Martial arts exercises are designed to improve punching, kicking, and grappling techniques by enhancing upper body, lower body, and core strength. These exercises can be done on off days when martial arts are not available. Squats are a great functional exercise for martial artists as they help build core strength. Planks, sit-ups, leg raises, and Russian twists are excellent for building core strength. Push-ups and squats engage and strengthen the core as a stabilizing muscle group.
Strength training is a critical component of martial arts training, helping fighters enhance their power, endurance, and overall performance. A well-rounded strength training regimen can improve striking power, grappling ability, and overall performance. There are five basic martial arts exercises that are best for targeting specific muscle groups martial artists use most: hamstrings, hips, lat muscles in the back, chest, and calves muscles.
Muay Thai offers a comprehensive upper-body workout, enhancing strength and tone in shoulders and arms, resulting in powerful punches. Straight punches target deltoids and triceps, while pushups and benchpress help with straight punches. Looping punches target deltoids, pectorals, and biceps. Dumbbell flies are one such exercise that helps build upper body strength by developing the muscles in the upper back.
Taekwondo typically works the core/abdominal areas, upper body, arms, and lower body to build endurance and strength. Push-ups are the go-to exercise for martial artists to strengthen their upper body. Complementary workouts for martial arts training include pullups, pushups, deadlifts, running, and yoga. More research is needed to assess the benefits of martial arts for overweight and obese individuals.
| Article | Description | Site |
|---|---|---|
| 4 Muscle Groups That Muay Thai Strengthens | Muay Thai offers a comprehensive upper-body workout, enhancing strength and tone in your shoulders and arms, resulting in powerful punches. | evolve-mma.com |
| What are the best muscles to train for martial arts/MMA? | Hamstrings, hips, for grappling and pulling. Also lat muscles in the back for pulling. Chest for thrusting. Calf muscles for speed moving … | quora.com |
| Muscle Groups to emphasize for Muay Thai? : r/MuayThai | Pushups and benchpress will help. You’ll use the biceps to retract your punches, too. Looping punches – deltoids, pectorals, and biceps. | reddit.com |
📹 The Best Body Type For Fighting
In this video, we’re going to discuss what the best body type for fighting is. We’ll cover topics like how to determine your body type, …
Is It Better To Be Tall Or Short In Martial Arts?
In combat sports, the height of a fighter significantly influences their strategy and effectiveness. Taller fighters typically benefit from a longer reach, allowing them to maintain distance while landing punches, making it challenging for shorter opponents to close the gap and land their strikes. However, shorter fighters can excel, particularly in grappling scenarios where techniques like takedowns and throws come into play. In wrestling, such as Greco-Roman wrestling, the advantages decidedly favor shorter fighters, who might have the leverage and center of gravity for effective techniques.
Each fighter has an optimal range; tall fighters excel in striking from a distance, while shorter fighters thrive by getting on the inside where they can use their grappling skills more effectively. Height can enhance performance in various martial arts, such as boxing, by improving aspects like defense and balance, but it is not the singular determining factor in outcomes during fights. Skill, training, and focus are crucial, and a shorter fighter can utilize specific techniques to turn height disadvantages into advantages.
The relationship between height and speed is also nuanced—shorter individuals are not inherently faster, nor are taller fighters slower based solely on their physical stature. As combat sports evolve, the ongoing debate about the benefits of being taller or shorter continues. Each height has its pros and cons; tall fighters generally experience benefits in striking due to reach and leverage, while shorter fighters may succeed in grappling and maneuvering into advantageous positions.
In martial arts like Taekwondo, height is not a decisive factor, as skill and technique can outweigh physical attributes. Ultimately, success in martial arts relies significantly on the ability to adapt one’s unique strengths, regardless of stature, to efficiently execute techniques and counters. The potential for shorter fighters to thrive illustrates that mastery of martial arts is rooted in skill and adaptability rather than mere height advantages. In exploring the best martial arts for shorter individuals, a focus on these unique physical attributes can empower them to excel and compete effectively.
What Muscles Do Martial Arts Work?
Karate and martial arts training involve the engagement of various muscle groups to enhance power, flexibility, and performance during techniques such as punches, kicks, and blocks. Key primary muscles utilized in karate include the quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, calves, hip flexors, and core muscles like the rectus abdominis and obliques, which are vital for stability and twisting. Secondary muscles involved include the shoulders (deltoids) for striking and grappling and the pectorals in the chest for thrusting actions.
In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), the focus is predominantly on core muscles, hips, back muscles, and abs, providing stability and strength when grappling and submitting opponents. As athletes perform rolling motions, their abdominal and lower body muscles—the quads and calves—are consistently engaged, improving overall muscle power and reducing body fat.
The utilization of muscle groups varies across different martial arts like Muay Thai and Taekwondo. Muay Thai strengthens the arms, hip and leg muscles, core, and back muscles, while Taekwondo emphasizes endurance and strength in the core, upper body, and lower body.
A martial artist's punches derive power primarily from the glutes, supported by the hamstrings and calves for rapid movements. Proper conditioning and strength training focus on compound movements, ensuring a balance of power and agility, which are essential in martial arts. The latissimus dorsi muscle plays a crucial role in connecting the upper and lower body, facilitating the generation of strength and power during various techniques.
Overall, martial arts training helps develop lean muscle mass, enhancing speed, agility, and performance, while minimizing the risk of injury. Strengthening these critical muscle groups ensures martial artists can execute powerful strikes, effective grappling maneuvers, and maintain the endurance needed for comprehensive training and competition.
What Is A Martial Arts Fitness Section?
Martial Arts Fitness encompasses various critical training elements including Agility Training, Balance Training, and strength conditioning, aimed at enhancing overall martial arts performance. Agility drills focus on skills such as evading strikes, while balance exercises improve coordination and stability crucial for training and competition. For gym owners considering the addition of a fitness section, it’s important to recognize the potential benefits of incorporating fitness programming or areas for weightlifting, cardio, and stretching, which can attract new members.
This fitness section coordinates a range of activities like stretching, strength training, flexibility, and conditioning. The Black Belt Wiki offers written and video instructions to assist practitioners in exploring martial arts as a viable path to fitness, unveiling essential benefits such as improved cardiovascular health, muscular development, and overall physical capability.
Prioritizing fitness elements in a martial arts training program is vital for optimizing performance throughout the year. Many practitioners often neglect the significance of fitness and conditioning, which serve as the foundation for developing martial arts skills. Understanding the specific fitness requirements pertinent to different martial arts—such as speed, balance, power, and reflexes—is essential for success.
Moreover, examining factors that contribute to fitness levels and discovering the most effective martial arts styles for fitness—like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Krav Maga, and Taekwondo—can also yield substantial improvements in strength, agility, cardio capacity, and flexibility.
When considering the aesthetics and functionality of a martial arts gym, certain factors must be addressed, including the type of flooring, designated space for training, and appropriate equipment selection.
Physical exercise through martial arts not only enhances performance but also cultivates individual self-defense capabilities and overall health. Each martial art presents distinct characteristics; from the powerful strikes of Muay Thai to the fluid movements of Tai Chi, fostering an engaging environment that emphasizes fitness and skill development.
What Body Type Is Ideal For Martial Arts?
Ectomorphs, characterized by long, thin limbs and relatively low body mass, may find it challenging to build muscle. However, they are considered well-suited for martial arts, with prominent figures like Bruce Lee exemplifying this advantage. On the other hand, mesomorphs, who possess a more balanced physique with notable strengths in various physical attributes, are generally regarded as the ideal body type for mixed martial arts (MMA).
The three body types—ectomorph, mesomorph, and endomorph—each present different advantages and weaknesses. While mesomorphs excel across multiple measures, including strength, endurance, and explosive power, ectomorphs thrive in striking martial arts that don’t involve grappling.
