What is the best self defense style? The one you know. The martial art that you have trained with. The techniques that you have poured your sweat and effort into.

Do not listen to the online gurus who tell you that their way is the best and only way. That simply is not true. Yes, there are martial arts that are more geared towards practical every day modern self defense. Yes, there are other martial arts that are focused more on the esoteric, artistic, and spiritual development of the student.

The fact that you are here on this website reading this article means that you are interested in self defense, first and foremost. You will naturally gravitate towards an instructor who teaches what you want.

And speaking of instructors, they are the most important element of any martial arts student’s development. A good instructor makes all the difference, regardless of the style they are teaching.

I can tell you as a martial artist with over 30 years of experience that the biggest indicator of your effectiveness in any self defense situation is how well you have prepared.

Having said that, and with the full acknowledgement that the following is a huge generalization…

Major Martial Arts Styles

Karate: is a Japanese and Okinawan martial art with a heavy emphasis on empty hand striking, kicking, & punching. There is much, much more to karate than the physical techniques that you learn. In most traditional styles you will also delve into Zen meditation and hard core character development.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu: is focused on the ground game. The odds are that most fights end up on the ground and that is where BJJ truly excels. BJJ teaches take downs, chokes, and submission holds and is considered very practical.

Tae Kwon Do: is a Korean form that is very focused on kicking and striking. Many modern TKD schools are all about tournaments and belt progression. However, there is still good self defense techniques to be learned here. One of the strengths of TKD is that most instructors work really hard to make your training enjoyable so that you keep coming back. The longer you train the better you are likely to become.

Muay Thai: is of Thai origin where the focus is building up your body to be extremely tough, able to withstand strikes from an opponent. Muay Thai training is some of the most rigorous in the world but the results speak for them self. A Muay Thai practitioner will use a lot of low kicks and very powerful strikes.

Boxing/Kickboxing: Boxing is hand strikes only and kickboxing adds leg strikes. Movement, agility, and learning good defense are the cornerstones of boxing. Boxing gyms are becoming more and more popular as a form of fitness with a purpose.

Kung Fu: is the ancient Chinese art form that is both beautiful and deadly

American Kenpo: is a style derived from Chinese Kung Fu but has been adapted and westernized. American Kenpo takes the flowery and esoteric moves and creates a practical self defense application for them.

Aikido: is another Japanese style that focuses on using your opponents energy against him. This is considered a softer style than the hard kicking and punching arts, but these techniques do have self defense applications when used properly.

Tai Chi: is another Chinese style that is really all about slow motion, breathing, awareness, and stretching. Tai chi is beautiful and very good exercize particularly for anyone who has mobility issues or who may not be in the best physical condition. Most of the moves have a self defense application but you would need to move much quicker than what is generally practiced.

Kali & Escrima: is a Filipino combat art based on stick and knife fighting. The time was not long ago when rivals established their dominance with death matches.

So, my very sincere apologies go out to anyone who may be offended by this over simplification, or if I have not listed your favorite style. Martial arts have a long and proud heritage and this author would like to give all due respect to everyone who has dedicated time and effort into training.

The bottom line, however, is how hard are you willing to work? What is the most important element of martial arts training for you?

Choosing an Instructor

There is no best martial arts style, but some instructors are better than others. Look for an instructor who aligns with your personal goals.

You could put fighters from two very different martial arts against each other and it will be the one who is most prepared and who has the best weapons who will prevail. Take out the weapons from this equation and it will be the person who has the greatest will to live who succeeds.

If your goal is to learn how to defend yourself today, within your society, with the tools and weapons allowed in your jurisdiction, then you will seek out an instructor who can provide that style of training. You might look for someone with proven tactical training. You might look for an instructor who has actually been in real self defense situations not simulations.

The biggest limitation with most martial arts training today is that we all must either pull our punches or wear protective padding. It must be this way or we simply wouldn’t have students for very long! Unfortunately, pulling punches and wearing protective padding prevents us from knowing what it is actually like in a real scenario. We can get sort of close and that has to be good enough.

The biggest benefit with most martial arts training today is the mental strength that you will develop. The more you train the more aware of yourself you become. You learn your strengths and your limitations. You start to see others for their strengths and limitations. All of this happens subconsciously as part of you becoming more and more aware.

If you’re looking for a good way to exercize with a purpose then just about any martial arts style will work for you. You will get into better shape, for sure, and you might actually learn a thing or two that could help you in a real self defense situation. Who knows, you might even find a true passion for the martial arts and train for the rest of your life!