Shotokan or Muay Thai?

[Hoshi_Jack]

I have been getting back into shape over the last few months, and I am looking to start taking martial arts classes. Of all the places to learn where I live I have narrowed it down to either a traditional shotokan dojo or a Muay Thai school. I have been doing research on both but im still torn. I like Shotokan for its discipline I also like the more practical applications of Muay Thai. Im just curious as to your opinions of the pros and cons of either, and thanks for your time.

[Hardball]

What is your age, height, weight and body style?

[ShawnJKD]

Take a class (or two or three if they'll let you) of both and see which you enjoy more. Really, that's what will determine what you will stick with. Its been more than two decades since my Shotokan days, and though traditional styles take a beating these days, I learned a lot from that training. Style alone is not enough to base a decision on. The manner and skill of instruction, the atmosphere of the place, and you yourself will make the difference. Both systems can be great - both can be terrible.

Shawn
Bruce Lee's Jun Fan JKD and Filipino Kali in downtown Toronto

[fire cobra]

Muay Thai.

[ShawnJKD]

Well really, what do you expect when you post in a Muay Thai forum :-)

[7r14ngL3Ch0k3]

Im gonna have to say Muay Thai . Are you tough?

[Hoshi_Jack]

Well I just turned 19 and kicked some bad habits a few months back. Im close to six foot and 180lbs. Average limb length. Yeah I did expect you guys to just say Muay Thai, but I have to ask somewhere, and you guys seemed cooler. As far as tough goes, I have decent pain tolerance. I weight lift twice a week and do cardio on off days. Ive been in a few fights, won and lost some. Its the self defense and mental conditioning im really looking for. Im going to see the instructors here soon, see what comes of it.

[Hardball]

You should do well in either one. Watch the upcoming fight between Rashaad Evans and Lyotoa Machida in May. Machida has a Black Belt in Shotokan Karate and he may be the next Light Heavy Weight Champ of the UFC.

[jjjsssf]

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[legshot420]

It takes too long to be proficient in Shotokan, we can't all be like Machida, y'know. I say go with Muay Thai but then again, this is the Thaiboxing forum.

[Hardball]

It takes too long to be proficient in Shotokan, we can't all be like Machida, y'know. I say go with Muay Thai but then again, this is the Thaiboxing forum.

The Kid's only 19 he has time. Machida is not the only proficient Shotokan Fighter. But don't take my word for it, I'm biased to Japanese Systems.

[JadeDragon]

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[Hardball]

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[george stando]

Machida might have a black belt in shotokan but he rarely uses it in any of the fights. He is training mma and vale tudo exclusively and he is a product of that . His early training gives him great discipline and basics as well as decent timing but if he was representing as a black belt in shotokan and showing his shotokan skills then you would be seeing a totally different fighter out there. Its like saying i was a goju karate black belt like I was when I was young and I discarded it for more modern training in muay thai, bjj and vale tudo. The traces of the past are gone outside of the discipline, training ethic and work ethic I developed. So goju plays no part of my success today. Its mostly shotokan guys trying to validate their art and macida trying to make himself stand out as a bit different but watch his training and what he is doing.

The choice between shotokan and muay thai should be determined on the factors of what is available and who is the instructor. If its a shitty muay thai school then its probably worthless and you are better off elsewhere.

If its traditional martial arts you want roll with shotokan and hang with it for a time because you need time to be good at it. Forms are a large part of it which for me is the biggest waste of time on planet earth but its just my opinion.

If you want a more ring direct art with alot of conditioning and function that you can cross into mma, grappling, boxing etc then go with muay thai.

Its kind of two different things shotokan and muay thai. So its an odd choice but realize what your outcome will be and what you want to do with it then make the choice.

I personally would go wiht muay thai because it will give you incredible conditioning, discipline and a lot of useful tools to expand on and grow with.

[Akira]

I've trained in both Shotokan and Muay Thai and personally I enjoy muay thai more.

That said however, go and try a class of both of them and see which one you enjoy more.