For those interested in starting to train in a Martial Art, be prepared to experiment a little. The chance of you finding the perfect Martial Art for you the very first time, that you will stay with, is often not the case. This [[How to Choose a Martial Art to Study" can help you in getting started.

There are really two questions that need to be addressed when deciding how to choose a martial art to study and they are:

1. What martial art is best for you based on who and what you want from a Martial Art?
2. What kind of school and instructor is best for you?

There is a large variety of Martial Art styles and not all will be appropriate to you. There are different types of schools and instruction in the Martial Arts, and it will be important that you analyze how you learn as much as what you learn.

This guide will help you analyze yourself in relations to a martial art as well as an instructor's approach to teaching and how you go about making the decision as to what Martial Art and school you should try. Remember that you are not committed to staying in a school or Martial Art you find just isn’t for you. Many Martial Artists have tried many different styles before they settle into a main one.

There is one main point to remember, there is no one style that is the best. The best Martial Art is the one that you are going to apply yourself to and that works for you.

The Martial Arts are a diverse set of styles from many different cultures and histories. The most known and famous are the Japanese, Chinese, Korean and other Easter martial arts, but almost every culture in the world has or had a form of martial art.

Types of Martial Arts:

Martial Combat: These are the combat styles and practices that are attributed to warfare of different Cultures, nations or combat systems. Historic; Greeks, Spartans, Celtic, Romans, Samurai, Knights, Mongol, and many others. These styles are still practiced and taught on a very restricted and private basis and are more for historical minded individuals that for self-defense. Take a look at all of the Martial arts that you can find information on and try to learn about each one.

Martial Arts – Formal:

• - Aikido
• - Arnis
• - Boxing though not commonly associated as a Martial Art by definition it is.
• - Judo
• - Jujutsu / Jui Jitsu
• - Karate both Japanese and Chinese
• - Shaolin Kung Fu
• - Kung Fu
• - Kempo
• - Kendo / Kumdo
• - Ninjutsu
• - Savate
• - Sumo
• - Tae Kwon Do
• - Tai Chi
• - Kickboxing

Martial Arts Derived:

• - Capoeira
• - Silat
• - Brazillian Jujutsu
• - Kali
• - Escima
• - Goshin Jujutsu
• - Navy Seals
• - Krav Maga (Israeli)
• - ARMA

The most important step is the first step and that begins with you. It would be good to make a list of the following questions and then answer them in order to understand what it is that you are looking for from a martial art as well as understand what martial art(s) may be best suited to you.

1. Make a list of what you want to get out of martial arts training? To learn self defense? To lean an art? To learn how to fight?
2. Is exercise important and if so what kind of exercise? Some martial arts are hard and some are soft. Some require more flexibility than others do.
3. Do you want to meet new people and socialize around a like subject, that being martial arts?
4. What kind of shape are you in currently, what is your physical structure? Make a list of your abilities and body, as some martial arts are more geared towards actual body size and shape and ability. If you weigh 95 lbs then Sumo Wrestling would be a poor choice as a martial art to study.
5. How best do I learn? What is the best environment for me, group instruction, private, one on one, etc? Reflect and list your success at instructional learning in the past to determine what is a conducive learning style and environment for you.

Once you have answered these questions, prioritize the answers in each; keep the list with you when you move to Step 2. Everything is valid and your reasons are your own.

You should first get to know what different styles of Martial Arts there are and what styles are being offered reasonably close to where you live. You want to be able to conveniently be able to attend classes so travel is a factor. Knowing the differences between styles may also help you narrow down the style you will want to try.

The main differences between most martial arts style can be broken down into; Hard or Soft style, kicking and striking versus grappling and throwing, self defense oriented or emphasis on fighting. Ask yourself, from what you see and learn about the different Martial Arts, what is there about each or one that attracts you to it? Make a list based on “Step 1” of the Martial Arts that interest you and why they interest you, what is it about these that you like, dislike? Ask yourself based on what you know, “am I more suited to any of them?”, “Will I need to make drastic changes to myself or minor changes in order to work within the specific Martial Art?”. This will help narrow the style down for you.