Understanding the relationship between body type and martial arts is critical. For instance, the inherent physical features of an ectomorph—particularly their lean build and long limbs—can facilitate effective kick techniques, while athletes with bigger hands may benefit from striking disciplines. The choice of martial art should resonate with the practitioner’s inclinations and be pursued consistently for optimal progress.
Adapting techniques to fit one’s body type can enhance performance and reduce injury risks. There’s a notion of survivorship bias in martial arts, which suggests that if a practitioner's body type doesn’t align with their chosen style, it may not yield the same results unless custom-tailored to their advantages.
For ectomorphs, martial arts like karate or kickboxing are often recommended due to their emphasis on agility and striking, which complement the ectomorphic physique. Conversely, while mesomorphs may generally fit into MMA’s physical demands, body type alone doesn’t dictate martial arts success; virtually all styles can be adapted for various body types. For instance, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is noted for being accessible and effective for individuals regardless of their physical dimensions. Ultimately, each body type has unique benefits that can inform training choices and technique developments, allowing martial artists to maximize their potential in their chosen discipline.
What Are The Best Exercises For Martial Artists?
Push-ups are a valuable functional exercise for martial artists, enhancing upper body strength and allowing for training flexibility anywhere. To execute a push-up, begin in a plank stance with hands shoulder-width apart, then lower your body toward the ground. Squats also serve as effective functional exercises by improving lower body strength. Another beneficial exercise is the kettlebell swing, recognized for its convenience in strength training. Various martial arts strength training routines are available that focus on increasing punching and kicking power as well as grappling abilities.
Pull-ups are instrumental in developing upper body strength, particularly beneficial for movements in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and the clinch in Muay Thai or MMA. Beginners can start with easier variations if they struggle with traditional pull-ups. Comprehensive resources like Black Belt Wiki offer video and written instructions for a variety of martial arts strength exercises.
For mixed martial artists, essential bodyweight exercises include burpees, which combine squats and push-ups for a full-body workout. A dedicated approach to strength training enhances performance by building the necessary muscular foundation for powerful strikes, kicks, and throws. It is recommended to diversify workouts by incorporating both weight training and bodyweight exercises, complemented by a nutritious balanced diet rich in protein and healthy fats.
Programs like Starting Strength and 5/3/1 can guide strength training with simple but effective lifts. Key exercises include front squats, chest flies, deadlifts, and box jumps, which promote explosive, dynamic movement crucial for martial arts performance. Consistency in training remains vital for achieving strength and conditioning goals.
Does Martial Arts Build Abs?
Many martial arts involve some abdominal exercise but do not specifically target this area as traditional abs workouts do. For a well-defined six-pack, it's essential to incorporate specific exercises such as sit-ups, leg lifts, heavy squats, deadlifts, hanging knee or leg raises, and Russian twists. Heavy squats and deadlifts uniquely train the upper and lower body's synergistic function while protecting the spine. Reverse crunches also engage the upper abs effectively.
Training in martial arts styles like Muay Thai, BJJ, boxing, and wrestling provides a full-body workout that strongly engages the core. Regularly contracting and relaxing the core muscles during martial arts drills fortifies the abs and their supportive muscles. Enhanced core strength aids martial artists in absorbing impacts better, allowing them to withstand strikes. Thus, strength training tailored towards core development is essential for anyone serious about martial arts.
To achieve visible abs, a combination of targeted workouts that condition the core and promote calorie burn is necessary. While martial arts offers core strengthening benefits, they are not exhaustive for achieving a six-pack; dietary management is equally important. Activities such as Pilates also contribute but are insufficient alone. Martial arts classes are beneficial for fat reduction while building lean muscle, and they often include exercises that boost abdominal strength alongside overall fitness.
Incorporating a structured 4-week abdominal strength training program, starting with traditional methods and advancing to more effective exercises like the Russian twist, can significantly enhance core strength. Strengthening the abs not only improves physical form but synchronizes with breathing, making it an effective and manageable workout option.
Is Martial Arts A Full Body Workout?
Practicing martial arts offers an exceptional full-body workout, significantly aiding in sculpting a great physique. It engages various muscle groups, promoting muscle growth and enhancing overall fitness. With consistent training, martial arts improves health, strength, flexibility, coordination, and balance, providing total-body strength through high-intensity movements. In mixed martial arts (MMA), explosiveness can impact performance, leading to effective strikes rather than mere frustration of opponents.
Although boxing focuses solely on hand techniques, it equally commands full-body integration, emphasizing the physical demands on practitioners. Many MMA athletes combine weightlifting with martial arts training to achieve an ideal physique. While martial arts workouts are not primarily designed for hypertrophy like traditional strength training, they still foster strength building, particularly excelling in explosive strength and muscular endurance.
Functional exercises like squats and lunges are vital for martial artists, enhancing lower body strength and overall fitness crucial for combat scenarios. However, martial arts encompass more than just self-defense; they are comprehensive workouts that promote calorie burning alongside strength building. Engaging the mind is also a component of training, as skilled instructors help develop mental clarity and composure.
With a structured routine, martial arts become a profound challenge that trains both body and spirit. This workout regime trains various aerobic and anaerobic systems, supporting physical fitness enhancements. As practitioners look to increase muscle mass and tone, it subsequently boosts metabolism, aiding in weight management while ensuring a caloric burn.
Through regular practice, martial arts builds a strong, flexible, and fast body, essential for martial arts endeavors. Classes are designed to target all major muscle groups, leading to optimal fitness outcomes. This varied approach not only focuses on physical development but also integrates mental and spiritual components that a typical gym setting may not provide. Thus, martial arts training emerges as an all-encompassing fitness methodology, contributing to overall wellness and aesthetics, aligning physical fitness with personal growth and discipline.
What Martial Art Makes You The Fittest?
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) stands out in the fitness realm due to its effective sparring sessions, or "rolls," which typically last about five minutes and involve a mix of low- and high-intensity aerobic workouts. Among various martial arts, BJJ and others like boxing, taekwondo, and Muay Thai are particularly noted for their potential to burn calories—up to 700 calories per hour in boxing. Each martial art offers unique fitness benefits, alongside instructional aspects for self-defense.
The best martial arts for fitness largely rely on individual goals. For instance, tai chi and capoeira excel in flexibility, while kickboxing and judo provide robust cardio workouts. Popular styles like taekwondo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and boxing not only enhance physical fitness—improving stamina, strength, and speed—but also promote mental well-being. The vigorous nature of these workouts contributes to weight loss, making martial arts an effective avenue for this purpose.
Ultimately, the selection of the best martial arts for fitness hinges on personal preferences and desired outcomes, whether that is to gain endurance, flexibility, or strength. Key disciplines to consider include muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, kickboxing, and various traditional practices like Judo and Kung Fu. Engaging in martial arts fosters overall health benefits and equips practitioners with vital self-defense skills. So, if fitness is your goal, incorporating martial arts into your routine offers a dynamic and enjoyable way to achieve it while also providing additional life skills.
Can I Replace The Gym With Martial Arts?
The question many fitness enthusiasts pose is whether traditional gym memberships can be substituted with martial arts training, and the answer is a resounding yes. Martial arts can effectively replace gym routines, but it's crucial to maintain some level of physical activity elsewhere, such as bodyweight exercises at home, to prevent muscle loss. Individuals typically frequent gyms to not only improve their physical shape but also to alleviate stress and foster mental well-being. Regular exercise, including martial arts, has been shown to reduce stress, combat anxiety, and uplift mood.
While martial arts training focuses heavily on cardiovascular fitness, it may lack the resistance training that promotes significant muscle growth. As such, increasing dietary caloric intake may be necessary to match energy expenditures. Those interested in merging martial arts with gym workouts might consider full-body workouts three times a week and tailoring their gym routines to support their martial arts goals.
It's essential to recognize that martial arts are not superior to gym workouts; rather, they serve different purposes. For individuals primarily interested in toning their physique, gym workouts could be ideal. Alternatively, martial arts may offer a more holistic approach for those aiming for comprehensive fitness benefits. Both gym and martial arts memberships can provide adults with effective pathways to achieve their fitness aspirations.
