Top Five Martial Arts YOU NEED TO TRAIN

Instead of asking "what's the best martial art" today we list the top five best martial arts for a lifetime of training.

02:13 - Style Number 1
04:57 - Style Number 2
06:18 - Self Defense Tip
07:37 - Style Number 3
08:40 - Style Number 4
10:43 - Style Number 5 PT 1
12:21 - Style Number 5 PT 2

FloSports

MERCH STORE

Get 10% off your @Combat Corner Professional order using code BBTOPFIVE

FOLLOW ME:
LISTEN: The Pod of Five Rings

music provided by
EPIDEMIC SOUND

Hapkido, Wrestling, Judo, Jiu-jitsu, Kenpo, Karate, boxing, MMA, Muay Thai, Krav Maga, Silat, Kali, Kajukenbo, HEMA, Sword, Swordfighting, Iiado, Tae Kwon Do, Self Defense, Fighting, Sparring

#martialarts #selfdefense #hapkido

[vedu]

In no order: Boxing, Wrestling, Judo, BJJ, Muay Thai. Those 5 together are perfect.

[ajak]

I’ve devoted 50 of my 62 years enthusiastically to judo. So a couple of things; absolutely love your objective, unbiased, analytic observations, impressed with how you recommend other martial arts and don’t fanboy your own primary style! One of my regrets is, I did not expand my field earlier and more thoroughly, as you’ve discussed here! My suggestion for number 5 is tai-chi, after 50 years in judo my body needs it. As much as a fanboy for judo I am, and to expand on one point you discussed with hapkido, if I had to boil down all my reasons for selling judo to everyone and especially kids it’s, breakfalls, the ability and confidence to get thrown high and hard and get up uninjured literally, and figuratively - keep ‘em coming thanks

[BerrySt]

I've been training for over 30 years, started when I was 10 in Karate, moved on to Aikido & Judo in my 20's, then Wing Chun & Kali, now I'm doing BJJ and boxing. I agree with pretty much you said. I pretty much tell people when they ask which martial is best that it's the one you enjoy and stick with. Excellent video.

[rjvanloon]

I started with judo around 6. Moved to add traditional jiu-jitsu around 13, added a bit of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu around 20, moved to add kali/escrima to get some more intensive weaponstraining in there and some kickboxing for the strikingpower and getting used to taking some shots.
Done a bit of MMA and have been lucky to be able to practice different styles of aikido, pentjak silat, krav-maga, systema, kobudo and kung fu. Now that I'm getting a bit older and healing is slowing down I'm doing a bit more tai-chi. I still like working out, it's just that the bruises, scrapes, sprains and such take too long

[liamcage]

I have been practicing and teaching Hapkido for 35 years. I worked weekends as a bouncer for 10 years. I can say from first hand experience Hapkido can be effective as long as you don't try to be flashy. Unfortunately there are some schools that only teach demonstration style Hapkido.
Over my years as a martial artist I have also trained many years in Kickboxing as well as earned a black belt in Judo. Those three arts have rounded out my skill set nicely.
I did Krav Maga for a few years because I wanted an instructor lead hard work out, I'm not a fan of gyms but I'll do martial arts all day everyday. I think Krav can be a really good transition for grapplers to learn some striking without spending years learning a new art.
In general I believe you Start learning a formal, traditional art focusing on techniques. Then focus on self-defense which must include a combat sport element. Finally circle back to a traditional art for fun, fitness and keep the skills sharp (occasionally practicing combatives). At 60 years old I plan to keep practicing into my 80's if I can. If all you do is combat sports your body will eventually give out and injuries will side line you before you're 50 years old. There are exceptions but its rare.

[jasonsippola]

Great points and video. I trained American Kenpo Karate 1998-2006. My instructor was a state champion wrestler also; so we trained grappling and ground fighting. We also trained Kenpo sticks, fencing, and ballroom dance. Renaissance men.

From 2006-2020 I trained Ryuku Kempo Karate; traditional Okinawan karate. Also trained Judo, Jujitsu, Tuite, and Modern Arnis/Escrima/Kali at this school. These styles were taught together, along with boxing, by my instructor (full-time LEO and assistant CIRT commander) as they complement each other very well.

Since 2021 and government mandated shutdowns I have trained my daughter and son at home. My daughter has trained with me since 2006 and my son since 2012. Training incorporates elements of all styles studied (striking, throws, takedowns, locks, submissions, and pressure points) with or without weapons (knife, sword, knuckle duster, CS/OC spray, but primarily sticks since they easily substitute for edged weapons, baseball bat, baton, tire iron, chunk of 2x4, etc).

The tactical tomahawk and long knife have become a pet project of mine as of late. They complement each other well and are fantastic close quarter weapon combo. Have worked on combatives a lot the past three years too. I have studied the evolution of combatives from pre WW2 Fairburn in Shanghai police to modern era police and military combatives. Stepped up tactical pistol, carbine, and shotgun training the last three years also. Been avid shooter since 1986.

