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Best martial arts: which one should I choose?

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Is there such a thing as the best martial art?

There are hundreds of martial arts. All of them have their strengths and weaknesses. It is impossible to fully determine which is the ultimate best martial art. However, it is possible to categorize them into groups according to their purpose or main function, and choose the most efficient or even best martial art for a particular purpose.

In this article, I will give short and straight-to-the point descriptions and explanations of some of the most popular martial arts. I will also give some ideas of which arts are most efficient or best in specific situations or scenarios.

After reading this information, you will know exactly which martial arts are best for you.

Note: I wrote this article with a complete beginner in mind, so don't expect to find any advanced or technical information here. Also remember that some martial artists might disagree with me on some points.

Let's check out some of the more popular martial arts!

This is one of the most popular martial art. It was born in Okinawa, Japan (known as Ryukyu Islands in the past). Karate (means empty hand) is categorised as striking art, meaning that its main moves are composed of punching, kicking, and elbow/knee strikes. The moves are direct and sharp. Various styles or schools of karate exist, the most popular being Shotokan-ryu, Shito-ryu, Goju-ryu and Wado-ryu. Each particular karate sub-style or school has slightly different move combinations, fighting strategies, philosophies and rules. The study of karate is composed of three main elements: kihon (basics), kata (forms) and kumite (sparring). Karate ranking is based on the Dan system, where a practitioner starts his/her journey at 10th grade, moving up towards the 1st grade as he/she advances. Once the top grade is reached, a student can obtain his first Dan (first degree black belt). After the first Dan, the next rank is the second Dan (second degree black belt), and so on until the 10th Dan (note that only a handful of people in history have received the 10th Dan in karate). Also, having a first degree black belt does not make you a master or even experienced karateka - as the creators of Karate said, first Dan is just the beginning to real Karate - a beginning of a life long journey.

Useful Karate related websites:

Karate USA: Karate USA provides martial arts classes for kids and adults in Atlanta, Johns Creek, Cumming, Suwanee, and Sugar Hill Georgia.
Karate community: Come to Karate.com - the online karate community where you can find karate videos, karate training, lessons, moves, classes, schools, articles, news, and equipment!

Taekwondo

Taekwondo (also known as Tae Kwon Do) is a Korean striking martial art. Kicks (especially high kicks) are the most used moves in teakwondo, making it visually attractive. It is widely practiced as a competition sport, as it was approved as Olympic sport in 2000. It is less traditional than karate or other eastern martial arts, and concentrates more on physical aspects rather than mental or spiritual. Taekwondo uses very similar ranking system to karate (Grades and Dans, as described above).

Useful Teakwondo related websites:

WTF World Taekwondo Federation: Official World Teakwondo Federation website. Lots of information.

Jujutsu (aka Jiujitsu)

It originated in Japan, among the samurai, as a way to defeat armoured and armed opponents with bare hands (sometimes with a help of a short weapon). Jujutsu focuses on throws, locks, holds, trapping and to a lesser extent, striking and kicking. It is a close combat system that is designed to use an attacker's energy against him. Many jujutsu schools also teach weapon fighting.

Useful Ju-Jitsu related websites:

World Ju-Jitsu Federation: Unleash your spirit with ju-jitsu!
Ultimate Jujitsu: Moves, informations, end everything else.

Krav Maga

This is a hand-to-hand combat system designed to eliminate threats in the shortest time possible.

Krav Maga was created by Israeli martial artist Imi Lichtenfeld, and is currently used in Israeli regular and special forces. It's famous for being extremely effective in fighting against armed opponents.

Immediate counter attack, vulnerable point targeting and situational awareness are some of it's main principles. Krav Maga does not have any spiritual or traditional features - it's a pure combat discipline (however, these days some practitioners and schools might disagree).

Useful Krav Maga related websites:

Krav Maga Global - Modern Self Defense: Krav Maga self defense was originally developed for Military and Law Enforcement. Krav Maga Global by Eyal Yanilov - experience the next level.
Krav Maga - Jon Hegan Academy - Self Defence Fighting System: Offering Krav Maga self-defense classes in Upminster, Essex, England, United Kingdom. Krav Maga is today's cutting-edge self-defence and hand-to-hand combat system. The techniques are simple, quickly learned, practical for use in real fight situations and do not rely on size or strength.

