Guide

Which martial art should I try?

BJJ, MMA, Muay Thai, kickboxing and boxing compared: what you do, how much contact there is, what it costs and where to try a free class.

The five styles compared

Martial artWhat you doContactTypical monthly priceGyms with a free trialGyms with kids' classes
BJJGrappling: takedowns, holds, joint locks and chokesClose contact, no punches or kicks£65207 of 356294
BoxingPunches only, with footwork and defenceStriking; fitness classes often have no sparring£6093 of 360272
KickboxingPunches and kicksStriking; many clubs train light contact£55172 of 342297
Muay ThaiPunches, kicks, elbows, knees and the clinchStriking, including grappling while standing£6596 of 257205
MMAStriking, wrestling and ground fighting togetherStriking and grappling£6596 of 225195

Typical price is the middle of the adult monthly prices published by the gyms we list for that style. Counts are UK gyms we've checked against their own websites.

Choose by what you want

  • A hard workout: boxing, kickboxing and Muay Thai classes are built on pad and bag work.
  • No punches or kicks: BJJ is grappling only.
  • Self-defence: styles with live sparring, such as boxing, Muay Thai, BJJ and MMA, let you practise against a resisting partner.
  • A bit of everything: MMA combines striking and grappling. Read What is MMA?
  • To compete: all five have amateur competitions in the UK. Ask a gym whether it has a competition team.
  • For a child: see kids' classes by city for ages and prices.

Try before you choose

Many gyms offer a free first class. Try two styles, watch how the coach treats beginners, and ask about contracts and joining fees before you sign up.

Choosing a martial art: common questions

What is the best martial art for beginners?

The one you will keep going to. All five styles here have beginners’ classes. Pick by what you want from it (fitness, self-defence, competing or learning a skill) and try a free class before you sign up.

Which martial art is best for self-defence?

There is no single answer. Styles where you spar against a resisting partner, such as boxing, Muay Thai, BJJ and MMA, let you practise under pressure. A good self-defence class also covers avoiding and escaping trouble.

Which martial art is cheapest?

Among the gyms we list that publish prices, Kickboxing is the cheapest in the middle of the range at about £55 a month, and BJJ, Muay Thai and MMA the dearest at about £65. Prices vary more between gyms than between styles.

Find a gym near you