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14 Responses to “What is better to learn for self defence and Fitness, Boxing or Karate?”

1. Lonnie P on July 21st, 2010 11:03 pm

   Short answer: karate

   Only answer: karate

   Period.

2. h on July 21st, 2010 11:03 pm

   There’s a reason Martial Arts are considered ’sports’…because there are RULES. That is, there are things you can’t do. And out on the street, do you think there are any rules at all? Is anyone who is determined to do you serious harm going to hold back on the street?

   Absolutely not.

   So if self defence is truly your goal, why train in a system where it does not replicate things you are likely to encounter on the street? Like multiple attackers from different directions; someone king-hitting you from behind & while you’re on the ground their friend/s come up and kicks you in the head? Someone grabbing you at night just as you turn away to lock your car door? Dirty fighting like eye-strikes, groin kicks etc?

   And what about the intense verbal aggression which some nutcase might unleash on you as a prelude to launching their attack? The psychological preparation needed to withstand that and get in first? Iron bars? knives etc?

   Much better to learn a reality-based self defence system which is designed to put you under all those stressors…and also at night, role-playing scenarios where you are in a cramped space, crowded hallway..just getting out of your car and get jumped…how about lying under a blanket, simulating an attacker coming into your bedroom while you’re asleep?. Not in a nice, open, well-lit dojo where you’re only facing one person at a time…

   My personal suggestion would be krav maga for all the reasons mentioned above, and more.

   If all you want is some good fitness and martial arts training, go for the boxing/karate. But don’t kid yourself it’s full-on real self defence.

3. gtfordman on July 21st, 2010 11:03 pm

   well i do both, and let me tell you this – people that underestimate boxers usually end up unconscious, its simple to learn and the combination of weights and cardio training they make you do will really make your top half look the goods!

   Karate on the other hand really Really REALLY works the legs you will be shocked when you see your legs after as little as a month of Karate (i know i was) the stances and footwork involved is a real challange and you will learn blocks, evades, locks, strikes, aswell as increasing your flexibility and really improving your balance.

4. Chris on July 21st, 2010 11:03 pm

   Are you willing to get punched in the face and knocked unconscious? If not, it doesn’t matter what you try to learn, you’re not going to get good at either one. People learn by doing; not dancing or pretending.

   If you’re serious, then boxing is the obvious answer. It is a proven martial art that has lived for thousands of years and is still immensely popular today. Karate is nothing more than a dance for kids; professional MMA fighters don’t use it because it is truly useless.

5. Lorenzo on July 21st, 2010 11:03 pm

   hello,

   boxing will be your better choice, not because of any inherent technical superiority, but due to the training methods in daily practice. to put this in perspective, the same could be said between muaythai and karate. muaythai is superior… obviously superior. however, any karateka who train as thai boxers do are able to compare favorably. the difference is in the overall approach to training.

   boxing training is more physical and confrontational than karate. you will spend more time working at high effort levels (leading to increased fitness) and more time working against uncooperative opponents (leader to improved self defense).

   still, if you are considering either, you should try both. take an introductory class and a private lesson in each one. you will have a much clearer understanding of what you can expect from either one after that.

   then decide.

   thanks

6. BUSHIDO on July 21st, 2010 11:03 pm

   boxing 2 weapons-karate as many weapons as you know how to use.boxing is better for fitness karate is better for self defence.

7. aussierabbi on July 21st, 2010 11:03 pm

   KARATE

8. leeanneandwayne on July 21st, 2010 11:03 pm

   karate

9. Smiling Jack on July 21st, 2010 11:03 pm

   Boxing is better for fitness by a long shot. For self defense it is also great, if you’ve ever been hit by a boxer bare-knuckled you would know why. Pretty much 1 punch will dispatch an enemy. It is the king of stand up fighting and onl lacks ground game but a good boxer won’t get taken down. but for self defense all you really need to know is the 4 basic boxing punches, some Judo throws, a little wrestling, and some dirty fighting like headbutting, elbows, groin kicks and punches, eye gouging, ear slaps, throat punches, kidney punches, etc. A boxer can end a fight with 1 punch, but getting hit in the balls, headbutted or having your eyes gouged out is even worse.

10. g619shocker on July 21st, 2010 11:03 pm

    Boxing is better than fitness. Martial Arts are better than boxing. I take Martial arts and I feel I can defend myself.

11. Jojo on July 21st, 2010 11:03 pm

    fitness = stay in shape boxing = competition and karate =elf defense its what it is based off of

12. Jeep Driver on July 21st, 2010 11:03 pm

    I would say any Martial Art would be the way to go. They not only exercise your body but teach you discipline and self control as well. Boxing is very physical but in my opinion is not as rigorous as martial arts.

13. EJ on July 21st, 2010 11:03 pm

    for fitness boxing would be your best bet cause the training part is harder also it would work for self defense as long as u didnt get taken down. u need to learn a martial art like jujitsu if u want to have stand up and a ground game.

14. Ashkip on July 21st, 2010 11:03 pm

    short answer: karate.

    Boxing is a sport; they follow strict rules and guidelines for what they can and cannot do in a fight.
    Karate is a martial art, developed to be effective in battle and self defense. It will teach you many moves that boxing will not, including:
    kicks
    grappling
    lethal techniques
    weapons

    it’s also a better full body workout.

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