Kung Fu

Actually, Kung Fu is not a single martial art but rather a category or family of a huge number of martial art systems that originated from China. Some of the most popular kung fu schools include Shaolin, Hung Gar, Tai Chi, Drunken Boxing, Choy Li Fut, Praying Mantis, Dragon style and Wing Chun (Wing Chun was one of the main martial arts used be the late great Bruce Lee). Kung fu styles have many differences between each other, but most of them have the following in common: circular movements, meditation and other internal training techniques, long forms (forms in kung fu are continuous sets of movements designed to teach and train the practitioner) and advanced muscle training exercises. Also, most Kung Fu practitioners spend a lot of time studying kung fu mythology, history, legends, and sometimes even religions associated with Kung Fu (notably Buddhism and Taoism). Confucianism is also regarded as one of the sources of knowledge and wisdom in Kung Fu.

Websites related to kung Fu:

International Kung Fu Federation: Official IKF website.

Judo

Judo (literally means "gentle way" ) is a modern martial art that originated from Japan. It is widely practiced as a sport (Olympic sport since 1964). It's main moves and techniques include throws, takedowns, grappling, joint locking and strangle holding (choke). Strikes are also used at a smaller extent (even though they are not permitted in competitions or free sparring).

Websites related to Judo:

The original Judo Information Site: The official International Judo Information Site with comprehensive and authoritative original references on history, principles, philosophy, tournaments, techniques, club contacts, humor, art, books, and much more. A complete source of accurate information about judo as a martial art, Olympic sport

So, which martial art is best for me?

That depends on your needs and goals. All of the martial arts are powerful and all can be used in many different scenarios, however each martial art has it's strengths and weaknesses and hence is most efficient for several less abstract scenarios. Remember the golden rule: martial art does not fight for you, but you fight using it.

Sport competition

If your main goal of learning martial arts is to compete with others, win tournaments, get reputation and even earn money, then Teakwondo, judo and jujutsu are your best options. All of these arts have very big competitions organised several times every year. Also, if you want to do martial arts as your main income source, you might want to consider Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) as the biggest and most rewarding championship and tournaments are based on MMA. MMA is not a single specific martial art but a combination of various techniques and strategies from many different arts. You will have to learn a huge variety of different techniques ranging from tornado kicks to deadly head locks. Note that MMA is not for everyone - you have to be extremely dedicated to make it to the tournaments.

Websites related to competition:

Ultimate Fighting Championship: As Real As It Gets
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA): MMA News & results for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Strikeforce, WEC & more Mixed Martial Arts fights

Physical fitness

Even though all martial arts provide at least some physical development, a few of them are outstandingly good and few terribly bad. Some of the best physical fitness martial arts include most of Kung Fu systems, Muay Thai and Kickboxing. One martial art that is quite bad at developing physical strength is Wing Chun as it is based on sensitivity, technique and opponent's strength against himself rather than pure raw strength (otherwise, Wing Chun is EXTREMALLY powerful art once fully understood).

Mind and spirit development

Martial arts are also widely used to obtain mental and spiritual benefits. Few arts suitable for this purpose are traditional Shaolin kung fu, Tai Chi, Aikido and some traditional karate styles that involve meditation techniques.

Self-defence

If your goal of learning martial arts is self-defence (or defence of others), then probably the best martial art for such application is Krav Maga. Many people will disagree with me, but I am basing this information on many years of research and study. This martial art is very practical and can be learned to a point for you to be able to protect yourself in the shortest time possible (you will start learning useful techniques and strategies right from your first lesson). On top of that, Krav Maga does not "waste" any time on spiritual or traditional philosophical knowledge and training, as the main goal of self-defence is to simply defend yourself (and not reach some kind of enlightment or high mental state).

Websites related to self-defence:

Self Defence: Self Defence Products featuring Stun Guns, Pepper Sprays, Lock Picks, Police Supplies, Knives, Swords, ASP Batons and much more

Conclusion

At this point you should have a basic idea of which martial art is most suitable for you. If you are still not sure, you can do some more research, or simply pick one of the few you are considering and try it (most of the times martial arts schools will allow you to attend a trial class for free. Also do your best to avoid so called McDojos that simply want your money. It is best if you know at least one person who has trained in that particular school). Remember that all martial arts are powerful and your ability in combat and defence skills will depend more on the dedication and effort you put in to training than on the art you choose. Also, do not spend too much time online reading hundreds of articles and forum discussions about which is the best martial art. There is no absolute best martial art. Every individual has different needs hence everyone has to try few martial arts himself until he finds the one he really likes. Don't waste any more time! Find a nearby martial arts school and start TRAINING!

