There is no right or wrong answer to this question - ALL martial arts are fantastic for kids!

From a physical perspective, every martial art will help improve general fitness, body awareness and core strength. When considering their mental health, kids will benefit from the discipline and respect taught on the mats, the confidence gained as they progress in skills and recognition, and the social benefits of training with others. 

Kids respond differently to all martial arts, so it’s about finding the one that best suits the child’s interests, what their (or the parents) goals are and what they enjoy. Most of us parents know from experience that if they don’t enjoy it, it will be a struggle to get them dressed and into class each week!

Here’s an overview of the benefits of each type of martial art:

• Karate - Great for leadership skills, as different responsibilities are assigned as you progress through the ranks. Karate is also very ritual based, helping to promote respect, discipline and focus.

• Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu - Often called the ‘gentle art’ as it doesn’t involve striking, Jiu-Jitsu is the most practical martial art for self defence, as the goal is to control (not harm) an opponent. It teaches problem solving, body awareness and control, confidence, respect, resilience, coordination, commitment (to achieve stripes/coloured belt).

• Muay Thai - A great all over physical workout, as it uses elbows, knees, clinchs, sweeps and throws. With no official ranking system, it will encourage you to set your own goals.

• Taekwondo - With the use of kicks and strikes, it is great for core strength, flexibility and overall fitness. It can be quite fast-paced, helping to improve reflexes, cognitive skills and ‘thinking on your feet’ (quite literally!).

• Krav Maga - Developed for the Israel Defence Force, Krav Maga is used for self defence in hand-to-hand combat. You’ll learn how to engage in a physical fight proficiently and efficiently, reaping the fitness benefits that go with it.

Most martial arts academies offer a free trial class, so try out lots of different styles and academies to see which they gel with best. 

We’ve love to show you the benefits of Jiu-Jitsu first hand. Book a free trial class via our online calendar below: