Martial Arts – Choosing the Best Style

For anyone who wants to learn a martial art, there is a lot to know in regards to the many different martial arts styles. Of course, there is the question of finding the best martial art, which is a question many people ask with so many martial arts styles to choose from, it can be very difficult to pick one to learn.

No matter you may hear or what others have to say, it is quite impossible to name one style of martial arts as the ultimate best. Actually, there are several factors that come into play, which makes a statement about a style being the best impossible. Even though one style may thrash another in a competition or a fight, does not always signify that the winning style is the best.

Before deciding to rush out there and learn a martial art, you should decide several things first. Martial arts are great to learn, no matter which style you decide on. A martial art can teach you self-discipline, self-defense, and several other traits that will help you no matter where you decide to go in life.

Self defense

All over the world, several martial arts schools and dojo’s emphasize self-defense a lot more than others do. Schools that focus on kata, forms, or light sparring are less than likely to teach you what you need to protect yourself on the street. If you are looking for street self-defense, then you will want a style that trains hard and does not let up.

Fitness

Even though martial arts can improve your fitness level, it is not the goal behind many of the martial arts styles. Several styles, such as Tae Bo, are based purely on martial arts and do not include a lot of physical fitness training. If you are looking for fitness as your main goal, then you should be looking into something other than martial arts.

Fighting ability

This will vary among the many different martial arts styles. Self-defense schools will most often take advantage of fighting skills, teaching you everything you need to survive. Most martial arts styles are slow in theory, teaching you kata, movements, and forms. Self-defense schools on the other hand, teach you how to inflict the most amounts of damage in the least amount of time.

Competition

Competition based martial arts are all about winning trophies and showing the world your style of martial arts. The competition that you have chosen will greatly influence your style of martial arts. You will need to decide if you will be fighting or displaying kata, light or heavy contact, or focusing on grappling or striking.

Prior to deciding on a martial arts style, you should always research the schools and dojo’s in your area, and inspects what all they offer you. The best schools will allow you to contribute in a few free classes, or offer you discounts on your first few months. They will answer any questions that you have, and work with you to help you learn as much as you can.

Martial arts can be a very fun and exciting learning experience. There are hundreds of different martial arts styles out there, although you may be limited in choice, depending on what all in area are offering. Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Kickboxing, and Jiu-Jitsu and some of the most common types of martial arts, and normally offered just about everywhere. The more distinct styles, such as Kung Fu, Shootfighting, Kenpo, and Shaolin styles are a bit hard to harder to find.

If you do your homework on some of the styles offered in your area, you will find one that best fits your reasons to study. Martial arts can change your outlook on life - all you have to do it devote yourself to learning all you can about the philosophy of your martial art.