When you first start thinking about learning self-defense, you probably visualize the situation somewhat, if anything you over obsess the part where you get your sweet revenge. You might want to learn the most complex form of martial arts and that’s great, but it’s probably a better idea to start off with something that’s both easy and effective.
This thought got me thinking about which style of martial arts is the easiest and best for self-defense? We rate:
1. Muay Thai
2. Kickboxing
3. Karate
4. Judo
5. Taekwondo
6. Krav Maga
By the end of this article, it is hoped that you will be able to select a martial art that would be seemingly simplest for you to learn and practice regularly based on our help to break it down.
Of course, you also want to learn a martial art that is actually effective in a self-defense scenario. The reality is that some martial arts just aren’t suited to self-defense.
Situational Awareness Is Still Key
As most good self-defense instructors will say, the best form of self-defense would be to avoid any unfavorable situation that would require the application of self-defense in the first place.
Saying this, Self defense 101 would be the importance of situational awareness, which can never be replaced by the finest of martial arts, because it is this that would help you to avoid any likely attacks in the first place.
Simply being alert (avoiding unnecessary distractions), observant, attentive to details and proactive of your environment is priceless to a person’s safety. So if you’d ask me, situational awareness is the best and easiest art or skill when learning self-defense by far since it can be practiced and developed anytime, anywhere.
Sharpening this skill could be so beneficial that you may not even need to learn how to fight or defend yourself since confrontation could be completed avoided.
Now that I’ve covered that, if you still want to know more about the best and easiest fight styles to learn for self defense, let’s get to know a bit more about each of these styles of martial arts.
Why Do We Rate These Martial Arts As The Best For Self-Defense?
This is a pretty straightforward question, so let’s jump right in and find out. Below is a brief breakdown of 6 popular forms of martial arts and a bit more info on their effectiveness as a self-defense mechanism.
Let’s learn how long it takes to master each art and which one is the most effective for protecting yourself.
1. Is Muay Thai Effective For Self-Defense?
Muay Thai is a form of Thai boxing that incorporates stand-up strikes and clinching techniques. The art involves the combined use of merciless elbows, fists, knees, and shins. Muay Thai is probably one of the simplest martial arts forms to learn. Once you start, it should only take you around 3 to 6 months to master the basics.
Of course, you will need to be dedicated and put in the practice time in order to achieve this. If you want to learn more than the basics and want to be proficient and effective in sparring, you can expect your training to be around 8 to 12 months.
Conclusion: Is Muay Thai Good For Self-defense?
The answer is a great resounding “yes”. Muay Thai as martial arts is highly effective in self-defense as the blows, which are easy to learn, are actually very brutal on your attacker or opponent when done properly.
The use of strong leg and hand or elbow strikes to the head and chin are designed to have the opponent or attacker flattened down and on the ground in a matter of minutes. As long as you avoid being taken down to the ground yourself, you can effectively use Muay Thai to defend yourself against an unexpected attacker.
We would advise you to pair this fight style with some ground work from another martial art to fortify your defense all round since Muay Thai doesn’t focus on fighting on the ground
2. Is Kickboxing Effective in Self-Defense?
Kickboxing is a standup combat sport that is derived from karate. It involves vicious kicking and punching. Kickboxing is also known as a high energy exercise that is known to get the body in shape in no time at all. This already puts you at an advantage over an attacker. That being said, if you are practicing 3 times a week, you can expect to learn self-defense basics with Kickboxing in around 6 – 12 months. With that said,
Conclusion: Is Kickboxing good for self-defense?
Yes, kickboxing can be good for self-defense, but it is important to realize that kickboxing isn’t intended for self-defense or a street fight. The instructors aren’t really training you for full on contact with an attacker or multiple for that matter.
However, the strikes taught, when used with the right amount of power can help you in a self-defense situation. It is not a dedicated self-defense art though.
3. Is Karate Effective for Self Defense?
Karate is a very old Japanese martial art that originated in 1922, initially designed to be defensive yet to counterattack the opponent’s or attackers’ body movements.
Although Karate is designed to develop someone physically as well as mentally and emotionally, Karate thrives on being a passive fight style in that it encourages peace-making and never to strike first.
