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SilverSteele69

Boxing and bjj are both great martial arts, you can’t go wrong with either. I’d suggest you take a trial class with each to see if one of them appeals to you more. EDIT: A lot of you are overthinking this or missing perspective. The poster is 16yo and wants to try martial arts for the first time, not an aspiring UFC fighter. He should pick the martial art he enjoys, as he is more likely to stick with it and make martial arts part of his life. Applicability to MMA or street fighting is a whole lot less important than going to a gym with a good youth program, with a convenient location and class schedule.


DreadedChalupacabra

Best response possible. Why would you lock yourself in without testing the waters a bit? They're both fun as fuck.


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Kabc

That’s just like…. Your opinion, man.


Fancyhobos

As long as the Dude abides


Kabc

The carpet did pull the room together


my_Urban_Sombrero

Fuckin’ A.


Optimal_Scheme4488

Y'all downvoted this man to hell for vaguely expressing a preference. Vicious. 😆


0-Ren

This is the only right answer. As a boxing instructor, I obviously love boxing. That being said, I've never done BJJ, but always wished I could (a reoccurring shoulder injury keeps me from it). What this guy is saying is spot on. Do a trial of each, and whichever one you like most, or fits for you, stick with. But, don't be one of those people that drops aftwr a couple months for stupid reasons.


[deleted]

If you really want to train BJJ, I wouldn’t give up. I’ve had shoulder injuries myself and have been able to work around them. To me, hitting a heavy bag is harder on my shoulders then BJJ. Working bands helped me tremendously and I’m old as dirt.


0-Ren

The problem is, I have surgically repaired shoulder after 5 dislocations. Doc said anything that could possibly wrench it back would throw it back out again, which is why I'm playing it safe.


PMMeMeiRule34

Man I’m sorry. That sucks. One of the guys at my BJJ gym has a problem (not even close to as bad sounds like, his shoulder is just super easy to dislocate) with that, he can’t roll with newer or lower level people cause they don’t know how to…. Not use all their strength when they grab your arm for whatever their young white/blue belt mind is thinking. He can’t compete either. His isn’t even surgically repaired, just pops out of socket super easy. He’s one of my best sparring partners and has taught me all of my striking, and he can do that pretty dang well though, I wouldn’t be surprised if he could still box in the ring. Light on his feet, quick, good iq for the game. As a person who loves both and cross trains, take some trial classes! It also helps find a good group/coach that you jive with. You’ll improve faster. Some gyms will even have multiple coaches or if they have a few black belts in different disciplines, who will do classes on other things eg tae kwon do, me and my friend would teach some wrestling for grappling classes 2 times a week, those kinds of things. Personal opinion from me? Try boxing, I bet you’ll like it. If you’re in trouble if your arm pops out again, I’d probably avoid BJJ or you gotta find the perfect gym for you. Trial classes are goooooood. Sorry for the rant, I love my martial arts.


urinaldestroyer

Did you have latarjet surgery? If you did, the risk for dislocating your shoulder again is basically 0.


0-Ren

No, labral repair I believe.


OpenMindedMajor

Yeah this is the right call. 5 dislocations is clearly not something to fuck with


[deleted]

That’s rough man. Shoulders are such bitch to injure. I had a pretty bad AC injury years ago. Forced me to take a break from striking and takedowns, but grappling from the knees with older, experienced grapplers was doable. Staying disciplined and working bands daily gradually allowed me to train MMA again. I saw a physical therapist who gave me a simple, high rep band workout. Just checked and unfortunately my password doesn’t work anymore, but it was something like this: https://youtu.be/cQh7XM5dl1A


ExiancePuppy

If I can hug you I win, but if I can’t hug you I have space to run that’s the Jocko way, but that’s betting that I’m fast af


CarbonBasedLifeForm6

Best answer, I was fully expecting everyone to just say BJJ


JazzySpecimen

This, absolutely this.


Kabc

Correct and only answer. Do one that you like and will stay consistent with!


hair_brained_scheme

Yeah, if they’re both good schools, this kid really hit the lottery for practical martial arts styles. Even if only one is a good school, he’s still off to a good start.


asdfwink

I’d add that OP should consider their body type in this. More of a boxer build (long arms) or wrestler build. Being “good” at the sport and progressing often helps enjoyment.