Integrating martial arts into a lifestyle can significantly enhance both physical and mental health, instill discipline, and provide self-defense skills. Many martial arts include specific fitness routines; thus, training can be versatile and cater to a variety of goals. Hitting the gym a few times weekly can help individuals maintain their physical fitness, aiding in better martial arts performance.
One of the key advantages of martial arts is its ability to engage multiple muscle groups simultaneously, contrasting with the typically isolated workout routines found in gyms. Martial arts training promotes a broad range of physical abilities—maintaining flexibility, balance, and coordination—while gym workouts primarily focus on strength.
In summary, martial arts can certainly serve as a valuable alternative or complement to traditional gym workouts, promoting improved fitness levels when practiced properly. A balanced approach that combines elements of both can lead to lasting positive results and ensure that martial arts training becomes a sustainable and enjoyable long-term activity.
What Muscle Makes You Punch Harder?
The quadriceps and hamstrings are critical muscles in boxing, providing the necessary power for effective punches. This power generation begins with a push-off from the ball of the foot, optimizing the force delivered through these muscles. To enhance punching strength, it’s crucial to twist the hips during the punch, and exhaling beforehand can help loosen the muscles for a more powerful strike. The fundamental physics principle, F = m * a (Force equals mass times acceleration), indicates that increased muscle mass can lead to harder punches.
In addition to the quads and hamstrings, the calves also contribute to punch force. By utilizing leg muscles to move the hips, boxers can leverage their entire bodyweight, which maximizes punch impact. Abdominal strength also plays a vital role in proper mechanics and effective punches. While strength is essential, good technique is equally important; poor form can undermine even the strongest punchers.
Other supporting muscles include the biceps and triceps, which contract and extend differently depending on punch type (straight punches, hooks, uppercuts). Shoulder muscles, specifically the anterior deltoids, are heavily engaged. Strengthening the neck is also common among fighters to prevent whiplash and maintain stability.
Overall, a combination of explosive arm training and power-building techniques can further improve punching ability. The most significant muscles involved in generating punch power include the quads, hamstrings, glutes, calves, abs, and various upper body muscles such as the chest, deltoids, and triceps. Engaging multiple muscle groups effectively and explosively is key to developing stronger punches.
What Exercises Are Used In Japanese Martial Arts?
Hojo Undo refers to supplementary strength and conditioning exercises utilized in Japanese martial arts, particularly Karate, enhancing physical abilities such as kicking and punching power. These traditional exercises, vital to more classic Karate schools, focus on overall strength and conditioning, improving martial capabilities through various methods. Additionally, plyometric training is incorporated to enhance explosive power and reaction times.
Isometric exercises are also a crucial component, and functional strength training mimics natural movements, benefiting sports performance. Kiko techniques, akin to Qi-Gong, are prominently utilized in Okinawan martial arts, contributing to overall vitality and energy flow. Specific muscle development often involves repetitive practices, including sword swings, which strengthen muscles used in a range of techniques like blocking and striking.
In modern interpretations of these traditional practices, exercises such as squats, deadlifts, chin-ups, and cleans are integrated, maintaining the essence of Hojo Undo while adapting to contemporary training philosophies. Essential strength and conditioning exercises for martial arts include pull-ups, push-ups, and overhead presses, which correspond to various disciplines such as Judo, Kendo, Aikido, Iaido, Kyudo, and Sumo. This comprehensive approach fosters a holistic development of strength, agility, and endurance essential for martial artists in today's world.
What Kind Of Physique Is Best For Fighting?
Different body types yield varying advantages in martial arts, primarily based on limb length and thickness. Ectomorphs, characterized by taller and leaner builds, excel in striking martial arts without grappling, attributed to their high metabolism and ability to maintain energy levels. Bodybuilders often incorporate sprints, high-rep lifting, supersets, and fasted cardio for fat loss, which contributes to robust cardiovascular fitness. Mesomorphs, known for their balanced and muscular physique, are considered ideal for MMA due to their low body fat and good endurance, giving them an edge in strength and resilience.
MMA, with its blend of striking and grappling, raises questions about the best body type for success. Mesomorphs generally dominate due to their overall athleticism and ability to withstand physical demands. However, even shorter, stockier builds can perform effectively in striking, such as with shovel hooks that leverage hip movement.
Research supports the notion that height, reach, and arm length, often termed the 'Ape Index', play crucial roles in combat sports. Studies show that taller fighters with longer arms tend to win in heavyweight boxing bouts, indicating that physical dimensions matter. While being skinny can hinder force production compared to muscular builds, there is no single ideal body type. Notable fighters like Anderson Silva, Jon Jones, and Israel Adesanya exemplify success with long, lean frames, beneficial for striking.
In street fighting, strength and brutality may trump other attributes, while boxing places considerable importance on muscle mass and weight. Ultimately, the best martial art for an individual is contingent on their unique physique and strengths, underscoring the importance of recognizing how body types can influence fighting styles and effectiveness in various martial arts.
📹 What’s the Best Martial Arts Style or School for You?
How do I find the right martial arts school? What’s the best martial art for my body type? What’s the best martial art for me? How do …
“If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing poorly” is one of my favorite quotes. Just pick a place and get started. Breaking that inertia is the hardest part and if you can do that, you’ll be way more likely to be in good shape later. This applies to everything, not just martial arts. Thanks Icy Mike for reiterating that wisdom! You’re the best, love your website.
This was incredibly well said. I’ve practiced in Taekwondo, Shotokan, Tai Chuan, Tui Shou (Push Hands) and minor Judo, bouncing from gym to gym (I moved around as a kid), but regardless of what style, I can assure you that even if I sucked at it, I always reminded myself that as long as I had fun, it didn’t really matter which style or school I was apart of.
I absolutely love advice like this. I remember calling my friend who was basically a concert pianist asking how I really knew a good piano to pick for my wife (she’d always wanted one). His answer was the exact same, ‘Just buy one that sounds good to you. If you or she or your children actually get good at piano, you’ll know enough to pick a good piano next time. Right now, just buy one that isn’t too expensive.’ We got one for $150, we’ve put $300 into it over the last three years, and it’s perfect. If my wife ever does more than tinker about or if the children get good, we’ll buy a new one. Perfect.
This article resonated a lot with me. 40 years old, physically active but untrained in martial arts; found a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu academy literally 30 seconds walking distance from where I currently live. Tried it out and loved it. I love the people I train with, I have a lot a fun, and every single training session has at least 30 minutes dedicated to pressure testing/fighting. Like you said – close to home, affordable and lots of fun (plus pressure testing from day 1), and so I keep turning back for more. Congratulations on your work.
I started off at what I thought was a legit gym, after a couple months there I realized it was more of a cardio boxing type place and no one was too serious. I couldn’t find any records of any of the coaches ever competing in anything and then after lockdown ended I found a new gym that trains legit fighters but also has classes for the average person. Going to the first gym definitely grew my interest in boxing and helped me build up the stamina to train for an hour but it also taught me bad habits and technique that was instantly pointed out at my new gym. I think I still benefited from the first gym because I would’ve been way too out of place at my new spot (boca boxing district), but at the same time it does feel like I was scammed a little bit at the first place. I think gyms should be more open with what their program is – most people probably don’t care how serious the workout is they just want to stay in shape doing something fun, but they should just bill themselves as that.
Been so long since I trained, but when I did I found this article to be highly accurate. Trained in Japanese based Jujitsu, Japanese based Karate, and American Tarkwondo. Got my rear handed to me in a fourth place that actually spared (Japanese Jujitsu place also spared but not as heavy). Truth is, sparring is key to getting good, but first you need to go and get foundations and all three gave me those. Not looking to be superman, so when I finally go back probably will just find a fun place, but will make sure they spar.
