I don't have a lot of choices of martial art styles where I live, which of these do I pick?

There is Wing Chun, Shotokan Karate, Freestyle Karate, and bunch of Taekwondo. There are more but I'm not sure if they're really qualified. Some of those are, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Japanese Jiu Jitsu, Aikido, and Goju Ryu Karate. Please help me choose.

I don't have a lot of choices of martial art styles where I live, which of these do I pick?
Your best bet is to try as many of them that appeal to you.


The school should let you and in fact should encourage you to observe a class, even take a free class or two.


The instructors should be unfailingly polite, respectful, and cheerful to the students.


Classes should look organised, with instruction appearing to follow a lesson plan.


Students should behave respectfully and attentively at all times, and should continue their respectful behavior when class is finished.


There should never be any roughhousing or dangerous play, or displays of temper on anyone's part.


If there are women in the class, they should be treated the same as the men, not given constant concessions to their supposed fragility, yet not brutalised or otherwise singled out. (If there are no women (or men), it might be a good idea to ask why.)


Young students or children should be given the same respect as adults.


The key to recognising a good school is to watch how they treat students without natural athletic ability. Do instructors focus only on the stars, leaving the strugglers to muddle along as best they can? Do they point out struggling students for ridicule? Do they appear irritated at questions or requests for help? All of these are trouble signs.


In the end, the best guide is your gut feeling and bearing in mind that you are not stuck for life with your decision. If it turns out that the school just doesn't suit you, don't give up on martial arts entirely. Be patient and persistent, and you will find the right place to train.
Reply:Tae Kwon Do is a great martial art.





Some people say that Tae Kwon Do is to Karate what Chess is to Checkers. ;)
Reply:Well that depends on you.


First of all- What do you wish to do? All the Martial Arts you've listed can aid self-defense, but is that what you want?


Secondly- What fighting range is best for you? Do you like punching? Kicking? Throwing? Submissions?


Third- I don't know of your experience and ability to cross train, so I can't pinpoint which art you want to start with. I suggest:


A. Taking an art that teaches skill in one or more ranges, and then taking another art that teaches you ability in the other ranges.


B. Take an art that teaches skill in multiple ranges.


I know that Wing Chun and Taekwondo don't normally teach extensive grappling (Though there are exceptions).


Karate tends to come with entry level grappling (Again: Exceptions exist).


BJJ is wonderful for the submission range.


Most Japanese Jujutsu styles teach entry level striking, but extensive skill in the throwing and grappling range.


Aikido mostly works the throwing range.


Good luck.
Reply:I would say go for the japanese jujitsu, aikido or the brazilian jujitsu. I work in a dojo that is closely knit with all of those styles. I would have to say that the japanese jujitsu is probably the most practical because not only did the other two arts come from it, but it covers a wider range of things, thus you can better defend yourself. aikido is a beautyful art. it really focuses on the graceful movement of one person throwing another person (also part of the japanese jujitsu). brazilian jujitsu focuses more on ground work. it is not a bad art by any means. you will really get a good work out from this one. however, in a fight on rough concrete, i wouldnt want to go to the ground as my first option. personally i prefer japanese jujitsu. not only has it helped me to learn how to better defend myself from a large range of situations, but it has also helped me become a more confident person.
Reply:If you want a martial art that is the best for self defense there is no question: brazilian jiu jitsu.





Plus, bjj will help you have more in common with fellow co-workers, clients, etc. because it is used in the fastest growing and #1 combat sport, mma (ufc). Monday morning nobody is going to ask you about wing chun, but someone might ask you to explain a go-go plata from the big ufc card last weekend.





I understand your concern about making sure the teacher is qualified but a poorly qualified bjj instructor will be much better than a world class wing chun instructor.





This is all assuming that you are not someone that just wants to learn fancy kicks with absolutely no practical application and that you are not afraid of competition.





good luck
Reply:See I’d say BJJ is not good for self defense, because you typically need to take your opponent down. Bad things happen once you are on the ground. Things like bar stools, broken glass and kicks from nowhere. I think you need to stay on your feet in a self defense situation. BJJ is great for a one on one fight under controlled circumstances.





If you’ve got someone teaching Japanese Jiu Jitsu in your area, that is a rare opportunity. I would certainly investigate it, although recognize the falls and joint locks can be very painful and potentially harmful.





If you want to see the quickest results go with GoJu Ryu. I can turn most students into pretty decent fighters in less than a year.





Proficiency develops the slowest in Aikido of all the arts you’ve listed. Once you get good it is a great art, but it takes years of practice to see even a little progress. Part of this is because it is almost purely reactive to what the other person is doing.
Reply:Go Freestyle or Shotokan. If the qualifications aren't there, then neither should you be.
Reply:Japanese jujitsu.
Reply:Decide if you would rather strike or grapple. Then find the best instructor who teaches what you want to do. Don't worry about the name on the door.
Reply:Hi there





My best advice is to try them all. Take time out and have a martial arts holiday. That way you will get to see each art and the instructor. This really does depend on what your tastes are and which direction the wind is blowing at the time so to speak. Try to keep away from the fad arts and make judgement based on the teachers ability and how they conduct a class.





In today's market of boxercise and taibo if an instructor manages to run an adults only class and sustains more than 10 students a week then they must be doing something right!





Nothing worse than screaming little brats running around all over the place in a mixed class! ;-)





Best wishes





idai
Reply:wing chun, freestyle or bjj they are all very effective on the streets, but if you looking for a ringsport maybe consider taekwondo