National Geographic show on Silat). Aikido is more of a martial arts used for taking someone's momentum and weight against them, and putting them in painful positions and joint locks, while Silat is more of a disarm and destory, with weapons or hands (one of their most BA weapons is a tiny piece of cloth, which may not sound like much but will absolutely destroy most people). Personally, the martial arts I am most interested in are Taekwondo (though one of my friends is in that and she says its more for show, and not very useful), Silat, Aikido, Muay Thai, and possibly Wing Chun. Whatever you're looking for (anyone looking at this) I hope you find it!!

Answer 4

It's obvious people on here know nothing about Aikido!!!!!!!!

Aikido is better at self defense then Silat! Aikido actually teaches more joint locks and throws then Silat does. Aikido techniques are also more complex! That's why it takes SOME people longer to learn then others.

Silat techniques also take a long time to learn. I have used Aikido in my BJJ sparring classes(I also take BJJ) with much success and I am NO master in Aikido! I have actually had full sparring takedowns using only Aikido moves! So reality is that it depends on the students ability to grasp the techniques. Some students are much faster learner then others.

Answer 5

Both are great arts but I personally would choose Silat over Aikido. The silat I've seen demonstrated features more strikes and kicks as well as locks and take downs.

Answer 6

Silat is 1,000 times more effective than aikido. Silat works with low stances. They concentrate on taking out the base by using sweeps, locks, throws, and fluid-snake-like movements. Aikido is not practical AT ALL. The only kind of Aikido that works is the kind Steven Segal does. Silat will train you in knives and swords (depending on what style and what school) and it is a very good martial art to learn. The stretching and workouts are pretty hardcore, so be prepared. TRY SILAT!!

Answer 7

Is Silat Effective

Answer 8

I completley agree with the first answer in regards to Aikido, and honestly I don't know Silat...but I trained in Hapkido which takes all the throws from Aikido, the joint locks and grappling techniques from ju jitsu and the striking techniques from tae kwon do...very well rounded style....physical fitness is usually left up to the individual to suppliment the actual classes at most schools...and weapons training is usually advanced and much later in training....

Answer 9

I am probably talking through my hat because I have never studied Aikido aside from watching others do it. I would imagine that the large amount of strikes are location specific. Essentially the same strikes but in many different areas. You can't just lump them all together as jodan strikes or whatever, eyes, temple, throat. I think it's one of the reasons I keep hearing Aikido is difficult to learn.

Answer 10

Silat. Aikido is better to teach patience or discipline but is not practical in a real fight unless you fighting a librarian or a child.