Very good advice! Enjoying it is the most important part. I used to compete at a high amateur level, back when I was still in college. Then I would train at a competition gym which meant heavy workouts, good sparring and so on but indeed further away. Now I don’t compete anymore and due to my job I can train maybe 2-3 times a week but I’m also out of the country regularly because of my job which means there are weeks I can’t train. So I switched to a gym that is closer to where I live, that has a good atmosphere but indeed the level is lower. Which can also be a good thing: I can’t keep up anymore with competition training. I don’t train enough for that. So I don’t enjoy it. So I wouldn’t drive an hour to get there. I needed to put my ego aside when I made that decision but it was the right one. Top, solid advice!
Close to the house and enjoyment are absolutely the 2 most important factors. 1000% agreed. Also, even if you are at a so so gym, as long as you enjoy it, you’re much more likely to keep going (bearing in mind the 3 things the vid mentions). You will develop better fight skills going to a generic but fun TKD school for 10 years than you will going to an mma place for 1 month that you then quit because it was 45 minute drive and it cost a fortune and you did not actually enjoy the training.
I’m a grown man and a professional. I’m not even in the National Guard anymore, so I won’t be invading a country. My number one reason to train is because I’m starting to get fat! Number two is because I like it. Number three is because I want to coach/teach kids eventually. Way down on the list is the possibility that some day, maybe, if I make a wrong turn and my tires go flat and my engine blows up I might need to defend myself.
this is exactly what I needed. I just want to dip my feet into martial arts just for fun, for a challenge, and yet, I was already getting way too serious and lost in trying to choose the “best” martial art and specific school, even though I’ll probably go once and realize how hard it is LOL. Thanks for this article!
Man, you’re the best. I started TKD because I put my daughter in a place and the people were cool. I like having some organized, activity-based exercise after a long work day. It may not be “the best” Martial Art, but it’ close to my house, inexpensive, and I have a laugh. I’ll admit that since I enjoy the self-defense classes a lot I will likely try some other martial arts in the future, but to be honest right now it’s meeting my needs.
That’s basically how my daughter and I ended up in kyokushin. She wanted to try karate. I picked the nearest place (which happened to be a kyokushin club – I had no clue about different styles at the time) and the people there seemed great. Tried it myself to see what kind of a place I was sending her to. Five years later we’re both loving it. I’m an old fart and she’s only 13, but we’re both getting stronger and better every day.
I’m so glad to hear this. I’m a 30 year old woman and I want to try martial arts for the first time in my life, but I was kind of reluctant because I just want to have fun, get fit and gain confidence, and as a very shy person martial arts are hella intimidating. I never gotten into a fight in my life and I’m not interested in getting into one that’s outside a gym/school/dojo. The closest thing to that was in high school when a classmate grabbed my butt and I literally kicked his. There is this community center in my neighborhood that offers very affordable karate lessons, and I want to go. My grandfather used to practice Judo, but that was even before my mom was born, and he tried to get my mom and my aunt into karate when they were in college but they didn’t like it and apparently the Sensei was an abusive douche (this was in the 70s in Mexico). Thank you for the motivation.
I train at a gym with active professionals and amateurs, with Thai instructor.. and you’re completely right. Once my Kru taught me the basics, he still checks in but most of what I’ve learned is from my teammates. This is why you have to go to class so you can also properly train BY YOURSELF. Reading/watching about fighting is so much harder to apply when you don’t have a base in the gym
This is probably your best article ever. No matter your goals you have to start somewhere, it might as well be the closest, most affordable for you and most fun to develop some fitness and basic skills and movements. By the way; I have been practicing Hapkido for 30 years AFTER doing competitive kickboxing for 5 years. I also worked as a bouncer for years. Not all Hapkido sucks, lol. Have a good one.
This is a great article. I can honestly say that, from the self-defence perspective, there is often a form of “training phobia” for those just looking at starting because they don’t want to learn “the wrong thing”. Because there are so many YouTube articles warning people about just that. Myself, I’m still looking for a kubotan master to learn from. 😉
Yes, I felt this article so hard. Perfect answer. Being so unfit, it didn’t matter where I started, I just had to start. I picked a place and started. After 3 months I worked out the school I picked wasn’t going to make me a prize fighter, but it’s close to home, I can afford it, and it’s fun. It’s achievable to get there twice a week and I want to go. I definitely feel at some point I’ll look for something extra, but this is my spot for now, and it’s a challenge. As soon as it isn’t, it’s my time to look.
Looks like I made the right choice back in the day:) The city’s karate dojo was just on the other side of the street, quite affordable because everyone was doing it for free and the fee was only to cover expenses (this is the norm in Denmark for many sports) and I felt in really good company there too. I had a blast! Haven’t trained for many years since then but those are still some of my best years.
I have one thing to add to the article. Don’t decide on a place to go to solely based on what you see or read online. After finding few places near by you that fits the budget and schedule, go visit those places in person. I found that many schools will give a demo lesson or at the very least let you watch a class. Do that for all the schools you are looking at and you’ll get much better feel for which fits in with what you wanted.
I’ve been doing martial arts for awhile & would agree with these 3 criteria overall. After a year or so doing whatever’s closer & cheaper one is educated in what kind of training they like & can pick a better school if they’re not still having fun at the 1st dojo they try. I started with Tae Kwon Do, then Aikido, then Karate, now Eskrima-Kali-Arnis, since 1997
Also, one thing to keep in mind is your own physical limitations (ie. injuries, illnesses, medical conditions) you may have. I have asthma and I was in Judo for a bit. I was miserable there and I couldn’t do a lot of the conditioning because of my medical condition. I then switched to BJJ and I am much happier because of it.
When I was in my late teens/early 20s I trained at a king fu school and stayed there for a couple of years only because the people were nice, it was inexpensive and close to my house. I was hoping that I was learning effective martial arts and was only in it for practical self defense but left when I realized that what I was learning was nothing more than a good workout.
Haha, just found your website, the content looks nice ! Personally I never wondered if I should join a specific club… I discovered wrestling when I was in college, the teacher was only a few years older than me and became a friend, the college lends us a place with mats and we train there with a few people. Some of us also like boxing so we bring gloves and I invested in a headgear because there’s a huge dude that lends hard, and we spar from time to time when we have enough energy after the “class” which is more of an open workshop. I wouldn’t want it any other way !
Ha! Exactly what I did, and ended up walking into an Aikido dojo, where probably everting is “wrong”, nothing “works”, and I could get an unending discourse from anyone perusal these articles about why it is so bad, and I am still loving it! I have fun, I met nice people, improved my core muscles, body awareness and mobility, reduces stress, and even got some philosophical things to improve my soft skills to interact with people or general situations in life. Could I get all that from “real” martial arts that “work”? probably yes, but I don’t need it, and I prefer to focus on the other stuff.
Love the practical attitude. I belonged to an awesome MT gym that was, affordable, close to my house, talented instructor, fun gym – was a member for about 6-7 months, but I ended up leaving because every single class was 2 hours. That was just too long for me, simple as that. They kicked your ass in the warmup and kicked it harder after class in the ‘cool down’ … had they cut out 45-1hr /class maybe I’d still be a member 10 years later, but we’ll never know
when i was 17 or so i went to a place near my house that i could afford and i had fun at. i could tell pretty early on that i wasnt learning anything that i could apply to actual combat but i was really just going for the fun of it. aside from having fun at a place near home with nice people i got the bonus of shedding off a ton of weight. your advice rings true to me.
