Which martial art is best for me? 

To determine the best martial arts for you, you must consider whether you enjoy or want to learn grappling (wrestling), striking (stand up) or a combination. The great news is Dark Horse offers both through our Brazilian jiu jitsu and Muay Thai classes. On top of that, many of our membership programs give you access to both. 

 

So, you have decided martial arts is your choice to improve your health through a good fitness program. If you have not trained a martial art before, or even if you have trained, you may have some questions. What is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu? What is Muay Thai? Are either or both of them the correct choice for me? The simple answer is ‘yes’. One of, if not both of, these two martial art programs will fit your needs. Are you looking for self defense? Are you looking for fitness? Are you looking to compete in MMA or grappling or Thai boxing? These are some great questions you can explore at Dark Horse and discover first hand. In the world of self defense Honorably discharge Navy Seal platoon commander Jocko Willink and black belt in BJJ says- Avoid the fight period, run away! 

 

 “BJJ has proven itself time and time again in risky situations. It enables the practitioner to think rationally in high risk situation as well as provides plenty of other benefits.

When it comes to self-defense, what do SEALs recommend? Well, Jocko Willink, a big fan of bjj and Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under world champion Dean Lister claims it’s the best hand to hand fighting system in the world.

We understand that it is important to know the details of something if you are going to invest time and money into it. Your time is limited and money does not grow on trees. Because of this, we have broken down some history and details regarding Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai so that you can better understand them as martial arts.

 

What martial art should I do?

You should do the martial arts you are attracted to whether it is striking or grappling. You can try both at Dark Horse Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and choose. If you want to try martial arts, Longmont is the place to come. Dark Horse gives you the options you are looking for to find which martial art is best for you.

 

Striking vs Grappling

Martial arts through the ages have been distilled into two distinct formats: striking and grappling. In a striking based martial arts the focus is learning to use body mechanics and physics to effectively strike and or block an opponent while in a standing position. Striking based martial arts use the head, hands, elbows, arms, legs, knees and feet to block and strike, causing significant impact to incapacitate your opponent. Some striking based martial arts include Muay Thai, Kung Fu, Karate, Taekwondo and western boxing. Striking is based on a series of techniques chained together, sometimes called katas. At Dark Horse we use kicking shields, heavy bags, shin guards, boxing gloves and MMA gloves to hone and practice our techniques. This allows our students to safely practice techniques that are meant to seriously harm their opponent. Your safety and health is important to us.

 

Grappling is a hand to hand combat where an opponent uses there body to control an opponent without kicking or punching. Some of the grappling arts are: Brazilian jiu jitsu, Japanese jiu jitsu, Greco Roman wrestling, Freestyle wrestling, Catch Wrestling, Hapkido, Aikido and Judo. 

 

Grappling uses your entire body for leverage, and focuses on positions of control against your opponent to ultimately entangle and submit them. Grappling is a dynamic martial art, meaning you are partnered with another individual and you practice the techniques on one another directly. You are able to use a high amount of force without injuring your partner, and therefore pads and protective gear are not necessary. Brazilian jiu jitsu has distilled the most effective forms of controlling an opponent from the original Japanese techniques.

Muay Thai

Muay Thai, or Thai Boxing, is another martial art. Muay Thai was developed in Thailand most likely a thousand year ago. However, because of the warring and pillaging of Thailand by their neighbors, many of the original records have been lost destroyed. 

 

Muay Thai is considered one of the most deadly of the striking Martial Arts as it employees the hardest bone points and surfaces on the human body (the knees and elbows). Passed down through generations, Muay Thai has evolved into one of the most effective of the striking martial arts. 

 

Is Kickboxing a Martial Art?

In short, yes. Muay Thai is a style of kickboxing, and is quite possibly the most effective striking martial art. With a focus on using devastating kicks, knees, elbows, and punches, Muay Thai kickboxing is a martial art to reckon with.

 

What are the health benefits found in martial arts?

The martial arts are an excellent form of exercise and fitness. Martial arts help build strength, power, muscle tone, endurance, balance as well as mental focus to name some basics. The human body actually responds and improves with consistent vigorous exercise. The top ten reported improvements with regular vigorous exercise are;

• Improved happiness and attitude
• weight control
• improved muscle tone and bone strength
• increased energy levels
• reduced risk of chronic diseases
• improved skin health
• focused brain and increased memory
• stress relief
• reduction in chronic pain
• Improved stamina and life

 

Many people look for and find incredible benefits when training martial arts. Martial arts can answer your fitness and exercise needs while teaching you effective methods of self defense in a fun, challenging interactive format. Martial arts can build your mental, emotional game as well as enhancing healthy character development.