I'm very interested in Martial Arts and it's something I want to get started in but I need help deciding upon a martial art to study. I'm mainly looking for a couple martial arts that focus on speed and strength and something that can actually help me in defending myself. I'm looking to learn an aggressive form of martial arts, nothing soft.
What martial art should I learn?
Every martial art can be utilized for self defense, below i have organized the strengths and weaknesses of certain martial arts.
Karate: Lots of focus on Katas (pre-arranged "forms" of movements. Some sparring, but it's mostly low contact "point" style sparring, with protective gear (Kyokushinkai is one of those exceptions to the generalization here, as they spar full contact - until knock down or knockout, with no protection, but with no punches to the head). Lots of time doing traditional stances, kicks, reverse punches, etc. I'm not so sure this is very effective in self defense situations, as many of the techniques are very ritualized, and unrealistic.
Tae Kwon Do: Same as Karate, except much greater focus on high kicks. Even less realistic for defense than Karate.
Japanese Ju-jitsu: Focus on stand up grappling, wrist locks, escapes from grabs and chokes, many throws and falls. Has the same ritualized formal practice as Karate - lots of practice against an un-resisting, unmoving attacker than grabs and then freezes, or punches then freezes. Some punches and kicks thrown in, but just a few. I'm not sure this is so great against a resisting, moving opponent - mainly because the practice methods don't allow practice in that sort of situation. The techniques are more realistic than Karate, but I'm not so sure all of them are usable in real life. Since you don't have to punch or kick to fight or repel and attack, this is ideal for use against someone you don't want to hurt - a drunken uncle at a party for instance. Against a determined attacker, I feel some of the primary techniques are less useful.
Aikido: Similar to Japanese Ju-jitsu, but more focus on flowing with an attackers force. More philosophy, less "hard" techniques. I think most of the criticisms of Japanese Ju-jitsu apply here as well.
Hapkido: About 80% Tae Kwon Do, and 20% Ju-Jitsu. Same observations of those arts apply.
Judo: Has many of the techniques of Japanese Ju-Jitsu, but has many of the "deadly" techniques removed. By taking out the punches, kicks, wrist locks, etc. you are left with some techniques that are safe to be used in a sport. Lots of throws, falls, trips, and groundwork. Most of the practice is against a resisting, moving opponent.
If you can throw someone who is expecting it, and has trained in resisting it who is REALLY trying to stop you - then the odds are really good you can throw some guy in a fight who doesn't expect it. Its weakness is that it is missing striking, and maybe some of the "deadly" techniques that might really be useful.
Western Boxing: Since you are practicing against someone actively resisting, as in Judo - the training has great value for actual self defense. The weakness is that only the hands are used, there is no grappling or kicking. Also, much of the body isn't a valid target. It's also worth saying that the transition from wearing gloves (and fighting someone wearing gloves) is a big one.
External Kung Fu: There are many styles that fall into this category, and there are some big differences between them. There are ones that focus on punching and kicking, and others that include techniques similar to Ju-Jitsu (or you could say Ju-Jitsu has techniques similar to them). It's worth pointing out that Karate is basically a Japanese version of an Okinawan version of certain external Kung Fu styles.
There are forms as in Karate, and some schools practice sparring as in Karate. The techniques are a bit different of course. Kung Fu in general is a bit "softer" with more circular motion, and flowing stances, versus the linear movement of Karate. Of course, that's a generalization - some styles are very similar to Karate. Some styles such as Wing Chun focus on "trapping" which involves hampering and controlling an opponents arm so as to facilitate striking, and to prevent them from striking you. Other arts, such as Chin-na focus on grappling, pressure points, and locks as seen in Japanese Ju-jitsu. I feel that many of the same critisms of Karate and Japanese Ju-jitsu apply here.
Internal Kung Fu: Tai Chi Chuan is the best know style in this category. The other styles are Hsing-I, and Ba Gua. The focus is on training the generation of Qi (life force or energy), and the application of Jing (the manifestation of power through the use of Qi). The idea being that this energy is generated internally to the body, rather than through gross muscle movements as in Karate. Practice involves slow practice of forms, drills such as "sticky hands", and basically pushing a partner. There are punches, kicks and other strikes of course - but the emphasis is on the power coming from the Internal methods. There isn't much sparring that I have seen. It would seem that these arts don't have a lot of application in actual self defense.
Muay Thai: This art has western style boxing punches, elbow and knee strikes, and kicking. This is practiced as a sport, so many of the positive comments related to boxing would apply here as well. In my opinion this style has the most effective kicks of any Style - utilizing a very powerful round type kicks to the leg as a common target area.
(best answer pleeease)
Reply:i would suggest TKD, it's really good for self-defense if your taught by a good instructor
Reply:Most people do not realize that most moartial arts involve foot stances and fixed movements. Allowing the body to flow freely is done by the memorization of strict stances and movements that are designed to increase blood flow, loosen the joints, focus the mind, and increase the kinetic energy of your muscles.
