Looking to get started in the world of martial arts? If so, you are aware of how many options there are. In fact, the sheer number of martial arts is overwhelming.

For this reason, you may be wondering what the best martial arts for beginners are. And to clear up your doubts, this article can tell you that no one martial art is better for beginners than the other. That is to say, the best way to determine which one is a good fit for you is to know what you would like to get out of it.

In other words, the best martial arts for beginners hinge on whether the trainee wants to learn self-defense only or self-defense and attack combined. For example, Judo and Jiu-Jitsu are great for self-defense, while Karate, Muay Thai, and Taekwondo will help you get the most of offense.

With that said, get ready to expand on each of these martial arts and take a closer look at their pros and cons. So without further ado, let’s begin!

6 Best Martial Arts for Beginners

1. Judo

Did you know? Japanese Judo was the first eastern martial art to be included in the modern Olympic games. While it focuses on takedowns and throws primarily, Judo also incorporates submission and locks. For this reason, it is one of the best martial arts for beginners looking to master the art of self-defense.

With Judo, you can expect to learn falling, joint locking, and choking techniques, as well as sweeps, throws, and many more.

Pros

• Your physique does not matter, as anyone can master Judo’s techniques
• You’ll learn the ropes of ground fighting
• You will be able to quickly adapt different techniques to real-life situations
• You will tackle bigger and stronger opponents easily

Cons

• You will not learn any counter-attack techniques involving kicks and strikes
• You will need additional training to learn how to fight off opponents that are not on the ground

2. Jiu-Jitsu

Just like Judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu puts an emphasis on grappling and ground fighting. Similarly, its techniques focus on self-defense, and therefore, it is among the best martial arts for beginners.

With Jiu-Jitsu, you can expect to learn how to overpower the opponent by utilizing different joint locking and choking techniques. Moreover, you will get acquainted with punch defense and various mount positions.

Pros

• You can choose to train in-person or online
• Your physique does not matter, as Jiu-Jitsu’s techniques can be mastered by anyone
• You will gain a better understanding of ground fighting
• You’ll learn how to apply different techniques in real-life situations over time
• You will be able to tackle bigger and stronger opponents

Cons

• You will need training outside of ground fighting to handle multiple opponents who are still standing

3. Karate

If you are looking for an all-round martial art to master self-defense and attack simultaneously, you should consider Karate. Although it is one of the most popular martial arts in the world, it requires a lot of discipline.

Regardless of its type and style, Karate is known to be strict and rigid. Due to these reasons, it is one of the best martial arts for beginners pursuing the road to self-mastery.

With that in mind, Karate focuses on various kicking and punching techniques, as well as the art of blocking them. By choosing Karate, you will get acquainted with katas and point-based sparring. Also, board-breaking and weapons training will become available further down the line.

Pros

• Your physique and age do not matter, as anyone can master Karate
• You will get to work on self-discipline and practice mutual respect
• You will be able to use it in self-defense
• Karate will help boost your confidence and self-awareness

Cons

• You will need additional training in ground fighting

4. Muay Thai

Muay Thai is prevalent in ring fights in Thailand. So if you want to pack a punch, look no further than this martial art. That being the case, Muay Thai is less focused on self-defense and more on the impact it can deliver.

To that end, it utilizes elbows, hands, knees, and legs in its techniques. Although it is intense and requires patience, Muay Thai still makes for one of the best martial arts for beginners.

With Muay Thai, you can expect to master your limb coordination, as well as different punch and strike techniques. However, keep in mind that it may take some time for you to reach the desired proficiency.

Pros

• You’ll learn multiple fighting techniques over time
• You will know how to deliver devastating elbow strikes and knee kicks
• You will be able to fight off multiple opponents in real-life situations

Cons

• You will not engage in weapons training
• You will need additional training in self-defense and ground fighting

5. Taekwondo

Taekwondo is another official Olympic sport. It is a Korean martial art specializing in dynamic footwork and kicking. While it combines modern athletic techniques, it also includes traditional values.

As a matter of fact, Taekwondo Poomsae, or Patterns, are known to have beneficial effects on concentration and focus. For this and many other reasons, it is undoubtedly among the best martial arts for beginners.

By opting for Taekwondo, you can expect to learn many kicking and punching techniques, as well as point-based sparring. Furthermore, you will be introduced to different katas and eventually get to break boards — if you so desire.

Pros

• Your physique and age do not matter, as Taekwondo is suitable for all ages
• You will improve your self-discipline while practicing mutual respect
• Your confidence to use it in self-defense will increase over time

Cons

• You will need to learn how to focus less on kicking and opt for additional training in ground fighting
• You will ultimately need to work on your punching skills

6. Honorable Mention: Boxing

Although Boxing is not necessarily seen as a martial art, we have added it to our list as an honorable mention. With that said, Boxing can easily become your first choice if you are simply looking for an active pastime without having to train extensively. Moreover, it is a great starting point for anyone interested in creating a solid foundation for eastern martial arts.

Boxing will teach you the ways of fast footwork and effective punching. You will develop quick reflexes while learning how to correctly position and preserve your arms and hands when faced with a challenging opponent.

Pros

• You do not have to worry about your existing knowledge and abilities
• Your core strength and muscle mass will improve
• You will benefit from stress relief
• Your awareness and coordination will increase exponentially

Cons

• You won’t partake in weapons training or ground fighting
• You will not master any kicking techniques
• You’ll need to learn elbow and knee strikes separately

Knowledge Is the Best Protection

Before settling on one or more martial arts, you need to set your priorities straight. That is to say, taking your strengths and weaknesses into consideration will see that you make the right choice in the long run. Of course, you should not shy away from exploring different martial arts until you find the one that suits your preferences. In fact, it is strongly recommended that you do.

All things considered, hope this list of the best martial arts for beginners will help you come to a decision. However, take as much time as you need to do the relevant research before making the final call. After all — if you wish to know how to protect yourself better, you need to become your own saving grace first.