Martial arts may have begun in the fighting fields, but many styles are now a means of improving one’s health and self-esteem. Just put it, martial arts improve the lives of practitioners. If you have decided to become a martial artist or at the very least participate in the martial arts to enjoy many of its advantages. You’ll experience the same things differently if you participate in any other sport out there! As people, our self-defense system makes us always feel unsafe and frightened when we first meet something! Moreover: What are our calls for if we have never experienced any, what martial art is perfect for us?
Which is the most powerful martial art?
Muay Thai
What is the most deadly martial art?
Krav Maga
Which is the oldest martial art?
Kalaripayattu
Though you have decided to make the right choice, we decided to help you! The following list includes all major martial arts and covers all combat areas. Here is a quick guide to finding out what’s right for you. And the list is only a beginning. There are many more areas to explore, but these are probably the easiest to find.
10. MMA
Focus: | Striking, grappling, and ground fighting |
Country of Origin: | Japan |
Mixed Martial Arts is a full-cut sport based on striking, grappling, or ground fighting incorporating the techniques of various combat and martial arts sports from all over the world. In the martial arts contest, the techniques are usually divided into two categories: striking like kicks, knees, knots, and elbows and grappling techniques (such as clinch holds, pinning holds, submission holds, sweeps, takedowns, and throws). Cross-training of martial artists in different styles is now essential to counteract their opponents’ forces and continue to be effective throughout the fighting. The Gracie family knew Vale Tudo matches to promote their own MMA style.
Benefits of MMA:
- MMA provides kids a fun and safe atmosphere to be physically active.
- Enhance social skills and develop goal setting.
- Increase Self-Discipline.
- Improves Focus and Concentration
9. Capoeira
Focus: | Kicking |
Country of Origin: | Brazil |
Capoeira is a martial art that combines dance, acrobatics, and music elements of Afro-Brazil. It was built at the commencement of the 16th century by enslaved Africans in Brazil. It is known for its acrobatic and complex manes, often with inverted kicks and hands on the ground. The Ginga, a rocking step, is generally the focus of the technique. It emphasizes fluid motion rather than fixed positions. The most popular origin of the word Capoeira is derived from the Tupi words ka’a (“forest”) paũ (“round”), referring to the low vegetation areas in Brazil. An artist of CapoeiraCapoeira is known as the capoeirista.
Benefits of Capoeira:
- Increase Flexibility and Stamina
- Increase Coordination
- Stress Reduction
- Develop endurance, flexibility, and agility
8. Aikido
Focus: | Grappling and Softness |
Country of Origin: | Japan |
This Japanese martial art means the “way to harmony” or “unification of spiritual power,” or uses the negative momentum and force to accomplish your objective. Aikido does not use kicks and uses hand strikes less than jujitsu. The practitioner instead uses a lot of turning movements and pushing movements with joint locks. Although this martial arts discipline is likely to be less popular than many others, Aikido is one of the most influential martial arts to be used when trying to learn to defend oneself and survive.
Benefits of Aikido:
- Good for Mental Relaxation.
- It increases strength.
- It improved muscle tone and appearance.
- It increased strength and stamina.
- It improved confidence and self-esteem.
7. Karate
Focus: | Striking |
Country of Origin: | Japan |
Karate came with the disenfranchised Ryukyuans to Japan in the early 20th century. The course was taught in “The Land Of The Rising Sun” systematically in the nineteen and thirties. In 2016, Tokyo’s Summer Olympic Games in 2020 were decided by the International Olympic Committee to include this sport. Karate had its influence originally as the offshoot of the martial arts in Ryukyuan. The discipline stresses the importance of punches, kicks, elbowings, knees, and open strikes. Alain “The Panther” Ngalani, Ramon Gonzales, and Anatpong Brad are among the most popular students in the world’s leading martial arts organization.
Benefits of Karate:
- Total body workout.
- Improve Cardiovascular.
- Improve Coordination & Reflexes.
- Improve Muscle Toning.
- Improve Strength & Power.
6. Judo
Focus: | Grappling and Wrestling |
Country of Origin: | Japan |
In 1882, Judo came from Kano Jigoro’s Japanese polymath mind. He created the art of teaching physical, mental, and moral well-being. The martial art has evolved over the years, and since then, it has become an Olympic sport. The main discipline is throwing, punching, joint locking, and chocolate. This particular style was mastered by the Japanese superstars Yushin ‘Thunder’ Okami, Yoshihiro ‘Sexy Yama’ Akiyama, Ayaka Miura, Ken Hasegawa Shinya Aoki. “Maximum efficiency” and “Mutual benefit” are the major principles of judo. The aim of maximum efficiency enables the judoka to use the least physical power to throw an opponent.
Benefits of Judo:
- A full-body workout.
- It improved cardiovascular fitness and endurance.
- Self-defense skills.
- Relaxation and meditation exercise to help manage stress.
- Focus on discipline, respect, and self-confidence.