This was a good articles. The big 3 criteria he mentioned are so important, consistency is key. Consistency generally leads to improved athleticism and fitness. And I’d argue that athleticism and fitness are the most important things when it comes to self-defense. Being athletic to me is the most important thing in self-defense/fighting. Anyone who’s been a novice/intermediate with some technique, will tell you about the wake up call they got when sparring with somebody with no technique but is a superior athlete. Shit almost made me cry 😢
Man, I totally got something I didn’t expect from this article – acceptance. Although I wish I would’ve known this when I was younger and thought I was really learning to fight, it seems like I HAD to go through that, kind of like the Martial Arts Journey guy with Aikido, in order to now know what is legit and what is not. But more importantly, to have me think: “what am I doing this for?” And when I ask myself that question, becoming the most capable fighter is definitely not my priority. I have reflected and learned I love learning the history and philosophy of the art, not so much the head bashing. Probably not in your main audience group, but I appreciated your article and it honestly helped me this morning as I’m thinking through getting back into martial arts after 18 years away. Thanks! Keep it up?
you ARE SO RIGHT!! i literally am sending my girls to a karate school close to home. they are enjoying the classes so much they want to go every day. 45 min. they get some confidence, make some friends. and get fit. they are young. 10 and 8. if they continue for a few years, and their skills have improved, there are BJJ classes and MMA classes. but for now, less than 10 min drive. and loving it.!!
Thanks for this. I have briefly ages ago took Judo, and BJJ. And just recently started to take an interest in real training, etc. But as you stated, WTF do I know? Good/Not Good??? Is there a Steven Seagull poster on the wall? That’s gotta mean legit, yeah? I stumbled upon your vids from another fight guy, and was impressed with your no BS demeanor. Oh, and thanks for destroying my belief that KM was the pinnacle of “self defence”. It accentuated the “I don’t know FA from FA” syndrome. I live in a small town next to a bigger town, but towns they are. So school selection, of any type is limited. I’ve been heming, and hawing between a couple. Now I’ll just pick one, and go. What’s the worst that can happen? I actually get in shape? For all me life I’ve been the drunken biker, bar room brawler, with just enough knowledge, and big enough mouth to come within a RCH this side of being a murder victim. Now just an old bull who wants to have a bit more resilience to me lardy arse than my pillow. Thanks for your very informative, and down to earth realism of the real world vids. Kudos.
As someone who’s always chose places for their lineage, prestige, and style for the past 8 years, I can confirm this. I never had fun when I chose a place with prestige, and it was rare that I liked the people. I absolutely hated traveling further, so much so that I would miss some classes. It’s more motivating when the gym is next door. Trust me guys, he’s right
Good advice. If you can’t afford it, or if it’s too inconvenient, or if the people are too inconsiderate, you’re not going to stay for long. You should always ask to observe a class before you join any school, then stick around afterwards to ask questions. Having done that, you can weed out the duds. A few things to consider: #1- Is this the primary source of income for the owner/chief instructor? Do they want you to sign a contract? If so, you’re not going to get your money’s worth. #2 – Do senior students carry themselves with humility and professionalism? If not, whether they can back up their attitude or not, they’re probably not people you’ll want to train with for long. #3 – Are the walls lined with toys? Do they wear colorful uniforms? If so, you may have mistakenly walked into a jungle gym or circus. #4 – Are you looking for a traditional school, or an informal place to train? Is there a reason you prefer one over the other? Your expectations and biases about this could totally determine the quality of your experience. #5 – Is the instructor teaching advanced techniques to beginners? If so, they’re not learning anything useful, & the instructor is just using students as training partners. Any martial art can be effective if the instructor thoroughly, extensively, consistently drills down on basics. It’s not flashy. It may seem boring. But constant repetition of basics is what separates good martial artists from posers. #6 – Know going in: are you wanting to train in a contact sport?
I remember when I was a kid I was training with fake masters who were training me with JCVD films. Pulling my legs with ropes and punching car tires. In my locality there was no martial arts club. Any person I could meat who had basic martial arts knowledge I will train with. When some years passby I had the chance to train with an African champion. Yes I am from Cameroon. He realized I didn’t have good fundamentals but I was determined to be good. He corrected all my techniques and stance. Thanks to him and past experience I am now a 4th degree black belt in Karate shotokan with children and practice multiple fighting systems. I don’t regret learning bullshit. I do splits and other cinematic techniques. I am known to be a good instructor because I teach karate at the University of Yaounde 2 Soa in my country Cameroon. I can relate to your story. I wanted to do martial arts and I was open to any person who can teach me any fighting techniques. Thanks for the tips.
Couldn’t agree more! For me: 1) the place where you have fun and 2) the place where you can actually track and measure your progress, it can be anything from a home gym, small outdoor gym, with/without a training partner/coach(or training partners/coaches). Maybe you’re the type who doesn’t even respond well to large crowds of training partners/coaches, maybe you’re the type who’ll improve a lot more from general fitness training rather than specific combat training (and you don’t even have the time/willpower/money for some high level “super duper” combat training)…… Love this website!
This is excellent advice. One further thing to consider is the consequences of injury. I finally, quit doing HEMA because the risk of injury became to high and in my job (Merchant Mariner) an injury of any sort could sideline me for months until I was cleared to return to work by our company Doctor (nicknamed Dr Death because of the number of careers he’s ended). So even though I enjoyed and was able to get a lot out of the classes I was in the possiblility of losing months worth of income outweighed any benefit.
I used to train before I moved and was struggling to pick the “right place” where I now lived. Thank you for helping me realize that none of that shit mattered, because the deciding factor is whether or not I’ll actually go and enjoy it. Lol it’s sounds stupid simple but these are the things people never think of.
Dear Mr. Icy Mike! I’ve watched two articles from you: ranking self defense styles (and I was astonished to find Judo so highly ranked, I did this as teenager) – and I looked for the nearest Judo- school: 5 minutes away from my home! They even have former professional fighters – and it’s also good for old dudes like me (and I hope I can still play guitar) – Thanks, your articles have been very usefull, for someone like me who has no idea of all the modern MMA things : )
So I started wrestling did four years and coached youth wrestling. Started Taekwondo after that because it was free. Joined the army did Okinawa Karate for 6 months because it was on the base. Moved bases trained in boxing and Bjj for three years. Was also introduced to akido,a little bit of filipino knife and stick techniques, and Muay Tai through people I trained with over the years. Got out of the military got married couldn’t afford to go to some of the martial arts schools in the area so went back to the taekwondo school that was free again. Was in a motorcycle accident and then had kids so it has been 12 years since I was in a formal class again besides coaching wrestling. I couldn’t agree with you more. I have always taken something from each style and instructor despite what I felt about the style and how it felt for my body type/flexibility (I am not) etc. I enjoy training and the people I am around. Even though I am limited in sparring with the taekwondo class that I attend (no leg kicks/punching to face) but still enjoy the training.
Hahaha, I usually just watch these because 1. Their funny 2. I know where his school is and respect his content 3. And I was sitting on the porch with a beer and nothing else to do…. But I listened, smiled, laughed and agreed with his reasoning. Convenience, cost and fun. And after I was old enough to drive myself I went everywhere to learn everything. Old memory of training in Maurice Moore’s school in Lincolnton NC, we were boxing, kickboxing and fighting amateur at all of the local National Guard Armories. And sport karate at the Dojo circuit tournaments. Most fun was when Maurice choreographed a Kata to Michael Jackson’s Thriller! Hahaha I can still perform that musical form after all those years, but it doesn’t look as good as when younger me performed it. Good stuff Hard2hurt!!
Actually, I can definitely get behind that advice. Although there’s one more thing to keep an eye on: some people think they know how to train hard without actually having an idea. You should understand what you are doing before, say, you hurt your knees or something like that. That still fits into “see different places and compare them” guideline, though.
