TKD vs. MT

[Br0prah Winfrey_]

Hello all,
Just posting because I figured there were probably a good bit of martial artists here.
I want to get into it, it's a hobby I've always wanted to start up. Since I'm a (soon to be) 20 year old beginner, which would be a better start, Tae Kwon Do or Muay Thai?

Even personal experience, opinions, etc would help.
Thanks!

[ladymuaythai]

When they say "We go hard," they mean, "WE GO HARD!!!" scream scream scream

[ladymuaythai]

A suggestion for you is to go with TKD first ... it will help with your form ... and get you used to strikes being thrown at you ... look into ITF TKD ... then once you're used to that move onto muay thai ...

[Br0prah Winfrey_]

Thank you for the reply, and great advice.
What is ITF tae kwon do?

[ladymuaythai]

ITF is the Interntional TKD Federation ... unlike the other federations (WTF [World TKD Federation], ATA [American TKD Association]) ... they favor full contact sparring over point sparring, punches to the head, and rudimentary grappling ... sure you may get some result from WTF or ATA ... but your best bet is ITF ...

Another suggestion ... whatever you choose ... supplement it with boxing ...it will help with your hands ...

[MemoryAnemone]

I would suggest taking Tae Kwon Do first because it helps build up your stamina quickly and it helps you coordinate your body and gets it used to fast movements.

WTF = World Taekwondo Federation
ITF = International Taekwondo Federation

Now whether you should take ITF or WTF Tae Kwon Do all depends on what you're looking at for a Martial Art. WTF is the sport type of TKD, the type you see in the olympics which is practiced with full gear and the matches are point based with lighter contact. ITF TKD is the type that's taught to military troops and organizations, showing you the full self-defense techniques and the matches are in full contact.

WTF Tae Kwon Do teaches you self-defense but not as intensely as ITF. I would suggest taking ITF only if you're gonna actually go out there and hurt some people rather than just your personal self-defense.. Like I said, ITF is the type usually taught to armies and if you just want something to protect yourself with then go with WTF.

I've been in the WTF branch because I like my martial arts more like a sport, and I know quite a lot of self-defense to protect myself.

[aikigirl123]

I would say that would depend on your purpose. If you want a bit of every thing, the Muy Thai, if you want mostly kicks and punches, TKD for sure.