Choosing the Right Martial Art at Age 20

At twenty, you are young and full of energy, making it the perfect time to explore the vast array of martial arts available. The choice can feel overwhelming, but the important thing is to find something that resonates with you and that you will enjoy sticking with. Let’s take a closer look at some popular martial arts that are highly rated and filter them based on your preferences.

Popular Martial Arts for Beginners

There are several martial arts that are popular for beginners and offer a good foundation for further training. Here is a prioritized list of some effective and widely accessible options:

1. Muay Thai or Kickboxing

Muay Thai and its alternative, kickboxing, are excellent choices for those interested in a martial art that focuses on striking techniques. These martial arts are great for building abdominal and core strength, as well as developing your striking skills. If you enjoy fast-paced action and want to enhance your fitness, these arts are a great option.

2. Boxing

Boxing is a classic martial art that focuses on hand-to-hand combat, including punches, footwork, and stance. It is an excellent choice for those who want to improve their fitness and self-defense skills. Boxing classes are widely available, and the techniques can be easily learned and practiced.

3. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)

BJJ offers a comprehensive approach to ground fighting and submission techniques. It is a good choice for those who want to focus on self-defense and grappling. If you want to develop a well-rounded skill set and improve your physical and mental discipline, BJJ is highly recommended.

4. Freestyle Wrestling

Freestyle wrestling is a form of combat that includes a range of ground techniques, including takedowns and holds. This martial art emphasizes physical strength and grappling skills. If you enjoy physical competition and want to focus on developing stamina and grappling techniques, freestyle wrestling is a great choice.

Combination Options

Alternatively, you can consider combining some of these martial arts for a well-rounded practice. Here are some combinations in prioritized order:

1. Thai BJJ

This combination focuses on both striking and grappling, providing a comprehensive skill set. Thai BJJ can be particularly beneficial for those who want to combine the fast-paced striking of Muay Thai with the ground skills of BJJ.

2. BJJ

BJJ alone is a solid choice if you are primarily interested in ground-based techniques, submission grappling, and self-defense.

3. Boxing Freestyle Wrestling

This combination is ideal for those who want to focus on both striking and grappling. Boxing provides hand-to-hand combat skills, while freestyle wrestling enhances your ground fighting abilities.

4. BJJ Freestyle Wrestling

This combination focuses heavily on grappling and ground skills, making it a great choice for those who are primarily interested in submission techniques and self-defense.

Consider Your Preferences

Ultimately, the choice of martial art depends on your personal goals and what you enjoy. Here are some factors to consider as you go through the list:

Body Type: Are you small or tall? Your body type might influence the best style for you. Offense vs Defense: Do you prefer more offensive techniques, or are you more interested in defensive maneuvers? Strike vs Kick: Are you more interested in hand strikes, kicks, or a combination of both? Wrestling and Takedowns: Do you want to focus on wrestling and takedowns, or are you more interested in submission techniques? On Your Feet vs Ground: Do you prefer to be on your feet, focus on ground work, or a combination of both? Ground and Pound vs Submissions: Are you more interested in ground and pound techniques or submission grappling? Style: Do you have a preference for an old-school style or chi-based techniques? Street Fighting: If you are interested in techniques that work in real-world scenarios, consider Muay Thai or combat Sambo.

It is important to try out different styles to see which one feels the most natural and enjoyable for you. As someone who has studied multiple arts, I can say that there isn’t one perfect martial art for everyone, but there is a right martial art for each person out there. It just takes the right combination of trying different styles and finding the one that resonates the most with you.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the choice of martial art should align with your personal goals and preferences. Whether you are interested in fitness, self-defense, competition, or a combination of these, Muay Thai, Boxing, BJJ, or any of the suggested combinations can provide an excellent foundation. What matters most is that you find a style that you enjoy and can stick with for the long term.