Boxing is a very solid choice, but finding a good gym will be a challenge. Speaking from my own experience, many boxing gyms focus on talents and getting a trainer to actually train you is difficult; however, not impossible. Boxing will train your hands, footwork and body to handle aggression, but it's not really self-defense, per se. In the end, you're training within the context of a fight sport.
Honestly, if you're looking for self-defense, then call around and visit gyms that focus on self-defense. Ask questions and watch a class or two. Some gyms will say they teach self-defense, but their curriculum will look like a sport with some extra fluff. Therefore, if you're really serious about self-defense, it's your job to find out for yourself.
On a side note, I know you were intending to get some directions, so here are some martial arts:
Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. A grappling style that focuses on taking your opponent to the ground and using positional control to finish your opponent. Schools today focus mainly on the sports aspects, but some retain the self-defense aspects.
Boxing. Highly-effective striking art that teaches the fundamentals of punching, movement and conditioning. Great for developing punching power, mechanics and combinations.
Muay Thai. A grueling martial art that features elbows, punches, knees, and leg kicks. In some ways, similar to boxing, but involves more dynamics. The conditioning is quite brutal in some gyms, but it will get you in shape.
Mixed Martial Arts. A mixture of jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai, Boxing and other martial arts. The curriculum will challenge you mentally and physically. You're developing all your attributes for one purpose; the cage fight! There's a lot of contact, unless you let the instructor know that you just want to get into shape. Many people use MMA conditioning to develop core strength.
Jeet Kune Do. The late Bruce Lee's legacy to the martial arts. Depending on the school, it features Filipino martial arts, boxing, Muay Thai, Jun Fan Gung-fu and some trapping and grappling. More specifically designed for street fighting.
Karate. A generalization of the many Japanese and American styles of open-handed martial arts. Commonalities include: static blocks, kicks, reverse punches and kata (forms) training. American-style karate look more like kickboxing, while their Japanese counter part are usually more traditional; however, this isn't always true.
Tae Kwon Do. The most widely spread martial art on the planet. Gyms can range from being very serious to plain silly; considering the number of gyms in the world. You'll recognize this art by its kicks; flashy and potentially dangerous to your opponent or yourself. Some schools have good self-defense systems.
That's a start...
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boxing would be one of the best choices, reason being; theres always a gym or two round any town, and its good because its simple easy to use and you'll catch on pretty quick, its also a pretty good style for the street; as it will teach you to hit hard fast and efficiently and is good for mid ranged combat, and you'll be used to taking hits so you'll be able to shrug off alot of whats thrown at you, its for more rumble n tumble stuff; dont expect to be taught any knife defence etc obviously
just make sure you get a good gym, a good hardass one that'll push you to your limits.
hope it helps.Leave a comment:
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Self-Defense: Which Style? Beginner
Hello all, I am a new member to the forum and I am just about to begin my training in an unknown program, that's where you guys come in!
I have no previous martial arts training but I am extremely interested in beginning. I am in my early 20's and a college student, I am trying to decide which martial arts method would best suit my interests and physical frame.
Basically I am trying to figure out which style would best suit a 5'9 140 lb male in the area of self-defense, in a more street fighting sense.
I know this is kind of a bs question seeing as there are many pros and cons and arguments for each style, but if you had 10 weeks, 2-3 sessions (1-3 hrs each) a week to dedicate to training, which method would be most effective for me?
the entire style name and perhaps an explanation as to why you picked it would be most appreciated.
thank you guys!!!
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