The best martial arts any zero-experience beginner can learn for self-defence

It was during a walk home late at night that led Emily Mar to look up self-defence classes for women.

“My street had no lights and was eerily quiet, and my roommate also had his bike stolen, which made safety a bigger concern,” she says.

In the end, her search had no result, and the only thing she could do was carry around pepper spray and a safety alarm.

A fear for your safety is something no one should feel, but many do. For international students living abroad, their safety concerns are very much real. 

Studies show that crime rates against international students have been rising, with some cities reporting a 20% to 30% increase in incidents involving theft, assault, or harassment. A 2023 survey found that 75% of students worry about personal safety abroad. 

Adjusting to a new country comes with challenges, personal safety included. While most places are safe, it never hurts to be prepared, and learning the best martial arts for self-defence can provide an extra layer of security.

What is a martial art?

Martial arts are systems of training that teach self-defence, discipline, and physical control. They come from different parts of the world and are designed for various purposes, from combat to personal protection.

Unlike regular exercise, martial arts combine mental focus with physical techniques, making them useful in everyday life.

The goal isn’t just to fight — it’s to stay aware, de-escalate situations, and, if necessary, protect yourself.

Many martial arts emphasise technique over strength, meaning anyone can learn, regardless age, size or experience. The right self-defence training can boost confidence, improve reactions, and provide the skills to handle unexpected situations.

That said, the biggest misconception about martial arts is that it is about violence. Yes, it teaches you how to kick ass and how to defend yourself in real life, but that’s just the surface. 

“Through the practise of martial arts, we inherit confidence, mental strength, courage, tenacity, work ethic, humility, compassion, integrity, kindness, respect, honour, discipline, and much more,” says Chatri Sityodtong, a lifelong martial artist and CEO of ONE Championship, Asia’s largest global sports media property in history. 

In other words, learning self-defence is about expecting danger and having the confidence to handle situations if they arise.

Defining ‘easy’ martial arts

Mastering a form of martial art is never easy. It takes a huge investment of time, energy, and discipline just to move on to the next level.

However, certain types are not as rigorous as one would think. Some martial arts are considered accessible to beginners because of their simple techniques and training methods.

But what is considered easy varies from me to you, depending on your learning style, physical abilities, and preferences.

Time

Like all lessons, it takes time to truly master a specific fighting style. Some could take years, while others can be done in just a few months.

If you want to learn one quickly, boxing is your best bet.

A Reddit user who won a Toughman Contest, a way for amateur boxers to test themselves in the ring, only did it using six basic combinations they had learned.

Complexities

The complexities of a fighting technique also determine if it is easy to learn.

Fighting styles with fewer techniques tend to depend on the reaction of your opponent. Like judo or aikido, both emphasise using your opponent’s momentum against them.

These types of martial arts are also less physically demanding than those where you make the first move.

Accessibility

Each martial art shares a different level of accessibility. Compare taekwondo and silambam, for example.

In 2018, taekwondo was the most practised martial art in the US, with at least 3,500 taekwondo clubs and approximately seven million practitioners.

Meanwhile, silambam, a traditional Indian martial art that involves using a bamboo staff to perform strikes, blocks, and spins, has no such data.

Martial arts used by the world’s best combatants

The best combatants in the world are well-trained in tactical skills, weapons handling, physical fitness, and, of course, hand-to-hand combat.

While they are not required to learn a specific fighting style, they usually practise a combination called Close Quarters Combat (CQC). This style is very effective in close-range engagements, both in offensive and defensive situations.

US Navy SEALS

The US Navy SEALs learn Brazilian jiu-jitsu for ground fighting and submission techniques, with some judo skills for effective grappling, throws, and joint locks.

Muay Thai is taught for its powerful strikes and clinch techniques, while Krav Maga is emphasised for its real-world combat efficiency and adaptability.

They also learn boxing techniques, which improve striking power, footwork, and defensive manoeuvres.

Chinese military

Junshi Sanda is a military version of Sanda, a Chinese combat sport emphasising practical fighting techniques.

It was developed by Chinese Elite Forces based upon their study of traditional martial arts such as kung fu, shuai jiao, and Chin Na combined with modern hand-to-hand combat to create a realistic system of unarmed fighting style for the Chinese military.

UK Security Service (MI5)

MI5 security and field officers get a mixture of judo, jiu-jitsu, and some boxing or kickboxing to their CQC.

It mainly involves advanced restraining techniques, with the aim to prevent more than provoke.

