Which Martial Art is Best for Self Defense?

Knowing how to defend yourself in difficult or life-threatening situations is an important life skill. Learning martial arts is a great way to defend yourself against attacks, even when they are unprecedented.  

With martial arts, You get to build extra confidence, be able to handle any tricky situation and even pass the skills on to your kids. Let’s explore the best martial arts for self defense. 

Six benefits of martial arts for adults and kids

Although both parties can benefit immensely from learning martial arts with self-defense, the effects on the different parties vary slightly. 

Some are more important than others. For instance, adults are more likely to develop stress than kids would, and martial arts can be a great way to limit your stress.

Benefits of martial arts for adults 

• Martial arts boosts confidence

Adults may find themselves in more life-threatening situations than kids would. An attack on someone can happen for many reasons. Self-defense with Martial arts is essential to ward off frightening situations.

The balance and agility gained from practicing martial arts and knowing that you can defend yourself whenever necessary will boost your self-confidence.

• Martial arts may reduce stress. 

Adults deal with many stressful life situations, from work to family and relationships. You can become more present in the moment when doing martial art training since it improves your focus. Certain studies show that deep breathing exercises, mindfulness and meditation help keep you centered and present, which could help alleviate some stress. 

• Can increase weight loss

Any martial arts exercise is a full-body workout. Training for just one hour can help you burn about 500 calories, and many students have claimed these exercises help control their appetite. Less food and consistent training sessions will ultimately lead to weight loss. 

Benefits of martial arts for kids

• Build and develop self-esteem

Kids get to show impressive martial art skills in front of many people, including their peers. This extent of interaction can make them less socially awkward and is a good way to build their confidence as they grow into adults. 

Although this self-confidence happens in adults too, children are just developing and navigating a fairly new world; hence, they need to quickly become sure of themselves and their abilities. Martial arts is one of the best ways to get children to do that —especially if you introduce them to the best forms.  

• Develop teamwork 

Kids need to learn teamwork. It helps them achieve more success as they develop into adults. But they can’t learn teamwork without having a sense of belonging to a team.

Martial arts provides a community for kids to exist and have importance. By working in a martial arts community, kids begin to grasp the essence of setting and achieving goals and working with others to make this possible. 

One of the major reasons for this desired effect is that martial art training for kids is heavily based on character development while teaching self-defense. As they grow older, they will learn more advanced self-defense skills suitable for their age.  

• Conflict resolutions and checking bad behavior in public

When kids learn martial arts, it makes them strong in character and physical presence. Children who learn martial arts can be some of the best conflict resolvers among their peers. They are confident and can command the respect of their peers without physically violating them. You would be proud to see your little ones in absolute control of situations.

5 Best styles self-defense in martial arts

• Mixed martial arts (MMA)

Mixed martial arts has already taken a significant place on the world stage. It is in the face of almost everyone that cares about combat and self-defense. We can see highly talented fighters like McGregor and Kamaru Usman executing their craft skilfully and taking down opponents. 

Yet, what makes this form of martial arts and self-defense unique is that it takes different pieces from already established forms of martial arts. 

The MMA competitions see the involvement of fighters from diverse martial art backgrounds. They combine all they know to create a tough defense system against opponents in the cage. If you’re looking for a well-rounded approach to martial arts that would make you and your kids untouchable, MMA is the way to go. 

• Judo

The way of judo renders the opposition helpless. Judo practitioners use the opponent’s force against the opponent. Another advantage of this practice is that the average person can use it effectively in the toughest self-defense situations.

An insight into the life of the founder of the art corroborates this fact. Judo was founded by Dr. Jigoro Kano, who had an inferiority complex due to his small stature, making him enroll in jiu jujutsu at 17. Then, he developed his style five years later. Judo. 

Although judo doesn’t involve strikes and kicks, which might be disappointing, this makes it effective. Anyone can do judo. Even physically impaired people can perform judo, as strength and size don’t matter much. 

• Muay Thai & Kickboxing

Muay Thai and kickboxing are very similar forms of self-defense. The only difference between them is their contact points. In kickboxing, you only use your fists and legs. But in Muay Thai, you include more, adding the elbows and knees. No wonder it is dubbed the art of the eight limbs. 

Muay Thai is a common form of self-defense that developed in Thailand. In Muay Thai, You get a good grasp of how to use your hands and legs. Concerning the upper limbs, many Muay Thai artists easily transition to other sports like boxing and have become successful at it. 

• Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 

Jiu Jitsu is one of the best ways to eliminate unwanted calories. It’s also an effective form of self-defense. When Usman Kamaru lost against Jose Caceres, Jiu Jiu-Jitsu was his saving grace. The grappling strength you develop is key to the art. BJJ is practical for real-life situations where you have to defend yourself. You will avoid takedowns and master how to execute them just like Usman did. The martial art involves a lot of groundwork, so you’ll get great experience in the best ways to take your attacker down. The aspect that makes BJJ extremely useful is that it is effective when you are in disadvantageous positions. 

• Wrestling

Wrestling equips you with power, control, and balance. See how dominant wrestlers can subdue their opponents with total control with almost no harm done to them. This form of martial art develops vice-like grips and a strong core. It keeps you fit and ready to defend yourself at any time.

Learning martial arts can sharpen your physique and help you with other daily activities. But not all forms of martial arts are created equal. This article discusses some of the best martial arts you can learn to improve your self-defense for unique reasons.