What is the most practical martial art to learn?

2015-07-11T22:49:14-04:00

I'm exploring beginning martial arts training. What is the most practical and useful martial art for an average guy to spend money on? What would be the most beneficial?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2015 11:19 PM

2015-07-11T23:19:45-04:00

Jiu Jitsu

Response by CPT Chris Loomis made Jul 11 at 2015 11:58 PM

2015-07-11T23:58:43-04:00

I've studied Hapkido and BJJ. I believe that makes a decently rounded fighter. At some point I'll dabble in Mui Tai.

Response by SFC(P) John McLaughlin made Jul 12 at 2015 12:00 AM

2015-07-12T00:00:02-04:00

I would look around and observe. You don't want a belt mill class. I take tang so do which is traditional Korean martial arts. Take kwon do is a spin off which I started taking in Korea in 2002. I use my background as a wrestler in high school and army combatives with this for self defense.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 12 at 2015 12:32 AM

2015-07-12T00:32:10-04:00

If you consider combatives a martial art because of the jujitsu involved, than I would say combatives. You can train the most uncoordinated Soldier how to become a combatives standout.

Response by SGT Juan Soriano made Jul 12 at 2015 1:30 AM

2015-07-12T01:30:11-04:00

I personally enjoy and identified myself with "Krav Maga" though is not consider a martial art. I can say that in most cases I have found it to be more effective than other art i have practice. But you also have to find yourself what art, you are compatible with. Even when you like an art but you can't manouver it then it's better for you to move on to the next.

Practice a few and then go back and ask yourself which one did you feel comfortable with?...

Response by SPC David Shaffer made Jul 12 at 2015 1:33 AM

2015-07-12T01:33:23-04:00

I would learn mixed martial arts. I have taken Tae Kwon do, hapkido, kenpo, kickboxing, and some ground fighting. I have never used one style alone to be honest. I take what works from each style, and it seems to be most effective. MMA for sure.

Shaffer

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 12 at 2015 10:20 AM

2015-07-12T10:20:51-04:00

I'm rather partial to Kung Pow Chicken!!! (OK, my bad.)

Response by Sgt Ramon Tejeda made Jul 12 at 2015 11:30 AM

2015-07-12T11:30:17-04:00

I've practice Shotokan Karate and Tae Kwon Do for some time. I have enjoyed both and find myself combining certain aspects of each. I would research a discipline that can be adapted to you. I'm 5' 5", which means that I have to leverage speed and power. TKD offers speed and kicking power. What Karate gives me is raw power and the ability to come in bottom up.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Jul 12 at 2015 11:33 AM

2015-07-12T11:33:34-04:00

The art of the Tactical Carbine or the art of the Dynamic Handgun.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 12 at 2015 11:46 AM

2015-07-12T11:46:05-04:00

I'm partial to Japanese styles. Goju-Ryu was the style i took. I've been looking at a few places here in the DFW area and found several Jiu Jitsu schools (mostly MMA fusion) close by and a Krav Maga school. Although not Japanese, I would still like to learn Krav Maga.

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Jul 12 at 2015 1:05 PM

2015-07-12T13:05:19-04:00

The one you will train in an use. Same as my advice on "what gun", you are just going to have to try a bunch. Everything below is just rambling on that main point.

I've done many different styles over the years, from GoJuRyu, Kempo (both Ed Parker and the Chinese one), Hung Gar (just a bit), TKD, Judo, BJJ, "American Freestyle", MMA, Krav Maga, a few others, and now do Kickboxing. Interestingly enough, I have never had a combatives course. :-) I say this just to point out that I have tried several.

I have liked different parts of all of them, at different times in my life. What I have discovered is that different styles appeal to different personalities, and different body types have different affinities for different styles. The instructor also makes a huge difference, but that is a topic for another day... If you find a style that aligns to both your personality and your body, you will be happier, especially if you click with the instructor. If you are happier, you will train. If you train regularly, you will get good. Within limits. I've never had the hip flexibility to do head kicks of any style. (Through diligent work, I have gotten my kicks up to about chest hight - when completely warmed up...sometimes)

Next, you are going to have to acknowledge your purpose. You said "practical". Practical for what? Conditioning and flexibility? Competition? Your future career as a Bouncer/Bad Ass? (Roadhouse!!) Self Defense? Not being sarcastic, these are all real motivations. If fitness, almost any art, to include Tai Chi, will get the job done. For the record, Tai Chi can ALSO be pretty bad ass, but not as commonly taught & trained. If competition is your goal, Krav Maga will be a poor fit. If your goal is self defense, I think highly of Krav Maga, especially as they tend to do more training in typical street clothes - it makes a great difference in how well you can execute techniques. That kick in the photo just doesn't happen in off the rack Levi's.

