Kung Fu Vs. Karate Vs. Tae Kwon Do

[EpicMasterpiece]

Hey everyone, I'm trying to narrow down the different styles available in my area to see which would suit me better on a general level before I got check out any schools.

Now my reasons for wanting to learn martial arts are for the discipline, the strength training, and the self defense aspect.

Now kung fu has always appealed to me and theres one school in my area that is highly respected. I always found Kung Fu interesting becaue of the spiritual aspect, the incredible discipline (especially those of the actual Shao Lin monks) and the flow of it all.

Now I've seen several videos of friendly challenges from Kung Fu schools to karate schools, and in most the karate student seems to come out the winner. Basically the kung fu student would set up an elaborate punch or something and the karate student would just strike before the kung fu student could make a hit.

Karate seems like a well rounded discipline keeping kicks and punches in good balance. Also I have a fairly large powerful build that seems would be more suitable to karate as opposed to the flexability that kung fu would require.

Tae Kwon Do would be my last choice, as I usually prefer to stay towards the Chinese and Japanese martial arts, and I know that Tae Kwon Do focuses alot of kicking.

Anyone have an opinion or advice?

[Shui Tora]

Kung Fu is good for, and like you said, the spiritual aspects of MA, as well as discipline... But it looks fairly fancy, and not that great for self-defence (that is my view)

Karate is good for balance, learning how to control your body's energy, understanding how your body works and with your build, it shows like a good style for you...

Tae Kwon Do, in the other hand; is good for those who are flexiable... I have tried it (my kicks are good for Karate, not for Tae Kwon Do) and I have to say, that it is for those with a strong balance and flexiable hips... With your build, i'd think you would have trouble there...

Hope that helps!

[cathal]

Sounds like you're leaning toward a Karate style, based on your first post and in this one.

[Menjo]

Kung Fu is good for, and like you said, the spiritual aspects of MA, as well as discipline... But it looks fairly fancy, and not that great for self-defence (that is my view)

Karate is good for balance, learning how to control your body's energy, understanding how your body works and with your build, it shows like a good style for you...

Tae Kwon Do, in the other hand; is good for those who are flexiable... I have tried it (my kicks are good for Karate, not for Tae Kwon Do) and I have to say, that it is for those with a strong balance and flexiable hips... With your build, i'd think you would have trouble there...

Hope that helps!

Actually, in my experiance. Shotokan Karate contains all of those things in other styles as well and yes...Including grappling! To me, Karate contains all of these aspects. Proper karate training to me isn't about focusing on a few aspects, its about above all prefection of ones self, naturally, everything in fighting will develop in the practitioner through rigorous training.

In my opinion, Karate is good for everything if properly trained, if not, the art loses credibility due to ignorance. This is why the instructor is so important.

I also don't think true kung fu is fancy in a real situation. I find so much now since martial arts are so popular, a martial art is judged off of tv, or worse, a couple lame videos on the internet.

In regards to your post about karate defeating kung fu alot, I have only seen 1 or MAYBE 2 authentic and knowledageble karateka on internet videos. I don't think internet videos are a good representation of true training, only the result of money, and are therefor a hinder to martial arts.

My suggestion: My opinion slides towards Karate, however I mainly suggest taking the art with the most traditional instructor.

Good luck.

[jaymac]

IMHO I think you should try taking a few classes in each style. Most schools offer a trial membership. It is hard for any of us to tell you what is right for you. Only you can answer that. I have a black belt rank in both Hun Gar Kung Fu and Shotokan, Karate. I prefer Karate (not Tae Kwon Do) to Kung Fu, but that is me. You will gain what you are looking for in any of those styles, it is just having to figure what style best fits you.

Good luck!

[luckorskill007]

^ i second that entirely.

[bushido_man96]

The prior posts all have good suggestions. Check them all out, and check out the instructors of each. A good instructor is just as important as the style that you get into. Also, check out their teaching philosophies and methods. All of these are just as important as the style.

[Ace2021]

Karate sounds like your best shot, IMO.

[legkicker]

I'd just like to say that Kung Fu is such a broad term and it's hard to categorize every style of Kung Fu together. Hung Gar, San shou, wushu taiji, etc.

[bushido_man96]

I'd just like to say that Kung Fu is such a broad term and it's hard to categorize every style of Kung Fu together. Hung Gar, San shou, wushu taiji, etc.

The same could be said for karate. Lots of variances there, too.