[Submariner]

Hi Andrew,

I missed the whole kung fu debate, but perhaps my experience might help with your decision making process. I started martial arts when I was in the 3rd grade. I started with Judo, then moved on to Jujitsu. I received a black belt in both. The style of Jujitsu I learned was Wushu-ryu. My Judo style was Kodokan. My Judo instructor was the highest ranked Judoka outside of Japan, and I was offered training for the US Olympic team which I turned down in favor of college. Later, I took up Karate. My karate instructor was the highest ranked Karateka in the world, the founder and head of the International Karate Association, and the founder of the Gosoku-Ryu style. You've probably seen him in some movies as well which he likes to do for fun. In any case, that's my background against which you can measure my opinions below.

My personal belief is that you cannot compare martial arts disciplines in terms of combat effectiveness. Depending on your body, your opponent's body, the terrain, the number of opponents, any weapons present, your objective, etc... different arts will be prove to be effective in different situations. However, if I had to choose one for combat purposes, it would be Jujitsu. It incorporates strikes, grapples, nerve points, weapons, weapon defense, chokes, etc.

In terms of exercise, it really depends on your instructor. You can certainly get a good work out from any art depending on the teaching style. Jujitsu is probably the least strenuous of those with which I'm familiar as it tends to incorporate alot of mental learning as well as muscle memory. Karate can offer a good work out as well, mostly in the form of striking and lunging drills. However, I believe that Judo is one of the best forms of exercise. The drills are tough, but even tougher are the sparring matches. If your instructor is like mine and believes in a lot of sparring, then this option would be best in terms of a workout. I knew life-long jocks in college whom I introduced to Judo, and after one lesson, they were entirely spent with barely enough energy to walk; they'd tell me that it was the most intensive work-out they've ever experienced.

What style is best for you? Again, it depends on a number of factors. For me, it's probably Judo. While anyone can kick and punch, very few people know how to 1) fight in close quarters and 2) take a fall. 3) I don't like to hit people because it might cause long-term or permanent damage and you might also hurt yourself. 4) I have short legs which gives me a lower center of gravity, an advantage in Judo (you'll never see me in a tae kwon do class - HAHA), and 5) It doesnt matter how tough your opponent is ... you can't fight if you can't breathe.

Generally speaking, I prefer the Japanese arts over the Chinese. I find them to be more practical, more direct, less artistic, and more focused. This is just my perspective, not a definitive statement of one being better than the other. In fact, I firmly believe that bickering over styles is pointless. Kind of like digital cameras. You'll see people arguing heatedly and incessantly over which cameras are better. While some are certainly better than others, what matters more is the photographer. 99.9% of photographers will fail to reach the full potential of his camera. Same with martial arts. Unless you reach the highest level of expertise (a lifelong commitment) it really doesnt matter which style you choose as far as combat purposes go.

Hope this provides a useful perspective.

PS. Have you considered Kendo? I'm dying to learn. My mother was proficient with the sword, and she tells me that it also provides quite a work out. Also, you get to hit things (which you might enjoy), and you learn a true art (samurai swordsmanship).