Guide to Different Types of Martial Arts: Which One Is Right for You?

Guide to Different Types of Martial Arts: Which One Is Right for You?

Walking into a martial arts club for the first time can feel overwhelming. With dozens of different fighting styles to choose from, each with its own strategy, philosophy, techniques, and benefits, how do you know which one is right for you?

Whether you're searching for an effective self-defence system, a challenging fitness regime, or a path to greater confidence and discipline, choosing the martial art that suits you matters. The style you select will shape your training experience, determine the skills you develop, and influence how you achieve your goals.

This short guide breaks down the major types of martial arts, from traditional striking disciplines to modern hybrid systems. We'll explore what makes each style unique, who they're best suited for, and how to match your personal goals with the right training approach.

Understanding the Main Categories of Martial Arts

Martial arts broadly fall into three categories: striking arts that focus on punches, kicks, elbows, knees etc, grappling arts that emphasise holds, locks, take downs, throws, and ground fighting; and hybrid systems that combine elements from multiple disciplines. Understanding these categories helps narrow down which styles align with your interests.

Pragmatic arts like Boxing, Wrestling, Muay Thai, Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu—are effective combat systems for real-world applications, which is why they form the foundation of modern mixed martial arts competition. However, traditional arts like Karate, Kung Fu and Taekwon do offer their own distinct advantages and continue to attract millions of practitioners worldwide.

Striking Arts: The Art of Stand-Up Combat

Striking martial arts teach you to defend yourself whilst standing, using your hands, feet, elbows, and knees and sometimes head as weapons. These disciplines develop speed, timing, power, and the ability to read an opponent's movements.

Karate: Traditional Discipline Meets Practical Power

Originating in Okinawa, Japan, Karate combines powerful strikes with strong footwork. The discipline emphasises both physical technique and mental development, making it particularly valuable for building character alongside combat skills.

Karate training develops explosive punching and kicking techniques, strong stances for stability and power generation, and the mental focus required for effective self-defence. The structured grading system, marked by coloured belts, provides clear progression milestones that keep students motivated.

Best suited for: Those seeking a balance of tradition and practicality, families looking for character development alongside self-defence skills, and anyone who values structured progression through clearly defined ranks.

Boxing: The Sweet Science

Often called the "sweet science," Boxing focuses exclusively on punching techniques, head movement, and footwork. This specialisation creates exceptional hand speed, defensive reflexes, and cardiovascular conditioning that few other martial arts can match.

Boxing's relatively simple technical foundation makes it accessible to beginners, yet the depth of skill required for mastery provides endless room for improvement. Training typically involves pad work, heavy bag drills, speed bag drills and controlled sparring that develops timing and distance management.

Best suited for: People seeking intense cardiovascular workouts, those who want rapid skill development in hand striking, and anyone looking for practical self-defence techniques they can learn quickly.

Kickboxing: Full-Body Striking Power

Kickboxing combines the hand techniques of Boxing with powerful kicks, creating a complete stand-up fighting system. This approach develops well-rounded strikers who can attack and defend at multiple ranges.

Training builds exceptional leg strength and flexibility alongside upper-body conditioning. The varied techniques keep sessions engaging, whilst the full-body workout makes Kickboxing particularly effective for fitness goals.

Best suited for: Those wanting comprehensive striking skills, people seeking high-intensity fitness training, and anyone who enjoys variety in their workout routines.

Muay Thai: The Art of Eight Limbs

Thailand's national sport, Muay Thai, utilises punches, kicks, elbows, and knees, hence its nickname "the art of eight limbs." This devastating striking system also incorporates clinch work, making it effective at close range where other striking arts struggle.

Muay Thai's clinch techniques teach you to control an opponent's posture whilst delivering powerful knee strikes—skills that translate directly to real-world self-defence situations. The conditioning aspect of training builds exceptional mental and physical toughness.

Best suited for: Those seeking a complete striking system, people interested in competitive martial arts, and anyone wanting to develop formidable close-range self-defence abilities.

