#taekwando

Starting something new can be exciting, but it can also feel a bit overwhelming—especially when it comes to martial arts. If you’re thinking about trying a martial art but aren’t sure which one to choose, don’t worry—you’re not alone. Martial arts have been practiced for centuries, and beyond just learning to defend yourself, they offer incredible benefits like improving your fitness, sharpening your mind, and even introducing you to new cultures and philosophies.

But with so many styles out there, how do you know which one is right for you? The answer lies in understanding your personal goals, personality, and what you want to get out of the experience. Are you looking to get fit, learn practical self-defense, compete, or simply find a new way to challenge yourself?

To help you get started, I’ve put together a guide to some of the most popular martial arts styles and what they can offer. This way, you can find the perfect fit and begin your journey with confidence!

1. Boxing

Best for: Fitness, self-defence, and competition.

What to expect: Boxing focuses on punches, footwork, and defensive techniques. It is a high-intensity workout that improves cardiovascular endurance, hand-eye coordination, and strength.

Ideal for: Those looking for a great workout and straightforward self-defence skills.

2. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)

Best for: Grappling, ground fighting, and self-defence.

What to expect: BJJ emphasizes leverage and technique, allowing a smaller person to defeat a larger opponent. You will practice a lot of ground-based techniques, including chokes and joint locks.

Ideal for: Those who enjoy problem-solving and do not mind close physical contact.

3. Muay Thai

Best for: Full-body workout, striking, and competition.

What to expect: Known as the "art of eight limbs," Muay Thai incorporates punches, kicks, elbows, and knee strikes. Training includes intense conditioning and sparring.

Ideal for: People who want a high-intensity workout and versatile striking skills.

4. Karate

Best for: Discipline, self-defence, and traditional practice.

What to expect: Karate involves striking techniques with hands, feet, elbows, and knees, along with kata (forms) practice. Many styles also include self-defence applications.

Ideal for: Those seeking a balance between physical skills and mental discipline.

5. Taekwondo

Best for: Kicking techniques, flexibility, and competition.

What to expect: Taekwondo is famous for its dynamic kicks and fast-paced sparring. It is also an Olympic sport, making it ideal for those interested in competition.

Ideal for: People who enjoy high-energy workouts and want to improve flexibility and agility.

6. Krav Maga

Best for: Practical self-defence and real-world situations.

What to expect: Krav Maga focuses on defending against realistic attacks, including armed and unarmed threats. It is highly practical and often used by military and law enforcement.

Ideal for: Those primarily interested in self-defence and practical application.

How to Choose the Right Martial Art for You

Define Your Goals: Are you looking for fitness, self-defence, competition, or personal development?

Consider Your Fitness Level: Some martial arts, like BJJ and Muay Thai, are more physically demanding than others.

Try Different Classes: Many gyms offer free or low-cost trial classes. Trying different styles will help you find the one that suits you best.

Talk to Practitioners: Learning from others’ experiences can provide valuable insight into what each martial art involves.

Stiles's normal cheering section is quieter with his mother's passing. Martial arts was a Stilinski past time, and not something he shared with Scott surprisingly enough.

Maybe he was friends with Danny before, during practices and maybe even at school. But he couldn't keep looking at his friend without getting sad about all of the times his mom would pick Danny up and take both Stiles and him to tournaments and how she'd make kid friendly and fun granola bars.

Stiles would probably start his training up again (in private) when the whole werewolf business comes about. Starts going back to the dojo, calling it "research" and what not so Scott doesn't ask too many questions. Hopefully reconnects with Danny through doing it, even more hopefully he reconnects with his dad with reuping his martial arts training.

Dude talks a lot but he’s not all talk, the man has different martial arts under his belt and he was a pro-wrestler before he decided to settle down to be a Doctor of math and economics.

And he still wants to take time out of his busy professoring to teach a bunch of punks self-defense. Bit of a legend, really.

I’ve never even had him as a math teacher, but I’ve always heard of him for these past four years because he seems to be everyone’s favorite.

My main context of this guy is in sport coats or tracksuits being hard on about my form when we’re on the mat.

Oh, and this article about his transition from Mr. Excellent to Dr. Fritz