Most physically demanding martial art?

[Chris]

Hello.

I'm new here and this is my first question. Martial arts is also something relatively new to me too. I'd just like to ask people what they think is the most physically demanding martial art?

Thank you.

[Medway Tai Chi Society]

I've had experience in 10 martial arts, and I'll say the most physically and mentally demanding I've ever had were in Tai Chi.

[wing chun]

All Martial Arts are Physically Demanding : YOU GET OUT WHAT YOU PUT IN.

[Alanwright]

I've had experience in 10 martial arts, and I'll say the most physically and mentally demanding I've ever had were in Tai Chi.

I'm not disagreeing with you but just want to ask that I thought Tai Chi was supposed to be relaxing? Whenever I watched people do it, they seem at ease and so relaxed?

ALAN

[Medway Tai Chi Society]

I'm not disagreeing with you but just want to ask that I thought Tai Chi was supposed to be relaxing? Whenever I watched people do it, they seem at ease and so relaxed?

ALAN

Tai Chi is a martial art - when practiced properly, it is incredibly intense; especially on the lower body, where you slowly transfer your full body weight from leg to leg in a 20 minute long form.

Good tai chi practice develops physical relaxation of the muscles, in that it reduces excess tension so the muscles use only the minimum strength necessary to perform a task. This is different from the "chill out" tai chi that is oh-so-common these days.

There are also so many vital points to be implementing in each second of practice that it is mentally exhausting also.

[Nigel]

that's right, don't be thinking Tai Chi is a relaxing martial arts, although it can help to make you relax, especially in the long term, actually carrying out the movements is incredibly strenous on your legs.

you try doing very slow movements where you are shifting your weight and you will see. any movement that is done slowly requires a lot of energy.

the question really depends on what you call physically demanding? if you mean cardio work out / level of fitness then i'd go with tae-kwon-do or karate.

or do you mean strenght, in that case maybe Brazilian Jitsu?

[Chris]

Cheers guys for all your responses. I didnt ever expect that Tai Chi was a physically demanding martial arts but I trust it is true because you said you have been involved in 10 martial arts before.

The answers I was really expecting were karate, tae-kwondo, muay thai to be honest, but then what do I know!

[Haruna Hamasaki]

You are right. Karate is challenging.

We need very high level of fitness to perform in this at a high level.

[Chaleira]

All Martial Arts are Physically Demanding : YOU GET OUT WHAT YOU PUT IN.

Agreed with this post! I also want to add that, every one has some level of physical ability, and ones person level of physical ability may not be what the next person's is. Karate may be Physically demanding to one person, yet cake to the next person...depending on where their level is. Same with every other style. As you continue to train, your body will adjust. Everyone starts out somewhere. You have to push yourself, and if you feel your not being challenged enough physically enough. Then push your self harder!!!!

Capoeira is pretty physically demanding in my opinion, but some people make it look so easy

[clouddragon]

This is the same with Tai Chi a skilled practitioner can make it appear so soft smooth and effortless, even in applications, however to attain this effortless power means years of intense training and hard work have been put in, you can't have the soft without the hard. With Tai Chi it is steel wrapped in cotton wool.