Let?s suppose you made up your mind and firmly decided to become a martial artist or at least get involved in the martial art to experience many of its benefits. We feel responsible to directly answer some fundamental questions and hopefully bust some of your myths:
Is it going to be hard? YES!
Am I going to get punched in the face and have bruising?s all over my body? YES!
Am I going to realize I?m not the next Bruce Lee, Anderson Silva or Mike Tyson? Almost certainly!
Do I need to leave my ego at the front doors and listen to other people? Oh, absolutely!
Am I going to get rewarded for my sacrifice above? 1 0 0 %!
Even though the answers above may sound demoralizing, don?t let this fool you! If you get involved in any other sport out there, you?re going to experience the same things in a different way! As humans, our self-defensive system always makes us feel insecure and scared when encountering something for the first time! Plus, how are we supposed to decide which martial art is perfect for us if we?ve never experienced any? The truth is, the only way to decide is to try it yourself.
Although the decision is up to you, we have decided to help you make the right pick! The presented list below consists of all major martial arts and it covers all the fighting grounds.
Karate
(Karate-do)
Originally developed in Ryukyu Kingdom, this Japanese martial art is presumably the most recognized in history. Although it utilizes various forms, Karate is primarily a striking art that incorporates punches, kicks, knee strikes and elbows.
?The purpose of Karate is to guide you out of trouble by any means necessary, both in actual combat and in life? ? Soke Behzad Ahmadi
If you decide to put on a fresh new gi and step on the mats, remember that Karate is a way of life that goes beyond the fighting itself! Training sessions need consistent efforts and strict discipline built on honor and respect. During the sessions, you?ll find yourself developing self-defensive and counterattacking movements. Karate is a well-balanced martial art that focuses on many areas of martial arts like grappling, and striking. Also, there?re many styles to choose between:
- Shotokan
- Shorin-Ryu
- Goju-ryu
- Shito-ryu
- Wado-ryu
Karate is popular among children and grownups. Considering how widespread it is, one can easily discover a great place to train and when confident, test the improvements in various tournaments and competitions. But most importantly, Karate is a great form of exercise that will improve your self-discipline, confidence, and conditioning. If you?re looking for a well-balanced style, don?t look any further!
Taekwondo
Taekwondo is a Korean martial art founded by martial artists from the Karate, Subak and Taekkyon backgrounds in the 1940s. The art itself represents a mixture of various kicking techniques which became very popular in the second part of the 20th century. The technique incorporates some forms of striking as well. But, Taekwondo is primarily a kicking art.
Although training sessions are including a lot of kicking exercises, practices are also very dynamic. They incorporate a lot of cardiovascular and strength exercises a couple of times a week. What?s more, they?re well balanced and enable you to improve the upper and lower body simultaneously. Furthermore, yoga and stretching sessions are a must! Constant stretching will allow you to throw kicks from impossible angles and with unbelievable power! Apart from throwing all sorts of kicks, it will teach you how to maintain a proper balance and increase the lower body flexibility.
When you get in taekwondo, it teaches you the life skills of respect, self-control, discipline that’s why I love it. I really attribute those skills to really getting over my dad?s death. If I didn?t have that, I would have lost it. ? Former UFC Lightweight champion Anthony Pettis
Taekwondo is one of the safest combat sports to take part in. Fighters are sparing in full-gear that protects the entire body. If you?re planning to make a transition to MMA later, Taekwondo represents a great base for it!
Kickboxing / Muay Thai
As its name suggests, Kickboxing is a full-contact martial art based on a mixture of kicks and punches. Kickboxing has always been a part of western culture, while Muay Thai represents a national sport in Thailand. On a kickboxing base, Muay Thai adds vicious knees and elbows. Although it includes some aspects of grappling like the clinch, most of their techniques stay standing. So, don?t expect to go to the ground and learn any BJJ or Jiu-Jitsu style grappling.
Muay Thai became popular through big screens and famous movies like ?Kickboxer?. Jean-Claude Van Damme was a direct cause of many young people booking a ticket to Thailand and joining one of their camps. What?s more, Muay Thai plays a significant role in modern MMA! Many Octagon fighters have supported the Muay Thai to grow even more!
