No style is better than the other but choosing one would depend on your personal preferences. Martial art has many benefits one of which is self-defense. After choosing a style, carefully choose a school or gym and then the right trainer. Some martial arts are more effective than others when it comes to self-defense and protection because of different things. Let’s have a look at the best martial arts for self-defense, in no particular order.
1. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
A ground-based martial art that encourages winning against a bigger and stronger opponent by taking leverage of the body. This is also the reason for its popularity. Chokeholds and joint locks are the specialties. www.elitesports.com advise you to train in BJJ gear and GI. If some gym allows you to train without it, it is not the right one.
2. Muay Thai
Making your elbows, knees, kicks, punches as defense and offense tools transforms the body into a weapon. it is famous for its brutal and fatal blows making it one of the best for self-defense. Several clinching techniques are also included in the training.
3. MMA
Developed and formed for self-defense, it combines different martial art techniques that form a better self-defense mechanism than the rest. All and different martial art discipline techniques are learned in this.
4. Boxing
Using your hands only for punches this art form does not include any kicks or chokes. But you can knock an opponent out. Footwork helps increasing speed improving reflexes. While training and matches you will wear gloves but in real life self-defense, you would not have any. What you can do is just wrap something around the knuckles for the time. No gloves make the punches brutal but the hands could get hurt.
5. Krav Maga
Krav Maga was also developed for self-defense. It was created by Imi Lichtenfeld to help Jewish community members so they could protect themselves from Nazi forces. It is derived from a combination of different martial art techniques. It focuses on getting control over the opponent quickly. It also focuses on disarming the opponent. This is why it is said to be one of the best martial art for self-defense.
Which one should I learn?
This is a list of best martial art for self-defense, that I like and that was compiled in cooperation with Brazilian jiu-jitsu masters from Grapplers Graveyard. If the disciplines you like weren’t included you can still go for those. This may help you decide from either of the disciplines and help you choose which one you want to choose and pursue. It is you who is going to defend yourself so be thoughtful when choosing a self-defense style. But don’t waste your time deciding or frequently changing.
Hopefully, this helps you decide either way. First, make up your mind then start learning a discipline because if you are not ready or willing to learn it would become just a waste of time and money. Find a good school or gym, and trainer. Gear and protection are very important to keep yourself safe.
