Martial arts offers a variety of benefits, including complete physical fitness, self-protection skills, and mental discipline. The best martial art for beginners builds on these three aspects to be developed into something more advanced.
The most appropriate martial art for students to choose depends on their aspirations and interests. Once a decision is made, students need to be realistic with their goals. Those who ultimately wish to learn self-defense skills will be better off training in a style that offers those skills. However, if the goal is simply fitness or self-defense without sparring or competing, students may benefit from taking a less intense class with more basic techniques.
The question remains what the best martial arts for beginners are? The answer varies from person to person, depending on the individual’s wishes, goals, and physical fitness level. The following are some of the most popular martial arts to choose from.
Best Martial Arts Styles for Beginners
Martial arts are a large umbrella term used to describe a variety of fighting styles, including Wrestling, Karate, Boxing, MMA, BJJ, and Judo. There are various styles available for students to choose from, each with benefits to help build fitness and self-defense skills.
1. Wrestling.
Wrestling is a combative sport that evolved from ancient Greek and Roman times. It uses grappling techniques to score points or win, intending to pin one’s opponent to the ground for a certain amount of time, usually five seconds. It teaches students force and leverage and how to quickly get out of a hold and put forth the most effective counter-hold. Striking is not allowed in wrestling classes since it is usually considered more detrimental than beneficial.
There are two popular forms of wrestling Greco-Roman and Freestyle Wrestling.
1. Greco-Roman.
Wrestling is performed on the feet and the ground, but not on the shoulders or in the ride position. It is similar to the freestyle style, except it does not allow leg attacks below waist level. Instead, it focuses on top control moves and takedowns.
2. Freestyle.
The freestyle style of wrestling is very similar to the traditional style. Still, it allows a variety of techniques from the ground and lets wrestlers attack their opponent with leg attacks below the waist. The freestyle style of wrestling is open to youth and adults with a wide range of skill levels.
Is wrestling good for kids? Wrestling is a great sport for kids. It teaches them to work hard, cooperate with others, and stand up for their beliefs. It also improves their cardiovascular health and provides some fun exercise that allows them to engage in an activity with their friends!
Is wrestling good for adults? Wrestlers are highly active and require constant cardiovascular exercise. The best part about wrestling is that the sport is enjoyed by people of all ages, including adults. It has been shown to improve balance and flexibility and increase muscle mass in the upper body, great for those with desk jobs!
2. Boxing.
Boxing is a striking martial art that focuses on punching. However, boxers wear gloves to protect their hands-on impact. Boxing is a very focused martial art, as it requires students to focus on footwork, defense, and precision punching. It has become increasingly popular as more professional boxers have become household names.
Is it good and safe for kids? Boxing is a great sport for kids! It teaches them the concepts of hard work and discipline. Boxing also helps kids build muscle mass, especially in their arms and upper body muscles, great for boosting strength. Kids also wear protective gear such as boxing gloves, headgear, shin guards, and mouthpieces.
Is boxing good for adults? Boxing is a great workout for adults of all ages. It improves cardiovascular health and teaches practitioners to focus their minds while shaping their bodies. Boxing classes are generally full-contact, with students wearing padded gloves and headgear. This can be an intense exercise, and many beginners will find themselves out of breath in no time! However, being active is important, and boxing allows students to engage in this activity at any age.
3. Karate.
Karate is a striking martial art that uses punches, kicks, and open-handed cuts and slaps to aim for the body’s most vulnerable points. Karate is a very intense martial art that involves sparring, drills, and full-contact matches. Each school will have its variation, but all will focus on improving balance, strength, and accuracy. Sparring is not done until an advanced level, but students can improve their skills with basic mitt work or shadowboxing. Here are popular forms of Karate.
1. Shorin-Ryu.
It focuses on punching and kicking, with some knees, elbows, kicks, and open-handed strikes. Shorin-Ryu Karate is a very complicated and technical style of Karate.