Next, you have to assess your attitude. Different arts, and different instructors, have different attitudes to actual combat. Some preach avoid, deescalate, defend, disable, and leave. Some preach "the best defense is a good offense, so hit first. And break him." And all steps along that continuum. NOTE: All will say something along the lines of the first version to someone off the street as that is the "responsible" version, but you will quickly be able to discern actual attitudes.

Finally, you have to assess the amount of effort you are willing to put into it. I think it is fair to say that arts can be placed into “Content then details” and “Details then content” camps. The first will teach you a lot of stuff quickly, and then spend the next several years getting you from “kinda” to “right”. The second will make sure that you are “right” all along, but you will learn less at a time. I mentioned that I did Hung Gar a little up above, it was definitely of the second camp. Hung Gar stylists are freaking phenomenal, but it is a long time until you advance to “now throw a punch”. On the other extreme Krav Maga has you doing disabling moves within a few classes, normally. I would not recommend someone learn Hung Gar for self defense.
Right now, if I had the extra time in the day, I would want to learn Escrima.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2015 9:34 PM

2015-07-14T21:34:53-04:00

Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2015 10:15 PM

2015-07-14T22:15:11-04:00

Krav Maga

Response by CWO2 Shelby DuBois made Jul 15 at 2015 4:55 PM

2015-07-15T16:55:39-04:00

Clink Chank Pow

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2015 5:33 PM

2015-07-15T17:33:39-04:00

That is not an easy question to answer because the many styles are based on the human body. some people are short, some stocky, some tall and others are skinny. Are you fast or slow. aggressive or defensive. you can try and attack first, last or intercept/counter. Honestly the most Practical for most is a weekend self defense course. Most styles of martial arts focus more on slowly training the persons character. While they can be used to hurt an attacker most of the time they will not teach you how to hurt/incapacitate them quickly. This is because they are responsible for what you do with there teachings. The thing that makes the biggest difference is how you train more then what you train. Few people seem to know small things that make a big difference. Like striking with a open hand or a closed fist. Hard on soft and soft counters hard. open hand has a bunch of muscles that will protect the bones in the hand when you strike a hard target. But if you hit the stomach you want to use a closed fist. I have seen some practice something again and again and not get the technique but another instructor comes buy and says one simple phrase and everything snaps in to place.

Response by SSgt Stuart Schultz made Jul 15 at 2015 5:37 PM

2015-07-15T17:37:58-04:00

It really depens what you mean by practical? Useful all depends on the person and thier ability. If you mean value it is so different from school to school, instructor to instructor. Each martial art has strengths and weaknesses, and our taste may be complete opposite of yours? Try to do online searches on what it is you are looking for in technique and discipline, make a short list of schools and try each one out for at least a week, a month if possible. Some martial arts are repetitive and boring, some are complex and exhausting, some are prone to injuries, some require lots of memorizing, but you will find one that just feels right. Hard to know what that is unless you try, it is much better to be exposed and develop your own judgement.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 15 at 2015 5:38 PM

2015-07-15T17:38:18-04:00

Both Gi and No-Gi Brazilian Jiu Jitsu combined with MMA training. Even if you don't want to fight competitively I think it is one of the absolute best all-around self defense arts and it's a great way to lose weight and get/stay in shape.

Response by TSgt Harold Buchanan made Jul 15 at 2015 6:04 PM

2015-07-15T18:04:10-04:00

Krav Maga if you just want to learn to protect yourself. I like all martial arts and the structure of it all but Krav Maga takes all the good things and uses the best of them all, it's kind of like Jeet Kun Do. But it's really up to you what your looking for. Go out and try different styles and find out what you like.

Response by MSG Gene Potocki made Jul 15 at 2015 6:05 PM

2015-07-15T18:05:09-04:00

Krav Maga or Take a Class / Seminar from Kelly McCann. He is very up front: gross motor skills, simple hand strikes and kicks with basic boxing. Very painful if you do the 3 Day Sudden Violence workshop.

Response by SSgt Clyde O'Briant made Jul 15 at 2015 6:34 PM

2015-07-15T18:34:32-04:00

I'm a 7th Degree black under Larry Tatum in the American Kenpo art. It makes Krav Maga look like child's play in the self defense area. I also carry a blade and a gun, just in case :)

Response by LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2015 6:54 PM

2015-07-15T18:54:06-04:00

Putting in another vote for "the school, not the art."