Simplified Examples:

• 2.1. Judo: because judo is primarily grappling and throwing your opponent around, you will want to consider if you are physically constructed for this style. Being shorter and stockier typically has its advantages in Judo because you won't be punching or kicking, so you'll have to rely on maneuvering close to your opponent, getting under his center of gravity and tossing him into the air and onto the mat.
• 2.2. Karate: If you are of overall moderate build and find striking and kicking more your style, then you may want to consider a Karate.,
• 2.3. Jui Jitsu: If you are of slighter build, you may want to study jui jitsu, but it’s important to know that you may find yourself rolling around on your back and getting covered with sweat-both yours and your opponent's.
• 2.4. Kung Fu: If you are of moderate build, flexible and agile, and like intricate movements and complex techniques then you may find Kung Fu is for you.

Most formal Martial Arts come with a heritage and philosophy that is important to the school and its participants. If you are interested in a philosophy as well as training, then a strictly formal Martial Art school is for you. If your more interested in self-defense and fighting skills you may want to look into the more informal Martian Arts schools.

Because success in the Martial Arts is as much dependent on the instruction as it is your effort, you will want your first visits to a school to be for the purpose of observing and making another list for each school of what you observe. Have your lists with you from Step 1 and 2 so you can observe based upon them. Choosing the right teacher and school may be more important that choosing a style, if you can’t learn from the teacher or the schools training methods are not right then you will not learn the martial art very well.

Most good schools will allow you to sit in on a class to observe. The following are a list of things to look for when choosing a school or instructor:

• 3.1. When you meet with the instructor or a member of the school at the school they should answer all your questions honestly and fully.
• 3.2. The school should offer at least one free trial class before you sign up. How else can you determine if you want to study there? Your best bet is to try out several different schools to give you some comparison.
• 3.3. When you observe or participate in the class, is the practice safe, or are students allowed to train in dangerous ways or without proper supervision?
• 3.4. Is the school clean and safe? Does the training area have mats and equipment that look safe or are not?
• 3.5 Do the students and instructors all show respect towards one another? How do they interact with one another?
• 3.6 How does the instructor conduct the class? There are different styles of instruction, some are extremely disciplined and controlled, some are disciplined and use punishment as a control. Some are disciplined with a controlled exchange, and there are still other styles of instruction as numerous as there are instructors. The key is to observe and reflect and determine if the instruction style is one you can learn under.
• 3.7. Do the teacher and senior students display a lot of skill in the art they are teaching? This may be hard to determine however, the teacher and students should display knowledge, skill, and balance which might be more obvious.

Once you think you have made up your mind and decided to start attending a school, there are some additional things to be aware of and to make sure of.

• 4.1. The Contract: Many schools these days require a contract like a health club. Make sure you are clear on the terms of the contract if you do decide to sign one, and do not be afraid to walk out if you are uncomfortable with the terms. Not all schools require you to sign long term contracts and as a beginner should have the option to try out the school before committing to any long term contract.
• 4.2. The Cost: Martial Arts is not a cheap path of study so beware of costs. Is the school overly decorated and adorned? Its your dollars that will be supporting that. Ask what your cost goes towards. Does it include anything other than the instruction such as free testing for belt levels? Ask about the additional costs you will have to pay.
• 4.3. Be very wary of cult-like schools that try to up-sell you into additional training, line fast pace to a black belt program, or special clubs within the school etc. While some of these may be legitimate, there are many scam artists in the Martial Arts out there. You should be very clear about what you are paying for up front.

4.3. Again trust your instincts. If something about the school doesn’t sit right with you, then it probably isn’t right. Look out for the fast talking salesman, who tries to sweep your concerns under the rug and sell you on the egotistical nature of the school or its awards and trophies. Remember there is no one Martial Art is better than any other. There are only better martial artists.

• 4.4 Your training begins, focus and patience is the key in the early stages. There is much that you need to learn and most of it will be new. Keep reminding yourself that even those Black belts who look so good were once where you are now. It can be done and it can be done by you.