If you’re asking the questions, “Can I do martial arts? Is it for me?” then I have good news for you: the answer is a resounding “Yes.” That being said, there’s a lot of thought that must go into which martial art you select. For some, a “ground-fighting” martial art such as judo or Brazilian jiu-jitsu may be a better fit. For others, a “stand-up” martial art, such as taekwondo or karate, may suit. So, what exactly is the difference between these martial arts, and how do you decide which works best for you?
Let’s start by looking at ground-fighting versus stand-up. :
Ground-fighting assumes that a significant percentage of fights will end up on the ground. It’s an exhausting group of martial arts that includes grappling and many of the fundamentals of wrestling, but rarely includes punches or kicks.
Punching and kicking belong in the realm of stand-up martial arts, which is where taekwondo, karate, and kung-fu come into the equation. In these martial arts, we tend to assume that we will do everything in our power to avoid going to the ground. The primary focus is on any technique that will keep us away from the floor.
As an adult who got into martial arts later in life, I thought that starting with stand-up martial arts would be easier, and overall I still agree with that sentiment. Martial arts, like taekwondo and karate, have different forms to learn.This gives a lot of structure to both younger and older learners. Most people have almost no understanding of how martial arts work, (outside of movies, that is), so having a structured approach that works through key body movements is critical.
That being said, what exactly is the difference between taekwondo and karate? First and perhaps most obviously, taekwondo hails from Korea, so its development and much of the jargon used within the martial art comes from the Korean language. Taekwondo also puts greater emphasis on kicks and technique, and for that reason, often focuses on flexibility.
Karate, on the other hand, is from Japan and so it uses the Japanese language to describe its terms. Karate emphasizes hand techniques and more strength training; every part of the body is strong, and kicks are usually the second line of defense, rather than punches and hand techniques.
If you’re considering getting into martial arts or perhaps enrolling your child in a program, start by considering what you value the most.
If you are an adult looking to try martial arts, you may want to start with something that emphasizes flexibility to keep yourself free of injury. If you’re more interested in strength training and power, karate may be a better fit.
Fortunately, Pride Martial Arts Gladstone, offers a two-week trial so that you can see how the classes fit in with your schedule and if the content is something that works for you.
While taekwondo and karate are not the only martial arts, they’re a great introduction to the world of self-defense. The main takeaway to choosing a martial art is considering what it is exactly that you would like to develop in yourself. As long as you choose a martial art that focuses on what you intend to strengthen, then you can’t go wrong. There is no wrong or right choice for everyone because everyone is different. The best martial art is simply the one that you are practicing!
