{"id":1845,"date":"2021-04-19T03:19:25","date_gmt":"2021-04-19T03:19:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/onmartialarts.com\/?p=814"},"modified":"2021-10-03T07:35:42","modified_gmt":"2021-10-03T07:35:42","slug":"karate-muay-thai-or-jui-jitsu-which-one-is-best-for-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/craftofmanhood.com\/karate-muay-thai-or-jui-jitsu-which-one-is-best-for-you\/","title":{"rendered":"Karate, Muay Thai, Or Jui-Jitsu: Which One Is Best For You?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Choosing the best martial art to enroll in can be a daunting task. There are so many art forms to choose from, and I don’t blame you for being a bit hesitant to make a choice. Should you be struggling to decide which would be the best one for you, and it’s a three-horse race between Karate, Muay Thai, and Ji-Jitsu, I hope this article will make your choice a little bit easier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You have to be clear of what your expected outcomes are when choosing between martial arts. Whether it is self-defense, a disciplined workout, or both karate and Muay Thai are standup fighting styles, Jui-Jitsu is a ground-based fighting style. Each art has pros and cons and will differ in physical intensity.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most serious martial artists choose more than one art to complement each other. Combining fighting styles to make up for what one particular martial art lacks is often seen in MMA. Most fighters combine Muay Thai with Jiu-Jitsu to balance a standup striking style with a ground-based fighting style to counter other multiskilled martial artists. Jean-Claude Van Damme was primarily known for his kickboxing when in fact, he started his fighting career in karate with a semi-contact record of 41-4.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Choosing The Best Martial Art For You-Karate, Muay Thai, Or Jui-Jitsu?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Any important decision in life requires that you look at the pros and the cons, eventually leading to the most informed choice. Some choices are a bit harder to make than others. When choosing a new martial art, there are many factors to consider<\/strong>; you will have to weigh the benefits up against each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are various reasons people take up a martial art; the trick is to find out your reasons and identify them <\/strong>in the particular art. The main reasons for choosing a martial art typically include but is not limited to the following: Learning self-defense<\/strong>, increasing<\/strong> fitness<\/strong>, fighting in competitions, interested in traditional fighting styles<\/strong>, learning about another culture, meditation, wanting to be more focused and disciplined, strengthening the body and the mind, and for social reasons.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article aims to help you choose which one of Karate, Muay Thai, or Jui-Jitsu will be the best martial art for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Are The Benefits Of Any Martial Art Form?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Let us go ahead and dive straight into what the public benefits of Karate, Muay Thai, Jiu-Jitsu, or any martial art for that matter, will provide to its practitioners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exercise<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Any martial art you train in will involve exercise and practice of the specific moves required to progress in the art. Preparing and practicing the form\/katas will require precise body movement to increase your muscle strength and improve your general fitness.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exercising the body is never a bad idea and will lead to your body\u2019s flexibility improving<\/strong> as you go along. Exercise will improve your blood flow and this in itself provides you with many health benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coordination<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We are all a bit clumsy and uncoordinated in our funny way. That is one area that martial arts address directly. To move through the ranks, you will need to learn sequenced moves and repeat them at grading ceremonies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through the training of these moves, you will enhance your coordination and movement ability<\/strong>. Your clumsiness will start to disappear, and you will begin to notice your overall coordination in every area of your life improved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mental Sharpness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Martial arts do not only train the body; it exercises the mind <\/strong>as well. Mental sharpness happens automatically when you are taught techniques that you need to practice and at some stage know out of your head. Your fighting instinct will also grow when training often and diligently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting into shape and maintaining that level usually leads to your mind being much sharper than if you were just a regular couch potato.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Self-Discipline<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Self-discipline is one of the essential ingredients that martial arts teach and grow<\/strong> in its students. Most founders of the different codes had this included in their art’s mission statement. Self-discipline is an attribute that so many humans struggle with throughout their lives. You will teach yourself this particular skill if you are committed to your training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Any positive character change that you incorporate in your life leads to other positive ripple effects. One of these will be that your self-control will be better<\/strong>, and you could feel more in control of your life due to your self-discipline increasing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Self-Confidence<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Self-confidence stems from being confident in one\u2019s ability<\/strong>, whatever that may be. When you are training and learning how to be more self-sufficient in protecting yourself, you will have a certain confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You become confident in your body and mental state, which changes the way that you perceive yourself. Practicing martial arts is hard work and requires commitment from your side<\/strong>. When you are doing it and growing in the art, it gives you greater self-confidence in the process and your ability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign Culture<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Never got a chance to study a foreign culture at school? The good thing about learning a new martial art is that it will introduce you to new cultures.<\/strong> Karate will introduce you to Japanese; Muay Thai will show you how the people from Thailand train.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Martial arts are a fun way to explore other cultures and get fit while doing it. Two birds with one stone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Socializing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Martial arts are usually a one-person show. Training and competing are done individually. That does not take away from the fact that you will interact with like-minded individuals on the training floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Making new friends on the same journey as you are excellent for social development (especially<\/strong> children taking up martial arts)<\/strong>. Getting to share your trials and tribulations with others makes the trip even more special.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Self-Defense<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Martial arts will teach you how to be able to defend yourself. How effective these newly introduced self-defense<\/strong> techniques <\/strong>will be in a real-life scenario will depend on how you practice. Are you putting it to use by regularly putting it to the test via Randori (active sparring)<\/strong>, or are you just familiar with the moves (katas and form)?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some believe that the watered-down versions being taught by martial art dojos do not help with self-defense. When choosing a dojo, you need to find out how they train and what they train beforehand. Training for competitions is different from training for real-life scenarios, and finding a dojo that focuses on self-defense is crucial.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tournaments<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When your goal is to compete in tournaments and do martial arts as a sport, you will have various local and international games to enter and compete in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Karate<\/strong> will make its full Olympic debut at the 2020 Games in Tokyo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muay Thai <\/strong>has received provisional recognition as an Olympic sport. The provisional recognition lasts for three years in which the Muay Thai Federations can apply to be included in the upcoming Olympic Games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jiu-Jitsu<\/strong> has been confirmed in the Summer Olympic Games of 2024 held in Paris, France.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What Are The Cons Of Karate, Muay Thai And Jiu-Jitsu?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We have discussed the numerous advantages that general training in any martial art brings to the table.<\/strong> Whatever your reasons may be for starting training a new martial art, the health benefits alone make it an excellent idea. Any exercise is better than no exercise!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After discussing some of the benefits of what martial arts can do for your body, mind, and soul, let us discuss some of the cons when considering taking up Karate, Muay Thai, and Jiu-Jitsu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is a critical factor to consider before you join is to find the best possible gym or dojo<\/strong> for the art you are interested in. Many dojos are only in it for the monetary reward and not the actual traditional training procedures. Do your homework<\/strong> on the possible dojos that you could join and make sure everything is legit, do not waste your money on inferior dojos pretending to be the real deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cons of Karate<\/h3>\n\n\n\n