Which Martial Art Should I Choose?

To be quite honest: that is a loaded question. There are so many different factors to consider and there is no simple answer.

The first question you need to consider is: what are your goals. Why do you want to practice martial arts?

Technique aside, and excluding McDojo’s, all martial arts will teach you the same values: discipline, respect, ownership, self-confidence, mental fortitude. And they will all teach you how to hurt someone else.

Each martial art is a specific system and has been developed, usually, in the image of their creator.

• Kyokushin, for example, was shaped by Mas Oyama’s focus on strength, endurance, and fighting spirit.

• Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, developed by the Gracie family, emphasizes leverage and ground control, rooted in self-defense.

• Aikido, created by Morihei Ueshiba, focuses on harmony and using the opponent’s force against them.

Each art reflects the mindset of its founder. They each have a personality and mindset. Research online and find one or two styles that calls to you.

As the saying goes: the best training program, the best diet, is the one you stick to. Same for Martial Arts. The effective program will be the one you’ll be able to stick with for the long run.

Tip #1: Proximity

First, I’d say the proximity of the school to your home or place of work is probably the main factor to success. Have a look at what is available around you and let that be the first of options to consider.

Tip #2: Cost

The best martial arts is useless if you can’t afford it, if you get trappped into a program that charges for everything, even the air you breathe, at 300 times the cost of more reasonable academies. At some point, the cost will be prohibitive.

Tip #3: Community

Ask around. If you have friends that train in a martial arts and have similar goals than you, then look into their martial arts. Going with friends will make it easier to break the ice and you’ll have instant training buddies, another way to reduce friction.

Tip #4: Trials

Most academies allow for a trial class and maybe even more. That’s the best way to figure out if the martial arts itself is for you and if you like the environment and the crowd. The philosophy and mindset of a school is critically important.

If you want to compete, then you need a gym that will allow you to do that. If you want to focus on self-defense, then that’s what the school should teach you.

Tip #5: Privates or Small Pods

If all fails, consider privates. This is when you hire a teacher to teach you privately. Another idea that originated from the covid-19 pandemic is training with a small group, sometimes called “training pod”. Gather 2 or 3 friends and have a teacher for you guys only. Both are a sure way to train in a safe way and that the training is aligned to your goals.

To conclude, the idea here is not to allow the hype or the style wars to influence you. The best martial art is the one that fits your life, aligns with your goals, and keeps you coming back. Start nearby, keep it affordable, train with people you like. The final key being that you need to stick with it. That is the key to success!