Hey all! The MMA Guru here – I’m going to hand this post over to my friend Alina who is one of the most badass, confident female martial artists I know. Take it away Alina 🎤
Martial arts have always been a means for individuals to gain self-defense skills and emerge victoriously in physical confrontations. As a woman, it’s essential to be aware of the potential for violent encounters, such as assault, sexual harassment, or even life-threatening situations. In this article, I’ll share my thoughts on the seven best martial arts for women that can help them protect themselves and disarm a potential attacker.
While the main focus of this article is self-defense utility, I will also discuss the additional benefits of practicing martial arts for women, such as muscle development, weight loss, and self-confidence improvement. So, let’s delve into these martial arts styles and discover which one might be the best fit for you on your journey to personal safety and empowerment.
7. Taekwondo
-Taekwondo, originating from Korea, is a modern martial art that primarily focuses on powerful and fast kicks. The goal behind its development was to introduce techniques that surpass existing martial arts in strength and speed.
-Although it’s still up for debate, Taekwondo has proven to be quite effective when executed with finesse. Choi Hong Hi’s Theory of Power explains that kicks can generate more force than hand strikes, empowering practitioners with more effective means during confrontations.
-One of the reasons I think Taekwondo is an excellent choice for women’s self-defense is the element of surprise it offers. Attackers generally anticipate kicks, slaps, or biting from their targets. They are unlikely to imagine a swift roundhouse kick targeting their liver or a front kick aimed at the groin.
-This unexpectedness, combined with the sheer power achievable through Taekwondo training, makes it an impressive self-defense asset. However, it may not be the best option due to its overemphasis on kicking techniques.
6. Karate
As I’ve practiced various martial arts, I found that Karate is a highly popular and effective choice for self-defense. While it might not cover all aspects of fighting, the emphasis on powerful strikes using both arms and legs makes it more advantageous compared to martial arts like Taekwondo, which focuses primarily on kicks.
Several Karate styles cater to different self-defense needs, with Goju-Ryu and Kyokushin being among the more effective options. Regardless of the style, mastering Karate can equip you with the skills needed to handle various self-defense situations where a swift, forceful blow could be crucial.
5. Jiu-Jitsu
Jiu-Jitsu has gained a lot of popularity, and it’s easy to see why. This martial art focuses on using technique to defeat opponents in various grappling situations, often against someone stronger.
While Jiu-Jitsu is an excellent martial art, it may not be the top choice for women. There are biological differences between men and women, and women may be at a disadvantage due to their generally lower strength. When under attack, the priority should be to escape from danger as quickly as possible.
Jiu-Jitsu often involves taking the fight to the ground, which could put women at risk. Despite having advanced techniques, being on the ground might not be the best place to be with a larger, more aggressive opponent.
Regardless, Jiu-Jitsu teaches essential skills everyone should know, and it could be a crucial last resort for situations where you can’t handle the fight standing up or when caught in a hold. This martial art can provide valuable survival skills, but it might not be the first option for women when under attack.
If you’re interested in learning the basics of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, I highly recommend a course taught by Bernardo Faria, a 5-time black belt world champion.
Remember not to forget that the decision of whether or not to practice Jiu-Jitsu ultimately depends on one’s personal preferences and goals.
4. Muay Thai (Kickboxing)
Muay Thai, or kickboxing, is often overlooked for women’s self-defense due to its perceived roughness and intensity. However, its effectiveness in teaching how to use all limbs and deliver powerful attacks make it a valuable martial art for women. Its techniques encompass both short and long-range kicks, clinch fighting, strikes, elbows, and more.
When considering self-defense, it’s crucial to acknowledge that attackers don’t hold back violence, especially against women. Therefore, mastering an art like Muay Thai equips women with the skills to counter such violent encounters.
One challenge that women may face in Muay Thai is its reliance on physical strength, affecting the generated power in strikes. However, a well-timed hook can still be incredibly effective, regardless of the difference in strength between a woman and her attacker.
Through Muay Thai, women can learn to fight fiercely and increase their chances of survival in dangerous situations. Training in Muay Thai also develops momentum and speed, further enhancing one’s self-defense capabilities.
For those interested in learning the fundamentals of striking or improving existing skills, I highly recommend a course taught by Anderson Silva, one of the most accomplished strikers in MMA history. By honing your kickboxing techniques, you can feel more confident in defending yourself in any situation.
3. Judo
As a martial art that has been around for over a century, Judo’s focus is on grappling and throws, using an opponent’s own momentum to destabilize and damage them by sending them to the ground. Judo is not only widely popular and accessible, but it is also highly effective and practical, particularly for women’s self-defense.