Grappling Arts: Control Without Strikes

Grappling martial arts focus on controlling opponents through holds, locks, throws, and ground fighting rather than striking. These disciplines are particularly valuable because they allow you to neutralise threats without causing unnecessary harm—crucial in many self-defence scenarios.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ): The Gentle Art of Ground Dominance

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialises in ground fighting, teaching practitioners to control and submit opponents using leverage and technique. This makes BJJ uniquely effective

BJJ's evolving technical depth is impressive—even after years of training, practitioners continue discovering new techniques, variations and strategies. The art's emphasis on live sparring (called "rolling") means you develop practical skills that work against resisting opponents from the beginning.

Best suited for: Anyone regardless of size or strength, those who enjoy strategic thinking and problem-solving.

Judo: Maximum Efficiency Through Throwing

Judo, meaning "the gentle way," focuses on throws and takedowns that use offbalancing and sweeping and reaping techniques. An Olympic sport since 1964, Judo combines spectacular throwing techniques with ground control and submissions.

Training develops exceptional balance, timing, and the ability to generate power from your hips and core.

Best suited for: Those who want to learn how to hit someone with the earth itsself, people interested in an Olympic martial art, and anyone wanting to develop explosive throwing ability whilst learning how to fall safely.

Wrestling: A Classic Combat Sports

Wrestling represents one of humanity's oldest combat sports, with techniques refined over thousands of years. The discipline focuses on takedowns, control positions, and the ability to dictate where a fight takes place.

Wrestlers develop exceptional physical conditioning, particularly in terms of explosive strength and endurance. The ability to control where a confrontation takes place gives wrestlers a significant tactical advantage.

Best suited for: Those seeking superior physical conditioning, people who want to control encounters without striking, and anyone interested in the foundational grappling skills that underpin MMA success.

Hybrid and Self-Defence Systems

Modern hybrid systems combine techniques from multiple martial arts traditions, selecting the most effective methods regardless of origin. These approaches prioritise real-world effectiveness over adherence to any single style.

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA): The Complete Combat System

Mixed Martial Arts integrates striking, wrestling, and submission grappling into one comprehensive fighting system. MMA training prepares you for any combat scenario—standing, in the clinch, or on the ground.

Training in MMA develops versatility that single-discipline martial artists might lack. You learn to transition smoothly between fighting ranges, combining Boxing and Muay Thai with Wrestling takedowns and BJJ submissions as the situation demands.

Best suited for: Those wanting the most comprehensive combat training, people who enjoy learning multiple skill sets, and anyone interested in the exciting world of competitive mixed martial arts.

Krav Maga: Pragmatic Self-Defence

Krav Maga focuses exclusively on practical self-defence against real-world threats. The system teaches students to neutralise dangers quickly using instinctive movements that work under stress.

Krav Maga training addresses scenarios like defending against multiple attackers, dealing with weapons, and protecting others. The emphasis on realistic scenario training prepares students mentally as well as physically for genuine threats.

Best suited for: Those prioritising practical self-defence over sport, people who want to train for realistic threat scenarios, and anyone seeking rapid development of functional defensive skills.

Traditional Arts: Where Philosophy Meets Practice

Kung Fu: The Art of Achievement Through Effort

Kung Fu encompasses many of Chinese martial arts styles, each with distinct techniques and philosophies. The term itself means "achievement through effort," reflecting the discipline's emphasis on dedicated practice and personal development.

Training develops remarkable flexibility, coordination, and body control. Many Kung Fu styles incorporate weapons training, conditioning exercises, and philosophical study alongside combat techniques, creating a holistic approach to personal development.

Best suited for: Those drawn to Chinese martial arts philosophy, people seeking comprehensive physical and mental development, and anyone interested in the aesthetic aspects of martial arts alongside practical application.

Which Martial Art Suits Your Goals?

Your ideal martial art depends on what you hope to achieve. Here's guidance based on common training goals:

For Fitness and Weight Loss

Karate, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, and Boxing deliver exceptional cardiovascular workouts whilst building functional strength. These striking arts burn significant calories—often 500-800 per session—whilst developing practical skills. The engaging nature of martial arts training also makes it easier to maintain consistency compared to traditional gym routines.