[DocAcher]

For me, doing HEMA (even though the style isn't "practical") was extremely valuable... because it helped me to get over my fear of hitting someone. I really just could not hit anyone, even when I was getting robbed once, lol, but training HEMA, I reached a point where I knew I could beat my opponents if I didn't keep pulling all my hits... I finally went "fuck it" and smacked someone back with the training sword and went on to win. I'm still slow to "violence"... it's hard for me to get into a headspace where I can hit someone else, but at least I can now.

[dereksmith]

I have a black belt in Hapkido (and 5 other arts). I also have 40 years of law enforcement, security, and military law enforcement. I found Hapkido was SOMEWHAT useful in the streets, but a drunk person, or the person who really did not want to be thrown, could resist. I now study BJJ at 59 years old. I took a little judo but wish I had focused on judo or wrestling when I was younger. I would definitely add boxing. For work and self-defense, BJJ, FMA, and Boxing have served me the best. In all, I have studied over 15 arts in my 45 years of practice. Many have contributed in some way to my fight game.

[Huntertainment]

Great information. Thank you very much for your valuable perspective, you really got me focusing on this.

[Yoandrys]

I completely agree. I myself started MA at 5 and have never stopped, I have competed, I have fight, I have train in TMA and 33 years later I'm still learning new stuff.

[mizutxko]

Wrestling + Muay Thai + Judo gives you the aggressive style, and you master the clinch

[GojiraMde]

Love your videos. I am taking Shotokan Karate and my school has instructors that teach jiu jitsu, boxing and muay Thai. They promote learning different styles to compliment each other. I would love to see a video on older people taking martial arts for the first time. Which should they join? Keep up the great work 🥋

[TheMonkeyBytes]

Just found this channel, so a little late to the party. My martial arts experience started in college. My friend founded a martial arts club. Only requirement was you came in with a martial arts style you know and see how it does against other styles. Me and one other guy joined the club with no experience. We learned through the class. The range of styles were Wing Chun, Okinawan Shuri-Ryu, some styles of Kung fu, Muy Thai, Taekwondo, Karate, Kali and I know a few others. We learned what worked against different styles and what didn’t because we spared a lot. Although we learned some throws, unfortunately, we had no grappling styles. I learned a lot from all the sparing I watched and participated in. After the club, I ended up taking Aikido classes at a local college to learn something other than strikes. Definitely agree with the video, check out styles you might want to incorporate in your knowledge.

[CodrTV]

Totally agree with your last point about going back to the beginning. I started with Taekwondo (15 years) and got my 3rd Dan. But now, going back and bringing Hapkido, Boxing, Muay Thai and a bit of Judo helps me see TKD differently and all the places I can make it better.

[alanmodimages]

I think it's a decent list. I did Kendo when in college, then boxing at 40 and TKD at 50, so always some type of striking art. TKD does teach some joint manipulation and take downs. Just not many and they are never seen in competition. Hapkido if you are in a large enough city will do that for you. I am also happy that my TKD school taught Nun Chucks and sword techniques. Not sure which way to go now at 56. Already tore my Achilles so high dynamic and high kicking arts probably are not in my future. Maybe something with effective joint manipulation and quick take downs?

[michaelahudson]

I’ve practiced itf tkd and hapkido seriously for many years. The ultimate variable in this discussion is or should be the quality of instruction. I’ve worked with the criminally insane, law enforcement and personal protection. These arts have served me well. I had knowledgeable instructors who were well trained and dedicated our institution to common sense self defense

[sidhu]

This guy: let me tell you the top 5 martial arts to do.

Also this guy: as long as you're doing something, anything, it doesn't matter what it is that you're doing.

[alvaroprietotorres]

I started as a child in Judo and I remember and use various moves in my life, inclusive actually. Between my 20 and 23 I practice Box and I did 3 amateur combats. And actually I do more than 2 years in Taekwondo Itf and in my dojan my sabonims teach me to use throws, knees, elbows, hosinsool... not only tuls, kicks and a few punches. I recomended Boxing, Karate or Taekwondo and Judo, for example, to take skills in all types of strike and defence, throws and fight a little in floor too 💪🥋

[NYKgjl]

I started in Tae Kwon Do in the early 90's till late 90's and depending on the instructors, it can be fun but a learning experience with key seminars with a Korean instructor that can shape up your future. Today, I'm in Kyokushin for a long while and my life saga continues. Love your videos.

[geoffreyfletcher]

Good video with a lot of good points. While I have trained in various combat sports throughout my life, most of my experience stems from training in a variety traditional "battlefield" oriented martial arts. And I have valid learning experiences in combative sports training, that can benefit ones training in traditional martial arts.