Martial art of choice

[Arkhangelsk]

This term I'm aiming to start practicing martial arts, mostly to get some exercise, but also for, you know, kicking ass (in self-defence). The thing is, I get different recommendations on what to choose. Kick boxing, thai boxing, kung fu, MMA, jujitsu, judo. Anyone here who has experience or knows anything about martial arts that can give me a few recommendations?

Also, for further discussion, do you practice any martial arts or other means of self-defense, and if not, what would you like to practice?

 

[Raikov]

The only thing you really need to learn is Bar Brawl. It's super effective!

 

[Rarhnor]

Do Ninjitsu! If possible...

 

[Arkhangelsk]

Do Ninjitsu! If possible...

Don't think they have that anywhere close to where I live. Although that'd be pretty sweet.

 

[Cabisco]

I personally am a master of Gun Kata


I may go watch that movie.

In reality I would quite like to learn any style of martial art, they all are quite cool and it would be quite nice to know some self defense beyond the art of run away.

 

[Not-here-anymore]

Do Capoeira! Just because it's fun. I did it for a while - it's good for fitness (and rhythm), but useless in self-defence...

 

[The Geek Lord]

Spoiler: Nagare's art of being a total badass.

 

[Danallighieri]

Well I do kung fu and tae kwon do and know a few things about other martial arts... *IF* you can find a good kung fu school which practices a good style then yeah, go for kung fu... don't do mma...

 

[Arkhangelsk]

I personally am a master of Gun Kata


I may go watch that movie.

In reality I would quite like to learn any style of martial art, they all are quite cool and it would be quite nice to know some self defense beyond the art of run away.

In many martial arts, the art of escaping is a vital part of your training.

 

[Folio]

I'm a Aikido practitioner myself. Going for Muay Thai is balls to the wall training. You will puke one day because your body is saying: "OH GAWD NO MORE!" But your trainer will say: "Don't be ashamed, it means that you are doing your best." So you either train until your muscles can't work anymore, or you're gone...

I know some Jutitsu artists, you can see that you can vary the amount of strength and technique in that art. So it's your choise. (Although a better technique is preferred.)

Judo-ka look really burly when they achieve a high rank. I don't know if you are going for 'fit' or going for 'tough'.

And final: I do NOT recommend Brazillian Jujitsu. Regular Jujitsu practitioners laugh at it. And frankly, it looks gay.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpceOOk2zog

 

[Cabisco]

In many martial arts, the art of escaping is a vital part of your training.

Haha wonderful, now if only I was any good at running away. I really am quite a chubby weakling, so I do believe that fight+me=me loosing. Well chances are their will be a random course in leeds when I go to uni their, until then I shall attempt to learn my own martial art, verbal abuse fu. That I kick ass at.

 

[RaphaelsRedemption]

I used to do boxing, focussing especially on self defence. And I could kick arse. My trainer quit, and I miss it SO badly.

Now I feel fat and sad

 

[Betancore]

I'd like to learn Krav Maga because it seems pretty practical. And I don't do a martial art myself, but my old school offered classes in a variety of martial arts and having watched some of them in progress, I'd say most if not all of them can help you with self defense as well as getting fit. Just find a good school with an instructor who knows what he's doing and you should be off to a good start.

This is just an assumption, but it's likely that most people will practice only one martial art and pursue it, so whatever recommendations you get are probably going to be the ones they practice themselves.

 

[rabidmidget]

Hapkido is well rounded, it focuses on grappling techniques such as takedowns and joint locks, but it also teaches striking techniques and the use of pressure points.

Unfortunately I haven't practiced it in a while due to school and work.

 

[Arkhangelsk]

I'm a Aikido practitioner myself. Going for Muay Thai is balls to the wall training. You will puke one day because your body is saying: "OH GAWD NO MORE!" But your trainer will say: "Don't be ashamed, it means that you are doing your best." So you either train until your muscles can't work anymore, or you're gone...

I know some Jutitsu artists, you can see that you can vary the amount of strength and technique in that art. So it's your choise. (Although a better technique is preferred.)

Judo-ka look really burly when they achieve a high rank. I don't know if you are going for 'fit' or going for 'tough'.

And final: I do NOT recommend Brazillian Jujitsu. Regular Jujitsu practitioners laugh at it. And frankly, it looks gay.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpceOOk2zog

Isn't Aikido also focused on using your opponents body against him?

What about kick boxing. With Judo-ka, I'm mostly going for just 'fit', and Muay Thai sounds like body torture, especially considering my body size and overall strength. Also, why is Jijutsu not as recommended?

Jujutsu or Karate. I did both for a while, but I might start them up if I can find anywhere near here that has classes.

I tried Karate once, but it just ended up seeming more like a dance than a form of fighting.

 

[Arkhangelsk]

I used to do boxing, focussing especially on self defence. And I could kick arse. My trainer quit, and I miss it SO badly.

Now I feel fat and sad

Know the feeling. I used to practice breakdancing, and we had the most amazing teacher. But after my first term, he moved away, and he was replaced by another teacher. It wasn't really the same kind of fun.

 

[Tekkawarrior]

Go for Muay Thai, it's definitely the best for me, you use all parts of your body, it's brutal, flexible, powerful everything in one package, a walking kick ass machine you will be my friend.

I've gone through the process of elimination as well for my self, and Muay Thai was the most logical in terms of usability and deadliness.

 

[SL33TBL1ND]

Oke-doke is pretty cool. So is deja-fu.

Cookie for ref.