16 Best Martial Arts for Weight Loss

The 16 best martial arts for weight loss are great for exercise whether or not they’re practical in a fight. It’s good exercise at least.

Muay Thai

Originating from Thailand and also known as dirty boxing, this is one of the best martial arts for weight loss. Not only that, but it’s incredibly effective in a fight.

Taekwondo

It’s been surmised that this isn’t one of the best martial arts in a regular fight. But the reality is that no martial art is best if one doesn’t know what they’re doing. But if you’ve ever sparred in this art, then you know it promotes weight loss.

Tai Chi

As a fighting style, no, it’s not at all practical. But as far as weight loss it is useful if one sticks with it, though weight loss will be gradual.

Kickboxing

Despite being a hybrid form, this style is known for working people fiercely and effectively. The standard workout for kickboxing is enough to get a lot of people into shape.

Karate

While it’s not as energetic as other styles, karate will manage to promote weight loss and is one of the best martial arts forms to build strength. It’s still debatable as to how practical it is.

Kung Fu

While it’s a style that looks good and is very popular thanks to Hollywood, it’s not that practical. But it does provide one hell of a good workout.

Aikido

This kind of proves that any martial art can provide a great workout. Unfortunately, this style is one of the best martial arts for looking cool without doing anything realistic.

Judo

Grappling with another person, especially someone who is of higher or similar skill, is a great workout. It keeps a newbie, or a moderately-skilled person on their toes and forces them to learn on the fly.

Kendo

While it’s not entirely practical in real life, it does provide a way to stay active. Of course, you’ll likely find that it’s like going to the gym, it’s best when enjoyed in a controlled fashion.

Krav Maga

A lot of people swear this is one of the best martial arts ever, and it’s hard to argue with. The brutality of it is effective, and the workouts are enough to break weaker individuals.

Wing Chun

The movies make this martial art look a lot more impressive than it really is. In terms of losing weight, it can help without a doubt.

Jeet Kun Do

The best way this style helps is to keep a person on their toes and shift gears every so often since it’s a combination of other styles. Is it effective? That’s hard to say for certain.

Hapkido

Another Korean martial art, this style is more about joint locks and throws. Honestly, that part alone is enough to shed a few pounds since trying to grapple with another person is tough.

Capoeira

Just to master the Ginga is hard enough for some people and helps to shed weight. But if you get into the more complicated movements, weight loss is absolutely necessary to make it all come together.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

A little different from the Japanese style, BJJ focuses heavily on submissions and grappling. Some might think it’s a little more aggressive though.

Jiu-Jitsu

Much like BJJ, this style is all about grappling and finding ways to submit your opponent. The sparring sessions are enough to shed the pounds if one is capable of hanging in there.