Given those, I'd look first into BJJ, then to Muay Thai. Some places will teach both in a single program. Wing Chun is an alright supplement, but most places only actually teach you how to defend against other Wing Chun folks.
BJJ gives you the ability to maneuver and fight on the ground. That'll take care of your worst-case scenario stuff there. And more than anything, a little knowledge here will go a long way; most people don't know how to fight on the ground, and are completely unaware of what's going on when they're being attacked with BJJ. It also gives you the ability to finish a fight decisively with a choke hold; no matter how much someone can bench press, they can't out-tough a choke.
Muay Thai teaches you how to fight in a clinch; most fight happen at close range. The training common in Muay Thai will not only get you into good shape, but will also prepare you for the impact of incoming strikes, which has a tremendous psychological benefit. The reason I'd place it second is that BJJ does take care of your "worst case scenario" situations while Muay Thai does not.
Thats an age old question, but there are several factors to take into account.
Best for what ?
If you are looking for artistry and beauty, my vote would be for aikido. Great social component to the training, self discipline and so forth. Taekwon do would offer something similar with athletic kicks and movements and be a little more practical for self defence.
Thai boxing is arguably the best stand up striking system and again gives fitness and self defence benefits.
There is BJJ, a system that I really like, technical, demanding and a life time of study, but in spite of what a lot of people claim, its not that practical for self defence and takes a long time to master.
You also have kali and escrima, great stick fighting systems - great to train in, great to develop speed and co-ordination and can be used as a system of self defence without tye sticks.
If you are looking for self defence, probably the most realistic and practical is krav maga. It focuses on street self defence, multiple attackers, weapons and fighting from the ground and has a robust history being taught in the military, The group I train with have schools here http://www.britishkravmagaassociation.co...
However everyone answering your question has missed the single most important point. The 'best martial art' for a woman is the one that she enjoys the most. Enjoyment means consistent training. Consistent training means competence. And competence means confidence and ability.
My advice, try a range of systems and settle with the one you enjoy the most.
No art is better than another. There are things you need to factor n when you decide. How close or far away are the schools. The price for training. Your personal goals in training.
Example"
Are you interesting in learning self defense or a sport? Do you want to train to compete a lot? Do you want to compete some, but your main focus of self defense?
You need to visit each school. Take the trial class if they offer them. Then choose the best instructor that you can afford. Make sure this is the instructor that you believe will help you reach your personal goal. No art is better than another. There are better instructors. There are better students.
Avoid places that want you to sign long term contracts. Avoid places that have children with black belts.
Tom is partially correct. Some fight end up on the ground, not most fights. The ground might not be the best place to be in self defense especially for a small woman. But if you are there you should know what to do and how to get up quickly. This is where Tom is slightly off in my opinion. This is my personal opinion. In other words it is not based on statistics. It is great to go to the ground if it will give you an advantage. But if the possibility of multiple attackers, or unseen weapons it is not a good idea.
i say this based upon my personal experiences. For the most part I do not go to the ground. I will send my attacker to the ground forcefully. But I have gone to the ground to gain an advantage. I was on crutches. I knew I couldn't move well on one leg and could stand long. So I threw the guy on the ground and choked him out. Had I not had training on what to do I would not have chosen to do this.
Every martial arts with a good qualified instructor should teach you to use good technique instead of strength. This is one of the purposes of martial arts training. You don't have to be the bigger, faster or stronger person. You just need to be better prepared. You just need to be a step ahead of the attacker.
I fully disagree with Jason. No art is "better" nor worse than others for women, for tall people, for heavy people etc. What is best is the art that is taught well to you. One that you can adapt to fit your needs.
Jason is also partly right in the going to the ground thing and needing to know what to do when you go there. I'm not sure who started this "most fights go to the ground thing" but if self defense is your primary goal you want to avoid the ground at almost all costs. The best place to be is out of the situation and rolling around on the ground isn't getting you there. So yes, learning what to do if someone takes you down is very important. IMHO it's much much better to learn how NOT to be taken down.
So with all of that said, go to various schools and watch a class or two. Then join in. DO NOT sign up for classes until you get to try them out. Talk to the instructors and talk to the students. Get a good understanding and feel for the classes and the people there. Then make a decision.
Now know that BJJ is a great art, and as long as it's taught well you'll learn a ton. If you go that route, make sure you learn more than just ground work and make sure you learn how to prevent the take downs that they teach.
Muay Thai is another great art. As it grows in popularity, like most arts you'll find more schools that don't teach it well. So make sure that what is being taught is quality stuff. Unfortunately that's not easy for someone with little to no experience in martial arts. Thankfully I'm not aware of much junk in Muay Thai but it's always a concern.
Now from what I've seen the opposite is the for Wing Chun. It too is a good art, but there seems to be a lot of folks teaching bad Wing Chun. So the goal for you is to find out what is good and what is bad.
Depending on where you are you might also look for other arts. In my own case it took me over a year to find Uechi Ryu. And I found it by not only looking at commercial schools but at rec centers, gyms, and people teaching at their homes.
So good luck, and don't be afraid to spend time finding what is best for you.
Oh and anyone who tells you one art is best isn't helping you unless they tell you to study Uechi Ryu ( j/k).
Try not to be open minded. You should go for what's currently most popular, just like every one else, and that would be BJJ and MMA.
BJJ and MMA are the "end all be all" for martial arts.
Oh, and lets not forget the ever so popular Krav Maga!!
Wing Chun,
founded by Buddhist nun known as NG Mui.
She was recognized as one of the top five martial artists in China during the early 17 Century.
Wing Chun is a short and simple form of Kung-Fu.
Hey there, think all those arts are great for women as long as good teacher best to try them all usually get a free class see which one you enjoy as that's important and then stick with it. Good luck :-)
Depends on what you want... For self defense check out krav maga. BJJ would also be good.
A man doesn't become a fancy in the art is better for the woman.
Hey i have been looking into different martial arts as I'd like to take classes, i have narrowed it down to bjj, muay thai or wing chun which of these would be better suited as i am a pretty small women at just 5,1, any help appreciated thanks
i think wrestle is good for woman too if u guys know what i mean
