I've always wanted to try out martial arts but now I'm 24, which one would be most suitable for me?

[Anonymous]

As for a woman who is working a sedentary job and unfortunately lost being fit - I'm just average now, but I want to work on myself, learn a few tricks, meet new people (maybe even a cute helpful guy) while doing so.

I've always looked up to Dolph Lundgren and his knowledge of karate. I know women learn it as well but I'm 5'2 / 157cm tall and not exactly the most physical able person around.

Krav Maga also sounds entertaining (and usable) but I am not sure whether it'd be the right choice.

How did you guys decide for the right type of physical activity or straight up martial art?

Or should I try fit-box or kickboxing?

[Anonymous]

Is it more for fitness or you looking to take martial arts more to learn how to protect yourself? While taking most martial arts is better than taking none, they vary obviously on technique. Ju-Jitsu is good if you’re fighting one-on-one, a lot of techniques you can utilize w out seriously hurting someone. Locking someone up till help comes or the person gives up. But the bad thing about it is if you’re in the streets I’m not so sure you’d want to go to the ground, especially on concrete. Also if you take someone to the ground the person’s friends may jump in. Not good if they’re kicking you on the ground. But a group of their friends could easily take you down even if you knew how to fight standing. Also if the person is a skilled fighter as far as a standing game you may take a few hits before you can lock them up. It’s always best to avoid fights if you can. Boxing is good as well, but it only involves hands which isn’t considered a form of martial arts. Very useful. I love Muay Thai. I like it because not only do you learn to use your fist, but you also learn how to kick, how to use your elbows as well as your knees. I love being able to use the elbows or knees if you’re tied up w the person in close range. Part of a good program would include learning how to clinch. If you want to look at some pros, look up Saenchai, Buakaw, Rodtang, Stamp Fairtex. I think it’s good to learn standing as well as ground game.

[Asker]

Muay Thai really looks like something I'd want to learn or just try if not anything else. At first I was thinking of Krav Maga but I've heard that M. Thai is maybe even better, you know how to defend yourself and where to hit them painfulyl the most at the same time.
It does look really painful but I hear so many people praising this martial art... it really got me motivated.
Unfortunately I am not fit anymore but again, people told me I'll get fit while training and practising punches and kicks (I can't kick for sh! te lol).

[Asker]

I just remembered, I wanted to ask you - how much time should I give in to Muay Thai in the beginning? I have a classic work week, usually 7-15. We'll see how my first few lessons will go, I may give up (I don't really wanna but you never know), but I was thinking of 2 to 3 times a week max? It's not like I plan to work my ass to do it for real.

[Anonymous]

A good starting point would be a stand up martial art like kickboxing or Muay Thai, where you will learn kicking and punching techniques, and improve your balance, coordination and overall strength and fitness. Muay Thai also allows knees and in some classes, kicks to the groin, which is highly effective when sparring against guys. Maybe start with something like this and see how you get on. You can research many different martial arts, what’s involved with them and then search for clubs in your area. I hope you find a class you like.

[Asker]

Thank you for your reply. It helped.
I really wanna give Muay Thai a try, it does look brutal not gonna lie, but I've heard many women found it worth it and fun too.

[Opinion Owner]

You’re welcome 🙂 well Muay Thai uses more techniques, and is perhaps more brutal, yes. Try to find a class that allows strikes to the groin, because that will really help you when sparring against guys. Yes, in my class there is a good mix of girls and guys, so you’ll meet new people and learn some new skills too.

[Asker]

Well there's Muay Thai and then Muay Thai for women especially, more like a group training. I think the group training is more suitable for me... Only maybe if I get better at it and/or really into it, then I'd go for the classic Muay Thai.

[Opinion Owner]

That sounds like a really good idea 👍 learn the basics first at this women’s only class, then you can decide whether to stay or join a mixed class. Obviously if you end up sparring with guys your strategy may need to change, but I’m sure you’ll be given all the necessary training. Good luck! 🙂

[RagnarRedbeard]

It really depends on what your goals are, because different martial arts are good for different things.

If your main goal is to learn self-defence techniques that will work in the real world, go with Krav Maga. If your main goal is to get fit, go with fit-box or kick-boxing. If your main goal is to wear pajamas and prance around making silly noises pretending that you’re in a Bruce Lee movie, go with Karate.

[Asker]

I've heard Muay Thai is maybe even better than Krav Maga for self defense because you get to train hard and learn your limits and capabilities at the same time.

[RagnarRedbeard]

The difference between those two is that one is a sport and one is self-defence, and they're not the same thing.

Muay thai is great, the techniques are highly effective. It will get you fit, and you do learn how to fight by sparring, how to deal with being hit, how to deal with someone trying to hurt you.

At the same time, especially for a woman, you're not going to beat even the average man with muay thai. That's why women don't fight men, not even men of the same size and weight, in sports.

Krav Maga involves more "dirty" tactics also - eye gouging, groin strikes etc. These things obviously don't get taught in combat sports. When you're smaller and weaker than your attacker, you need to know how to fight dirty.

Another thing is that Krav Maga techniques are designed to be simple and easy to remember, effective as soon as you learn them, whereas something like muay thai you have to train for years to be decent at it.

[Asker]

I guess learning both would be the best in the end but I can and want to do only one and Muay Thai (at this moment) seems the most interesting to try out.
I disagree with that, Anissa Meksen is a beast, she'd kick an average man's arse. I mean it.
Thankfully I don't aim for self-defense only. I want something fun too and lots of women are drawn to Muay Thai, I gotta give it a try as well.

[Asker]

What I'm worried about is the kicks though, I'm not fit anymore (not fat, just not used to working out regularly anymore). I can't kick high for sh! te, but I guess that's what the training is there for.

[RagnarRedbeard]

Yeah well Muay Thai is good, probably more fun than Krav, and self-defence is more about situational awareness anyway. It doesn’t matter that much if you can’t kick high, I never could, I just throw a lot of low kicks. You’ll develop your own style based on your strengths.

[HighValue]

Someone's size and strength can greatly determine the effectiveness of a martial art in a real fight. I'd suggest avoiding any style that relies heavily upon grabs/throws with your size. A more strike oriented style like Tae Kwon Do would be a good option for you in my opinion.

[Asker]

Maybe but many women, not always big women, compete in sports like Judo.

[HighValue]

They compete against opponents of similar size. If someone is ever in a real life situation where they need to use their fighting abilities they don't get to choose the size or strength of their attacker.

[strateguy632]

i recommended judo but if hard to find then tae kwan do is second best.

[Astarlessnightsky]

Just try different martial arts you find interesting and see what sticks, also depends on whats available in your neighbourhood.

[Asker]

How much time do you think is needed to give in to the sport/martial art before really being sure that it is not for you?

[Astarlessnightsky]

If its not for you, you will notice after 2~3 trainingsession.

Also the Dojo or Club also matters, just visit and you will see if you feel at home or not.

[Karate_Guy]

There are styles of karate that are very practical / self-defense oriented, and I would recommend one of those. Feel free to PM me!

[Karate_Guy]

So, what did you decide? :-)

[Asker]

I have yet to try it out but I'm thinking Muay Thai :)

[Karate_Guy]

Cool! Feel free to send me a private message if you have any questions or want to discuss. :-)

[mommymommymommy]

Only way to figure it out, is to just do it. Figure it out