2. Kyokushin.
This style was developed in 1953 by master Oyama. It includes striking hand techniques like punches and kicks and blocking and strikes to head and body parts.
3. Goju-Ryu.
It focuses on punches, kicks, cuts, and slaps to vital body areas, including the head, throat, chest, and abdomen.
4. Shotokan Karate.
A style that focuses on punches and kicks to areas of the body. Students learn blocks and strikes to their opponent’s arms and legs. A karate style was founded in 1939. It focuses on punching and kicking, with some knees, elbows, and open-handed strikes. It is extremely popular across the globe as it is well known for its fast-paced sparring sessions that are intense and highly competitive!
Is it great for kids? Karate is a great sport for kids that teaches them how to defend themselves. Through Karate, kids can learn how to channel their energy and build confidence. It also requires students to focus their minds and use their physical strength and technique to win. Karate is a non-contact sport, so students will only throw punches at the air or training equipment without injuring one another.
Is it great for adults? Yes, it is a great sport for adults as it teaches them how to do something with their bodies that they have never done before. It requires focus, and they will learn to channel their energy in a way that allows them to become highly adaptable and versatile.
4. MMA.
Mixed Martial Arts is a hybrid martial art rapidly growing in popularity. It teaches self-defense skills as well as fighting techniques and fighting tactics. Students learn how to take advantage of the most effective fighting moves, allowing them to fight both on the ground and their feet. The classes are focused on practicality, allowing students to learn the most effective techniques with minimal stress or injury.
Is MMA good for kids? It is a great sport for kids looking to learn martial arts and self-defense. It teaches them how to defend themselves while maintaining high fitness and athleticism. It also focuses on the most effective techniques, so it is a great sport to introduce children of all ages to the art of combat fighting.
Is MMA good for adults? It is a great sport to get into and maintain an active lifestyle. It teaches traditional martial arts and allows students to defend themselves in any scenario. The focus on self-defense techniques and physical fitness allow students to keep an active lifestyle at any age.
5. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or BJJ.
It focuses on techniques and movements of grappling, allowing the practitioner to control their opponent. Students learn how to use leverage instead of strength and dictate the direction of the fight. Most importantly, students learn to apply a submission hold on their opponents, forcing them to submit. Training usually starts with a partner drill and then moves to a live opponent. There are two forms, the Gi and No-Gi.
1. Gi.
Martial art in which students wear a Gi, or a Kimono, and train with their partners to learn grappling techniques. It is taught in a controlled way, and the students are held to very high expectations.
2. No-Gi.
Martial art in which students wear white shorts instead of a Gi and train with their partners to learn grappling techniques. This is less controlled than the Gi, and students are held to similar expectations as they are in the Gi.
Is BBJ good for kids? It is a great sport that teaches kids how to defend themselves in almost any situation. Through BJJ, kids can learn how to defend themselves using leverage techniques instead of strength and how to control the direction of their opponent’s movements.
Is BBJ good for adults? It is a great sport for adults to learn self-defense while maintaining a high fitness level and athleticism. It teaches traditional martial arts and allows students to defend themselves in any scenario. It can be practiced with a partner or with a sparring opponent to practice various techniques.
6. Judo.
Judo is a grappling martial art that focuses on throwing and pinning techniques. The goal of Judo is not to gain a victory through striking but rather through bringing one’s opponent down to the ground. Judo also teaches self-defense skills that help students evade dangerous situations or attack their attacker if they cannot remove themselves from danger.
Is Judo good for Kids? Judo is a great sport for kids that teaches them self-defense and allows them to learn about martial arts. Many schools offer classes for children so that they can learn how to defend themselves and have the chance to have fun learning at the same time.
Is Judo good for Adults? Judo is a great sport for adults that allows them to train in self-defense techniques while learning about the benefits of martial arts. Judo is an excellent way for adults to build their strength and conditioning.
Choosing a Martial Art.
