Mini-FAQ: Finding the martial art that is best for me

Below is the first in a series of "Mini-FAQ Articles" which address questions that have frequently come up and addressed within our forums. While these article are not meant to be the definitive answer to these questions, it is meant to be a starting point in your research.

Finding the martial art that is best for me.

A common question that those of us in the martial arts community hear is, “which martial art is the best” when considering the study of a martial art. Most of us in the martial arts community recognize that it’s not the art that is superior; it’s the superior martial artist. All martial arts are different, emphasize different things, and all have their plus and minuses. So rather than concentrating on what art is the best, a better idea would be to focus on what art is best for you!

Before you can make the decision as to which martial art to study, it may be useful examine why you want to study a martial art, and design the search for your martial art from there. For instance, you may want to train in a martial art for self-defense, fitness, sport, hobby or because you enjoy the cultural aspect of the arts, or any mixture of the above. All of them are valid reasons to train, and most martial arts tend to focus on one or more of these aspects, but depending upon your motivation for training, you may be disappointed if its primary focus is not in line with your desires.

In some cases, you can look at the individual art and with a little research, discern its nature. For instance, you can easily see with a little research that Judo is heavily sport driven as an art, but depending upon the individual instructor or school, may emphasis a more “complete” approach to the art (like fitness, self-defense and cultural). So when looking for an art which matches your motivation for training, you should not only do a little research on the various arts, but also talk with your prospective instructor and ask them about their school, and their philosophy toward training to see if it matches yours.

While it is possible to examine a particular art and see if it’s more self-defense, sport, or other driven, in some cases it can be hard to see the differences. Arts like Karate come in many flavors, from strict traditional to modern eclectic styles. As a general rule of thumb, most traditional Karate will focus on training for training’s sake, with a strong emphasis on the cultural aspects of the art. Self-defense and fitness will be byproducts of the training, but not the primary emphasis. Modern eclectic styles of Karate are more likely to emphasize sport, with fitness and self-defense as their by-products. The problem is that this general rule of thumb does not always apply, so that’s why it’s important to do your research, talk with the instructor and/or students, and ask knowledgeable third-parties like folks on BudoSeek their opinion.

While putting a label on any martial art can be difficult, you can definitely put certain arts into categories to help with your search. While the below list is not comprehensive, it should be used as a starting point in finding your martial art.

Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Tang Soo Do, Kung Fu. These are mostly “kick and punch” arts which emphasize striking with the hands and feet. As part of their training regime, most utilize one-person forms which combine blocks and strikes into a pattern to simulate a real fight. The most traditional systems make a study of the applications behind the techniques within the forms (called bunkai in the Japanese/Okinawan arts) in a comprehensive manner to enhance the combat effectiveness of the techniques, and often these applications include joint locking, throws and other “grappling” type techniques. More modern systems of these arts tend to put an emphasis on sport competition, some train with ancient weapons, and nearly all tend to utilize “sparring” as a training method.

Jujutsu (aka Jujitsu, Jiu-Jitsu), Judo/Yudo, Aikido, Sambo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Hapkido, and Chin Na can all be classified as grappling arts and emphasize techniques at close or “contact” range. Primary to these arts are joint locking, throws, strangulation, and some striking techniques (although not normally as comprehensive as “striking arts). Older systems of Jujutsu also have an emphasis on training with traditional weapons such as the sword, and all have a strong self-defense/combative emphasis with the exception of Judo, Sambo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu which are more modern and have emphasis toward sport, but can have a strong self-defense and cultural component depending upon the school and/or instructor.

Koryu or the oldest systems of Japanese martial arts (often referred to as Kobudo) are most often associated with the Japanese sword arts and Jujutsu. Almost all tend to place emphasis on traditional weapons and while geared originally toward battlefield combat, have become important cultural treasures in Japan. While these arts may not be geared specifically toward self-defense, the strategies and tactics taught (as well as many of the techniques) can have direct application toward self-defense.

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), Boxing, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, are all martial arts which emphasize full-contact training with the end goal of “in the ring” competition. While it can be argued that these arts have a strong self-defense component, this would merely be a by-product of the training and techniques itself. In few cases are self-defense scenarios, and a direct emphasis on self-defense trained, but the heavy contact can be a valuable method in preparing for combat, but without the tactics and strategy necessary for survival in a life-threatening situation. These arts all emphasis physical conditioning/fitness, and use sparring as their primary training method.

Krav Maga, Jeet Kune Do, Systema, most Filipino arts (Kali, Arnis, Escrima) are geared toward self-defense/personal combat. There are also a number of modern combative arts which are also oriented toward self-defense/personal combat. All tend to train students in tactics, strategy and techniques which are effective in combative situations, with some, like the Filipino arts, teach the use of weapons. In the case of the Filipino arts, a stick or baton are used as an analog for a bladed weapon in day to day training, with increased exposure to a live blade as the student gains competency.

As was previously mentioned, putting any art into a specific box is pretty hard to do as most will cover more than one category and emphasize more than just one aspect. Examining the arts and your own motivations for training is the first step in determining the right art for you, but talking with instructors/students, doing online research and watching as many classes in different arts will help you find the right “fit” for you.