You are spot on with the three criteria. Your survival is a function of tools, skills and physical/mental health. Most people overdo it in tools. I am a monkey-see, monkey-do type of person. So there was a period in my life when I was trying to schedule two skills classes a month. It wasn’t a desire to become a black belt.
hes completely correct. i did judo for about 7 years, and i started as a young kid of 7-8 years old. i started off at a school made for kids to learn what judo is, it was a fun place, based around judo but with a lot of games, it was not the best place to start of with until i got to a orange belt. then i moved to Hong Kong, found a school there (i was 12 then) that was made to make good competitive fighters who win championships, i got the shit beat out of me daily (it was two sided, but we where not allowed to do things wrong), if we did a technique wrong, we did it again, and with full force and everything, and if you have done judo you know that its infamous for taking a beating to your body. that was not the right place for me as a kid who only did it up till then for fun so i stopped after a year there (after i got my green belt). then a few years later we moved again and i found a new school, it was in between the two, i stayed there for another something around 2 years, got my blue belt there. but it was not as soft as the first one and defiantly not as hard as the other one. but then that place closed due to covid and all the people who led it moved so it never came back. now as a 18 year old I’ve taken up BJJ as a natural close relative of judo, and we are going hard again (not as hard but a little less the second dojo). but because of having a lot more experience with actual fighting i now know that id love to go back to that dojo in Hong Kong and try again. because i know ill take the beating, i know that ill like it, id go 5-7 days a week if i could (like I’m doing now with bjj).
When I was younger I always wanted to be a Boxer or Karate Master because it looked so cool in the movies when they KOd their opponents. But then I realized that I am very sensible and hate pain, or the thought of broken bones especially facial ones. I also have bad condition and tire out after throwing like 6 Combinations. But I was always good in holding people down, squeeze them with my legs or choke them in some way. One time when I was attacked by a Bully I pulled him in my Guard (without even knowing that pulling Guard was a thing ) and put him in a Choke. Years later when I read the Wikipedia article about BJJ I realized that I actually had performed a Guillotine Choke. I know that I only could do it because he was a Bully with no Fighting experience and that I would be destroyed by any Guy with at least a few Months of Martial Arts Training, but I was stil proud of myself in that Moment and I realized that I would prefer Grappling over Striking anytime. Maybe thats also because I dont like to hurt other people or get hurt. Thats why I like Wrestling. You can test your strengh and compare it with your friends in a competetive way without hurting each other to bad.
I’ve been to two different Krav schools(Yeah I do Krav, don’t @ me) and I can very clearly see the differences using these criterias. The first location was really inefficient, farther away, and compared to the new one is not as fun. I know you said certification is not important but it sure does help! Even after a 2 year break from Covid, I got a better footing on what I was supposed to be doing. Plus it’s closer and WAAAAYYYY more fun, simply because of the people there.
I’ve done the one where I am the out-of-shape dad working out with killers. It was close to home though, and I had fun. I’ve also done the one where I called someone “Master”. Oddly, this was also the one with the girls that would cry because you “hit too hard” in sparring (I absolutely did not). Fact is, I would rather get my ass kicked by the killers. If you can endure that for a while, you’re better off.
Sounds like good advice. Thanks! I give similar advice to people looking to learn an instrument: If it feels like a chore to you (like starting with really boring exercises for months), you’re probably going to give up before you get good. Find a song that’s easy and sounds cool and learn to play it. Make it fun or the rest won’t matter because you won’t get that far.
My answer when asked this… 1: It has some form of competition. You must at some point compete against people outside of your school against someone who really doesn’t want to loose in front of their friends and family. Even if competition isn’t of particular interest you should still occasionally compete as a form of training (as opposed to a training to compete). 2: It inspires you to go often. This one is easy, when you’re not in class you wish you were and you rarely find yourself making excuses to not go. This one principle encompasses the logistical, stylistic and people factors of the school or style.
As a (american) judoka, I wholeheartedly agree with this advice. Every word is true. Even if the place is fake, you’ll still learn. And learning is really the most important thing you can do as a beginner in anything. Learn, no matter how good or bad the instructor/sensei is, or the school/dojo is. Once you get to a point where you understand what you are actually doing, that’s when you can truly “pick a place”. So yes. Start affordable, nearby, and fun. Later on you can decide to stop, or change, really at any time. Oh. Also, there’s obviously a chance that the place you pick is already one of “the best” I struck gold with mine, honestly. Maybe not best of the best, but its always fun, and if history is correct, used to be one of the best in my state. Randomly decided on judo after perusal it (and participating) in a judo demo. Always wanted to do some form of martial art. At a very young age, I had learned a bit of karate, up to and including the second coda where they teach the “funny turn”. Who knew, that years down the line, I’d be using that very same funny turn to pivot for judo techniques? Later on, I was thankful for starting Judo. It’s very fun, and has gotten me to be far less afraid of being thrown. Knowing what to do if you are thrown goes a long way into easing the initial fear of it. 🙂
This article was spot on. I don’t know how to fight, but I’m looking to start Aikido. Why? Because it looks fun, I’ll learn how to fall properly and learn a lot about the mechanics of the human body. Is Aikido going to teach me how to kick ass and is it more affective than most martial arts? Definitely a big NO and I’m very well aware as to where Aikido ranks in terms of effectiveness in the martial arts world (low). I’m starting off from zero, but I’ll be better with it than without it and I think I’ll have a lot of fun with it. I’m also really looking forward to learning how to fall properly and to learn the mechanics of joint manipulation just for the sake of learning.
This is just like my tragetory of Learning Piano. I went to a classical school for 2 years and hated it. I didn’t learn too much. Then I got into Music Composition Graduation for another 2 years and hated it even more. Then I went for a Jazz school and damn! What I didn’t learn in 4 years, I learnt in just 1 year just because I loved Jazz. It was fun, it was fresh, it was something I fell in love.
So much truth! I train at a local karate school that focuses on point sparring and always get the stink eye from the 140 pound dudes with the huge TAPOUT decal on the back of their diesel pickup with a 14 inch lift. I have no illusions that I’m an MMA/UFC fighter. I do it because it’s fun, I love the instructor and it helps me with cardio cause I hate running. I’ve always been of the belief that you should just so something. Even doing Aikido is better than sitting on your couch all day.
I confirm, I started in a shitty place that was veeeeery cheap I went out the first time know 4 “blocage” with arms and 1 with legs, I practice them in the bus while going back home and record it in my head, my body, working those moves plus others even while I was in no school but just a bit sometimes to keep it and try to improve a bit and one of the first moves saved me one night while I was drunk alone vs 2 against a wall, so since the first day I gained something precious even from a shity school.. and later find 2 other places very higher power level and started kyokushin after having strated with shotokan. Great article, 100% agree !
I have hyperextending joints and persisted with judo and jiu jitsu for nearly five years, despite getting wrecked every class. So I was one of those folks for whom the type of martial art did matter. Quit that over 20 years ago. Giving muay Thai a go now, mostly for exercise, rather than self defence.
Training at a bad club is spot on as well. If you’re going to your regular nearyby bad place all the time, you can totally supplement that with one or two nights at a good place (if you can afford to). Then, you can train your regular partners on how to spar or grapple or whatever better, which makes your time spent there more effective.
I don’t always agree with you but as a non fighter, not even into BJJ competitions the few I’ve done. I consider myself a martial artist with an interest in self defense. this is one thing that I totally agree with you. Two of your points I use when someone new ask me this question (distances and cost) i will now have to add fun. I also point out that without being involved in some form, it’s hard to understand what they want or able to do.
Having a place that’s close is big. I started training at a place a few years ago, and I partially picked it because it was on my way home from work. I enjoyed it and had a lot of fun. Then I changed jobs and my new work location was the opposite direction of my gym and my travel time doubled. It was a nightmare to get to class because I would have to leave work early and hope I didn’t have any issues with traffic, etc. Yes, I could have made it work but it no longer felt worth it.
This is great advice. I watched this article 1-2 years ago and thought “fuck it I’ll check out that random boxing gym in my town”. A year in, it’s not a world beating gym but I got hundreds of rounds of sparring in me, mostly with dudes that can kick my ass, my cardio is orders of magnitude better, and I made a bunch of cool friends of all ages. Listen to Mike.
