You have a lot of options when it comes to martial arts.
Depending on your location, age, and willingness to learn, you fill your mind and body with a lot of technique before you get too old for it. Even then, you just might have to evolve and train in something new, or find a new way to train.
A lot of younger, curious beginning martial artist often wonder where they should place their focus. Like, they have to stick to it.
You don’t, but you should still find the thing that gets you going.
Base Style
I remember wondering the same thing when I was a kid.
“What’s the best way to start and build on?”
After years of training, I saw someone asking a similar question on Quora and felt it would be good to share the answer here.
Is it better to have a base in boxing or start MMA straight away?
In my experience, I think it’s good to have a base in something and add to it.
Remember, “MMA” is mixed martial arts—someone who takes what works best and uses it in combat. The sport of MMA needed a name, and that acronym seems to have fit the bill. But if you are looking to get into the sport, most Brazilian Jiu-jitsu gyms these days can provide a good gateway for you. They often have a striking and wrestling program too.
Oddly enough, my base was American kickboxing, then karate, but these days all I seem to do is grapple.
I’m older, though, and it’s a great way to stay sharp when it comes to self-defense. So, if boxing is what’s accessible by all means box.
Related ⤵
Boxing is Not a Martial Art
Not recognizing boxing as a martial art might be one of the most common debates among combat sports enthusiasts.
Fill The Cup
I was a hardcore Bruce Lee fan when I was a kid.
It’s why I got into martial arts in the first place. I read his instructionals, saw everything he ever performed in, and was even a fan of his son Brandon. I used to read “The Tao of Jeet Kune Do” regularly and felt like I had to train in everything.
That’s easier said than done.
But you have to start somewhere; for me, it was American Kickboxing. Then a little Aikido, a little Filipino martial arts, a lot of karate, and then Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ).
I still practice some of everything I learned to this day, even though I mostly just do BJJ now.
Everyone likes to reference Lee’s “Be water” quote, but in it, before he tells you to empty your mind, he mentions a cup.
Your mind is also a cup; fill it as much as you can with everything you can, while you can.
📚 Recommended Reading: Level Up Outside the Gym
Books that sharpen your mindset, deepen your technique, or offer insight into the martial arts lifestyle.
"Tao of Jeet Kune Do: New Expanded Edition" by Bruce Lee
This is not the first time I have written about this book here, and it probably won't be the last. Great read for any level of martial artist.
📖 Read more on Amazon (Affiliate link)
"Bas Rutten’s Big DVDs of Combat" by Bas Rutten
Rutten made a video version of his “Big Books of Combat,” which I have and read. They’re hard to find now, but the DVDs are right here.
💿Get the DVDs here(Affiliate link)
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