Did you know there are many styles of Karate? Between the Okinawan styles, the Japanese styles that were created from them, and the hybrid styles that many American instructors have put together, they are hundreds. Some Karate styles are very different from other Karate styles.

Taek Won Do also has many different styles.

So rather than throw out things that you have heard of from someone who knows nothing about these things keep an open mind. All styles can be taught many different ways and for many different reasons. The key to success in martial arts is to keep an open mind and find a good teacher. That takes effort. I found the best teachers in the most unlikely of styles, styles I never dreamed of ever even looking at.

So the bottom line is look at skill first and then ask for the style if you must. The style is just a word and gives no guarantee what you will learn.

Both matthew said are good but these may be hard to find in the area where you live, i would recommend muay thai as you dont have to be really big and strong. Muay thai is also a big part of mma so if you liked the stand up fighting in mma youll love muay thai

Check local YMCA, rec centers and community centers. DO NOT automatically reject "karate" because some places will list ANY MARTIAL ART as "karate". Search for Judo, Jujitsu clubs in churches as well. Ask friends where they train. Some clubs are only known by word of mouth or by Google. Some Taekwondo and Karate teachers also study and teach grappling arts. You need to seek and you will find.

Well unless you've been a practitioner of martial art for most of your life, you can still pick up "martial arts" and it'd be good for fitness, but in a real fight systematic martial arts are not practical at all. For that you should pick up self defence which is no the same as "a martial art" Krav Maga would be good to pick up. But if I had to choose a so called martial art I would pick muy Thai.

the best all round systema is one that has 2 of the 3 aspects of fighting

namely ground techniques , clinch (dirty boxing) and striking (medium range

and long range )if u can find all 3 (hard to find) so much the better ,id

suggest jeet kune do

Krav maga or Systema Spetsnaz. Both developed by Special forces to fight armed opponents.

I like boxing and wing chun for self defence because you can use it at anytime wearing anything.

Learning how to run fast.

eskrima

Hey everyone,

Im 15 and in decent shape but im not that strong. A few months back i tried a bit of mma but my parents made me stop because it was expensive. I am just wondering whats the best all around self defense and something that is reasonable. Im not much into karate or tae kwon do, so im looking for something other then that.

Thanks for your help,

James.