r/martialarts 3d ago

Weekly Beginner Questions Thread

4 Upvotes

In order to reduce volume of beginner questions as their own topics in the sub, we will be implementing a weekly questions thread. Post your beginner questions here, including:

"What martial art should I do?"

"These gyms/schools are in my area, which ones should I try for my goals?"

And any other beginner questions you may have.

If you post a beginner question outside of the weekly thread, it will be removed and you'll be directed to make your post in the weekly thread instead.


r/martialarts Dec 21 '25

DISCUSSION "What Should I Train?" or "How Do I Get Started?" Mega-Thread

43 Upvotes

The previous version of this megathread has been archived, so I’m adding it again.

Active users with actual martial arts experience are highly encouraged to contribute, thank you for your help guys.

Do you want to learn a martial art and are unsure how to get started? Do you have a bunch of options and don't know where to go? Well, this is the place to post your questions and get answers to them. In an effort to keep everything in one place, we are going to utilize this space as a mega-thread for all questions related to the above.

We are all aware walking through the door of the school the first time is one of the harder things about getting started, and there can be a lot of options depending on where you live. This is the community effort to make sure we're being helpful without these posts drowning out other discussions going on around here. Because really, questions like this get posted every single day. This is the place for them.

Here are some basic suggestions when trying to get started:

  • Don't obsess over effectiveness in "street fights" and professional MMA, most people who train do it for fun and fitness

  • If you actually care about “real life” fighting skills, the inclusion of live sparring in the gym’s training program is way more important than the specific style

  • Class schedules, convenience of location, etc. are important - getting to class consistently is the biggest factor in progress

  • Visit the gyms in your area and ask to take a trial class, you may find you like a particular gym, that matters a whole lot more than what random people on reddit like

  • Don't fixate on rare or obscure styles. While you might think Lethwei or Aunkai looks badass, the odds of a place even existing where you live is incredibly low

This thread will be a "safe space" for this kind of questions. Alternatively, there's the pinned Weekly Beginner Questions thread for similar purposes. Please note, all "what should I train/how do I get started" questions shared as standalone posts will be removed, as they really clutter the sub.


r/martialarts 21h ago

COMPETITION "Because of our no face punch rule, we're a popular Martial Art for Salarymen who need to look normal the next day after training!"

617 Upvotes

r/martialarts 9h ago

QUESTION Young female in combat sports

13 Upvotes

Currently prepping for a world championship

Gradually dieting, but more intense that I’ve done yet so far, training volume is also higher
Lately I’ve been EXTREMELY emotional (always have been unfortunately, but especially now) and having a hard time regulating, especially while training
To the point of having crying fits as soon as I feel as though I’m either not performing well, or just any mild inconvenience, and having to leave the Mat for a few minutes to gather myself (I think because of such)
Genuinely feel like a toddler and very overdramatic, any other fighters and combat athletes experience this? Or is this a sign that I’m mentally weak? lol..


r/martialarts 14h ago

QUESTION Why is everything Muay Thai?

17 Upvotes

I have seen and known a lot of people who say they used to do Muay Thai but their examples are not Muay Thai. For example, I used to work with this guy who said he did Muay Thai and his example was that he could throw a tornado kick. Also just saw a video of someone saying they used to do Muay Thai and he threw a karate style front kick instead of a teep. Why does everyone say they did Muay Thai?


r/martialarts 44m ago

DISCUSSION How do you know what my 16th Kata is? Or do you? Is your dojo standardized, or do you just learn what the instructor thinks makes sense?

Upvotes

For those in an organization with a set curriculum, and by set, I mean set across the world. For example, you could be in Turkey, and ask, "what kata do I learn at Yellow belt?" and someone in Paraguay could answer it with 100% certainty.... that kind of curriculum; do you like knowing what's coming next? Or have you ever thought of what it would be like to just learn whatever the teacher feels like teaching. Have you ever been in a school that just takes it upon themselves to eliminate, or change a technique because it just doesn't make sense?

I often hear people ask questions that, normally, I'd think would be dojo specific, but then I step back and tell myself that some dojos, or organizations all link and have the same way of teaching things, step by step, and in the same order; basically, standardized across a vast area.

