Types of martial arts explained
If you are searching for types of martial arts, kinds of martial arts, or martial arts varieties, you are probably trying to answer one simple question: which style should I try first?
This guide makes it easy. You will get:
- A quick way to understand the main categories
- A clear list of 25 popular martial arts styles
- A practical “how to choose” section based on your goals
- Straightforward FAQs for beginners, parents, and adults
Martial arts categories
Most martial arts fit into one or more of these groups. Knowing the categories helps you narrow down the right class faster.
Striking arts
Focused on punches, kicks, knees, elbows, and movement. Training often includes pad work, drills, fitness, and controlled sparring.
Grappling arts
Focused on takedowns, pins, control, and submissions. Training usually includes technique drills and live practice (often called rolling).
Mixed styles
Combine striking and grappling into a single ruleset or training approach.
Weapons-based arts
Focus on weapon handling (for example sticks, swords, or staffs). Many schools also teach footwork, distance control, and forms.
Internal and movement-focused arts
Often lower impact and centred on balance, coordination, breathing, and body control. Some include partner work, others are mainly solo practice.
Self-defence systems
Built around practical scenarios and awareness as well as physical techniques. Training can include drills that simulate real situations, usually with safety controls.
25 types of martial arts
1) Boxing
- Best for: Fitness, confidence, coordination, competition
- What you will learn: Punching technique, footwork, defence, timing
- Typical class format: Skipping, bag work, pad rounds, partner drills, optional sparring
- Contact level: Medium to high (sparring is usually optional for beginners)
- Progression: No belts. Progress is often measured through skill level, rounds, and competition (if you choose)
2) Muay Thai
- Best for: Conditioning, striking variety, toughness, competition
- What you will learn: Punches, kicks, knees, elbows, clinch basics
- Typical class format: Pads, bag rounds, drills, clinch work, controlled sparring
- Contact level: Medium to high (varies by gym)
- Progression: Often no formal belts. Some gyms use levels or gradings
3) Kickboxing
- Best for: Fitness, stress relief, beginner-friendly striking
- What you will learn: Punch and kick combinations, movement, defence
- Typical class format: Warm-up, technique drills, pad work, bag rounds, optional sparring
- Contact level: Low to high (many gyms offer fitness-only classes)
- Progression: Depends on style. Some schools use belts, others do not
4) Karate
- Best for: Discipline, fundamentals, confidence, kids programmes
- What you will learn: Striking basics, blocks, stance work, forms (kata), controlled sparring
- Typical class format: Line drills, kata, partner drills, light sparring
- Contact level: Low to medium (depends on school)
- Progression: Usually belt-based, with structured gradings
5) Taekwondo
- Best for: Kicking skill, flexibility, speed, kids and teens
- What you will learn: Kicks, movement, patterns (poomsae), sparring basics
- Typical class format: Stretching, kicking drills, patterns, sparring practice
- Contact level: Low to medium
- Progression: Belt-based, clear pathway for beginners
6) Kung Fu
- Best for: Variety, coordination, tradition, forms training
- What you will learn: Striking and movement patterns, stance work, sometimes weapons (school dependent)
- Typical class format: Forms, drills, conditioning, partner work (varies a lot)
- Contact level: Low to medium (depends on school)
- Progression: Often uses belts or sashes, but systems vary widely
7) Savate
- Best for: Footwork, precise kicking, striking technique
- What you will learn: Kicks and punches with strong movement and distance control
- Typical class format: Footwork drills, combinations, partner drills, sparring for those who want it
- Contact level: Medium (sparring varies by club)
- Progression: Usually uses levels or glove gradings in many clubs
8) Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)
- Best for: Self-defence fundamentals, grappling, problem-solving, competition
- What you will learn: Position control, escapes, submissions, strategy
- Typical class format: Technique, drills, then rolling (live sparring)
- Contact level: Medium (close contact, but usually controlled)
- Progression: Belt-based with a long-term pathway
9) Judo
- Best for: Throws, balance, athletic grappling, competition