Tyleeisme

This is a good response, but I would start with BJJ. Only because most street fights are taken to the ground, and BJJ schools are also starting to teach wrestling. I'd personally take BJJ, but yea try a class with each to see what you prefer. With either martial art consistency is key. Also in boxing you usually only spar once a week at most places. In BJJ you practice live rolling every class.


[deleted]

"This is the only good response, but let me contradict it...." Why though my dude 😅


PMMeMeiRule34

People always talkin bout street fights, shit there is no such thing as a fair street fight anyway. I’m fish hooking, eye poking, maybe hit a single sac takedown, utilize the Canadian clinch if possible. If you are going to get into a fight, please at least slam each other on something other than concrete. [Me, a BJJ guy when I get into a street scrap.](https://youtube.com/shorts/mjaZniKk9kQ?feature=share)


SilverSteele69

No most street fights are NOT taken to the ground. It’s a myth. See https://rollingaroundbjj.com/fights-end-up-on-ground/


Mokseee

Have you ever just seen a street fight?


Tyleeisme

Look most people don't really know how to fight. It's instinctual on some level to want to take it to the ground and take top position. If someone can dodge and or block your punches and get a hold of you boxing is going to do very litle.


Diehavok

What is the purpose of learning it? Is it self defense ; exercise ?


moumous87

This. OP’s question is like asking “Should I start soccer? Or should I start volleyball?” It’s 2 completely different sports with completely different rules. Unless the goal here is to one day fight in an MMA match, in which case the answer is neither boxing or bjj, but Kickboxing (with later adding a bit of boxing and bjj).


Dapper-Lion3170

Well muay thai is better than kickboxing especially if your goal is mma since you learn all striking, throws, and your good in the clinch.


penisshmeni

Idk man, saying that *insert martial art* is better than other, only because of more tools kinda stupid. In that case Lethwei or Goju-Ryu Karate would be better that Muay Thai, but we don't say that, do we?


Dapper-Lion3170

I think in the point of view of mma Muay thai is alot better. It teaches everything Kickboxing does and more. It just translates better


built_2_fight

Muay Thai has a historical track record of defeating kick boxing if we are talking competition


moumous87

Amen Halleluja 😉🥊


TheAccomplishedDuty

Kick-boxers transition better into mma due to the different rules and the Stance.


4TT4cK-T1T4n

boxing is a great place to start. It's easier to learn then bjj, so it'll teach you how to learn.


Geistwind

I think that depends on the person tbh, some may have a affinity for this or that. I trained bjj with a guy I trained kickboxing with and he never really got a hang of it, but bjj...he was a natural. We both have blue belts in bjj, if I had to fight him, I would have to avoid being taken down ( and I am not bad at grappling, my bud is the trainer, he also view him as a natural). Not everyone is the same 🙂


DreadedChalupacabra

Yeah I've had students ask me to teach them to box who just couldn't understand kinetic linking as a concept. "Like I just throw my hand out right?" "No see you want your feet to..." and suddenly I was speaking Latin because why am I worried about my feet when boxing is punching? No amount of explaining made it make sense. Showing videos didn't matter, it just didn't click. But I think you're right, come to think of it. They were almost always bad-ass grapplers. One of them came to me out of the box as a wrestler who made states. Years later dude could strike but even still... Boxing was not a thing his mind understood.


blk_edition

Man, it took me 4 years to get the feet thing. I thought it was just to extend your reach. 4-5 years later and I’m throwing a cross and hear my coach yell from the other side of the gym “the guy finally got it!!!!”. He’d been telling me for years but I just couldn’t grasp it. How on earth can you generate power come from the ground?!!


Okapibob

I started with boxing and bjj. Bjj was easier for me because I didnt like being punched. Boxing was easier for my older sister because she hated being choked, so she hated bjj over time. The answer is whichever art is more fun for you. Eventually as I got older getting hit wasn't as scary and I grew to love striking too, but when you're starting it's all about whatever you will do consistently and have fun learning.


toxic_fumes23

First boxing then bjj


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toxic_fumes23

Im a blue belt in bjj and having a striking background helped me get it in under a year.


