Is it better to learn Hapkido or to learn both Tae Kwon Do and Aikido?

Question

My cousin told me that Hapkido is like a cross between TKD and Aikido, it includes kicks similar of TKD and grapples, locks reminiscence of Aikido, I just want to know which is better, to learn Hapkido or learn both TKD and Aikido.

Answer 1

I'd go with Hapkido on this one: Not because Aikido and Tae Kwon Do are bad styles in my opinion (I don't believe that to be true at all), but because of the following:

1. Hapkido is way more than just Tae Kwon Do and Aikido combined. The art itself (As said above) is derived from Daito-Ryu Aikijujutsu. It's a modified version of the art that comes from a Korean man who put his own spin on it. The techniques of Hapkido cover nearly all fighting ranges except for the ground (Combat Hapkido does cover the ground as few other styles do: The major styles do not, however): It shares throws with Judo, joint locks/joint manipulations with Jujutsu, and the striking is reminscent of many styles. The striking is similar to Tae Kwon Do, but the kicks are more defensive: You don't throw a kick out in Hapkido to maim your opponent, but you use it to stop them, so that you can apply another kick, punch/hand strike, give you time to apply a joint lock/manipulation, or to come in for a takedown.

Aikido comes from the same art as Hapkido (Hapkido is the literal translation of Aikido in Korean as well), but they are different. It would be like kickboxing: Muay Thai kickboxing is it's own style, but Yaw Yan (Filipino kickboxing)? They're both kickboxing styles, but there's many techniques/concept differences. They still take place in a ring, and they're still centered around competition, however.

2. You are likely to recieve a monetary and time gain with taking one style instead of two (Unless the school you go to does a 2 for 1 kind of thing). If you are pressed for these two things: It might be a good idea for you to take Hapkido, as it is a solo art.

3. (Subjective) I do not know of your previous Martial Art history, but although these three styles are excellent as base styles (They are some of the best to start a journey with): It might be hard for you to blend those two arts as one. Hapkido would teach you striking, joint locks, throwing, and ground work in some cases in a way that you blend all of them. If you have little to no martial arts background, but you still decide to take the two styles: I suggest that you read the "Tao of Jeet Kune Do," as it will help you with learning to blend the techniques you wish to use to your advantage.

4. (Subjective) Tae Kwon Do almost always has sparring. Certain schools have point sparring (Which doesn't float my boat by itself personally, unless the school I go to does all three types of sparring), but you'll find full contact in some cases (Which is arguably the best for street situations).

Aikido rarely has sparring as curriculum.

Hapkido sparring is usually at least light-contact, but most of the time: It covers nearly everything. It will have striking, sweeps, throws, and in some cases: Joint locking. That combination might be done if you find a good set of schools that teach Tae Kwon Do and Aikido, but Hapkido almost always revolves around that kind of sparring.

In the end, however: It really depends on you. If you like to strike: Find a good school of any striking style. If you like throwing: Find a good school of any throwing style. I'm basing most of this reply around self defense/application of techniques, but I don't know your motivation.


Whatever you decide: Good luck. If you have time, money, and you want to be really well versed: You could take them all. Hehe.. :P

Answer 2

I think that depends mostly on your reason for learning the martial art system in the first place. I know a bit about TKD and hapkido, having studied them several years ago. I wanted to take martial arts training for the self-defense aspect of it, and in my opinion I think that hapkido is better suited to that. Yes, it combined kicking, grappling, throws, etc. and I felt that it was much more valuable for what I wanted to learn. TKD was OK, but it seems as though the emphasis was on competition, which is not really what I was looking for at that time. I cannot speak about aikido, since I have never studied it.

Personally, and financially, I would study hapkido...it seems to combine the best of both worlds. So, if you can find a reputable instructor, that is what I would do (my opinion).

Answer 3

If it were me. I'd just go with Hapkido. I would save alot of time than trying to delve into two seperate styles. As well being that Hapkido is tkd mixed with Aikido you will be saving tons of cash as well. The idea behind Hapkido will differ than taking tkd and Aikido seperate as well. As far as time and cost hit the Hapkido school. If you like it I'd delve alittle more into the Aikido (just me I study Aikido)

Answer 4

i would substitute another striking art for tkd(cost less and smaller class)... and hapkido also has judo type throws that aikido doesn't have... but hapkido and aikido people move different... but the moves are similar... they both come from the same art (and have mixed it with other arts) daito ryu aikijujitsu... judo also did ( also from other arts to) so it would prabably be cheaper to to with just one (out of your choices hapkido) but remember tkd+ aikido does not =hapkido... hapkido got its kicks from another korean art.... and they teach diffrent weapons.. they are similar though and each one can teach you stuff the other cant... and have moves and weapons others dont... so you get my drift... different but similar expressions of the martial art... there are also hard styles of aikido with strikes (yoshinkan) and aikido schools that add in other stuff (usally called like aikibudo from what i saw ... lol like my school) there are many styles out there... study what you can and make it your own... thats what the guys who made tkd aikido judo and hapkido and this and that and about everything did... i guess its called hybrid martial arts or.. but i call it your martial art... i try to not say mma cas thats identified with sport nowadays sheet bruce lee called it jeet kune do...

Answer 5

I would personally advise against Tae-Kwon-Do, unless you are either plan to also incorporate a large amount of boxing training and are freakishly fast with your kicks, or you plan on focusing on your ground game. I would love to preach the merits of kickboxing in MMA since I am a kickboxer hoping to transition to MMA in november of this year, but unless you have prior experience with a striking art, you would be better off studying Muay Thai. Muay Thai focuses alot on fighting from the clinch, which would benefit you with your wrestling experience by putting you in a great position to score takedowns from the clinch. Muay Thai is very much the complete package of MMA striking, incorporating knees, elbows and leg kicks, all now MMA standards, along with strong kicks and punches, very good striking defense techniques, and an emphasis on staying mobile and light on your feet, which helps keep you in position to stop takedown attempts from your opponent with fast dodges and sprawls. If you don't have any official background in a striking art, Muay Thai is a great starting place to learn the most powerful moves a basic program can teach you.

Answer 6

That's a good question, I'll have to watch this one to see what answers come up. I'd think Hapkido, but I tend to think it's already a proven combination of the two styles.

Answer 7

Learn all that you can so you can become a well rounded fighter. Learn punches, kicks, knees, elbows, grappling, weapons, etc. The more you are exposed to, the less you have to worry about. As Bruce Lee said, "Absorb what is useful, reject what is useless."