Which Martial Art Is Best For
You?
New
to martial arts? If you want to get involved in martial arts training,
think about what your goals are and how each of the following popular arts may
help you meet those goals. Keep in mind that this is a GENERAL chart as
every school will vary and some may even cross over into other styles.
Never rule out a style until you try it or speak with the instructor.
It
is also important to recognize that the more "complete" styles (ones
that cover more of each focus) will require longer periods of training to
become more proficient in that style. Those styles highlighted in RED
are predominantly traditional or combative styles, BLACK
are sport oriented
GREEN
usually has some of both.
The
numbers below indicate the likelihood of finding a school that includes that
focus in their training AND the reputation that style has on concentrating on
that focus. The lower the number, the less the likelihood.
A BLANK indicates
research is ongoing - not enough schools have been sampled.
|
|
Stamina
&
Conditioning |
Meditation,
Internal Health & Philosophy |
Practical
Self Defense |
Sport
&
Competition |
Flexibility |
Hands |
Kicks |
Joint
Locks |
Throws |
Sparring |
| Aikido |
0 |
5 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
1 |
5 |
5 |
0 |
| Boxing |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
| Hapkido |
1 |
3 |
5 |
1 |
0 |
5 |
3 |
5 |
4 |
1 |
| Jeet Kune Do |
4 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
3 |
1 |
5 |
| Judo |
|
|
|
5 |
|
0 |
0 |
|
5 |
5 |
| Jujitsu
(Brazilian) |
5 |
0 |
|
5 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
| Jujitsu
(Japanese) |
1 |
2 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
5 |
5 |
1 |
| Karate |
3 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
| Kickboxing |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
|
0 |
5 |
| Kung
Fu |
|
|
|
|
|
5 |
5 |
|
|
|
| Muay
Thai |
5 |
|
|
5 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
|
|
5 |
| Mixed
Martial Arts (Freestyle) |
5 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
3 |
3 |
5 |
| T'ai Chi Chuan |
|
5 |
|
|
5 |
5 |
|
|
|
0 |
| Traditional
Taekwondo (ITF) |
3 |
1 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
5 |
5 |
3 |
2 |
4 |
| Modern
Taekwondo (WTF) |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
2 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
| Wushu |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
|
5 |
5 |
|
|
0 |
The following are the most popular broad styles of martial arts
that you can find in almost every major city in the world with brief descriptions of
each. So, if you are type of person who moves frequently, you may want
to get involved in a style that is popular enough for you to continue should
you ever leave that school.
Traditional VS Sport
Traditional martial arts seeks self development and spiritual improvement,
while sport seek superiority over an opponent - winning.
Traditional martial arts reflects Eastern values, while sport reflects Western
values.
Traditional martial arts is process oriented, sport is result oriented.
Traditional is formalized, sport is not.
Traditional martial arts passes techniques, training methods and rituals from
one generation to the next.