🥋 What Types of Martial Arts Are Out There? Let’s Break It Down Simply
One of the most common questions people ask when starting their search is, “What types of martial arts are out there?”
And that’s a great question—because martial arts is a massive category.
In fact, it’s so broad that trying to compare everything at once can get confusing fast. The key is understanding how martial arts is organized and what each general category focuses on.
Martial Arts Is a Big Umbrella
At its core, martial arts includes any structured form of combat or combat sport. That means it goes well beyond what most people initially think of.
Martial arts can include:
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Karate
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Taekwondo
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Jiu-Jitsu
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Judo
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Boxing
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Wrestling
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Fencing
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And more
If it involves trained combat, defense, or competition, it typically falls somewhere under the martial arts umbrella.
That’s why narrowing your focus is important when choosing a program.
Striking Arts: Punches and Kicks
When most people picture martial arts, they’re thinking about striking-based systems—arts that emphasize punches, kicks, blocks, and movement.
Two major categories under that umbrella are:
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Taekwondo
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Karate
Taekwondo is often associated with dynamic kicks and athletic movement. Karate, which many programs teach, tends to emphasize a more balanced approach, using both hands and feet together.
Within karate itself, there are multiple styles and lineages, each with its own teaching approach. Even though schools may share the same style name, how they train students can vary quite a bit.
Ground-Based Arts: Grappling and Control
Another major category within martial arts focuses on the ground game—grappling, control, and leverage.
Examples include:
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Judo, which generally emphasizes takedowns and throws
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Jiu-Jitsu, which focuses on grappling, positioning, and control
These systems prioritize balance, leverage, and technique over raw strength. Some schools incorporate limited striking as well, depending on their training philosophy.
Again, even within the same discipline, no two schools are exactly alike.
Why Style Names Don’t Tell the Whole Story
One important thing to understand is that sharing a style name doesn’t guarantee the same experience.
Two martial arts schools might both teach karate, taekwondo, or jiu-jitsu—and still:
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Emphasize different skills
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Train at different paces
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Focus on different age groups or goals
That’s normal, and it’s not a bad thing. It simply means instruction and environment matter just as much as the category itself.
So How Do You Choose the Right One?
Instead of trying to decide based on names alone, focus on:
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What kind of experience you want
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How classes are structured
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Whether instruction is clear and supportive
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How the environment feels
The most reliable way to figure that out is simple: try a class.
Seeing instructors in action, watching students train, and experiencing the class yourself will tell you more than any description ever could.
The Big Picture
Martial arts isn’t one thing—it’s a wide collection of systems, styles, and approaches. Some focus on striking. Some focus on grappling. Some blend elements of both.
What matters most isn’t which category you choose—it’s finding a program where:
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Instruction is strong
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Training is structured
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Learning feels engaging
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Progress feels achievable
When those pieces are in place, martial arts becomes something you can grow with for years.
Families and adults exploring martial arts programs in Oak Creek, Racine, and Kenosha can experience firsthand how different styles and training environments feel—and decide what truly fits their goals.
Sometimes the best way to learn about martial arts isn’t by researching every option—it’s by stepping onto the mat and seeing what clicks. 🥋👊
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