Knowing how to defend yourself isn’t just something handy; it can be a necessity in certain situations. Self-defense can offer real peace of mind, and the benefits go far beyond protection. Practicing martial arts can improve your focus and reduce stress, so we’ve gathered the best martial arts for self-defense in this article.
My own curiosity around martial arts grew while browsing through betting apps. Watching high-stakes matches, and the techniques fighters brought to the ring, made me wonder what it actually takes to learn martial arts. Even if you’re watching and betting on WWE events, you can feel the underlying martial arts backgrounds of athletes, which complements the overall showmanship.
However, getting started with martial arts can be intimidating. To make the process easier, we’ve put together the following list of martial arts for beginners, with a focus on practicality, ease of learning, and real-world effectiveness.
1. Boxing
Boxing is one of the most practical and accessible martial arts for self-defense. It teaches you how to throw effective punches and block incoming strikes. Boxing also teaches you how to be quick on your feet, which is a useful skill in many different situations.
In real-world scenarios, most untrained attackers are likely to punch, which makes boxing an ideal base for understanding how to defend and respond. Boxing is also relatively quick to pick up, and a casual practitioner can become proficient within six to 12 months.
2. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) specializes in ground control and using techniques to overcome larger opponents. BJJ’s learning curve is steeper than some other arts, but you can tell its effectiveness apart clearly early on. BJJ’s core principle is using leverage and technique rather than brute strength, and the martial art also teaches you how to stay calm and think strategically in close-contact situations.
Practicing BJJ builds confidence in close-quarters situations. Even a basic understanding of BJJ can make a big difference in self-defense scenarios. Even within your first few months, you’ll start to understand how to protect yourself, especially against someone with no training.
3. Muay Thai
Muay Thai uses punches, kicks, elbows, and knees. It’s known to be powerful with straightforward techniques. Muay Thai also teaches you balance, posture, and how to generate force up close, which can be helpful in real-world scenarios.
Muay Thai can be physically demanding for a beginner. Training often involves pad work, bag drills, and controlled sparring. As you continue to master the ways of Muay Thai, you’ll develop a great understanding of managing your distance and ending confrontations quickly.
4. Kickboxing
Kickboxing combines boxing-style hand techniques with a variety of kicks. It’s typically taught in a more fitness-oriented environment than traditional Muay Thai. This makes it a great choice for beginners looking to learn more about self-defense, while also getting a good workout in.
Compared to Muay Thai, kickboxing is slightly simpler to learn and also more approachable. Classes usually include pad drills, light sparring, and conditioning work. If you decide to master kickboxing, you can expect to strike confidently and move well in stand-up situations.
5. Wrestling
Wrestling focuses on takedowns, balance, and positional control. It’s one of the oldest and most effective forms of grappling. Wrestling is an excellent choice for self-defense because it can allow you to neutralize an attacker or avoid being taken to the ground. Learning to control someone’s posture and fight for position makes wrestling a valuable skill set.
Wrestling training puts an emphasis on conditioning, body awareness, and physical resilience. Over time, you’ll develop an understanding of the martial art, which will help you stay on your feet, control the pace of an encounter, and avoid being caught off. You can also complement wrestling with other striking arts like boxing or kickboxing for a more complete self-defense approach.
How to choose the right martial arts for you
While the martial arts featured in our article are excellent for starters, there’s also a convenience factor in play. Regardless of your preference, attendance and keeping up with your training is key. For that reason, we strongly recommend that newcomers choose a martial art based on location.
If there’s a boxing gym 10 minutes away from your home, then you can prioritize boxing above all others. Or, if you enjoy BJJ training sessions more than any other martial art listed here, then you should consider continuing to learn BJJ.
The key to choosing the right martial arts depends on you because only you can convince yourself to continue attending classes. Even if you choose the best martial art for a beginner, it may not mean much when you stop attending classes after the first month.
Check out all the nearby training facilities, and maybe even spectate a few sessions from different martial arts before making a decision. As long as you’re having fun training, your self-defense will automatically get better over time.
Overall, as a beginner, your priority should be convenience, so you don’t have to worry about whether you should sign up for one of the top martial arts schools in the world. If you’re struggling to find the motivation to start, you can also check out the best martial arts movies, as they have a way of hyping you up.