What type of martial arts should i learn?

Question

i'm a 15 year old male about 5'6 5'7 and i'm pretty fast but not really considered strong, my leg reach and arm reach is long and im pretty flexible.

i'm very interested in learning one but i'm not sure which one my friends have considered me to muay thai, what are your suggestions?

Answer 1

I don't know how many times I've seen these types of questions showing up. Seriously, you need to go around and look for yourself. Don't limit yourself to one style from the beginning. You hear people saying ahhhh Karate is best! Taekwondo sucks! Or Muay Thai and BJJ is most practical! Those are the practitioners' ego talking. It may fit for them, but that doesn't mean it will suit you. My suggestion is, forget about other people's preferences, follow your own. Research all styles, don't throw away taekwondo or aikido as a selection just because you've heard of people saying that they're impractical. Give yourself a variety of choices, and once you find one that you like, stick with it!

JUST MAKE SURE YOU'RE RECEIVING INSTRUCTIONS FROM A QUALIFIED TEACHER! THAT'S MOST IMPORTANT!

Answer 2

go on google maps and find what martial arts are available too you before you decide what you want to learn. Go in for free lessons at which ever ones your interested in and make a decision. Remember though a good teacher is better than a good martial arts. Dojo's are like resturaunts they might specialize in a type of food you like but if the chef is bad the food is going to bad as well.

Answer 3

I am currently taking Shotokan Karate. I really like it. But you should see what studios/dojos are near you.

Answer 4

Dude im the same age and height as you

I do Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and want to get into muay thai

so id say definitely Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Muay Thai

Those two are solid

BJJ is defense on the ground submission/grappling stuff

Muay Thai is like boxing but with punches knees elbows kicks to attack

Answer 5

Dude, study Judo!!!!! Forget all that other stuff.  Judo you to use the biggest weapon you have around.....THE GROUND!!!!!  Judo would really benifit you! Search youtube or something for some Judo videos.  Check it out! Email me if you have questions!!!!!

Answer 6

My advice is rather then worry about style, worry about good instruction first. Find all of the schools and styles in your area. then research each style and find out what it's strengths and weaknesses are. Next do a search on here to find out how to sopt a good school and instructor, and what to avoid.

Take this list and visit all of the schools you are considering. Watch a few classes. pick the instructor and the school that seem best. it might be you will winde up with a combination of Muay Thai and BJJ, and I say thats fine, as long as it has the best instruction and training.

Without a good instructor and aliveness training no style, no matter how good, is going to be effective. Too many people on here automaticly say BJJ/Muay Thai because of the UFC.

Answer 7

style doesn't matter. it's how you apply what you have learned that matters. a lot of people will tell you to take bjj or muay thai because of the rising popularity of mma. but you should search around and try different fighting styles. don't just pick what is popular. every style is good. just practice and practice.

Answer 8

Muay Thai WITH Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Why not take both?

Your reach is good for striking and your flexibilty is good for BJJ.

Take a chance and do both, I guarantee you will learn alot!

Answer 9

brazilian jiu jitsu ..or muay thai

Answer 10

I think Brazilian jujitsu sounds perfect for you. Your fast , have long legs and are gonna want to use technique to over come the guys who are just realllllly strong.  The only thing about bjj is it often is not taught with striking but if you find a place that offers muay thai with bjj. (seems like a good number of places that would be great for you. Muay thai dose sond good for you as far as striking goes but any reel fighter needs a good ground game to go with there striking cause if you just know how to punch I could kill you. But if you just learn enough to defend on the ground and get to your feet it might be way differant

Answer 11

You should do a little trial period and see what you like best before you invest years into your future obsession ;).

Try each of these for 3 months and then decide.

BJJ (ground)

Sambo (ground)

Muay Thai (striking)

Kyokushin Karate (striking)

Answer 12

As someone else said; find out what's available in your area and start there.

Any kind of martial arts training will stand you in good stead for further studies, once you have transport and can travel further afield.

(I mean no disrespect for other styles in my following comments; these are just my observations from having trained for a loooong time...).

If you are looking for something to develop self discipline, go for some of the more traditional styles, such as Karate or Judo.  

If you are looking for self defence or systems that work most effectively in real world situations, take a look at Kali, Jeet Kune Do or Krav Maga. Without wishing to sound like a know-it-all, I've studied both traditional systems and the three styles I mentioned above; these three styles are the most effective "systems" that I have ever encountered and are all about dealing with the situation in an entirely practical, efficient manner with as little ornamentation or superfluous exertion as possible. In other words; they are simply concerned with ending the encounter as quickly as possible, enabling you to get the h**l out of there in one piece.

I'd avoid MMA and Tae Kwon Do, personally. Great for fitness and I respect both but surprisingly inefficient on the street. A lot of people talk about ground fighting, but don't forget that on the street there is no referee, but there is a good chance of getting kicked in the head by your opponents mates whilst you are attempting to grapple. If you can learn from a system that includes efficient striking, locking and "limb immobilisation", (breaking and or dislocating), techniques you will be less likely to end up on the floor rolling around and praying no-one is there to help your opponent. If you manage to dislocate or break someone's arm, (surprisingly easy to do with the right tuition), fighting will be the last thing on their mind.

Whatever you do decide upon, studying Martial Arts can only bring good things. I don't know where I would have ended up had I not made that first visit to the local club.