Which Types of Self Defense Give You the Best Workout?

Which Types of Self Defense Give You the Best Workout? Every 92 seconds another American becomes the victim of sexual violence.

It’s yet another shocking number to add to the long list of assault statistics in our country.

What can you do? If you want to get stronger, smarter, and fitter, then you will want to try one of these many types of self-defense. We’ve gathered together a list of the best and most heart-pounding workouts. Read on to find out which one is right for you.

Types of Self Defense

When it comes to getting healthier and staying fit, a good self-defense class is going to not only teach you valuable skills but leave you sweaty and exhausted.

That’s because the best way to defend yourself is to have strength, flexibility, self-confidence, along with stamina. If you’re going to take on an attacker you need to be in top shape. It goes without saying that fitness goes hand in hand with self-defense.

You can get in shape, lose weight, tone your muscles, and be ready to fight off an attacker all in one class. All will leave you feeling good and becoming your best self. It’s a powerful combination!

Know someone who is interested in self-defense? A gift certificate to one of these classes is also a great idea to give to someone you care about. Check out some of these are thoughtful defense gifts. Or you can treat yourself!

Types of Martial Arts

When it comes to giving your body a serious workout, martial art is a great option. You will gain a cardiovascular and aerobic work out that gets your heart pumping. You can also tone your muscles and improve your flexibility.

Learning these different types of self-defense will help improve your posture as you practice key movements and strikes. You will also exercise your mind since you will be learning techniques that require concentration and skill.

- Karate
  
  This is probably the most popular and well known of all martial arts. It was founded in Japan and is known for its training that teaches not only physical control but self-discipline. In karate, you are taught to never attack first. When translated, karate actually means “empty hand.”
  
  Therefore only use this power to defend yourself and those who can’t defend themselves. In this form of self-defense, you strengthen your upper body by using your hands, feet, and elbows.
- Taekwondo
  
  Although it is similar to karate, taekwondo is a Korean martial art that is known for focusing more on using your lower body by kicking as self-defense. You’re going to strengthen your lower body more with these techniques.
  
  You’ll learn some take-downs, joint locks, and holds with this martial art.
- Brazilian Jiujitsu
  
  One branch of Japanese jiujitsu, Brazilian jiujitsu is another form of martial arts that is more laid back and experimental than its original roots in the time of the samurai.
  
  Similar to other martial arts, you’ll gain confidence in self-defense while improving your coordination, balance, and cardio fitness.
- Kung Fu
  
  This form of martial arts is really going to get your heart pumping. It’s all about kicking, punching, and dodging your opponent with somersaults and jumps. It’s a great cardio workout and requires a lot of high-intensity movement so it’s not for everyone.
- Capoeira
  
  Capoeira is a unique form of martial arts that incorporates dance. This Brazilian technique encourages you to keep moving while you evade an attack gracefully.
  
  This blend of impressive acrobatics and self-defense invigorates your body while leaving you able to protect yourself in case of an attack.
- Shaolin Kempo
  
  Yet another martial art worth considering is Shaolin Kempo. Shaolin translates from Chinese to mean “young forest” and Kempo translates from Japanese as “law of the fist.”
  
  Shaolin Kempo uses a number of techniques that are a more all-over body approach. Meaning you’ll learn to use your upper and lower body as self-defense. It’s a combination of Chinese Kung Fu and Japanese Karate.
  
  You’ll get to study the Five Shaolin Animal Styles: the Tiger, Dragon, Leopard, Crane, and Snake. There’s a lot of variety in this technique to keep you interested and constantly learning more.
Kickboxing

If you’re ready to let off some steam then you may be interested in kickboxing. You’ll get a good cardio burn as well as learn a technique that requires a lot of power and physical strength.

Some kickboxing classes will provide real self-defense scenarios to practice. However, due to the growing popularity of kickboxing, there are many that are just focused on the cardio side of things. If you want to leave with some real-world skills then be sure you are trained by a professional in the field.
Muay Thai

This is the Thai version of kickboxing that was developed several hundred years ago. Today it is the national sport of Thailand and although similar to kickboxing, it has a different scoring system.

Muay Thai is going to challenging you physically and mentally. Be prepared for a tough workout that pushes you to your limits. It can also be dangerous in the ring, but plenty of muay Thai enthusiasts are in it just for the fitness and stamina benefits.

Krav Maga

This form of self-defense was developed by the Israeli military to teach soldiers how to defend themselves in a short amount of time. These methods are extremely effective in disarming an opponent or blocking a choke.

The techniques in krav maga are a combination of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, karate, and Greco-Roman-style wrestling. The unique part about this form of self-defense is that its technique involves both blocking and delivering a blow at the same time.

Get Ready to Train Hard

There are so many different types of self-defense to choose from. These are some of the most interesting and challenging ones out there. You can try out some to see which one is right for you!

No matter which one you choose, you can rest assured you’ll be getting a great workout for your mind, body, and soul. These are skills that hopefully you never have to use in real life but are always good to have!

It’s also a good idea to bring a training buddy along with you. This is a great way to stay motivated in your fitness journey. Plus you both can benefit from each other’s company.

Which self-defense style are you interested in? Comment below with your personal favorites and why.