For Self-Defence awareness and verbal skills

Krav Maga offers a direct path to practical self-defence skills, with techniques designed specifically for real-world scenarios. Please note that training regularly with resisting opponents wether it is for testing striking, grappling or weapons techniques is the surest way to gain the skill to defend yourself.

For Competition

Each martial art offers competitive pathways, from local tournaments to international championships. Karate, BJJ, Judo, and Wrestling have particularly well-developed competitive circuits, whilst Boxing and Muay Thai provide traditional sporting frameworks. MMA has grown exponentially as a competitive sport, offering opportunities for athletes who excel across multiple disciplines.

For Children and Families

Kungfu and Taekwondo have long traditions of children's training, with age-appropriate curricula that emphasise discipline, respect, and confidence alongside physical skills. The structured belt system provides tangible goals that keep young students motivated, whilst the emphasis on controlled practice ensures safe learning environments.

Why Multi-Discipline Training Offers the Best Results

Real self-defence situations don't follow the rules of any single martial art. An attacker might throw punches, attempt a tackle, or try to drag you to the ground. Training across multiple disciplines ensures you're prepared for any scenario.

Multi-discipline training also accelerates skill development. Techniques learned in one art often enhance abilities in another. For example Judo improves and enhances your BJJ.

This cross-pollination creates martial artists who are more adaptable and well-rounded than single-style practitioners.

Additionally, training variety prevents boredom and plateaus. This approach keeps martial arts fresh and engaging over years and even decades of practice.

How Shuhari Self Defence Combines Multiple Disciplines

At Shuhari Self Defence, we've spent sixteen years developing an integrated approach that draws from many martial arts traditions: Karate, Boxing, Wrestling, Krav Maga, Kung Fu, Judo, BJJ, Kickboxing, and Muay Thai. Rather than teaching these as separate systems, we blend the most effective techniques from each into coherent, practical self-defence training.

This multi-discipline philosophy means our students develop complete skill sets. You'll learn to strike effectively at all ranges, control opponents through grappling, and defend yourself in any situation; standing, in close quarters, or on the ground. Our 23 experienced instructors guide this journey across six locations in Berkshire, including Slough, Maidenhead, Bracknell, Cippenham, Burnham, and Langley.

Our philosophy "Strong Body, Sharp Mind, Immovable Spirit" reflects the holistic benefits of martial arts training. Beyond physical techniques, our students develop confidence, discipline, and mental resilience that serve them well beyond the training hall.

Frequently Asked Questions About Martial Arts Types

Which martial art is best for beginners?
Boxing and Karate are often recommended for beginners due to their structured approach and relatively simple foundational techniques. However, the best martial art for any beginner is one that matches their interests and goals, you'll progress faster in a discipline you genuinely enjoy.

What martial art is most effective in a real fight?
No single martial art is definitively "most effective" because real confrontations are unpredictable. However, MMA training, which combines striking, wrestling, and grappling, prepares practitioners for the widest range of scenarios.

Am I too old to start martial arts?
There's no age limit for beginning martial arts training. Many people start in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and beyond. Good instructors adapt training to suit different fitness levels and physical capabilities, making martial arts accessible at any age.

How long does it take to become proficient in a martial art?
Very basic competency typically develops within a couple of years of consistent training. However, martial arts mastery is a lifelong pursuit, even experienced practitioners continue learning and refining their skills after decades of practice.

Experience Multiple Martial Arts Disciplines at Shuhari

The best way to discover which martial art suits you is to experience it firsthand. At Shuhari Self Defence, our taster classes give you the opportunity to train with experienced instructors and feel the difference that quality teaching makes.

With classes running throughout the week across Slough, Maidenhead, Bracknell, Cippenham, Burnham, and Langley, there's a convenient time and location for everyone. Our beginner-friendly environment welcomes students of all ages and fitness levels, whilst our integrated curriculum ensures you develop practical, effective skills from your very first session.

Book your free taster class today and join the 8,670+ students who have already discovered great benefits of martial arts training with Shuhari Self Defence.