10 martial arts for self-defence that are ideal for zero-experience beginners (with time taken to master included)

1. Taekwondo

If Japan has karate, Korea has taekwondo. Often compared together, taekwondo primarily uses kicking and punching to overcome an opponent.

While the basic movements of taekwondo can be considered relatively easy to learn for beginners, mastering the art and achieving high levels of proficiency requires significant dedication and practise.

Depending on your style, it usually takes two to three years to graduate to a black belt, but for beginners, you can be decent at taekwondo with just a couple of months of training.

2. Tai chi

Granted, tai chi is not a fighting style, but it is still a form of martial art. It is a Chinese practise of slow, gentle movements and breathing exercises that are commonly used for health promotion and rehabilitation.

Accessible to everyone of all ages, tai chi requires patience and practise to achieve smooth and fluid movements.

Think of it as a “wax on, wax off” approach to martial arts, where it seems useless on the surface, but actually, you are indirectly performing key fighting moves that can benefit you in a fight or flight situation. On average, it takes three to 12 months to learn tai chi.

3. Boxing

Boxing is one of the simplest and most effective self-defence martial arts. It teaches powerful punches, footwork, and head movement to avoid attacks.

With basic training, a person can develop solid self-defence skills in about three to six months. 

The focus is on striking with fists while maintaining balance and agility. Boxing also improves reflexes, stamina, and confidence.

Since it’s purely stand-up combat, it pairs well with other disciplines for a well-rounded defence strategy.

4. Krav Maga

Krav Maga is a no-nonsense self-defence system developed for the Israeli military. It’s designed for real-world threats, using instinctive movements and efficient strikes.

Unlike traditional martial arts, it focuses on quick, brutal attack responses. A person can develop basic skills in just three to six months.

Krav Maga uses elements from boxing, wrestling, and jiu-jitsu, making it highly practical. The training includes defences against weapons, multiple attackers, and everyday street scenarios, making it one of the best for self-protection.

5. Karate

Karate is a traditional martial art focusing on powerful strikes, blocks, and disciplined movement.

It teaches a mix of punches, kicks, and open-hand techniques for self-defence. Depending on the style, basic self-defence skills can be learned in six to 12 months.

Karate focuses on efficiency, teaching students to generate maximum power with minimal effort.

It also includes kata (pre-arranged movements) to develop muscle memory, ensuring that even after many years, you will still remember how to fight.

While some styles focus on sports competition, others prioritise practical self-defence techniques, making it a versatile choice for those looking to build confidence and self-protection skills.

6. Muay Thai

Muay Thai, known as the “Art of Eight Limbs,” uses punches, kicks, elbows, and knees, making it highly effective for real-life situations.

It takes about six months to a year to gain practical self-defence skills. 

Muay Thai teaches powerful striking and how to defend against attacks using clinching techniques.

It also conditions the body for endurance and strength. The training is straightforward, making it an excellent choice for beginners who want a striking-based martial art.

7. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)

BJJ focuses on grappling and ground fighting, teaching how to control and neutralise opponents using leverage and joint locks.

It’s great for smaller individuals facing larger attackers. While mastery takes years, basic self-defence skills can be learned in six to 12 months.

BJJ is especially useful for real-world encounters, where fights often end on the ground. The training emphasises technique over brute strength, making it ideal for self-defence in close-contact situations.

8. Wing Chun

Wing Chun is easy to learn as you are not generally trained for fitness or conditioning.

It is mostly understanding the concepts and principles of the martial art, like being aware of your body’s centre line and learning the different forms.

While the movements might seem simple, achieving proficiency requires consistent practise and training to refine the right technique and develop proper body mechanics.

You can expect to spend around six to 12 months learning the basics before you are ready to begin sparring.

9. Aikido

Aikido always becomes the butt of the joke when compared to other martial arts. No thanks to Steven Seagal, who shows zero respect for the craft.

On the contrary, aikido is one of the most complex forms of martial art, not for its technique but because it requires a deep understanding of body mechanics, proper timing, and a unique mindset that focuses on redirecting an attacker’s force rather than directly confronting it.

Achieving a high level of proficiency and attaining a black belt could take around four to five years, but basic techniques should not take more than a year to learn.

Although having minimal movements, one swift move can bring your opponent down, even dislocating some bones if you know where to attack.

10. Judo

Judo is a Japanese grappling-based martial art that involves throwing and pinning your opponent to the ground.

It was created to be a safer alternative to jujitsu, a similar martial art but more on the defensive side.

It takes a year or so to get good at judo, but if you want to reach the top of the competition, it will probably take you five years or more to master.