This logic sortof applies to everything. The best WHATEVER is the one you’ll actually do. What’s the best diet? The one you’ll stick to. What’s the best workout regimen? They one you’ll stick to. Every time, when someone is starting something, the best option is ALWAYS: The one that you’ll actually DO.
Best suggestion ever for what school.. I train in Gracie jiu-jitsu and it is legit.. Royler Gracie comes in cpl times a year for a seminar and my professor trained with them most of his life.. I mention that cuz I just wanna say how humble Royler is and how friendly and part of a family oriented the academy is.. but aside from that.. I have A BLAST!! I love it.. I miss it to but this covid thing shut everything down.. plus I like boxing so I do some boxing workouts.. just enjoy what ever it is u like doing.. that’s all that matters.. I’m not there to be a tough guy.. I love learning in a place to meet up where it feels like home 🙏🏼
My right foot got into an argument with a lawnmower almost 40 years ago. I really don’t like falling, I am tall and have always been very overweight. So other than Boxing or Tai Chi (or similar) there really isn’t any other options for me. However most people don’t have my limits so article is good yeah.
Finally a legit answer. It makes me feel better for picking my first martial arts gym based on the closet place I could get to and it affordability regardless of their level. I mean I think I was picking a the most legit affordable place that I can get my hand on and go to when I have litterally zero knowledge if what I chose was legit or not despited the gym does not have a high record of fighter winning. It was a small gym with ex-special force dude and some quality muay thai trainers, but it was small and most fighter there are not aiming to go pro in the competition which is why there was not much record of fighter winning. To be fair, some became a trainer in mma, but they move to work in different gyms – not because it was not a legit place, but because they moved.
I started up working as a jailer, and soon found out it would be best to have some extent of martial training, being surrounded by blakc belts of different martial arts. I took up TKD because I grew up with it. Combined with the years I put in growing up, I’ve put in about 7.5 years, and I’m looking at obtaining a black belt soon. People tell me I waste my time, but I don’t think so; although TKD is growing more expensive than I remember. A man with a good head on his shoulders I think can make anything work, but he has to be fit, creative, and have a strong, disciplined mind. I applied myself to learning a lot of the traditional techniques, reading out of CHH’s encyclopaedia, and found numerous techniques it seemed that modern TKD had forgot because they don’t fit it with a sporting environment. Everything can be made useful to a good martial artist
I went with karate because I’ve always favored staying on my feet vs trying to roll on the ground (dealing with school yard bullies running in packs cured me of ever wanting to be on the ground) and the best school local to me is a no-nonsense karate dojo that acts more like a club than a school meant to earn a profit. We just pay our monthly dues to cover the overhead of renting out the building space and train as much as we are able. Additionally, the style is Isshin-ryu which teaches bo, sai, and tonfa as integral to the art rather than as separate so that’s more material to cover and knowledge in how weapons move/work in case we need it. Naturally, the main gaps we have are we aren’t so hot at longer ranges (main focus is fighting at elbow/clinch range) and not so good on our backs, but it’s worked for me as a solid base to add in some basic skill in wrestling and BJJ (mostly how to escape back to my feet) to round out the skills for what I’ve determined are my needs.
I wholeheartedly agree. My only caveat is that I need to train with people I am comfortable losing with. If they are constructive about my shortcomings and try to get us both/all better without just massaging their ego? I am willing to lose and fail again and again until I get better. Otherwise I am out.
Dude, this is a hard truth. Almost all body types can bring their advantages depending on their execution. I knew short guys that I could keep back with my legs until I met the one guy that trained to fight dudes with long legs. He used my body weight against me, my higher center of gravity and my reach to make me more exposed. He closed the gap, destroyed me. And I didn’t expect it.
Respectfully, lineage is important in some systems. It’s another form of BS check because anybody can claim to be a teacher in any system and not know a damn thing about the history, or the correct curriculum. For example – I was exposed to Serrada Escrima a couple years ago, and found out that there was an instructor near me who learned from a direct student of the system founder. Knowing that, I walked into that first training session knowing that I had a quality teacher. It was the most fun I’ve had in martial arts in my entire life. And this is me coming from ten years of Shotokan Karate training. Hopefully I’ll be training with my guro again soon. Because I love Serrada, and hope to maybe teach it myself someday.
I’ve lost time in places that sucks, than I’ve lost time to train trying to find the “best place”. Now I am training in a place that ok, is legit but I realize earlier today that my “background” criteria was the fun and friendship with people and coach and not the “legitimacy” or whatever of the place. Like someone said some place “the better art is the one that you train”.
Man, I like this article. Really. When someone asks me where to train BJJ I always say that it needs to be somewhere you feel good at. It’s hard, so you have to feel good there. Try two or more places before really choosing. I had the luck of finding somwhere that was near my house, that I could afford and where I felt good. Then, I moved to another place in town, and kept going to the same gym, because I feel good there.
Great advice. Also hahahaha, I laughed when you said spent years in hapkido and went elsewhere. I just joined a muay thai gym and after years of hapkido as a good starting place, that stance has made me so much better. I was always taught to be slightly off balance in hapkido, but I didn’t realize how stupid it was.
I have a few criteria: 1. It has to be close for travel. 2. Fun people are a requirement. 3. Venting anger through martial arts is a no-no (I’v seen that go wrong quite a few times). 4. Technique should at least be on a level where it won’t cause injuries over time (horse stance with knees beyond ankles for instance). Injuries from sparring is always a risk, so I don’t count that.
The best “self defense” is to be physically fit in my opinion. Most adult men I’ve ever seen get into a fight have been drunk and out of shape. I’ll be 48 in a month and I have never been in a fight in my adult life. Chances are, I will never be in a fight, but if I did, I think my improved physical condition is going to be a bigger factor than my training. I got back into martial arts for the enjoyment, the social aspect, and for my health.
Thanks for this man I’ve been going to this one place for coming on 7 years, initially got interested at a fresher’s fair when I saw two black belts doing a sparring demonstration and one of them showed me a basic slip + forearm block + counter that just kinda clicked for me. But at the same time I’m badly needing to up my sparring / iron out some kinks in my technique (where I get destroyed because I just don’t have the spirit for it) as well as dive into some other disciplines for perspective.
I began in January at UFC gym and thought “what the hell did I get myself into.” On my first class. Almost quit because it was tough. Now I love it even though I still get my ass kicked here and there. Losing is sometimes better than winning. Just like negative criticism. Shows you what to really work on.
I train in karate and my Uncle trains me every morning because he was a black belt but he never trained anyone else before but training under him,I came know Martial arts is not about just fighting. I train because I just like to know what unique things my body and mind can do. I don’t care if all that training won’t work on street.I just like the proses of knowing and exploring something new
My first martial arts school was a karate school where I trained at for 4 years, and in hindsight they wasted a lot of time teaching me things that didn’t really make me a better fighter or more fit. A lot of self defense drills that I’ve since discovered weren’t super practical, and a lot of time spent on katas (which can be good for discipline and memorization, but not so much for fighting ability). However, it was close to me, it was fun, and those 4 years helped me develop a passion for the sport as well as giving me enough basic knowledge to break down what makes a good or bad school now. Nowadays I know what I want in a gym and look really closely at the backgrounds of the instructors, their credentials, lineage, articles of their trainings etc. because I enjoy doing the research and have the knowledge to do that now, but if I never spent that time at the karate school I wouldn’t have had the care or the knowledge to do that. So yes, training at a fun local affordable school is always a good bet.