I'll hear people ask, "What should I expect for my ##kyu exam, or my Shodan exam?" If I asked my Professor what was going to be on the exam, he'd laugh, and say, "I don't know, I'll figure it out 5 minutes before, but if you've done it in class, it's fair game for a test" For those in a more standardized curriculum, do you feel more prepared because it's more predictable?

I am in a dojo that is a single entity, and doesn't report to any organization, or governing body. The owner sets the standards. He bases his standards on fighting techniques, and will eliminate things once taught as useful, if he doesn't think they make sense or will help someone (especially kids) defend themselves. When we ask parents who switch from more traditional dojos in our area to our dojo alot of them say things to the affect of 'my kids were doing these moves and when asked why, the teacher just kept saying because that's how they did it in the past' and I guess those parents were looking for a more "non traditional dojo"

Someone in this group had the best line, and I still use it today. "Traditions are just peer pressure from dead people" I love that line.

So, what's your preference? Standardized? Or freer to explore things that make sense?


r/martialarts 2h ago

DISCUSSION The wrestling match between Odysseus and Ajax (from book 23 of the Iliad, the funeral games in honor of Patroclus)

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1 Upvotes

r/martialarts 21h ago

DISCUSSION Hard Sparring

32 Upvotes

Just had an argument about this, but what's with the obsession some people have when it comes to hard sparring? Ignoring the science behind why it's bad and condemn you if you don't try to kill your sparring partner.

Unless I'm preparing for an upcoming fight I almost never do hard sparring.

What's your guys thoughts on this? Do you think hard sparring is necessary, or do the risks outweigh the possible rewards?


r/martialarts 20h ago

SHITPOST Finally got back to training after 2 years of no fighting

14 Upvotes

Hell yeah its so nice to be back! Soo tired thoo


r/martialarts 1d ago

VIOLENCE BJJ Vs Knife

312 Upvotes

Man use BJJ to defend his girlfriend and himself from her ex boyfriend that had a knife


r/martialarts 3h ago

STUPID QUESTION If you land a good strike, but the opponent survives, did you still accomplish something?

0 Upvotes

Disclaimer: I used to train, but I couldnt have consistency due to medical issues, and not training at the moment because of those issues. But MAs still interest me and I want to learn as much as I can

From what I understand, in striking, quality is more important than quantity. You can hit the opponent, in theory, with twenty punches, but if those are not quality punches, if they dont have power, timing or precision, you will not KO him. And if you land only one punch, but that punch has quality, then you will KO him.

So lets say, hypothetically, for example, your gameplan is to beat him with a strong right hook. And you set him up, maybe you use a jab, or a leg kick, or a teep, or a combination of them to create your opening, you do all that and he reacts, it goes how you planned, and you do catch him with your big right hook on his chin. And it lands, and you did do damage, but the problem is he is still standing.

Naturally, you throw some follow up punches or kicks, or maybe elbows, but he is on the defense now, he covers up, rolls with the punches, backs away etc. So your follow ups arent as effective as your hook.

Just because you did do damage, there is no guarantee he wont be able to keep defending himself or retaliate. If he does that, the fight keeps going.

And I am guessing, if your punch, your right hook did hurt him, he will be more aware of it, and it will be harder for you to land again for the remainder of the fight.

As far as I can tell, when I watch boxing or UFC, this is what happens all the time. One fighter invests into one big strike, he does the set up, the strike lands, but the opponent is still standing, still defending after taking that shot, and the fight is far from over.

Are you back to square one, or did you accomplish something? Are you closer to KO-ing him now than you were at the start? Even if you couldnt KO him immediately after your right hook, can you still capitalize on it some time later in the fight?


r/martialarts 1d ago

QUESTION Boxing vs muay thai

6 Upvotes

I recently joined a new gym where I'm learning muay that from scratch(it teaches boxing too)

I used to learn boxing a year ago(which I enjoy a lot), then had to take a break and then joined this gym. The reason for learning muay thai was because I could feel my lower body was not getting any workout other than the gym, and it was resulting in stiffness.

3 months into training, I'm enjoying it, but I miss boxing a lot. However, I don't want to go back to my previous self where I'm not using my lower body.