When selecting which martial arts to practice, many different factors are considered. Students need to be aware that each martial art goes through its learning curve and has its progression of skill levels. It is important to find one that fits your current skill level and personality. You also need to be realistic when considering what type of martial arts is best for you.
When considering the best martial arts for beginners, there are a few important factors. These include time commitment, discipline level required, and philosophies of teaching methods.
1. Time Commitment.
If a student can only train after school or on Saturday mornings, certain styles may not be available. Other styles require students to be able to attend classes two to four times a week. This can make it difficult for students who have school and other obligations. As a result, they may not be able to practice the martial arts regularly.
2. Discipline Level.
Martial arts training requires the student to focus on physical and mental aspects. The discipline level required varies depending on the style in which they are training. Some styles require a high level of discipline, while others are less demanding.
3. Teaching Methods.
The martial arts offer a variety of teaching methods to suit students’ different needs and interest levels. For example, some martial arts focus more on physical training, while others teach self-defense skills in addition to physical training. Students should research and find out if a particular style caters to their needs. This will help them make an informed choice about the best martial arts for beginners.
Why Martial Arts Are Important.
The benefits of martial arts training are physical and mental, and spiritual. By practicing martial arts, students can build strong character traits that will last a lifetime.
1.Boosts Confidence.
Martial arts teach students how to handle stressful situations by teaching them how to remain calm and be precise in their movements. Through the practice of striking and blocking techniques, students learn how to stay focused on the goal instead of hyperventilating or being distracted by fear. Students can achieve this by focusing on their breathing and having confidence in their ability to defend themselves.
2.Develops Discipline.
Students learn how to be disciplined in their martial arts practices by being required to stay focused and practice their techniques diligently. Martial arts will require students to set aside time for self-discipline and hard work. If students need a push to get started, they should join a class where discipline is emphasized.
3.Helps Focus.
Students learn how to focus their energy in the right direction. This helps them avoid distractions and gives them clarity in their actions. When students become more focused, they can see problems before they become major issues, which is critical for completing complex tasks.
4.Improves Your Ability.
Many martial arts have an emphasis on developing physical skills and strength. Through practicing martial arts frequently, students can achieve strength that many other athletes do not have and will start feeling better physically as well. Martial arts classes are a great way to increase physical fitness, learn self-defense skills and meet new people. Whether you are training to become a black belt or want to train your body and mind, martial arts is a great option available almost everywhere.
5.Develops Cognitive Abilities.
It helps develop cognitive abilities. Martial arts training improves your abilities to make quick decisions, control impulses, and focus on one thing at a time. All of these skills are important when it comes to self-defense situations.
6.Improves Overall Health.
It helps burn calories. Martial arts are very energetic and require you to be in shape to practice. It is easy to tire yourself out if you are not in good shape. Muay Thai is also a good exercise since it requires you to do some heavy bag work which can burn off the calories you consume during each class. As a result, students can expect to have improved physical health.
7.Develops A Sense Of Well-Being.
Martial arts training is uplifting and can make you feel like a new person. You will feel confident and more motivated to pursue your goals. You will also be satisfied with yourself as a martial artist because you are doing something that you think puts you on the same level as other people. As a result, students can benefit from the sense of well-being of practicing martial arts.
8.Develops Respect.
Martial arts help you learn to respect others and their beliefs by understanding the importance of each person’s culture. When you practice martial arts, you will learn that every person has their way of thinking and should be left alone to do things in their way. This will teach you to respect other people’s cultures and how they do things.
9. Develops Ability to Work Under Pressure.
Martial arts improve your ability to focus and help you develop the mental strength that can help you overcome the negative effects of pressure. Students will learn to embrace their weaknesses and focus on what they do well instead of allowing negative distractions to get in the way.
Conclusion
The best martial art for beginners depends on their personal goals. If you want to learn self-defense, you will want a martial art that focuses on hand-to-hand combat-based fighting. However, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program may be better if you want to build or maintain physical strength or stamina through traditional exercise.