I see kids all the time playing around doing "kung-fu" or "karate". Of course, the execution is wrong, but it is fun to watch these kids inspired by an art form such as these, even if they only see it as an aggressive way to beat somebody who disagrees with you.
I would recommend Jeet Kune Do. It utilizes strikes, counters, and holds from hundreds of different martial arts, and discourages strict stances and movements. Like me, it appears as though you do not want to be bogged down by having to memorize stances and moves.
As a practitioner for nearly ten years, I have studied over twelve different martial arts since I was eight, and have achieved an honorary master rank in kyokushin karate. My MMA record is 32-4, and I plan on participating in a regional boxing contest next year. Take it from me: through my experience, I became frustrated learning stances and movements, and not learning defensive groundings and strikes. I have been able to incorporate all of my training into my Jeet Kune Do, and I am an effective fighter.
Jeet Kune Do is not a fixed martial art form. It is a personal creation of your own fighting style and is designed to allow your personal styles grow stronger and make you a very effective fighter. Find a good school (there are several in Canada) and learn from the best. You will succeed with dedication.
For those of you who are doubtful of a free movement form of martial arts, perhaps you should know that Jeet Kune Do was developed and utilized by Bruce Lee. Just throwing that out there.
Reply:Karate, Judo, Taichi
Reply:Kung fu!
It involves both kicks %26amp; punches, unlike tae kwan do.
It is designed to end the fight as quickly as possible with you standing up and your oppenent on the ground, either unconcious or dead, unlike karate.
A kung fu student learns discipline, forms, punches, blocks, kicks, sweeps and how to make people let go of you.
In short, kung fu is awesome.
Reply:the best self defense is to stay away from trouble as much as you can.
Reply:if you do choose mauy thai don't choose it because of its kicks, it kicks are slower and only effective against people who are used to taking hits(i.e. they don't try and avoid it)
Reply:It depends on what styles are available in your area.
Reply:Brazalian Ju-Jutsu.
learn from the best. the Gracie Family
or just learn a couple of chokes, like a guillotine choke, a rear naked choke, etc.
Reply:can be very expensive, judo for me
Reply:It's all about Krav Maga. No philosophy, just skills.
Reply:Krav Maga Military style. No BS whatsoever
Reply:brazilian jiu jitsu owns
Reply:shotokon karate
Reply:kung fu and boxing and kickboxing.
Reply:Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) sounds good for you.
Reply:you need to learn self control first. martial arts is supposed to help you protect yourself not kick butt. boxing and real wrestling are excellent for self defense! start off learning wrist and arm locks first, and low kicks to build your confidence, then larn boxing and try to find a place that teaches panchion, traditional greek wrestling.
i covereed wrestling for three years in college on the paper and i can tell you, the real thing is devestating!
Reply:id say kickboxing or learning how to self defend-street fight.
theres no point in taking stupid $#!t like kendo or something like that or kung fu thta puts you in unrealistic situations or standards.
use something thats versatile and productive, like kickboxing or jsut a basic self defense class
Reply:Judo is really fun to do, I did it for 2 years. Wu-shu (not sure on the spelling but you say it like that) is also another good martial arts to try. Kickboxing is also really fun aswell, and quite agressive.
Judo definatley fits your criteria well in my opinion, although kickboxing is more agressive than Judo.
Reply:Kick boxing
Reply:Toronto - Korean Style Kung Fu.
Tae Kwon Do is all moves no real strikes.
Judo is flips and in close stuff.
Kung Fu allows you to do arms length and in close.
But be careful many schools are just out to take your cash and teach you bull crap.
My buddies brown belt in Korean Style Kung Fu had him kicking many Black belts butts out side of Toronto so get a good school with a dedicated instructor. Ask around. And good luck.
Reply:i took martial arts when i was a kid i did huardo (i think thats what it's called) it's a mix of karate kick boxing and ju-juitsu,look it up on google you might find something on grand master kwan(he was my teacher) he's like the huardo world champion he can like walk on eggs without breakng them and he can put his leg behind his head,it' pretty cool stuff really, i got my black belt in 4 years,but it was very interesting and i feel like i can defend myself MUCH better because i know not 1 but 3 ways to kick people's butt!
Reply:There are many styles, but most important is what's available in your area because the quality of the school can make a bigger difference than the style itself.
Find out what styles are offered in your area as far as you're willing to travel 3 or 4 times a week for at least the next 2 years.
Then, visit each potential school and sit in on a full class. Seeing is believing. By the end, you'll know which is the best match for you.
Good luck, and enjoy!
Reply:Every person is going to recommend their own style. Here's a link that has different styles pick which one is best for you:
http://www.blackbeltmag.com/styles
some have a description. look them up
I also recommend karate and kung fu
Reply:Martial Arts that are aggressive %26amp; help with speed
Jeet Kune Do (any branch)
Krav Maga
Lotar
Kali
Silat (some styles)
Reply:http://www.aceacademyofmartialarts.org
Reply:Either brazilian ju jitsu, muay thai or mma(mixed martial arts),
in my opinion muay thai is best for self defence because u learn punches, kicks, knees and elbows
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