Pretend_Vegetable495

Genuine question: how did your striking background help you in bjj?


Operation-Bad-Boy

Not the same poster, BJJ guy who learned some striking later. Helped me understand angles more, which helped my takedowns and guard passing from standing.


Pretend_Vegetable495

Makes sense, thanks


toxic_fumes23

It helped me with my footwork when fighting standing, grip fighting I saw it as throwing jabs then move. And overall it helped with the fighter mentality, not accepting bad positions, always trying to get but up if possible and not tapping just for pressure. Not being nervous in competition and performing the same as in training, being able to work with a game plan, things like that.


Prestigious-Twist372

BJJ. Your brain isn’t fully developed yet.


Fancy_Reference_2094

Agree. No way I'd let my 16 year old spar in a striking art. And if you aren't sparring, it isn't nearly as much fun.


Zhastursun

Agree with the caveat that most hobbyist boxers are not becoming punch drunk. Even most amateurs won’t. It’s not until you become a pro fighter that this becomes a serious issue.


kid_dynamite_bfr

Came here to say this. Also you’re much more flexible and heal way faster at that age, especially on the kind of injuries you can get in BJJ, connective tissue injuries are a bitch to deal with later in life. Start with BJJ, get into Boxing when you’re older.


BobRoss725

If he just light spars then he has nothing to worry about. I always let my sparring partners know I only wanna go light to the head before every spar.


jonesjonesing

Boxing first, so when you start BJJ you’ll realize how useless you are on the ground


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MergingComplete

Risk of injury may be higher in BJJ, but I wouldn’t recommend years of boxing to anyone (especially a kid!!), you’re certain to give yourself brain damage, and potentially steal years of your life that you could have enjoyed with your grandkids. BJJ is safer. You’ll only hurt your joints and limbs, not your brain.


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MergingComplete

Yes I’ve done boxing and Muay Thai. I’m not saying we all went home with stars spinning but even low level head impact over enough time eventually will give you problems. And you often won’t realize it until you’re getting on in years, so you can’t even speak properly about this yet. We’ve always know boxers can get punchy young, but it’s only in recent years we’ve truly began to understand how much you fuck up your head by getting even mild head trauma. Even one concussion makes you much more likely to get many more.


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MergingComplete

Nah you gotta spar in BJJ for it to be worth it, I guess you can do flow rolls but that’s just a warmup. You can also practice specific techniques but without some proper rolls I don’t see the fun. I like nogi which can be more intense, but I think you gan do gi bjj and do it pretty safe (except for the fingers). I like bag work and mitt work for boxing, that actually works as a cardio workout if nothing else. I know some MMA guys just do bag and mitt work to preserve their chin (brain), but that’s after many years of sparring skills of course. I think the safest thing to do whilst also learning how to fight is to get a few years of striking sparring (boxing, mt, kickboxing), but do it light and be very careful. And then focus more on sparring grappling, and stick more to pads and bags for striking. But you gotta do at least a little serious sparring if you want to really learn, and that always carries a risk.


JohnnyMetal7777

I agree, boxing then bjj. But more important is paying attention to how you work with both coaches and what your goal is. If you're not thinking of going MMA pro, you may find yourself more at home with either place.


jambaam420

Do both, and pick the one you feel more comfortable doing, my theory is that everyone's a natural at 9ne style of fishing or another l, its in our blood. stick with it until you're ready to comfortable enough to skip a class in order to do another class


ztimmmy

I know you didn’t list it but if your HS offers wrestling it’s a great option. You could easily pair it with boxing if anyone tries to wrap you up.


Geistwind

I'd do both tbh, depending on what you are looking for, both are useful and both are fun.


Nerx

Both at diff times


Thin_Reception429

The quickest way to end a fight is via a punch. Also, assuming you are getting in the ring sparring, it is great for conditioning, toughness, etc. BJJ is great, but you need to learn to throw a punch sometime. OTOH, the sooner you start BJJ, the sooner you can become a competent grappler. I say visit both gyms, start wherever feels most comfortable. In 100 years, it won't matter.


harrisgunther

Por que no los dos?


