Which is better Kung Fu or Karate?

Question

Which program is better for a active 8 year old...kung fu, Karate, or a mixed martial art program combining Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Thai Boxing, Wrestling and Judo? Hes really into Jackie Chan , Jet li type fighting.

Answer 1

kung fu is better than karate... but.... i practise karate!

Answer 2

I can confidently say that there is no martial arts that is better or more superior than the other. But to answer your question, why not try both? American Kenpo has it's roots from Southern China (Shaolin Kung Fu) w/ the Japanese (Karate) linear influences. Over the years, the art has evolved & inclusive to other arts such as Arnis/Escrima, Judo, Jiu Jitsu, etc. Kenpo relies on the laws of physics, leverages, concepts, principles, theories, knowledge of anatomy and body mechanics - in order to overcome a much bigger agressor. It's philosophy is to have a life long journey of self mastery...rather than the mastery over others. Hope this helps!

Answer 3

The question is more like which martial arts is better for your 8 yrs old.  There is no definite answer to it; it really depends on the personality of the boy and they type of exercise he likes.

If learn probably, both Kung Fu or Karate can be very effective martial arts.  However, the type of movement involved and  training styles are very different from one another.  

If your boy like Jackie Chan and Jet Li and he enjoy doing all these cool stunning moves, I would recommend him to study Contemporary Wushe, especially Northern style, with a good teacher/school.  He can later on go to a traditional Chinese martial art school to deepen his combat skills.

Answer 4

Poeple like geo k are the reason I lose iq points readin answers sometimes. Krav mag is an excellent combat style, but that's all it is. It was developed in isreal and is use dby the Isreali army. I know of no law enforcment agencies in America that use it, as they would be sued so fast. geo k is a prime example of people that have no idea what they are talking about.

As for your question, anti thesis (without the BJJ/Muay Thai leaning) had a good response, as did fayt. At his age it should be more about learning some discipline, an learning to respect himself and others. Quite honestly that will do more for him throughout life then being the toughest fighter on the planet.

Answer 5

Just take your son to a few classes and see which one he liked best

Answer 6

forget those styles get him into krav maga, this fighting style  focuses on the mentality of "attack the attacker'  its used by law enforcement and other agencies also it is very easy to learn be aware though u wont see jackie chan of Jet li using it because its not pretty. Krav Maga could work for anyone everything else is garbage. But if he is so keen on Chan and Li Kung fu is the way to go best of luck.

Answer 7

I agree with Fayt.

Other answers are good as well but a kid goes to Martial Arts to have fun, it's just like joining a soccer or football team they do it to have fun.

A couple of years down the track he might start thinking of Self defense, and he might want to learn MMA or Kavr Maga but right now he wants fun. So I suggest you take your kid to a couple of classes that you have suggested and see which one he enjoys more.

Answer 8

As a kid, I've taken karate, judo and brazilian jiujitsu and I can tell you that I enjoyed bjj/judo much more than karate. Karate is a slow-learning art and relies on learning pre-set forms in order to enhance your skillset. This is all fine and dandy, however, learning preset forms takes a long time to learn as it was designed to do.

BJJ/Judo/MMA gets right to it. From day 1, you begin learning effective manuevers that can be applied quickly without any complications to strict body mechanical rules.

This being said, there is really no way to tell which your son will enjoy more. Best to take him to sample classes with each one and let him decide.

Any art will be beneficial to his development by keeping him in shape, teaching him how to have the proper diets and workouts, and of course, the self defense for when he is older.

Answer 9

Take him to the school with the most competent instruction, although if he likes Jackie Chan and Jet Li stuff I'd go with Kung Fu if its Shaolin.

Not all Kung Fu uses acrobatic forms; northern Shaolin I know does, whereas southern is generally planted on the ground.  If he wants to be like Jet Li and Jackie Chan though he's going to have to study Beijing opera and Shaolin Kung Fu.

Beijing opera is what will ultimately give him the agility he craves, at the cost of 4 inches in height by the time he's fully grown though.....

good luck.

Answer 10

I can really quite confidently say neither is better, neither is worse. All martial art forms are unique in their own ways; there is no true comparison.

For an active 8-year old into Jackie Chan, etc., I'd say Kung Fu. It focuses on agility, balance, all the necessities of martial arts.

Hope this helps.