Which martial art to study?

[morkus64]

I'm thinking that it might be a good idea to start learning a martial art for fun and fitness (and self-defence, i guess) but I'm not really sure what the differences are between many styles. Anyone know of a good website that compares a bunch, or have any advice?

In case it matters, I'm 24, have a slim build and average strength. I'm reasonably quick.

TIA!

 

[MotF Bane]

Well, you can search this forum, there's quite a few threads. You will probably see Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (bjj) run away with it here.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Tai Chi.

 

[TallBill]

BJJ + boxing were both amazingly fun and awesome workouts. You'll have trouble finding an out of shape boxer.

 

[morkus64]

Tai Chi.

I did Tai Chi today, actually. It was alright, but I prefer to sit still when I meditate and I'm looking for something a bit more active

 

[mchammer187]

for striking

muy thai

boxing

ground

BJJ

wrestling

none of this is from personal experience just what is dominant in MMA these days.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

for striking

muy thai

boxing

ground

BJJ

wrestling

none of this is from personal experience just what is dominant in MMA these days.

Muay Thai will give you good hands and solid kicks. Boxing will give you great hands and dodging ability, but at the cost of inexperience with legs. BJJ is great for ground game, but doesn't include much striking. Wrestling is great for self defense and you can get people in positions to create a lot of pain and can strike how you know to from there. To be perfectly honest, if you're gonna get mugged, it's usually by 2-3 people. I would go with Muay Thai or even Krav Maga. It's real-life applicable. Ground game is good with 1vs1, but if there's another person present, you're at a huge disadvantage. If you could train any one, I would say Krav Maga. If you could train two (alternating), I'd say Muay Thai and BJJ.

 

[M0oG0oGaiPan]

Train at a mma gym.

 

[brikis98]

Train at a mma gym.

This.

Also, moreso than the martial art style itself, make sure you like the instructor and fellow students. A crappy instructor can ruin even the most effective martial art. And since you might spar or grapple with the other students, it's important for your safety that they aren't assholes.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

It does not matter so much which system you choose, just make certain it isn't Bullshido. Because while many traditional martial arts are ravaged by Mcdojo syndrome, there are "MMA gyms" popping up that follow the same formula. Anywhere there is a buck to be made, you will find the charlatans ready to fleece the unsuspecting.

For the fun and fitness part, many systems fill the bill, for self-defense, fewer will. See what is in your area, then go evaluate them after educating yourself. Wiki has the article on Bullshido http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullshido. Take a couple of free classes, and try to find a good fit for yourself.

Wrestling, Sambo, some (non-sport focused) Judo dojos, and BJJ, are among the better* grappling systems. Boxing, Muay Thai, Kyokushin, Shotokan, and Sanshou Gongfu are among the better striking systems. Krav Maga is the among the most respected of the purely self defense (meaning they do not provide training for any form of competition) oriented systems.

Aagin, every single one of them can be watered down and taught by incompetents, so do your homework, and take some free lessons, before pulling the trigger. As you are a n00b, I discourage ever signing a contract, agreeing to buy overpriced gear exclusively through them, or take a class where there are so many in the class, that personal instruction amounts to a few minutes a session. But, even some legit places do follow some or all of these models. So, just choose wisely, and good luck and have fun whichever way you go.

 

[wwswimming]

Aikido is good, because it teaches you how to fall ("Ukemi" = falling skills)

... and those falling skills come in handy in other sports, like roller-blading. my modest knowledge of aikido saved me from a broken something (i used to enjoy roller skating down hills).

also, i used to dismiss Tai Chi as "wimpy", but that was before i met a genuine Tai Chi instructor. i was stretching in the weightroom at USF and got to know the USF Tai Chi instructor, Kimo, who made it a point to invite me to take his class. he was one of the last guys you'd ever want to get in a fight with.

also, maybe, Capoeira. e.g., Lateef Crowder -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxCb_1hjBz0
also one of the last people you'd ever want to get in a fight with.

i think it depends a lot on which instructor is available in your area.

2 of the 7th Dan Aikido instructors in the SF Bay Area are former police officers, who used aikido in real-life situations where it saved them from pulling their gun, while still defusing a situation.

 

[alkemyst]

for fun and fitness pick the place that seems most fun. Seriously hitting the dojo nightly or even a couple times a week will get you fit.

If you are really key on self-defense then you will probably have to do a lot more (weights, running, etc) to be a really good artist.

 

[alkemyst]

Aikido is good, because it teaches you how to fall ("Ukemi" = falling skills)

... and those falling skills come in handy in other sports, like roller-blading. my modest knowledge of aikido saved me from a broken something (i used to enjoy roller skating down hills).

also, i used to dismiss Tai Chi as "wimpy", but that was before i met a genuine Tai Chi instructor. i was stretching in the weightroom at USF and got to know the USF Tai Chi instructor, Kimo, who made it a point to invite me to take his class. he was one of the last guys you'd ever want to get in a fight with.

also, maybe, Capoeira. e.g., Lateef Crowder -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxCb_1hjBz0
also one of the last people you'd ever want to get in a fight with.

i think it depends a lot on which instructor is available in your area.

