Should I Learn Boxing or Jiu Jitsu?

Are you thinking about learning a form of martial arts? Boxing and Jiu Jitsu are two of the most popular forms of martial arts with thousands of people participating in them throughout the world. They are both incredibly valuable and take years to master. But which one should you learn? Here we’ll take a closer look at some of the pros and cons of each style to help you make a better decision.

Boxing

Boxing is a combat sport that’s performed strictly while standing up. Staying down on the match for too long will result in a point for your opponent, which is why it’s important to remain on your feet. If you want to learn how to box, you’ll need to get into the habit of performing some pretty amazing footwork to dance around your opponent. Without the right footwork, you’ll find yourself getting pinned up against the outside of the ring, which is extremely difficult to get out of.

It’s also important to note that boxing requires full strength throughout your entire body. If you aren’t willing to hit the gym every other day for an intense physical workout, you should probably skip boxing and look into some other form of martial arts. When punches are thrown in this sport, the boxer places all of their body weight into it; thus, giving them a greater amount of power. By hitting the weights at the gym, you’ll naturally build more muscle mass for throwing powerful punches in the ring.

Jiu Jitsu

On the other side of the fence is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. This is a entirely different combat sport with several unique differences that shouldn’t be overlooked. For starters, most Jiu Jitsu matches end up on the floor, while boxing is done standing up. Once a Jiu Jitsu competitor controls his or her opponent through a submission hold, they will bring them down to the floor. The competitor in the submission hold will then have to decide whether they want to try and get out of it, or if they simply want to tap out and give up a point.

Learning Brazilian Jiu Jitsu will certainly require a strong body, but not as much as boxing. Jiu Jitsu is more focused on technique rather than sheer strength. Of course, this is apparent if you’ve ever sat down and watched a professional Jiu Jitsu match. Some of the most skillful Jiu Jitsu competitors are pretty small in size, yet they are still able to perform some amazing techniques in the ring.

Ultimately, Jiu Jitsu and boxing are two completely different combat styles with their own characteristics. Before choosing one, ask yourself which style of fighting you prefer. Some people enjoy the rapid footwork and movement associated with boxing, while others enjoy on-the-floor grappling with Jiu Jitsu. Also, there’s nothing wrong with learning both styles of fighting, but you should focus on a single one at first.