- What you will learn: Takedowns, pins, grip fighting, breakfalls
- Typical class format: Warm-ups, throw drills, groundwork, sparring (randori)
- Contact level: Medium to high (throws are physical but coached safely)
- Progression: Belt-based
10) Wrestling
- Best for: Athleticism, strength, conditioning, takedowns
- What you will learn: Takedowns, control, escapes, pressure and pace
- Typical class format: Drills, conditioning, live rounds
- Contact level: High
- Progression: No belts. Progress is often measured by performance and skill level
11) Sambo
- Best for: Takedowns and submissions, hybrid grappling, competition
- What you will learn: Throws and submissions, with rules depending on sport or combat format
- Typical class format: Technique, drills, sparring rounds
- Contact level: Medium to high
- Progression: Usually levels rather than belts (varies by federation and gym)
12) Aikido
- Best for: Movement, balance, low-impact partner training
- What you will learn: Redirection, joint control concepts, breakfalls, controlled partner work
- Typical class format: Partner practice with repeated technique patterns
- Contact level: Low to medium (generally non-competitive)
- Progression: Often belt-based, depending on association
13) MMA
- Best for: All-round skills, variety, competition training
- What you will learn: A mix of striking, wrestling, and submissions
- Typical class format: Separate skill classes (striking and grappling) plus MMA sessions that blend them
- Contact level: Medium to high (varies heavily by gym and class type)
- Progression: Usually no belts for MMA itself, although component arts may have belts
14) Jujutsu (traditional)
- Best for: Traditional training, mixed techniques, structured learning
- What you will learn: Throws, joint locks, control, sometimes strikes (school dependent)
- Typical class format: Technique practice, partner drills, sometimes forms
- Contact level: Low to medium
- Progression: Often belt-based
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15) Wing Chun
- Best for: Close-range striking, structure, timing
- What you will learn: Hand techniques, centreline control, sensitivity drills
- Typical class format: Drills, forms, partner work, sometimes sparring
- Contact level: Low to medium
- Progression: Often uses levels rather than standard belt systems (varies)
16) Jeet Kune Do (JKD)
- Best for: Practical training, cross-training mindset, adaptability
- What you will learn: Concepts and tools drawn from multiple arts, usually focused on efficiency
- Typical class format: Drills, pad work, partner scenarios, sparring for those who want it
- Contact level: Low to high (depends on school)
- Progression: Usually level-based, not a universal belt system
17) Krav Maga
- Best for: Self-defence basics, confidence, scenario drills
- What you will learn: Striking basics, escaping grabs, awareness and decision-making
- Typical class format: Drills, pad work, controlled scenarios, fitness
- Contact level: Medium (scenario intensity varies by gym)
- Progression: Often level-based
18) Capoeira
- Best for: Movement, rhythm, coordination, community
- What you will learn: Flowing kicks, evasions, acrobatics, music-based training
- Typical class format: Movement drills, partner games, technique practice, group “roda”
- Contact level: Low to medium (contact is often light and controlled)
- Progression: Often cord or belt-style systems, varies by group
19) Tai Chi
- Best for: Balance, mobility, stress management, low-impact movement
- What you will learn: Forms, posture, breathing, body control
- Typical class format: Solo forms, step work, sometimes partner exercises
- Contact level: Low
- Progression: Usually levels within a school rather than belts
20) Kendo
- Best for: Discipline, footwork, focus, weapons sport
- What you will learn: Sword-based sparring with protective gear, timing and distance
- Typical class format: Footwork, striking drills, kata, sparring
- Contact level: Medium (contact is with protective equipment)
- Progression: Often grades and ranks within federations
21) Eskrima (Kali or Arnis)
- Best for: Weapons skill, coordination, practical drills
- What you will learn: Stick work, blade concepts, hand-to-hand integration (school dependent)
- Typical class format: Drills, partner patterns, controlled sparring with safety equipment
- Contact level: Low to medium (safety-first training)
- Progression: Levels vary by lineage
22) Silat
- Best for: Traditional training, flowing movement, varied techniques
