How to Learn Martial Arts

Co-authored by Joseph Bautista

If you want to learn martial arts, there’s nothing that can replace training under an experienced instructor. In order to start training, you’ll have to find a martial arts school in your area and sign up for your first class. From there, you’ll need to attend class regularly, stay humble, and listen to the instructor to improve. With enough dedication and hard work, you can learn to become proficient in martial arts.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Choosing a Martial Arts School

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Determine which martial art interests you the most. Watch videos online of different martial artists to get an idea of which style you want to learn. If you are looking for practical self-defense tactics, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai, or Krav Maga may be for you. If you want to learn a more traditional martial art that also puts an emphasis on discipline and tradition, Wing Chun Kung Fu, Taekwondo, and Karate are great martial arts to learn.^{[1]
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- Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Krav Maga put an emphasis on grappling, ground and pound, and submissions. Krav Maga also covers stand-up striking and weapon defense.
- Muay Thai is a stand-up discipline from Thailand that emphasizes punches, kicks, elbows, and knees.
- Wing Chun Kung Fu, Taekwondo, and Karate concentrate on stand-up striking, which includes punches and kicks.
- You can use all martial arts for self-defense, but Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai, and Krav Maga use the most practical tactics and concentrate less on ceremony and “set-up” scenarios.
- Think about your personality. If you don't like hugging people, for instance, you might not want to choose a martial art that focuses mainly on grappling. If you like using your hands, you might not choose a kicking school.^{[2]
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  Expert Source
  
  Joseph Bautista
  Self Defense Specialist, Martial Arts Instructor, & 1st Aid/CPR Instructor
  Expert Interview. 9 July 2020.}
2
Search online for classes in your area. Look for martial arts classes in your area to see what’s available to you. Depending on where you live, there may be limited options for specific disciplines. Read online reviews of the different schools you find to help narrow down your decision.
- Some colleges and universities have martial arts classes that you can sign up for.
- See if your local community center offers classes.
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3
Consider visiting the class. If you’re still unsure of whether you want to sign up, many schools allow prospective students to visit a class. You may also be able to get a free first lesson. Call the school or dojo that you are interested in and ask whether you can visit the class before signing up.
- You can ask by saying something like, “I’m new to martial arts and wanted to watch a class before signing up. Is that possible?”
- While you're visiting, pay attention to how you feel while you're there. Even if the style is a perfect match for you, if you don't feel comfortable around the instructors and other students, you're a lot less likely to stick with it.^{[3]
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  Expert Source
  
  Joseph Bautista
  Self Defense Specialist, Martial Arts Instructor, & 1st Aid/CPR Instructor
  Expert Interview. 9 July 2020.}

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Going To Martial Arts Classes

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Call or register for classes with an instructor. Be honest when describing your skill level so that the instructor can place you in the proper class. Set up a date and time to come in for your first class. Mark the date down in your calendar so that you aren’t late for your first day.
- Ask the instructor what you should bring to your first class. This will typically include things like an athletic cup and mouthguard.
- Inquire what kind of clothes you should wear.
2
Stay humble during your first class. Don’t go into your first class with something to prove. You’ll likely embarrass yourself and potentially hurt someone. Remain humble and try to absorb all the information that the more experienced people are giving you.^{[4]
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- You probably won’t spar on your first day of class but if you do, make sure to match your training partner’s energy instead of trying to hurt them.
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Stay dedicated and attend class consistently. Don’t expect to become a master instantly. Most martial arts take decades to master. If you want to become proficient at your martial art, you’ll need to maintain a consistent routine.^{[5]
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Expert Source

Joseph Bautista
Self Defense Specialist, Martial Arts Instructor, & 1st Aid/CPR Instructor
Expert Interview. 9 July 2020.}
- Take note of different training days on the school’s calendar and clear your schedule so that you can attend.^{[6]
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- Sometimes the class schedule can be found posted in the school or on the school’s website.
4
Listen carefully to the instructor’s directions. The only way you’ll get better is by learning the techniques properly. Don’t be arrogant and always listen to the instructor’s directions carefully so that you can perform the techniques properly. You should also respect and listen to students that are a higher belt or that have more experience than you.^{[7]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Supplementing Your Classes with Research

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Stretch your muscles before performing moves at home. If you plan on researching and performing martial arts techniques at home, it’s important that you do some active stretching before you attempt the moves. Stretch your hamstrings, legs, arms, and hips before you try to do anything physical.^{[8]
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- If you don’t stretch, you could pull a muscle and injure yourself.
- If you learned how to stretch at your school, use the stretches that you learned in class.
2
Watch videos online to learn different techniques. Search on websites like Youtube for different videos in the discipline that you are learning or want to learn. You can use the videos to help you keep the best form when practicing at home, or to research different techniques.^{[9]
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- If you find a technique that you haven’t learned in class, demonstrate it for the instructor and ask them whether it’s effective.
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Read martial arts books to gain more knowledge. Read popular martial arts books to give you more insight on how to strengthen your mental discipline. Books will also give more information on strategies and technique. Some books will have instructions for specific techniques while others will have more general strategies for the martial art that you’re learning.^{[10]
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- Some of the most popular martial arts books include The Tao of Jeet Kune Do, Championship Fighting: Explosive Punching and Aggressive Defense, and Bas Rutten’s Big Book of Combat.

Expert Q&A

Question

What martial art should I learn?

Joseph Bautista
Self Defense Specialist, Martial Arts Instructor, & 1st Aid/CPR Instructor
Joseph Bautista is a Self Defense Specialist and a Martial Arts Instructor specializing in Filipino martial arts. With over 18 years of instructing and martial arts training experience, Joseph runs Legacy Filipino Martial Arts, a Filipino martial arts school based in San Francisco, California. He also teaches self-defense with Self Defense For the People, a self-defense program with clients such as Salesforce, Airbnb, Gap, UPS, and UCSF. When not teaching self defense he is teaching CPR and 1st Aid Skills to 911 Dispatchers and Local Police Officers in the SF Bay Area with 1st Five Minutes.

Joseph Bautista

Self Defense Specialist, Martial Arts Instructor, & 1st Aid/CPR Instructor

Expert Answer

Everyone has different strengths, weaknesses, and comfort levels. Choose a style that suits your personality the best. Then, visit different schools to find one where you feel comfortable.