Muay Thai fighters use the weight of the entire body to generate a massive power and land vicious kicks, elbows, and knees. Training sessions and programs are very hard. But, you can enjoy massive improvements in conditioning, core strength, and proper balance. Also, a single training session burns an astonishing 1000 calories which will help you lose weight faster!
It?s better to start with the kickboxing classes! Brutal kicks, punches and grueling exercises are not everyone?s cup of tea. In case you enjoy all of it (which sounds a bit weird), you can easily transition to Muay Thai later.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)
If you?re not a fan of standup exchanges, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is an excellent choice! Originally developed on the Judo base at the beginning of the 20th century, BJJ focuses on grappling and ground fighting. While rolling on the mat, fighters use joint locks and chokeholds to defeat the opponent. Submissions like armbars, rear-naked and triangle chokes may look simple but don?t be nave! History showed us that these tools are the most effective ways to defeat any man!
?Discipline and consistency. I owe these two factors all have attained in my life. Things have never happened overnight. Results have appeared as a consequence of decades long toil. It is necessary to persist.? ? Master Carlos Gracie Jr.
Royce Gracie introduced Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to the World at UFC 1. He dominated the MMA game from UFC 1 to UFC 5, and it became obvious that BJJ is one of the most effective fighting styles! 25 years later, nothing has changed! Apart from its connection with MMA, BJJ is a unique skill on its own. Jiu-Jitsu has an admirable tradition and following. This can be seen through fighters? lifelong dedication to the sport and respect.
In training sessions, expect nothing but a positive atmosphere. Coaches are full of understanding and always ready to help. But, don?t let this mislead you! BJJ classes are hard and you must be in phenomenal shape to sustain the relentless rolling sessions. Supposing endurance will come in the future, you need two things to begin with: New Gi uniform and a lot of will!
Judo
Many other arts like BJJ, Krav Maga, Hapkido and Sambo used Judo as the base for developing their styles. Some pre-arranged forms of Judo included strikes and kicks. But, the modern-day competition includes takedowns, joint locks, and chokes as a way to defeat the opponent. Also, we have to mention that Judokas are among the toughest people on the planet!
Judo is a well-accepted sport with its own federation (IJF) and it has been an Olympic sport since 1964. Also, Judo is the main part of modern-day MMA! Many fighters like Ronda Rousey and Yoshihiro Akiyama have transitioned from this ancient art to MMA.
If you?re seeking to become a Judoka, you?ll face following three methods of training:
Kata ? represent a formal exercise in which you?ll learn how to react in the types of situations that require defensive or attacking actions. Most importantly, getting in control over your body motions.
Randori (freestyle fighting) ? you and your partner will practice various throws and grappling techniques. Continuously learning and polishing the techniques necessary for competing and fighting.
Shiai ? Once you mastered the Randori and feel confident, you can test yourself in competition and take part in tournaments.
If you?re a disciplined person and looking to improve balance and core-strength, Judo is certainly a perfect option!
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
Although it is the youngest on this list, MMA is arguably the most popular martial art in the world! From its beginning days in the early 90s to the present day, MMA has never stopped growing and evolving! The sport represents the hybrid mixture of striking, grappling and ground fighting. In modern competition, the following four arts represent MMA fundamentals: Boxing, Muay Thai, Wrestling and BJJ.
To become a successful MMA fighter, you must be well versed around these four fundamental arts! As much as it sounds hard, it?s probably even harder in practice. However, while other arts may become boring after some time, MMA offers very dynamic training sessions and things are rarely becoming monotone. As a reward for your ?sacrifice?, MMA will prepare you for every situation inside the Octagon or street! With that, the growth of self-confidence will naturally follow and overall quality of life!
Considering MMA includes four (or more) martial arts, everybody is able to discover their cup of tea. If you have a hard time in wrestling classes, you?ll probably enjoy boxing the next day! This well-balanced training program is helping the fighters focusing on training and makes grueling exercises more fun!
Why Martial Arts Will Prepare You For Lifetime Learning?
Getting involved in martial arts with a long history could be very beneficial to any person. The age factors play no?
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