- What you will learn: Movement patterns, strikes, takedowns, and self-defence concepts (varies by style)
- Typical class format: Forms, drills, partner practice
- Contact level: Low to medium
- Progression: Systems vary by organisation
23) Sanda
- Best for: Striking with takedowns, competition training
- What you will learn: Punches, kicks, throws and sweeps within a sporting ruleset
- Typical class format: Pads, drills, sparring, conditioning
- Contact level: Medium to high
- Progression: Usually competition and coaching levels rather than belts
24) HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts)
- Best for: Weapon-based training, history enthusiasts, technical sparring
- What you will learn: Fencing and weapon systems reconstructed from historical manuals
- Typical class format: Footwork, drills, partner work, sparring with protective gear
- Contact level: Medium (protective kit is common)
- Progression: Often skill levels within clubs rather than belts
25) Ninjutsu
- Best for: Traditional curriculum, variety, structured long-term practice
- What you will learn: Techniques depend on the school, often including movement, control, and traditional weapon work
- Typical class format: Technique practice, partner drills, sometimes weapons training
- Contact level: Low to medium
- Progression: Often belt-based within a specific organisation
How to choose the right martial art
There is no universal “best” martial art. The right one is the class you will enjoy enough to train consistently.
Choose based on your goal
If you want fitness and conditioning
- Boxing, Muay Thai, Kickboxing, MMA, Wrestling (high intensity)
If you want self-defence basics
- BJJ, Boxing, Krav Maga, Judo
Look for schools that teach awareness, de-escalation, and safe scenario training, not just techniques.
If you want discipline and structure
- Karate, Taekwondo, Judo, Kendo
These often have clear pathways, set curricula, and regular gradings.
If you want competition
- BJJ, Judo, Boxing, Taekwondo, Wrestling, Muay Thai, Sanda, MMA
Ask how often the gym supports competitors and whether there are beginner pathways.
If you want low-impact movement
- Tai Chi, some Aikido programmes, beginner Karate classes, Capoeira fundamentals
Always tell the coach about injuries or concerns before you start.
Choose based on what you actually enjoy
Ask yourself:
- Do you want striking, grappling, or both?
- Do you like structured patterns and forms, or do you prefer drills and sparring?
- Are you comfortable with close contact (common in grappling)?
- Do you want a belt system, or do you prefer a more flexible approach?
What to check before your first class
A good martial arts school usually has:
- A clear beginner class structure
- Coaches who prioritise safety and control
- Clean mats and sensible hygiene rules
- Options for people who want fitness without heavy sparring
- A welcoming culture where you can ask questions
A simple way to decide is to try 2 or 3 trial classes in different styles and compare how you feel after each one.
Martial arts for kids and adults
Martial arts for kids
Martial arts can work well for kids when the programme is built around:
- Clear rules and routines
- Positive coaching and confidence building
- Age-appropriate drilling
- Gradings that reward consistency and effort
Many families start with Karate or Taekwondo because the structure is clear, but it depends on the child.
Martial arts for teens
Teens often benefit from styles that mix structure with challenge:
- Taekwondo, Karate, Boxing, BJJ, Judo
A supportive gym culture matters as much as the style.
Martial arts for adults
Adults start all the time, even with no athletic background. The key is choosing:
- A beginner-friendly class
- A pace you can sustain
- A coach who adjusts for fitness level and injuries
Consistency beats intensity. Two sessions per week is enough to improve.
For martial arts gym owners
If you run a dojo, fight gym, or studio, clear structure helps retention:
- Define beginner and intermediate class pathways
- Use gradings or skill milestones to keep members motivated
- Track attendance so students know what they need for promotion
- Communicate grading dates and requirements early
Clubworx supports martial arts gyms with tools for memberships, scheduling, payments, and tracking progress. If you want to explore it, you can link to your main solution page here: Martial arts management software and your trial page here: Try Clubworx.
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