How do you know what combat sport to choose?

Spoiler alert: no combat sports are "better" than the others. All the disciplines attract many practitioners, since they meet different desires and help to reach a variety of goals.

For instance, judo will suit people who want to practise a combat sport with strong values that can be applied to "real" life, such as modesty, self control, or respect. On the other hand, if you're looking for a sport to tone your body and get out some energy, it'll make more sense to come into the ring for some boxing.

To find the combat sport for you, answering the following questions can help build a framework for what you're looking for:

- Want to do a combat sport with your fists, feet, or both (or rather, all four)?
- How much aggression do you want in your combat? And with what intensity?
- Do you want to be well protected or more free in all your movements?
- Do you want to include any weapons?

You know more or less what you're looking for, but are you a bit lost between all the different disciplines? Read our article that explains the main differences between combat sports, self-defence, and martial arts.

An excellent way to get a sense of a combat sport is to try it out. To do so, combat sports or martial arts clubs often offer free or reduced-price trial classes. Visit their website or give them a call if you don't find the information you're looking for!

It's a chance to discover a discipline without needing to make a commitment, which allows you to try out several before making a definitive choice. We also recommend taking several trial classes. Many disciplines seem difficult at first, especially if you've never done a combat sport before. But after a few sessions, you'll have a better grasp on your movements, and combat sports will become much more interesting.

So don't get discouraged if you have trouble after just one session, it's totally normal. Instead, focus on how you feel, both physically and mentally. And you'll see that patience and perseverance are the keys to success in this type of sport.

Boxing is a greatly-appreciated discipline for those starting out with combat sports. In boxing, it's all about speed and reading your opponent. You'll learn to develop reflexes that will help you make it through a fight.

It's also a great way to burn calories, unwind, and work on your endurance. Boxing also tones your muscles and sculpts your body, particularly through the conditioning exercises that are very important to practising the sport.

And if you're afraid of getting hit or getting hurt, start out with cardio boxing, which combines boxing and fitness!

Self-defence is a sport that combines several martial arts and which helps, among other things, to improve self-confidence. In self-defence, you'll learn to handle situations where you don't feel safe, both mentally (stress management) and physically (reaction to an assault).

In general, practitioners at self-defence clubs work in pairs on different scenarios to help develop reflexes to take out an aggressor as quickly as possible. You'll also learn the art of clearance to create avenues to escape.

Self-defence is an all-round discipline that is open to everyone and helps to confront the outside world with greater confidence.

Created over 130 years ago, judo is a Japanese martial art that is practised in a room called a "dojo". Its moral values, some of which come from bushido (the code of samurai moral principles), are much more important than the technique itself. This discipline is based on a physical, mental, and moral pedagogy: for example, respect and confidence play an essential role.

In judo, you learn to use your strength as well as that of your opponent to oppose them and protect yourself. Although the goal is certainly to get your opponent on their back, judo is above all a sport of self-control that requires rigour and patience... Which makes it just as good for the mind as it is for the body!

Martial arts are known for being rigorous, demanding sports. There are many disciplines, some of which are misunderstood! Strikes, grappling, weapons work, moderate or intense... we'll help you choose the martial art for you, based on your goals and desires.

If you spent time on the mat as a child, you may not have good memories of it. Though demanding, combat sports are nonetheless excellent disciplines to introduce to children.

Self-confidence, respect for others, concentration... So many benefits we'd love to pass on to our children! Check out articles to help you make the right choice: