Picking A Fight: Which Martial Art Is For You?

Boxing is a martial art and combat sport in which two people wearing protective gloves throw punches at each other for a predetermined set of time in a boxing ring. Boxing makes athletes physically stronger as well as aerobically and anaerobically fitter.

Boxing training provides a workout for muscles all over the body. The repetitive motion in punching and movement, supported by the core muscles of the body, helps develop cardiovascular efficiency, local muscular endurance and a degree of strength.

This sport is not for the faint-hearted but it's one of the fastest routes to all-round fitness. It's a brilliant workout for all ages and fitness levels. So, book onto your local boxing gym's next boxing class and reap the rewards.

In Amateur Wrestling, participants are scored for their performance in three two-minute periods which can be terminated early by a pin or fall. Amateur wrestling teaches competitors strength, speed, endurance, technical skill and mental fortitude.

No matter your body type — height or weight — there is a place for you in wrestling. As long as you're tough and have the desire to win, nothing else matters. Most wrestling teams don’t even cut their athletes from participating for lack of skill or talent.

What you learn in wrestling can be translated into every martial art. So, find your nearest amateur wrestling gym, get on the mat and make it count!

Judo is a sport of unarmed combat derived from jiu-jitsu, intended to train the body and mind. It involves the use of holds, throws and locks to unbalance the opponent. Unlike other martial arts, there are no kicks or punches in Judo.

There are many benefits of Judo, beginning with self-defence. When partaking in Judo, you will learn a variety of skills involving balance, coordination and effective motion. Judo teaches you how to fall safely, lowering the risk of sustaining a serious injury while competing.

Judo is not a martial art that you have to dedicate all your time to in order for it to be beneficial to your life. Book onto your nearest Judo class today to discover the benefits of this Japanese fighting art for yourself.

Karate is a Japanese martial art that develops defensive and counterattacking body movements. The themes of traditional karate training are fighting and self-defense.

Karate uses mental focus and discipline to develop physical skills such as speed, strength and agility. Training the mind and body together results in more productive benefits as opposed to monotonous exercise routines found in most fitness gyms.

You're never too old to start training martial arts. So, find your nearest karate gym, book onto a class and kick some ass! Trust us, there is no greater feeling of accomplishment than putting your white belt on for the first time.

Put all the martial arts training styles together and you have Mixed Martial Arts - a full-contact combat sport that allows striking and grappling on the floor and ground whilst using techniques from other martial arts.

Knowing how to fight is essential. Martial arts are sports, like any other, with rules, regulations, restraint and discipline. All martial arts are great to train but they do not teach you how to fight. MMA builds strength and power as well as develops endurance, self-esteem, discipline, balance and flexibility.

MMA is not for the faint-hearted. If you've got what it takes — and by the looks of it, you have — book onto your nearest MMA class and train hard.

Muay Thai is a full contact martial art originating from Thailand. This physical and mental discipline is known as "the art of eight limbs" because it is characterised by the combined use of fists, elbows, knees, shins.

The ancient martial art is about culture, honour, respect and discipline. With Muay Thai, you punch, kick and use your elbows and knees, so you are using almost every muscle in your body in an interval-style training regime that most people find their body will respond to quickly.

Muay Thai is a tough sport which works every muscle in your body. Find your nearest Muay Thai gym and book onto a class. You will soon find that Muay Thai benefits go beyond the traditional mind-body-spirit benefits and provides a great social value.

Fencing is a martial art like no other. Using Rapier-style swords, two competitors fight and score points by making contact with their opponent. Based on the traditional skills of swordsmanship, Fencing has been part of our history since the Middle Ages.

Fencing is an excellent sport to improve body strength and speed as well as hand-eye coordination, agility and flexibility. In fact, Fencing has many benefits for both the body and the mind.

The image of sword-fighting is prevalent throughout our media, from the swashbuckling escapades of Errol Flynn to the science-fiction adventures of Luke Skywalker. So, why not find your nearest Fencing academy and get fit while living out the sword-fighting adventures of your childhood.

Seriously, who are you kidding? Martial arts is not for you. Blow the dust off your old fitness videotapes and maybe, just maybe, one day you will have a body that is worthy of posing in gym mirrors.