2 of the 7th Dan Aikido instructors in the SF Bay Area are former police officers, who used aikido in real-life situations where it saved them from pulling their gun, while still defusing a situation.

capoeria?!? no. Only if you are fighting in shackles, versus someone inexperienced or want a movie role.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Aikido is good, because it teaches you how to fall ("Ukemi" = falling skills)

... and those falling skills come in handy in other sports, like roller-blading. my modest knowledge of aikido saved me from a broken something (i used to enjoy roller skating down hills).

also, i used to dismiss Tai Chi as "wimpy", but that was before i met a genuine Tai Chi instructor. i was stretching in the weightroom at USF and got to know the USF Tai Chi instructor, Kimo, who made it a point to invite me to take his class. he was one of the last guys you'd ever want to get in a fight with.

also, maybe, Capoeira. e.g., Lateef Crowder -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxCb_1hjBz0
also one of the last people you'd ever want to get in a fight with.

i think it depends a lot on which instructor is available in your area.

2 of the 7th Dan Aikido instructors in the SF Bay Area are former police officers, who used aikido in real-life situations where it saved them from pulling their gun, while still defusing a situation.

Most grappling arts teach you how to fall or avoid falling. Aikido, in all my experience, has been less effective per time put into it. In BJJ or wrestling, you can defend yourself with a move you learn in one night in a wide array of scenarios. Aikido is much more specialized and, to be honest, ineffective.

If the OP wanted to do a traditional martial art, Wushu is great for speed. If he could find a place that does Jeet Kune Do, that would be pretty damn good as well.

Capoeria is a dancing art more than a martial art. I've seen certain of its moves work, but they're risky and grandiose. I've seen a Muay Thai head kick work time and time again. It's not as pretty, but it's more effective and much less risky.

 

[alkemyst]

I took 'kenpo' back in the day (1988 or so)...that's really a MMA type.

We had class after class for street fighting moves to defend ourselves. My instructor was world ranked at the time.

 

[Woosta]

For one, the greatest fighter ever uses Sambo:

Combat Sambo resembles modern mixed martial arts, including extensive forms of striking and grappling where (unlike Sport Sambo) choking is legal. Competitors wear jackets as in sport sambo, but also hand protection and sometimes shin and head protection. The first FIAS World Sambo Championships were held in 2001.

That said, he also practices boxing for striking and evasion technique, as well as footwork.


The greatest LHW fighter primarily is a Muay Thai fighter and is a BJJ black belt though he's known for his striking ( kicks ):

Muay Thai and boxing is probably the best combination for striking, muay thai will strengthen your shins/kicks and you'll be able to practice elbowing. Boxing is good for evading, head movement, leg movement, punching.

If you want to practice grappling try BJJ:

 

[SociallyChallenged]

I love how you show Shogun Rua instead of Anderson Silva I'm being facetious, of course, since Shogun has been destroyed while Silva continues to dominate.

 

[Woosta]

I love how you show Shogun Rua instead of Anderson Silva I'm being facetious, of course, since Shogun has been destroyed while Silva continues to dominate.

The difference is Shogun has always faced better competition, while Anderson hasn't faced the same quality of opponents Shogun has.

The A class fighters ASilva's fought I would say..

- Forrest Griffin ( former LHW champ, contender )
- Dan Henderson ( top 3 MW, legend, former PRIDE MW champion )
- Rich Franklin ( former MW champ )

Otherwise lately in the past years he's fought mediocre guys like Leites, Cote, Irvin, Lutter, Leben, Fryklund. Of course relatively speaking it is pretty competitive, but NOT compared to the fighters Shogun has faced. It's not even arguable.

Meanwhile, let's look at Shogun's opponents from the most stacked division, *THE* most stacked out of any division I'd say.

- Machida ( "official" LHW champion )
- Liddell ( Top 3 LHW of all time )
- Coleman ( former UFC HW champion, I'll give you the age factor but you can't deny his experience )
- Griffin ( former LHW champion )
- Overeem twice ( K1 level striking yet got TKO'd by Shogun twice )
- Arona ( At one point was #1/#2 LHW in world, probably the best LHW grappler other than Lil Nog )
- Lil Nog ( Top 5 LHW in the world, awesome striking/boxing, best BJJ of any LHW )
- Rampage ( Top 5 LHW in the world, former LHW champion, deadly striker )
- Babalu ( former LHW champion, black belt BJJ who gave Shogun his first legit loss )

Both ASilva and Shogun have 4 losses each, but let's look at who they lost to.

