While you can’t trust Wikipedia for all of your information, there are some times when it provides you with a great jumping off point to deliver just what you’re looking for. For instance, if you wanted a list of just about every martial art that exists or has ever existed, they have a pretty comprehensive list. There are literally hundreds of martial arts on the list, even though the average person on the street could probably name fewer than 10. (“Karate, Kung Fu, MMA…kickboxing…uh, hold on, I’m pretty sure I know a couple more…”)
With so many options, how do you decide which is for you? Well, there’s a reason that we picked the martial arts that we did, considering one delivers the ultimate in defense while the other is one of the most powerfully offensive martial arts around. Let’s take a look at them.
Defense: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
The idea of a martial art being defensive is baked right into most of them. BJJ is certainly one of the best martial arts possible when you want to focus on the defense part. It was designed for smaller people to take control of the situation, especially against armored ones. This makes it a great self-defense option for those who might not be as strong but would still like to defend themselves. There is no striking (punching or kicking) in BJJ.
Now that doesn’t mean that, during a BJJ class, opponents will just stand there staring at each other because no one will make the first move! It’s not completely defense, because things have to get started somehow. Someone will always make the first move, thereby taking the offensive. But there will always be differences between real-world scenarios and those you’ll find in a martial arts school.
Offense: Muay Thai Kickboxing
Want to hit something? Feel like kicking another person in a controlled environment? Are you interested in making your body tougher and being able to take control of a situation with your body alone? That’s Muay Thai kickboxing, which is an excellent prep for MMA.
Muay Thai is known as the art of eight limbs, because you have two fists, two elbows, two feet, and two knees. It’s a stand-up martial art that requires a lot of contact, meaning that you’d better have a high pain tolerance or be able to build one up.
In many ways, Muay Thai is the polar opposite of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. BJJ is about defense and has no striking, while Muay Thai has no holds or submission. Of course, when you put these two together you get most of the moves you’ll be finding in mixed martial arts.
Exercise
Most martial arts will get you a great deal of exercise, as well as flexibility. But self-defense is the primary concern with most people when they stop by our martial arts school. What if you’re not interested in martial arts but want to reap the benefits that come with optimizing the exercise portion of it?
That’s where hybrid fitness comes in. It’s all about taking the most exertive parts of martial arts and combining them into an exercise routine that just can’t be beat. You’ll get more limber, burn off fat and calories…and learn how to throw a proper punch at the same time!
And If You’re A Kid…
If you’re a kid, the choice of martial arts is obvious. Our kids martial arts program isn’t just Brazilian Jiu Jitsu or Muay Thai, but combines them with boxing, karate, taekwondo, judo, and wrestling. It takes the most important part of these martial arts and gives kids an introduction to each so that they can decide which one is best for them as they grow. Our martial arts programs are perfect for kids age 3 through 14 broken into six different age-appropriate classes.
We’ll be honest: if we don’t have what you’re looking for in a martial art, we’d be more than happy to point you to the one that would fit you perfectly. Not every martial art is perfect for everyone, and if judo is more your style then we’d be happy to recommend a martial arts school that can help you. But if you’re interested in some of the best around that give you exercise and self-defense skills, we’re here for you. Contact us today!
