Getting a child into martial arts

[Jimmy]

Firstly, my names Jimmy - I do not currently study martial arts.

My son is 10 years of age and I wish to get him into martial arts. Unfortunately because I am very inexperienced in martial arts I do not know which is the best style to get him in. I have read a lot about the different styles and have some basic information on all of them.

Basically I want the martial art to be something that is enjoyable, keep him in very good shape (strength and fitness) and also be something which he can rely on in life to keep him safe.

Any help you can give would be very useful to me. I live in a large city so I think almost any style is open here as there are many clubs around these parts.

[Medway Tai Chi Society]

More important than style will be the atmosphere of each club.

Take your son to a couple of different classes, and let him decide which he likes the most.

Also, forgive me, but is your son interested in martial arts? In your opening lines, you say "I want to get him into martial arts", not "he wants to get into martial arts". Is this an activity that your son is interested in, or is it something that you want to make him do?

If that latter, if he doens't enjoy it, he is unlikely to get much out of the training.

[Nigel]

The best thing you can do is go to a number of martial arts schools, at least 4 or 5 and get a feel for it.

Nobody can tell you which is the best style to go for and you can't even tell you son that.

Try a range of styles from different countries like

Japan - eg karate
Korea - eg taekwondo
China - gung fu
elesewhere - krav maga, silat, Jeet Kune Do etc

[Kevin Zhang]

Jimmy it depends what you want your kid to achieve and mainly how much he will enjoy it.

I would suggest not pushing him into martial arts but enticing him into it. Show him how good it can be with some movies etc.

[alijo123]

Show him how good it can be with some movies etc.

Nothing is better than this than Karate Kid. If this movie does not make your young one get into martial arts, nothing will.

Yes, the movie might be utter rubbish but young ones love it.

[Katy]

Alijo - i like the advice.
Especially with the new movie coming out this summer, it should be more of an enticement.

Apart from that, dont think karate is the be all and end all. Think about Wing Chun, Jitsu, Krav Maga, Judo... all these are great martial arts for your kid.

[Chaleira]

Hey Jimmy, I'm just wondering if there are any updates! Did you get your son into it? If so, what style? If so does he like it? It would be interesting to know!