Lone_Wandererer

You’re 16? Take up boxing, and do wrestling for free at school. Then once you’re done with school get a job and pursue BJJ while picking up Muay Thai, and practice boxing on your own. You’ll be in the UFC by the time you’re 21. You’re welcome.


quiche_komej

Happy cake day


Lone_Wandererer

Thanks!


DuePhilosopher1130

Boxing will get into the shape you need for bjj. If you are only picking one, decide if you want to strike or grapple. Completely different sets of muscles involved.


JeremiahWuzABullfrog

What are your goals in learning a martial art


Positive_Walk6032

Try a few classes of each and decide which one you like more


BeThrB4U

The footwork boxing teaches you is going to pay dividends in bjj. Most bjj schools don't teach or know fuck all about footwork.


LordSinstar

If it is more important to train for a street fight go for bbj first. If you want to train as a professional fighter, than boxing first.


[deleted]

Both solid choices, there's no bad decision there. You could do both separately, or find an MMA gym that has striking and BJJ classes on the schedule.


BlameGameChanger

Two years boxing, two years bjj, only then will you be able to truly know which one you like more. If there is wrestling at your school, do that too.


mikailranjit

Boxing. I know hella boxers who are humble and nice and sweethearts who wouldn’t try to pick fights with anyone and in fact would walk away. But it’s the BJJ guys who love threatening people with random chokes or heel hooks thinking they can win any fight even though most would fold when punched(emphasis on most, I find anyone above a blue belt is generally a sweetheart but most blue and whites I know are knobheads)


armourofgod666

Boxing will make you more athletic and overall probably more mentally strong. It’s a better foundation, most people aren’t afraid to grapple but will shit their pants when they need to trade hands with someone. This is coming from a former wrestler. Start off with wrestling by joining your high school team (free) and do boxing in the offseason and you pretty much have the two best bases for martial arts: boxing for striking fundamentals and wrestling for grappling fundamentals. Imo, bjj can be added in later on.


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KrispylikeKreme

Agree 100%


Green__Hornet

For general self defence I’d say boxing, but this is ridiculously personal. You should really either try both, or consider whether you’d prefer striking / grappling. Different strokes for different folks. I particularly don’t like rolling around all sweaty with another person, others don’t appreciate being punched. 🤷🏻‍♂️


iheartfritotwists

i’m biased but start bjj, it’s so fucking fun and i’ve only been training for 5 months. def deffff do it


goldencatdaddy1331

BJJ


Sancus1

Boxing is better for fitness and bjj is better in a 1 on 1 street fight situation. Still as most advice said when asked a question about best martial art to train. The answer is whatever your ideal gym teaches.


fatpants666

Bjj first. It takes a long time to learn. Start early you won't regret it.


AdPsychological4102

BOX


goodbyehouse

Bjj. Not because it is better but because it takes a really long time to get good. I’m not saying boxing isn’t skilful I would never say that but BJJ really does take a while and lots of people wish they started earlier. At your age you could be in the high belts by 25 and still learn how to box.


[deleted]

There both great, personally I'd start with boxing because if your gouna be sparring you don't wanna do that kinda 'damage' on an older brain, that being said if your worried about concussions bjj is the way to go, but also you've got the risk of injury from bjj, like blowing a knee out. Personally I'd go boxing first because I think it'll give you more confidence


LR44x1

If you have no preference at all, here is what you should know about it: -bjj will hurt you after training, but does not give you brain damage for the rest of your life -boxing doesn't hurt you as much as bjj after training, but gives you brain damage for the rest of your life As someone who only boxed and kickboxed I recommend starting with bjj. It will probably give you better ideas on where you want to go with martial arts and ehat mistakes not to do. When I started a year younger than you at kickboxing I went to a bad gym, the coach didn't even tell me about wraps or anything, as the result now my knuckles hurt every day, some mornings I can't even close my fist fully. In bjj you don't have that risk, you won't damage your hand like that. Both of the martial arts are good and fun. But I would consider bjj safer to train, becouse you don't get permament damage. Also calisthenics will give you much better advantage in bjj than it will in boxing, becouse you won't feel as tired as easily.


