Which Martial Art Is Right For You?

By David Weinberg

People are constantly asking what is the best martial art to study. Many martial art schools boast that their style is the most formidable system in existence. In reality, all martial arts are good and have valuable teachings to offer. The most important criteria is what is the best martial art for you depending on your specific needs, your body, your personality, your age, and your health condition.

Many people are attracted to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu revolutionized the martial art world by exposing weaknesses in other systems that do not include ground fighting in their martial art curriculum. As seen in the UFC Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is excellent for neutralizing a bigger, stronger opponent on the ground. For some people Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is the perfect fit and for others they do not like the fact that the ground is generally the last place you want to be if you have to defend against weapons or multiple attackers on the street.

Ketsugo Jujutsu is breaking out into the forefront as an effective martial art for street combat. It is a complete martial art that teaches striking, grappling, joint locking, choking, throwing, escaping, weapons training, energy work, and spiritual development. For those martial artists who desire to compete in tournaments Ketsugo Jujutsu may not be the right martial art for you. This may be the perfect martial art for martial artists who want to learn practical self-defense against all possible situations on the street including weapons and multiple attackers.

Krav Maga has exploded into popularity over the past decade. The Israeli discipline was designed to be an effective martial art for the military in real life confrontations. Many martial art enthusiasts appreciate that Krav Maga works well in the street, but law enforcement, bouncers, and civilians need to be careful of the legal ramifications if Krav Maga is ever used for self-defense. The martial art has a hard style to it so you might want to find a Krav Maga school that also incorporates restraints and submissions for subduing an attacker without having to severely injure them.

Ba Gua is the only martial art that was specifically developed for bodyguards taking on multiple attackers. This esoteric martial art consists of rapid footwork, circle walking, internal striking with the palms and fingers, energetic development, and spiritual realization. It is rare to find a good Ba Gua school, but if you locate one hold onto it with your life.

Muay Thai has some of the most powerful martial art kicks around. Muay Thai is not only a popular sport, but it can also be a great martial art for street combat. Muay Thai is demanding on the body so you must be prepared and willing to accept regular bruises and injuries as part of your training.

Eskrima arguably offers unrivaled stick and knife fighting strategies. Originally from the Philippines, Eskrima will teach you how to defend yourself using rattan sticks. The movements are easily applicable for self-defense purposes with or without a stick. There are many levels of proficiency, but Eskrima basics can be learned in a short amount of time since the art focuses on simple and effective strategies for real life combat. - 30300

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