There are probably several options near your home. Same for me. But my bjj place might be great, and yours a belt-mill, only interested in pumping up your ego and pumping out your wallet. Or vice versa.

Shop your schools, find a teacher/group with whom you feel confident.

Certainly, if you think bjj is silly, and that's the only worthwhile school nearby, don't settle for an art you know you don't like; just drive further. :) My point/advice is that the quality of the schoolhouse itself should be high on your priority list; your options will be distance-limited, so don't look over this detail.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2015 9:00 PM

2015-07-15T21:00:50-04:00

BJJ.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2015 10:31 PM

2015-07-15T22:31:44-04:00

Folks probably addressed all of this, but can't help myself:

The best answer is it really depends on the instructor. No matter what "style/school" if the instructor does not understand the realities of fighting and can't teach it - then it doesn't matter. That being said - from a purely practical perspective, that means self-defense, i.e., no rules - just survival. I'd recommend checking out Krav Maga or Self-Defense specific instruction. At a minimum Krav Maga teaches concepts for very practical self-defense with solid situational/cognitive training techniques so you can react and not think in crisis.

After that - Martial Arts are pretty much divided into those that maintain "Tradition" and "Sports" - I believe Martial Sports transfer best to practical martial arts to a certain extent. Martial Sports like boxing, judo, wrestling, and BJJ at least expose you to actual full-on contact and provides the physicality and mental stress that may possible provide value in a practical self-defense situation. However, ultimately they are sports. If the school never allows you to Spar, then you aren't learning squat. I specifically don't list Tae Kwon Do (TKD), Karate, other - because the rules applied during sparring actually are too sports specific (e.g., no punching to face in TKD and Karate). The jab is a great technique which is not part of these offerings. I don't mention Kick Boxing at all also, because unless it is taught from some serious old school Muay Thai instructor - you'll just learn how to box and kick poorly. Since we are all Military - remember crawl, walk, run - if there is no "run" phase in training, you are not learning anything practical. I don't mention MMA, because I don't know what that is really - I understand learning multiple disciplines and blending them per MMA, but not learning "MMA". MMA is the application of multiple disciplines - not just a class. A solid "MMA" offering will break down what specific disciplines they teach and yet again - this is a Martial Sport, not practical self-defense.

Ideally in a good Krav Maga class or self-defense class you'll learn how to foster your situational awareness to avoid trouble. The most pragmatic self-defense is to run away, not fight, avoid violence absolutely unless you truly have no options - you never know what can happen in the street, you can never truly prepare for the worst case scenario, so best to avoid it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2015 10:31 PM

2015-07-15T22:31:51-04:00

Another vote for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I’ve been taking it for going on three years. For the exercise aspect of it alone I consider it one of the best arts to train in. I’ve worn a heart monitor some classes and in 90 minutes burn 800-900 calories. I’ve hit the gym for years and thought I was in decent shape. When I first started BJJ I soon discovered new muscles I didn’t know I had. I was sore. When grappling 100% it’s very anaerobic. I never run, but my PT test score has gone up in the run event just due to the cardio I get from training BJJ.
For the self-defense aspect of it, most fights do end up on the ground. I recently took the combatives level one course and decimated everyone when grappling 100%. I was the oldest in the class and one of the smallest. I was the only student to grapple the level 4 certified combatives instructor. I had him submitted in under a minute. While it sounds like bragging, I’m just trying to illustrate the effectiveness of BJJ.

Given the choice I’d take MMA. It includes striking and grappling. My school is an MMA/BJJ school, foundation in BJJ, but unfortunately the MMA classes are all in the evening when I’m sleeping for my 3rd shift job. So I’m limited to BJJ.

One of our guys at the gym is fighting Friday night on a televised Bellator event. Dennis Olson vs Paul Daley. Dennis is the MMA instructor at our gym.
http://teamtriumphbjj.com/

Response by SPC Johnny Velazquez, PhD made Jul 16 at 2015 1:46 AM

2015-07-16T01:46:50-04:00

I prefer Okinawan Karate. It focuses on strikes, locks, throws, restrains, etc. I took it while stationed in Germany. You might want to seek a seasoned Sensei. Wish you the best. Blessings.

Response by Maj Louis Fletcher, Ph.D. made Jul 16 at 2015 3:02 AM

2015-07-16T03:02:15-04:00

My answer is precise and direct as my recommendation; Shotokan.

Response by CW2 Donald Loughrey made Jul 16 at 2015 12:38 PM

2015-07-16T12:38:07-04:00

The one you will enjoy enough to spend time in regular training. Why are you going to train? Exercise? Self Defense? The Traditions of Budo/Traditional Martial Arts? Pick the Art that teaches what you want and dive in. I recommend not signing any contracts that guarantees a "Black Belt in One year" or some such. Pick a school you can pay month to month and leave when you desire/have to.