Most altercations on the streets, especially those involving assaults against women, occur at close range. In these situations, striking martial arts might not be as effective since there is too little space to land effective blows. But that’s where Judo shines. It enables women to defend themselves in close-range scenarios where striking is not as practical or powerful.
Imagine a scenario in which an attacker tries to throw someone to the ground from a bear-hug position. A well-trained Judoka could effortlessly reverse the situation, slam the attacker to the ground, and escape. This ability to protect oneself in close-quarters combat is what makes Judo an ideal martial art for women.
Judo’s effectiveness is not limited by the size of the opponent either. With proper technique and regular practice, Judo can be effectively used against larger adversaries. As an Olympic sport, Judo also offers a chance for practitioners to compete on the global stage, combining the benefits of self-defense skills with the pursuit of athletic excellence.
To sum it up, Judo not only teaches powerful grappling and throwing techniques for self-defense, but also proves to be a relevant choice for women to feel safer in close-range confrontations. Developing Judo skills can help women defend themselves in high-risk situations and gain confidence in their ability to protect themselves.
2. MMA
As a woman, I find that MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) serves as a versatile choice to hone my self-defense skills. Being relatively modern and dynamic, it blends various martial arts to curate a well-rounded approach to combat sports.
It’s distinct in that it addresses the gaps that some martial artists might face in their practice. For example, a person with a Muay Thai background can bolster their abilities by incorporating Judo or Jiu-Jitsu, and vice versa.
MMA encourages me to refine my striking, grappling, and ground-game skills, preparing me for an assortment of combat situations. This adaptability is what makes it so valuable and effective for women seeking self-defense expertise.
I opted for an MMA course taught by Greg Jackson, the renowned head coach of UFC’s Jon Jones, and I have seen a significant improvement in my techniques and abilities.
While MMA has a lot to offer, there’s one martial art that edges out the rest for optimal self-defense…
1. Krav Maga
Krav Maga, widely known for its use in the Israeli military, is a martial art designed to prepare individuals for real-life, high-risk situations. What sets it apart from MMA or other combat sports is its inclusion of techniques that are considered illegal in competitions, such as eye-pokes, groin-strikes, and throat-strikes. This martial art focuses on survival in potentially lethal encounters, making it more effective for real-world self-defense, especially for women.
In a hypothetical match between an MMA fighter and a Krav Maga practitioner, the MMA fighter may come out victorious due to their broader range of combat skills. However, when faced with a hostile attacker who is willing to go to extreme lengths, the Krav Maga practitioner would likely have the upper hand, thanks to their training in dealing with life-threatening situations.
Krav Maga is highly effective as a self-defense method for women, provided that the training is obtained from a legitimate school. By learning Krav Maga from a reputable institution, you can be confident in your ability to protect yourself from the majority of threats you might encounter on the streets.
Personally, I highly recommend the Krav Maga course taught by Frass Azab for those interested in learning this martial art. Its practical teachings and effective techniques can help prepare you for real-life encounters and boost your self-defense capabilities.
Benefits of Martial Arts for Women
Advantages of Physical Activity
Engaging in physical activity comes with many rewards, and martial arts are no exception. They can be demanding, but they offer numerous health, mobility, and well-being perks. If weight loss is a goal, this 5-step process to lose weight with martial arts can be a helpful resource.
Social Connections
Though martial arts are mostly individual sports, they involve interacting with others during training sessions, gym visits, and sparring. Such interactions can lead to strong friendships or relationships.
Developing Discipline
Martial arts require determination and dedication. They can be quite challenging, making discipline essential for success. The good news is that practicing martial arts often strengthens one’s discipline.
Understanding Your Boundaries
As martial arts demand discipline, they teach practitioners self-control. The goal is not to harm your opponent severely, but to win within specific limits, which is necessary for becoming a skilled fighter.
Self-Defense Skills
Martial arts train individuals not only in attacking but also in defending themselves. Knowing self-defense techniques can be useful during unavoidable confrontations or conflicts.
Boosting Confidence
Practicing martial arts improves self-esteem by teaching attack, defense, and victory strategies. This newfound confidence extends to other aspects of life, allowing growth and personal development.
Acquiring New Knowledge
Martial arts involve more than just punching and kicking; they are complex systems where tactics often play a more significant role in winning than physical strength. Learning new strategies and fighting styles not only broadens one’s knowledge but also stimulates the brain since quick responses are needed during adrenaline-filled fights.
Personal Growth
Every new experience in martial arts helps individuals grow and develop in various ways. The different aspects and approaches of martial arts offer unique opportunities for self-improvement and personal enrichment.