Good luck in your Martial Arts journey!

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Comments, questions and suggestions

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Black_Eagle_Martial_Arts Feb 21, 2012 @ 4:24 am | delete

To decide the best martial art would be impossible. For starters, what is "best"? Most damage inflicting? Best for surprise defence? Best for fitness? And how would you test such a thing that comes down to personal technique and strength?

Not to mention circumstance and style. I guess it's what makes MMA so interesting though!

Reply

Kumarastylez Oct 28, 2011 @ 11:07 am | delete

many of my friends and including me are performing Taekwondo. It is very relaxing sport. I really enjoyed your lens and thank you for sharing.

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abdirazak Jul 4, 2011 @ 2:11 pm | delete

hi thank you very much i would say Karate is the best for self defense and for all
i am shotokan karate black belt holder and can face 10 kung fu men so shotokan is the best sub style of karate

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Chris-H May 3, 2011 @ 3:10 pm | delete

Thank you for your list. May I humbly suggest Hapkido? It is definitely the most effective and brutal martial art I have studied. Hapkido is the Korean martial art which was later modified by the Japanese to be Aikido. Unlike Aikido which never initiates the attack, a Hapkidoist will not hesitate to initiate an attack and quickly subdue the opponent.

Also, when in Korea never ever insult an old man with a cane. Big mistake...big big mistake.

Reply

oktalBlizzard May 4, 2011 @ 12:13 am | delete

Thank you for your response, I will include hapkido in near future once I do some research about it.

And thanks for a tip about old men in Korea :)

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drewkellison Apr 20, 2011 @ 12:43 am | delete

there is no bad martial arts only bad martial artists. i personally like japanese jujutsu, brazilian jiujitsu, and muay thai. ive done kung fu and krav maga. my kung fu sucks and i didnt see much in krav maga that i didnt already do.

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bikerministry Apr 17, 2011 @ 4:06 pm | delete

Our grandsons are into Taekwondo and doing great. We both like tai chi. Great topic. Thanks.

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Bella_Stella Apr 15, 2011 @ 4:43 am | delete

I have always loved martial arts. I used to watch films with karate or kung fu etc and I admired the athletes who were so quick and seemed so strong despite being thin and not really tall.
I am thinking of starting learning a martial art both for developing self defense skills and exercising (because I find gym really boring). The thing is that I have no idea which school I should go to. Unfortunately, I have no friend that has dealt with such staff in the town I live, consequently, I have to search a lot on my own. You are totally right saying that each person asked will give a different opinion and I have also been told that the best way to choose a martial arts school is by asking an expert suggesting one.
This was a very useful lens as it has helped me compare several arts. What is more, the video were helpful too. So, I would like to thank you for sharing all these information.

Reply

oktalBlizzard Apr 15, 2011 @ 6:16 am | delete

you are welcome.
By the way, don't be afraid to start. You don't have to spend lots of time looking for that perfect martial art, because there is no perfect or the ultimate best martial art. There is only the best martial art personally for you. You can try several martial arts and see which feels right to you the most. Never sign up to martial arts schools that require you to pay for a year or even half a year. These schools are usually concerned just about money. Find a school where you pay by monthly basis, and try several martial arts before making your mind up to seriously study one particular martial art.

Good luck in the long, interesting and rewarding martial arts journey!

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sunsetsunrise Apr 12, 2011 @ 1:15 pm | delete

I voted for Karate...I am a traditional girl...LOL

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CruiseReady Apr 6, 2011 @ 6:01 am | delete

Thank you for sharing this... it's something that I knew very little about, and now know a little more!

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UKGhostwriter Mar 31, 2011 @ 8:12 am | delete

I used to me in awe of Bruce Lee and collected 'Kung Fu Monthly' just to get the big Bruce Lee poster!

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oktalBlizzard Mar 31, 2011 @ 8:14 am | delete

:) nice

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Glenn619 Mar 28, 2011 @ 8:01 am | delete

Hey good job with the lens i have personally trained in Judo so i would go with it as the best martial art.