How to pick a traditional art dojo / school / gym / whatever. Ask two questions: 1) How do you do rank promotions and 2) how often do you spar? If the answer to the first one is anything other than an actual testing cycle where you are required to prove proficiency, as opposed to getting your 15th stripe because you managed to not punch yourself in the face this week, it’s probably bullshit. If there’s no sparring, it’s absolutely bullshit and you should not expect anything you learn to help you in the real-world. That said, my Master (yes, Master) was a nationally ranked full-contact fighter in the ’80s and his head instructor was a patrol officer for 10-years who had numerous stories about using the art on-the-job. So, you might want to ask about the experience your prospective instructors have, if your goal is self-defense. From there, it’s all going to be your actual focus while you train. If you’re just punching and kicking the air, you’re getting a good workout but that’s about it. You could be paying Mike Tyson to train you and if you’re not training with the intent of hurting the person who’s attacking you, you’re not going to magically get that benefit from the training.
best words of wisedom for example, i started by going to local swimming pool to learn how to swim then after 2 years i started training by myself there, and i got into freediving i trained by myself bc there is no local or close enough freediving instructor they are rare and hard to find and hard to convince to pick you as a disciple unless you can already hold your breath for over 5-7min and can swim the whole olympic pool underwater without surfacing otherwise they feel you’re wasting their valuable time and the tell you go home and don’t get yourself killed trying to dive to 30m or simply tell you to go do scuba instead
I’m in that situation myself; I go to a place right now that teaches kenpo and wing chun, and we do spar, but it’s more like the students do a few rounds before the next class starts. In contrast, my old dojo- a taekwondo school that competed in karate tournaments- had 2 classes every week dedicated to sparring, and lots of times, the instructor would run us through some sparring drills and have us practice those on each other. The contrast between the schools is immense, but this isn’t to dog the dojo I go to now. They’re just not competition-focused. It’s just a contrast I recognized in comparing the two. I go to this dojo for about 3 reasons; I can learn multiple martial arts (I’m more into the art aspect than the martial, so this suits me fine,) I pay 135 a month- no contract to do everything he offers, including fencing if I’ll ever get up early enough, and he has Saturday classes which means I can finally train despite my schedule. For that reason, this dojo is awesome for me- two new martial arts to learn and work on, and I can actually make it to class and not be tied into a contract. Worth it to me.
Boxing…with the most effective judo throws( over the shoulders, push and trip etc)…straddling techniques( pinning and punching forget chokes)a few sweeps and shin kick pokes( kicks unbalance)…hand eye coordination training with juggling practice…brain eye latency training with hardcore gaming…muscle speed activation is more important than muscle strength over a short distance…muscle memory auto reflex training in a dojo or gym…keeping your brain healthy…cod liver oil and multivitamins…and wired on caffeine or energy drinks( coffee is healthier)
For me the best style is the one that adapts to my body. Let’s just say I’m not a super flexible 5ft tall Chinese man, but I am athletic and in shape. I expect promotions to be slower as the material is more legit. When I was half way to black I visited another school for a seminar. The black belts there were impressed so I knew I was learning. In our style at a brown belt level, 2 students can perform the same exercise or get attacked in the same way but their methods look totally different. At a Krav Maga school, they were trapping an arm in a way I thought was not as effective as it could be, but I kept silent. A year later their head instructor’s in Florida changed the arm trapping technique to the way I thought it should be. Not a dig on KM, but these instructor’s just hadn’t gotten to that point in their training. A style that is willing to evolve to improve is a good sign. Lastly, if you find that there is one or more bad attitude students that you feel you need to avoid when training, it might be a sign that your instructor is not for you. I’ve seen bad attitude students be asked to leave our school. Good article and advice.
I deccided to do Shotokan Karate cause it’s affordable (4 adult classes in the morning and 4 adult classes at night for $200), it has sparing, and a 2.5 mile bike ride. I never actually spared before aside from Kendo. I was told by martial arts youtubers that Full contact is better than point sparing but most of the boxing gyms where I’m at are ether cardio kick boxing, boxing but with no sparing, and some gyms that offer Muay Thai say that Muay thai is a work out. Point Sparing is better than no sparing.
I think you forgot to mention one VERY important thing here. It’s not just what’s close to the house, how much it costs, and how much fun it is. If you wanted to learn how to…let’s say grappling…then taking Taekwondo isn’t going to be very good for you because they don’t do that. If you want self defense for protection in a rough area, then Taichi isn’t going to help you either. No, you need to figure out WHAT you want to focus on, THEN apply the things you mentioned. I got bullied in school and decided to take up TKD and quickly realized that I suck at kicking, even though I got up to a green belt and still couldn’t defend myself. If instead I went with boxing, I would have been better off because I’m better at punching. Hope this made sense.
All right guy, this article is correct in the fact for anybody who wants to have fun and take up sometime. It’s not that difficult of a choice to pick a school Let’s be real most people go to take self-defense classes for that ability to defend themselves when it counts. Many of you guys are not going to like this but the fact is no matter how many classes you take it will not make you a fighter. One’s ability to fight comes from within. You and only you know if you have the personality orr the being of a fighter. Be honest with yourself when you choose to take self-defense classes. This article is a good article but he leaves the above out of it and he should not have.
I will definitely add a fourth criteria that might sound obvious but it’s not: Go to a place where trainers really care for your health using the appropriate equipment. When I was 12 and assisted to my first boxing gym here in Mexico the trainer was a very irresponsible guy, like he put you to spar on the first day with the ones who had more experience, put the best of the gym fight against two novices on the same time, the boxing gloves he used for spar were like 1 dude using a 8 Oz gloves, and the other using a 14 Oz gloves, sometimes he didn’t care if everyone had their hands wrapped… Things like that
I think the most important thing, both to see if the gym is legit, and also to see if you actually ENJOY fighting and martial arts(like pretty much all of us who have been doing it for many many years…I train Muay Thai myself…formerly I trained jiu jitsu); you need to find a gym WITH SPARRING. Then you go and participate. During my first 6 months in muay thai I was super nervous before every single sparring match I had, cause I didnt know anything about striking(I had come fresh from 1 and a half years in jiu jitsu straight to muay thai once I got sick of my jiu jitsu coach and his “business” methods most of all); after the 6 month mark I had become good enough to defend myself reliably; at around the 2 year, to 3 year mark, I was good enough to beat most trained guys I fought even ones with more experience than me; and absolutely devastate anyone who is untrained, or those gym bully types that come in for the purpose of trying to basically KO everyone during sparring then they’ll never be seen again; I beat the shit out of those guys, and though they are rarer these days, I still beat them down whenever they come in and my coach matches me up agains them in sparring). Ive been training Muay Thai for 6 years and ongoing at this point(its been over 6 years but Im not keeping track of the individual months at this stage of my training). I had a streetfight where someone ran up on me from behind and sucker punched me, which almost knocked me out cause I didnt see it coming at all, when I had been training Muay Thai around 2 years.
Thanks for the laughs, but it’s so true. I used to train in JKD years ago. Is it the best MA? I suppose that all depends on how one qualify a MA as best, but it was close to my home, I could afford it, it was fun and gave me a sense of satisfaction and purpose, especially once doing advanced trapping hands and wooden dummy training. Now I’m older and would like to get back into some sort of training, mostly for the physical activity and social aspect, I have the option of a Sambo gym or MT/BJJ gym. I can afford either, both in walking distance, let’s see which one is more fun!
what about bad habits? if you go to a place that is a scam and learn bad habits that later on you will need to fix at different place while regretting your past mistake … so just go to a place near you is not good enough I would say, why not do research before choosing a place (these days information is available on the internet).
I started lessons in Kung Fu at a school nearby about six months ago. The head teacher (Sifu) also has some experience in Sanda, including tournaments. I have a blast there. It’s great fitness, my flexibility is getting better, and I love the environment and the guys there. Is it the optimal place for me to learn how to fight? Probably not. However, I am motivated to go to every class and have found myself improving physically and mentally because of it, so what else could I ask for? This is great advice. Just getting out the door, starting, and staying motivated is such a powerful thing in itself.
“if you call the guy in the front of the room master”…my instructor rents space at a school where the owner, a 4th degree black belt in TKD, insists on everyone calling him master, including my instructor, an 8th degree black belt in Kenpo…but, the kids he’s teaching are having fun and learning to move 😀