5. Taekwondo
Focus: | Kicking |
Country of Origin: | South Korea |
Taekwondo is a martial arts discipline in Korea, recognized as an official Olympic sport since 2000. The discipline combines a wide range of martial arts and martial arts practices in neighboring countries and has more than 25 million practitioners across 140 reigns as one of the most practiced martial arts worldwide. Despite its popularity, Taekwondo is often criticized in terms of self-defense for being “flashy.” In a physical fight, high kick movements can be useful. If the practitioner trains his legs to be stronger and so fast as his arms, this kick may neutralize the adversary.
Benefits of Taekwondo:
- Improved muscle tone and appearance.
- It increased Strength and stamina.
- It improved confidence and self-esteem.
- It improved agility and reflexes.
4. Krav Maga
Focus: | Hybrid |
Country of Origin: | Czechoslovakia(In Central Europe) |
Krav Maga combines movements from various other arts such as Western boxing punches, BJJ’s kicks and knees, and ‘bursting,’ adapted from the old Chinese martial arts, Wing Chun. The focus on reality-based training where the main objective is to neutralize the attacker as quickly as possible makes Krav Maga so effective in self-defense. In Krav Maga, there are no defined rules or routines. Unlike many other subjects, you are encouraged to take defensive and aggressive steps to guard against harm simultaneously.
Benefits of Krav Maga:
- Good for Weight loss.
- It Burns calories and Builds muscles
- Enhance self-defense skills
- Increases your fitness, strength, and confidence
3. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Focus: | Striking |
Country of Origin: | Brazil |
The Gracie family created Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or BJJ for the first time because of competition for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where Royce Gracie succeeded in defeating his opponents with only BJJ techniques. This was the first time. This field of martial arts focuses on teaching its practitioners to defend themselves effectively with leverage and proper technique against larger opponents. It is, therefore, as lethal as it is for men when practiced by women. The key to this martial arts style is to gain control and positioning over the adversary by combining modified movements found in Judo and Japanese JuJutsu. Their devastating styles include hold-up lock and joint techniques.
Benefits of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu:
- It enhances Self-defense.
- It enhances Self-esteem.
- It enhances Self-awareness.
- It increases Physical fitness and Lifelong passion.
2. Wing Chun Kung Fu
Focus: | Self-defense, grappling, trapping, striking |
Country of Origin: | Guangdong, Foshan in China |
Wing Chun Kuen, commonly known as Kung fu, is a South Chinese traditional conceptual kung fu (wushu) style and self-defense that calls for fast arm motions and strong legs to defeat opponents. Softness (through relaxation) and relaxed techniques are crucial for Wing Chun. Wing Chun Kung Fu’s main objective is to make your move freer and more relaxed. This is done using the five principles of centerline, simplicity, contact, movement economy, and future intent. Its principles use some of the simplest and most natural body movements, so minimum energy costs are ensured.
In addition to the five principles, improve your defense and attack by ensuring that your movement and posture increase your focus, which gives you an advantage in combat.
Benefits of Wing Chun Kung Fu :
- Personal development.
- Reduce stress and improve Self Esteem.
- A workout that doesn’t suck.
- Improve mental toughness.
- Improve coordination.
1. Muay Thai / Kickboxing
Focus: | Striking |
Country of Origin: | Thailand |
Muay Thai has extremely deep roots in the country and is a Thai martial artist. Thailand’s national sport and one of the most popular styles in MMA combat. Muay Thai’s hand, shine, elbow, and knee dependence have led to the name “the art of eight limbs.” Muay Thai is not only one of the world’s most effective martial styles, but it is also one of the best self-defense martial arts. The hands are made dagger and sword; the elbows hit like a hammer or lace; the knees are cut like a hax; the legs are twisted like a staff, and the shins and forearms protect the body like an armor suit.
Benefits of Muay Thai / Kickboxing:
- Muay Thai is a full-body workout.
- Muay Thai enhances your self-discipline.
- Muay Thai unleashes your inner warrior.
- Muay Thai enhances your stamina and increases your cardiovascular health.
- Muay Thai boosts your hip mobility.
Once you’ve settled on any style, use these tips to guide you:
1. Watch various classes to see how crowded they are, the behavior and overall conditions of the various instructors and participants
2. Note that some classes are competitive and might be more relaxed, while others feel like a military boot camp.
3. Some classes require you to sign and pay in advance the contract or number of classes over a certain period (similar to a gym membership).
4. Keep in mind that martial arts classes may be at risk of injury, just like most forms of exercise. This can be more common in styles like punching, throwing, and joint attacks, involving sparring or another close contact with your opponent.
5. You may want to start with a gentler martial art or a lower class and work up if this exceeds your fitness levels.
Conclusion!
In the battlefields, martial arts may have started, but today many modes are a way of self-enhancing. Put, the life of people who practice martial arts improves. In that way, the athletes have also disclosed the values of integrity, humility, honor, respect, courage, discipline, and sympathy that martial arts teach.