🥋 What Is the Best Martial Art? (The Answer Might Surprise You)
This question comes up all the time:
“What’s the best martial art?”
And honestly? This answer might ruffle a few feathers—but the truth is…
👉 There is no single “best” martial art for everyone.
What is best depends entirely on who you are, where you’re at in life, and what you want to get out of training.
👶 One Size Never Fits All
A martial art that works great for a 7-year-old isn’t automatically the best choice for a 40-year-old… and definitely not for a 70-year-old.
Why?
Because everyone comes in with different:
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Flexibility
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Mobility
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Coordination
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Learning styles
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Goals
A young child processes information very differently than an adult. An adult beginner learns differently than someone who’s been athletic their whole life. That matters—a lot.
So instead of asking “What’s the best martial art?” a better question is:
👉 What’s the best martial arts environment for me or my child?
🧠 The Real Game-Changer: Instruction
Here’s the part most people miss.
It’s often not about the martial arts style at all—it’s about the quality of instruction.
Two schools can teach the same style and deliver completely different results.
Think of it like school:
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Two teachers
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Same subject
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Same textbook
But wildly different learning experiences.
That’s not theory—I can say that confidently. Before running a martial arts school, I spent 10 years as an elementary school teacher, teaching band and orchestra. Schools just a few miles apart taught the same subject very differently.
Martial arts is no different.
🏫 Style vs. School: What Really Matters
People love comparing styles—karate vs. taekwondo, jiu-jitsu vs. kung fu—but here’s the reality:
✅ A great school with strong instruction beats a “perfect” style taught poorly. Every time.
When evaluating a martial arts school, look beyond the name on the door and focus on:
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How instructors communicate
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How students are treated
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Whether learning is happening
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If the environment feels positive and motivating
🪑 The 3-Legged Table Rule
I like to explain a great martial arts program using a simple idea:
✅ Learning. Laughing. Sweating.
Think of it like a three-legged table—remove one leg, and the whole thing falls apart.
📘 Learning
Students should always be learning new, relevant skills—not just repeating the same motions endlessly without understanding why.
😄 Laughing
This doesn’t mean clowning around. It means class should be enjoyable. Students should want to come back.
Work hard. Play hard. Growth happens when people enjoy the process.
💪 Sweating
Martial arts should deliver a real workout—physically and mentally. Confidence, focus, and discipline are built when students are challenged appropriately for their age and ability level.
🔍 How Do You Find the Right Fit?
Instead of chasing the “best” martial art by name, do this instead:
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Ask around (friends, parents, other adults)
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Stop in and observe
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Try a class or two
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Pay attention to how you—or your child—feel afterward
Were you engaged?
Did you learn something?
Did the time fly by?
Those answers matter far more than the style label.
🎯 Final Thoughts
The best martial art isn’t universal—it’s personal.
Find a school that’s:
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Fun
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Professional
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Supportive
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Focused on real growth
Do a little homework, try things out, and most importantly… have fun with it. 🥋🔥
That’s where the real transformation happens.
If you’re exploring martial arts programs for yourself or your child, schools serving families in Oak Creek, Racine, and Kenosha offer opportunities to experience classes firsthand and see what the right fit looks like in action.
We’ll see you on the mat soon 👊
Visit our Racine Karate location:
Info about our Racine Kids Karate Classes
Info about our Racine Adult Karate Classes
Visit our Kenosha Karate location
Info about our Kenosha Kids Karate Classes
Info about our Kenosha Adult & Teen Karate Classes
Visit our Oak Creek Karate location:
Info about our Oak Creek Kids Karate Classes
Info about our Oak Creek Adult Karate Classes
Info about our Oak Creek Adult Cardio Kickboxing Classes