Response by MAJ Sitz Randy made Jul 16 at 2015 1:11 PM

2015-07-16T13:11:59-04:00

I have done Tae Kwon Do, Karate, Hap Ki Do and Krav Maga. They all have some cross over but for me Krav Maga is the way to go. Effective and simple to learn.

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2015 12:52 AM

2015-07-17T00:52:09-04:00

One can ask opinions all day long, but shouldn't you gauge the response based on the experience of the testators? After all, you would not ask a mechanic for medical advice, correct?
Let me start off by listing my credentials: I am a nidan in Shotokan Karate. I am ranked by Shotokan Karate International Federation. I was tested by Hirokazu Kanazawa Kancho. I am also a 1st Kyu brown belt in Judo, which despite what some would say, encompasses Jiu Jitsu. I actively train in both karate and Judo and have done so for over 10 years. I have learned enough to know that anyone that suggested any one style has not practiced very many styles. There are no bad styles, only bad instructors. The style you choose should be based on the schools in your area, not by the styles offered. I've practiced many martial arts and I have seen many good and bad instructors in every style I've practiced.

In martial arts outside Judo, one can literally buy a black belt off ebay and open a school. The first thing you must do is research the instructors. The degree does not matter, as a matter of fact, the most tore-up instructors I've seen throw words in front of their name like "grand master" and "10th degree" so be leery of this. Ask them who ranked them and which organization they are affiliated with. Google that organization and instructor and see if you can find out any information. Due diligence will pay off big time in the long run; you are giving these people your money, so make sure they are worthy of it.
Also, don't think you are going to do 1-2 years of a traditional martial art and walk out being Chuck Norris. The martial way is a life-long journey that takes years to progress. If you only have a year or two and you plan on stopping, you are better off going to one of the local MMA gyms. They will teach you basic skills that will make you a better fighter in the short term, but when you stop training it will go fast. Traditional martial artists are better in the long run, but it takes YEARS to get up to par.

Whatever you do, don't fall for the normal BS one-liners:

"Every fight goes to the ground. " BULL... you go to the ground and 9/10 times his buddy will come behind you and stomp your head. (It's rarely 1:1)

"xxxxxxxx art is the best... mostly because I saw it on TV" BULL. As I said, no art is the best. Even practitioners of a single art are not qualified to determine the "best" because they only have experience in one art.

The number one lesson training in combatives is the true state of humility. I've gotten my six handed to me by people half my size; when that happens enough times one learns never to underestimate and to be humble; no matter how big you are, there is always a bigger fish.

Stay safe and good luck. OSU!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 18 at 2015 6:31 PM

2015-07-18T18:31:15-04:00

Krav-Maga, Judo, or Jiu-Jitsu; all will teach you discipline and self-control. But, the ability to get a fight to the ground, over with quickly, or disable/disarm someone could definitely save your life.

Response by Maj Jeff Dodd made Jul 21 at 2015 9:14 AM

2015-07-21T09:14:23-04:00

I took Krav Maga for a full year before my last deployment in 2010 and felt confident in my abilities to defend myself. Effective and easy to learn without all the rituals that come with other self defense disciplines.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2015 6:03 PM

2015-10-02T18:03:20-04:00

check out MMA or a place that has grappling and striking on their schedule.

Traditional martial arts (TMA) have challenges, they are not always as adaptive, this is why people have to study multiple TMA in order to cover a larger spectrum of skill.

to expand on fights that go to the ground, review this study:
http://ejmas.com/jnc/2007jnc/jncart_Leblanc_0701.html

its not 90+% but it shows that ground must be a part of your training because you can't avoid going to the ground 100% so train for it. also that doesn't mean you have to stay there either.

the following list will most definitely keep you well rounded and give you the confidence to close with your enemy and finish the fight:
-stand up or striking at long range (weapons)
-shorter to mid range (hands, feet)
-close range (knees, elbows)
-ground / grappling
-m4 / m9 retention drills
-edged weapons

while i believe that there isn't one martial art in the civilian world that will cover all of these thoroughly, at the end of the day, do what fits for you with the time and budget that you have. best of luck.

Going to the Ground: Lessons from Law Enforcement

Journal of Non-Lethal Combatives in EJMAS

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 15 at 2015 7:03 PM

2015-10-15T19:03:26-04:00

Any Martial Art that helped form the MACP, especially Gracie Jiu Jitsu.