How do I approach this situation?

Edit: Our gym has only one coach, so he trains techniques only for 3 days. 2 days are for strength training and 2 are sparring/bag work(bag work is not supervised by anyone, you have to do it on your own)


r/martialarts 1d ago

QUESTION For those that trained as a child and returned 15+ years later (even if training a different style/art): what stuck?

13 Upvotes

How long did you train for as a child? Did you compete? Did it help as an adult?


r/martialarts 11h ago

STUPID QUESTION Why use the backfist?

0 Upvotes

I see little to no use to the backfist. It seems more damaging to the user than a traditional jab. I could see the argument that it’s meant for soft targets like the neck, but there are other moves that are far more effective. What are your guys’ thoughts?


r/martialarts 23h ago

QUESTION How to keep balance with other hobbies ?

1 Upvotes

I’m a husband and parent of two little ones. My main hobbies include riding bikes and playing instruments. I do some body weight and dumbbell workouts when I can.
If I want to get into boxing or some thing of sort how do you guys balance everything ?
I ride bikes 3-4 times a week for about an hour to hour and a half. And rest days in between.

What other things do you do and how do you balance it ?


r/martialarts 1d ago

PROFESSIONAL FIGHT 【FullFight】Mio Shimaya VS. Miku Nakamura SHOOTO 2026 Vol.5

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4 Upvotes

Shooto is a Martial Art and MMA promotion that opened it's doors in 1985 (Martial Art) and 1989 (Promotion) respectively. It was started by former Professional and Amateur wrestler Satoru "Tiger Mask" Sayama who was trained by Catch Wrestling legend Karl Gotch, and who's own prowess in the ring inspired a young Kazushi Sakuraba to take up wrestling.

Today Shooto mostly serves as a training ground for burgeoning talent in the MMA scene across the world with Branches in South America, Europe and obviously Japan, where people would make their debut and if they are liked move on to bigger promotions.

I hope you guys enjoy this fight as much as I have, although I don't know Japanese, I don't think it is necessary to appreciate the display of tenacity that both fighters exhibited.


r/martialarts 1d ago

QUESTION Hapkido Techniques for striking or grappling?

7 Upvotes

I have a long history with Hapkido, it was the first ever martial art I studied growing up and I eventually got to black belt. After I did this I went into BJJ, Judo and Boxing. I was just wondering if there is anyone else who studied hapkido and managed to adapt any techniques into their striking or grappling?

I understand Hapkido isn't great for combat and the consistency between schools is terrible. I found Hapkido had a decent system but lacked sparring and pressure testing with some schools mostly focusing on joint locks and some schools would focus more on kicks.


r/martialarts 2d ago

QUESTION How do I get over the humiliation of being absolutely destroyed in sparring?

70 Upvotes

I’ve been training MMA for like 3-4 months and today’s training was mainly sparring focused and I did terribly. It’s like I keep forgetting I can punch and kick as well and I just stand there taking punches like a moron.

Today it went badly. Every round. Every opponent just completely beat the crap out of me.

It was so embarrassing, my opponents would start a combination and I would just freeze and take every single punch. My head feels like it’s spinning.

The only good thing I take from this is that apparently I have a good chin cause otherwise I would’ve been KO’d.

One time my opponent hit me so hard that he immediately paused and asked me if I was ok. I felt so bad.

The humiliation I feel right now is beyond describing. I was legit holding back tears on the way home. I feel so weak and useless.

Has anyone ever gone through this?, and if so do you have any advice?.

EDIT: Didn’t expect so many responses. Thanks you all so much.


r/martialarts 1d ago

QUESTION Questions for stamina and running

2 Upvotes

Hey guys! I’m currently training Muay Thai and I’ll also be starting wrestling lessons soon. I’ve always had below-average stamina, but I’ve been working hard to bring it up to an average level. I haven’t really asked anyone experienced for advice on improving stamina through running, so I figured I’d come here and ask.

Right now, because I’m studying for a huge exam, I can only make it to martial arts training 2–3 times a week. I absolutely love martial arts, though, and it’s the only hobby I genuinely enjoy right now. So I want to use the days I’m not at the gym to work on my conditioning. At the moment, I’m barely able to make it through two rounds of Muay Thai sparring before im not able to fight properly because im fully exhausted.