What is karate all about?
Well, one of the great things about karate is that anyone can learn it. If you have kids, it’s a great idea to send them to some classes so that they can get an early start to staying safe or defending themselves.
Conclusion: Is Karate Good For Self-defense?
Yes, Karate is a highly effective form of self-defense; however it takes considerably longer for students to be confident and skilled enough to use the moves in a self-defense scenario.
Most people get to learn the basics in around 6 months to a year. To reach a black belt, it takes a student on average 3 to 5 years. When you are confident and comfortable with karate, you will know how to use both arms and legs in combat.
Training involves energetic and repetitive movements which are great for fitness, agility, and staying power. In a fight against an untrained attacker, you can expect your karate skills to put you at an incredible advantage.
4. Is Judo Effective for Self Defense?
Judo is considered a modern martial art when compared to other martial arts. It is an art that has become a combat sport and even features in the Olympics making it quite a popular choice for many.
Where does Judo come from?
Well, it was created by a Japanese mentor called Jigoro Kano in 1882. Judo is a complex martial art in that it demands a lot of its practitioners. To progress enough to be comfortable with the basics of Judo, one would need to train 3 days a week for 3 to 6 years.
Conclusion: Is Judo Good For Self-defense?
Yes, Judo is highly effective in self-defense, given that the training focuses a lot on submission holds, ground training, choke offense and defense. Students learn to become spatially aware, are highly coordinated and agile. All of these skills put an individual at an advantage in an attack. Is Judo good for protecting yourself? Yip, it definitely is!
In order for a student to reach a 7th-degree black belt, it can take 7 to 10 years. Most students don’t go past the 6th-degree black belt even after dedicating an entire lifetime to the martial art.
5. Is Taekwondo Effective for Self Defense?
What is Taekwondo exactly? Taekwondo is a Korean martial art that focuses on jumping spinning kicks, fast kicking and striking above the waist, and head-height kicks. The standards for Taekwondo vary from school to school. Some allow a student to test for the 1st-degree black belt after 3 to 5 years, whereas other schools have a minimum of 4 to 5 years of training before they allow it.
The reality is that the basics of Taekwondo can be learned in about a year, but it takes a lot of work to perfect the moves and techniques. 3 to 6 years is what it should take for you to get “good” at the martial art – and that is practicing 3 times a week, at least.
Is Taekwondo Good For Self-defense?
It’s important to note that while Taekwondo is a great martial art, it isn’t the most effective form of self-defense since, it is first and foremost a sport martial art and not designed for contact and certainly not combative. In addition, Taekwondo takes a significantly longer duration to learn (1-2 years).
The techniques include blocking, dodging and quick footwork which are all designed to help you avoid the attack of your opponent within the permitted rules of the sport. That being said, some of the moves could help you get out of an attack and to safety fairly quickly.
6. Is Krav Maga Effective For Self Defense?
Here’s a name you have probably heard before: Krav Maga. What is it and how can it help you protect yourself in an uncomfortable confrontational situation? Krav Maga classes are very popular and you should be able to find many classes in your area as well as a whole host of online courses.
How quickly a student learns Krav Maga really depends on their physical fitness levels and natural agility. Most students learn the basics in 6 to 12 months whereas advanced-level students train for around 3 years. When students reach an advanced level, they are being taught how to protect third parties and deal with weapons.
Is Krav Maga Good For Self-defense?
Yes, Krav Maga is probably one of the most effective self-defense arts available to learn. Krav Maga is actually a military self-defense and fighting system that was developed for Israeli security forces by the Israel Defense Force. When you learn Krav Maga, you will actually learn precisely how to deal with real-life attack threats and will use a combination of techniques from Karate, Judo, Aikido, Boxing, and Wrestling.
Last Word
Which form of martial arts is the best and easiest to learn when it comes to self-defense? This isn’t an easy question to answer as it all comes down to the individual. The best and easiest form of martial arts for self-defense really comes down to your current martial arts knowledge, fitness levels, and end goals.
Take a look at each of the abovementioned martial arts options and determine which one seems best suited to you. It is also a good idea to spend some time on YouTube watching videos depicting each style of martial art. This will give you a good idea of just how demanding the art is physically.
