So you're looking to get into martial arts but you're not too sure which one you should choose. Then don't worry because here at Dojo Dex we're going to dive into the ways that you can find the perfect martial art for you.

What Are Your Interests?

Your interests or rather the reason you wish to do martial arts is a key factor when it comes to finding the perfect martial art. Your main goal will play a key role in deciding what martial art to choose, if you're looking for a martial art for flexibility and meditation then Tai Chi might be a great fit, or if you're looking for high-adrenaline strong punches, then boxing will be for you.

What Martial Art Excits You?

One of the best ways to choose the right martial art for you is to think about which one excites you the most. So when choosing a martial art you should think about what it is you are looking for in a martial art. Do you want to be a master of open-hand combat, or live your life training to be a samurai? The choice is completely yours and it all revolves around the type of person you wish to be.

Envision Your Future Self

Now this may sound like something stupid but it is often a great way to do some soul searching. By envisioning yourself in the future you can imagine yourself after you’ve already chosen your martial art. If you do this there is bound to be some martial arts that you can recognise, maybe it’s boxing, maybe it’s Taekwondo or maybe it’s kyudo.

Don’t be Afraid to Try

Most martial artists have at least tried two or more martial arts before their main one, so you must remain flexible towards which ones you genuinely enjoy. Because you may find that what you enjoy may be different from your expectations. Remember even if you try a martial art for 3 months and find it’s not for you, that’s not time wasted, that’s knowledge gained.

I hope this helps you at least narrow down your options and discover the best martial art(s) for you. So Keep studying, Stay Strong, and Stay You!

Over the course of human history martial arts have been created, adapted, and expanded upon and the question of which one is "best" is one that has yet to be completely answered. In this blog, we hope to shine some light upon the question and help you come to your own answer of which martial art(s) are truly the best.

What Makes a Martial Art "Good"?

Practicality

One of the main concerns when it comes to choosing a martial art that is "good" is how practical it is. Practicality is a measure of whether it's realistic to ever be able to use the martial discipline that you choose. Now many people seem to forget that martial arts are not just a means of defence or attack, they also train the mind, and body, and teach valuable lessons that are hard to put into words. For example, you may train boxing for the attacking and defence but may train Tai Chi for the mental focus and mindfulness that it grants. Every martial art is practical in some way, but not every martial art is about the fighting aspect.

History

When choosing anything let alone martial arts, the history of it can affect how we see it. For example, a lot of people that I've spoken with don't like kyudo (the Japanese martial art of archery) due to how calm and slow-moving it is. In feudal Japan, Kyudo was a deadly martial art and while the main focus of it is no longer to take another person down the foundations upon which it was laid are still there. Martial arts changed over time and while kyudo is now seen more as a form of meditation, awareness and sports it was certainly a great martial art.

Another example of martial arts evolving over the years is Tai Chi. Tai Chi was a more prominent martial art and was used quite often, but nowadays it's seen as more of a meditative practice and used in all sorts of mind and body wellness programs all around the world.

The Focus

The focus of martial arts can often make one seem better than the other or "better" For example many people like Tae Kwon Do for its focus on kicks, whereas others prefer boxing for its high-strength punches. So if you like punches more then boxing is the better martial art, right?

If your focus is the same as another martial art, then you are more likely to believe that it is the "best" and in a sense, it is the "best" fit for you.

The Value You Can Derive From It

We have already touched on this point in the other points above, but another factor that plays a role in what martial art is "best" is what it offers you or rather what you believe it offers you. If you're looking for a martial art to teach you how to defend yourself in the streets, then maybe Tai Chi isn't for you but if you're looking for a martial art to help you find yourself then maybe Tai Chi is exactly what you're looking for.

The point I'm trying to make is that everyone derives different values from each martial art, one might be looking for strength, but another may be looking for a form of meditation, we each look for different things and even if we want the same thing the reason we want it is the difference.

The Conclusion

The answer to the question of what martial arts is best is quite simple really. The best martial art is a combination of all of them. As we live in a relative world everything revolves around your interests and the conclusions you make based on your own experiences, so whether you like sumo wrestling, kendo, karate, or capoeira, it's up to you to choose the martial practices that are "best" for you.

A few words from me:

Just make sure you don't fight over which one is best, remember everything has its place in this world and everything and everyone has a role to play, it's up to us which one we play.

Martial arts is more than just a physical activity, it is a highly beneficial practice, that benefits the body and mind. Martial arts have developed into having a wide range of uses and benefits, whether you're looking to improve your fitness levels, build strength or improve your self-confidence, martial arts is the key for you.

1. Keeping Fit

Martial arts are a great way to keep your body moving, whether you are looking to use martial arts to stay fit, build muscle, or just keep active. Martial arts are a great way to make sure that your body is well looked after, no matter what martial arts you choose, be it Taekwondo, Boxing, Karate or Capoeira each one helps keep you fit and healthy.

2. Improve Your Flexibility And Movement

Martial arts do not just help you stay fit they can also improve your mobility and flexibility. Martial arts like Taekwondo are well known for their movement and flexibility and through practicing these disciplines you can improve the movement of your joints, including your arms and legs, all while increasing your flexibility.

3. Builds Relationships

While martial arts can be taught one-on-one it's most likely to be taught inside of a class alongside other people of various grades. This is a great way to build bonds with other people with the same interests as you. Martial arts is a great way to help other people and build strong bonds with the other students and your instructors all while building skills that will serve you all your life.

4. Builds Self-Belief

Martial arts is a great way to build a strong foundation of self-belief as everything you do in martial arts whether it be grading, teaching, competing all of these are your accomplishments. While you couldn't do it without your instructor he can't make your grade. "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't force it to drink". This allows you to have a sense of accomplishment and provides proof to you that you can get better at anything you try.

5. Learn How to Protect Yourself

Perhaps one of the biggest reasons why many people learn martial arts is to learn to protect yourself. Each martial art tackles teaching self-defence in a different way but not only do they showcase and teach how to defend yourself, they also teach you how to avoid situations.

6. Improves Mental Focus and Discipline

Martial arts also require consistent practice, concentration, and dedication to improve. Martial arts help improve your mental focus/clarity, self-discipline, and focus, this does not only affect your martial arts progress but every part of your life.

7. Stress Relief and Emotional Well-being

Martial Arts does not just have physical benefits it's also well known for its physical benefits one of them being stress relief and emotional well-being. Engaging in martial arts can serve as an outlet for stress and negative emotions. The physical activity releases endorphins, promoting a sense of calm and emotional balance.

Martial arts provide a wide range of benefits and can cater to a wide range of audiences, whether you are looking to improve your mobility, strength, discipline or mental well-being martial arts is the place for you. Not only can you improve yourself while studying a martial art but you can also bond with a range of people, help others, and achieve your goals alongside a supporting community.