Shogun:

Mark Coleman - Shogun landed improperly and dislocated his elbow, he was never really dominated.
Renato Sobral - Shogun's 5th fight and Renato was in his prime, plus on that same night I think one of Babalu's relatives died and he really wanted to win that fight, Shogun was NOT going to win this one.
Forrest Griffin - Shogun's knee was injured such that he couldn't have proper cardio for this fight. Not Shogun's night, Griffin won but if that was an in-shape Shogun it would have turned out drastically different.
Lyoto Machida - The fact is that Shogun controlled the pace, inflicted more damage, landed more strikes, yet the judges favored because they thought you needed to really "beat the champ to beat the champ". I think this is BS, as John McCarthy put it best.. The champion is only the champion before the title fight, as soon as it starts both fighters are competing for that belt.

Anderson Silva:

Ryo Chonan - Anderson Silva was dominating this fight striking-wise, but all of a sudden Chonan pulls an out of nowhere submission flying scissor heel hook.
Daiju Takase - Anderson was caught by a triangle choke
Luiz Azeredo - understandable, as this was his first fight.
Yushin Okami - this one is arguable, about as legit as Shogun's loss to Coleman

Facts are that Anderson lost 4 times before even entering the UFC, if he stayed in Pride would he have lost yet again to some unorthodox submission by a Japanese fighter?

Shogun has never been destroyed, despite facing tougher competition. You can argue that of course Anderson has a belt, and is on a winning streak but I guarantee you if he had the same level of competition he'd have more losses, don't pretend like he's undefeated.

And since Anderson Silva is moving up to LHW and most likely will not fight Machida or Lil Nog, hopefully next year we can see Shogun vs Asilva. I personally think Anderson hasn't ever faced anyone remotely in the same calibur as Shogun, from his striking to BJJ to transitions to overall performance.

Fact: Anderson has been beaten by Japanese cans while Shogun hasn't.

Let's not forget that no LHW fighter ever has put on the same performance that Shogun has during the 2005 GP, he was the HEAVY underdog against Rampage, Arona, Rogerio Noguiera, probably had the same chances as Overeem yet all of these 4 fighters were top 5 LHWs in the world, and he beat them in the same year, Arona and Overeem in the same night.

Has Anderson done anything remotely close? No.

Let's also not forget the fact that Shogun won the 2005 GP at 24 years old, which is an incredible feat by itself. Shogun is 28, Anderson Silva is 34, Machida is 31 so Shogun may not even be in his prime yet, and IMO has accomplished more than ASilva and Machida at a younger age.

 

[Titan]

Most dojos will let you try a class for free. Go and see if you like it. If it grabs you, do it. The style of training is not so important as finding people you can click with. You need to feel drawn into a martial art to really train. If you're timid, just watch a class.

Most guys in this thread come from the standard macho-male perspective of training in an art, as to what is effective fighting or form of training. That may be for you as most guys approach it that way.

For me, I am a more well-rounded martial artist who was always huge (gentle giant) so I never did it because I wanted to fight. It's more spiritual for me, and I simply like using my body as a form of expression. The focus and concentration in mastering your own body is a form of yogic spiritual practice.

I did Tae kwon Do 10 years ago when it was more of a fad, but I was blessed with a school of smart people who loved it and weren't in it for the money, and they became my extended family. Now as I look to get back into teaching it I am exploring the realm of chi since I am drawn to that way. Almost ironic since TKD is basically the football of Korea and it is such a sport that it has lost that side a lot. And TKD is a great art for good workouts, a lot of kicks and jumping.

The art doesn't matter so much as the practice. We can't tell you what to do. Go see what's out there, and if it grabs you, do it.

 

[z1ggy]

Start out maybe just doing some boxing to get in shape first. If you know nothing about striking or or self defense, this is a good way to get you familiar with the jab, cross, and lead hook for basics. Perform on a heavy bag or something, that way yoy only have to focus on what you are doing. Once you get in a little better shape you should def move to either jiu jitsu or judo. I study jiu jitsu and muy thai and thai was a lot harder to learn for me personally than jitz. Learning how to elbow, knee and kick hard and effective takes a lot of time, patience and practice. Jiu jitsu has a much faster learning curve. IMO that if you are purely looking for fun and to stay in shape, jitz is hands down the way to go. It gives you great cardio and also builds strength and muscle endurance. However, with that being said.. I never have had a more intense cardio session then doing round after round of mma sparring with my partner. So if that is something you see in your future, then just keep at it.

 

[rasczak]

I had a lot of fun with Tae Kwon Do. My fitness level went through the roof when i was active. the only drawback was the lack of striking. Our dojang was a Police Officer, so he also included hapkido and ground techniques as well.

I miss that class

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I did Tai Chi today, actually. It was alright, but I prefer to sit still when I meditate and I'm looking for something a bit more active

Most folks think Tai Chi Chuan is a slow meditative martial art but, watching the techniques in actual fighting is a whole 'nuther' thing. My instructor in the old Yang style mopped the floor with a fourth degree black belt during a tournament.