Boxing is one.

• Boxing. "Kickboxing" more closely resembles our concept of martial arts, but Western-style boxing is a form of "striking" (kicking and/or punching) that can be counted as a martial art. With boxing, the emphasis is obviously placed on punching - so much so that each boxer's fist is heavily padded in order to make the impacts safer. Boxing limits your range of attacks - you can try to tackle or use your legs, for instance - but it also helps improve your striking skills by isolating your fists. In boxing, either you can throw a punch and defend yourself, or you can't.
• Wrestling. Wrestling is another form of martial art that isn't typically viewed as a martial art because it isn't rooted in Eastern culture. Wrestling has its roots in both ancient Greek and Roman athletics: two of the chief styles of wrestling are Greco-Roman and freestyle.
  • Today, wrestling is an olympic sport, and an extremely popular sport among high schools and colleges throughout America. It is also an incredibly exerting, physical sport that requires a lot of physical stamina, flexibility, and strength. Wrestling isn't an ideal hobby for older people, but can be a great workout for younger people who want a new hobby.
• Fencing. When we think of fencing, we often think of 18th Century nobility going at it with thin swords and thinner mustaches. Fencing is also an Olympic sport that has its roots in Western culture - it was around as early as the Renaissance.
  • In fencing, less emphasis is placed on the limbs and more on swords, which are essentially physical extensions of the body that can be used in a variety of ways. Fencing comes with its own set of rules and strategies.

Remember that martial arts don't only have to refer to karate chops. If you're interested in taking "martial arts" lessons, remember that it may include one of the studies mentioned above.

Photo Credits: Dave Hogg

Originally posted 2009-07-24 05:52:17.

Just want to kick and punch?

So how exactly do you know which martial arts discipline is for you, and how can you make sure that once you've made a decision, you've made the right one? Here are some quick tips for choosing the right discipline to match your personality.

• For some, they just want to learn how to kick and punch.

The more "traditional" Eastern martial arts fall under this category: Karate, Kung Fu, and Tae Kwon Do. In these arts, you won't learn how to wrestle, but you will learn how to use your mind to create more self-discipline and belief: breaking boards with your foot or your hand help you realize that you're stronger than you initially thought.

If you're a tumbler who simply wants to be able to defend himself in real-life situations, these might not be for you. But if you want to realize a lot of side-benefits from a martial art, you might consider one of these.

• Mixed martial arts promote fitness and improvisational skills.

Today's most popular types of martial arts, MMA or mixed martial arts, are the kind of fighting you'll see on a UFC Pay-Per-View event. MMA includes both grappling or wrestling along with standing up and striking, allowing you a balance of different types of martial arts. These can help you to build confidence.

• If you need a workout, focus on the upper body.

For many people, working the legs is easy - biking, walking, swimming, running. But the upper body's a little trickier. A martial art more focused on punching, like boxing, might be more up your alley. If you want to build some solid upper body fitness, you might want to consider boxing. Again, you won't necessarily learn how to defend yourself effectively, but you will be able to get in some great workouts.

Which martial art is right for you? Only you can know. Try taking a few trial classes to see which one seems to fit your personality.

Photo Credits: The She-Creature

Originally posted 2009-07-28 05:00:54.