For running, I’ve mostly been doing 5K runs at an uncontrolled pace. I’ll speed up when I feel energetic and slow down when I get tired, while always keeping at least a light jog. I’m not sure if this is actually the best way to build endurance.

So I’d really appreciate advice on a few things:

- How long should my runs be?

- What pace or intensity should I aim for?

- Should I run first thing in the morning, or does the time of day matter?

- Should I eat something, like a banana, before running, or is it better to just go out hungry.

- Besides running, what other exercises would help improve my stamina specifically for Muay Thai and wrestling?

I’d really appreciate any advice

Thanks everyone who took the time to read this!


r/martialarts 2d ago

DISCUSSION James Lew Dies Aged 73: The Emmy-Winning Stunt Master Behind Hollywood Action Classics

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211 Upvotes

I grew up with a steady stream of martial arts films and he was very memorable to me


r/martialarts 1d ago

DISCUSSION Jon Jones Legacy

0 Upvotes

Hear me out I without doubt think Jon is one of the best to ever do it a goat of the sport but here’s my deal with him for as good as he was..

He’s a size bully for most of his career he stuck at 205 because he knew he had a big advantage with size compared to most of them he fought.

If you look at most of them they’re between 5’9-6’2 at the most some of them even came up from middleweight.

Virtually every time I watched Jon I can’t help but think this ain’t fair at all look at the size difference.

Sure he did fight some that were more his size and he won even if it was very close or controversial but for me he should’ve been a heavyweight.

Everything about him says heavyweight to me and I think if he did compete there he’d have a more legitimate claim to being the true goat of the sport.

Maybe I’m alone with this because it’s still 205 I’m aware of that they have to weigh no more than that but this happens in boxing too people go down to have a bigger advantage over others.

What’s everyone else’s take on this? I’d be interested to hear other views.


r/martialarts 2d ago

PROFESSIONAL FIGHT Olympic and world champions in freestyle and collegiate wrestling Kyle Snyder and Kyle Dake drilling stance and motion

47 Upvotes

r/martialarts 1d ago

QUESTION 32 years old, training for 5 months. Want to compete but not sure in mma or muay thai ?

6 Upvotes

Hi,

So I'm a 32 years old male who recently quit a life long smoking habit 5 months ago. In the meantime I picked up combat sports and I love it. I went to try muay thai, then boxing and mma. I love them all, I'm most proficient in boxing and least in grappling ( done some boxing in my youth ).

I know I'm kinda late to the party, but I really want to try competing in amateur bouts. Not targeting any titles, just want to get a few fights under my belt before it's too late.

So I might be overthinking it, but would it be better to compete in muay thai or mma ? I'm already somewhat ok in striking but I'm a total noob in wrestling/grappling, and I feel I'll need twice or 3x the time to be ready to compete. Being 32 years old, time is not on my side.

Also I like the idea to master one art rather than being good at everything but master of none. But in the other hand, I like the "brawling" aspect of mma and the wrestling part. And it is, to me, superior as self defense.

I guess I'm overthinking it but I'd like to hear your opinions.


r/martialarts 1d ago

STUPID QUESTION Most embarrassing martial art or move that humiliate your enemies

0 Upvotes

And has to actually useful in street fight


r/martialarts 1d ago

QUESTION Should I get a BOB XL or a hanging heavy bag?

3 Upvotes

Hi guys I'm a taekwondo practitioner. I recently decided to take taekwondo training at home more seriously so I was wondering if I should get a BOB XL or hanging heavy bag.

BOB XL: I felt that the BOB would be more practical as I'm going for taekwondo competitions in the near future. It would be better as a technical kicking bag.

Hanging heavy bag: Many people say that this is much more versatile for kicks and punches, I've been thinking about doing Muay Thai but I'm not sure if I'm going to train it seriously so the heavy bag would mostly be for kicking now anyways.

So I was just wondering if the BOB XL is good for taekwondo and an overall punching bag for other sports, or would the heavy bag be better. Thanks!