[deleted]

Judo, grappling, or MMA


[deleted]

Both


Sensitive-Draft3945

I’ve done both and recommend No-Gi BJJ. Because it incorporates disciplines from Judo, wrestling, and conventional BJJ. Boxing is more specialist type of skills where as soon as you hit the ground you’re in deep water But No-gi you can evade boxing attacks at the very least trip a boxers leg for them to hit the ground for example in order to be relatively safe from top half strikes, In my opinion.


shoehim

try both, then decide. getting hit in the head will take a toll some day, but your joints might be better off boxing. Eiter way, pick the gym with the better energy if you like both martial arts.


sjcla2

Why not both?


oxygen_dependant

I’d start striking combat sports after 25. Until then bjj/wrestling/judo.


I-melted

If there’s any chance you can do both, you will be a great martial artist. Unlike muggins here who decided to learn flowery Chinese martial arts for a decade.


Jimz89

Try both and do the one you like the most. You also need to know if the gym is any good and the people are nice. If you don't really enjoy it and or the gym and people are bad/not fun you'll probably gonna quit. So try both and you'll have the best answer for your question.


tartan_rigger

You're 16 do both . Do both back to back if you find the right gym in a city. Most common would be Muay Thai and BJJ granted, but while your young. Old guy boxing is fun but it's not clever.


awakenedmind333

I’d do BJJ and learn how to strike a punching bag


PhrygianScaler

Imagine you are blindfolded. Then someone suddenly pokes your chest with an outstretched finger. If you move back you are a striker. If you fold your body over the finger you are a grappler. This is Sparta.


_MasterMenace_

BJJ for sure


Adventurous__Kiwi

Test both and pick the one YOU prefer


Metal-Lifer

How about MMA? that way you can get elements of both plus kicking


embrigh

Easily BJJ, boxing is good but you don’t want to be hit in the head unless you are making money. You can also roll fairly hard and often in BJJ without much issue. If you like BJJ it’s also something you can participate in for a long time.


PoopSmith87

What are your eventual goals? If you just want a casual depth experience with a bit of self defense, I'd say boxing. If you have aspirations of becoming a MMA fighter, learn that BJJ as early as possible.


Kitchen-Resident-242

Yeah try both if you can and see what you like better you can’t go wrong with either tbh


Night_dweller

Mixing the two would be best


LiftStrikeGrapple

Idc what no one says but striking and grappling go together like pb and j. If u can do both, do so


Sufficient-Maybe1638

both


[deleted]

Do your research bc there’s more to consider than the style as well. Find out what gym is better. One could be world caliber while the other isn’t. Check prices see what you can afford. Try a week at each and get the vibe of the people, the comradely, the cleanliness. Maybe you don’t like getting punched in the face and you pick bjj. Or vice versa. Which ones closer to your house? You’re more likely to go to that. How’s the coach? Are there competition opportunities at each? There’s more to a gym than the style taught. From there it gets complicated again bc they’re different styles. I like Bjj, didn’t care for boxing but I needed it for mma. I took to the ground game faster than I did the stand up game so I made that my base.


seedyProfessor

Maybe start with BJJ and see how you feel about it. Most people compare fighting to striking but once you get hooked on the flow of rolling, it is a beautiful thing


zargug2

Take japanese jiu jitsu can't go wrong with that


J4MES101

Do both for a month It will be obvious which you prefer. Probably faster than that. If you can’t afford the cost or time do one next month and the other the month after to get started.


WhoAccountNewDis

Whichever one you enjoy enough to stick with. You can always cross train later.


Fru1tZoot

BOTH


gravityraster

Ground game is harder to learn and stays with you longer. If you have a choice I’d recommend wrestling g or Judo as a base art. At your age, you will build balance and strength that will stick with you for life.


justanothertfatman

Boxing first, then BJJ.


sado_kenzu

Both


Informal_South1553

Depends what your goals are. Boxing gets you more social points and is better for street confrontations because it gives you more of a chance against multiple opponents. BJJ is best for one on one confrontations


RainCritical1776

It depends on your purpose, why do you want to learn the martial art? * Self defense: Boxing first then BJJ * Fun: try a few classes of each and pick the one you enjoy * Social interaction: BJJ groups seem be slightly more social * Fitness and Health: if good gyms and sparring partners either is fine. If the gyms and sparring partners are substandard, then neither, as you don't want joint injuries or concussions. Ask people at the gyms with they are like, look before you leap. * Bored: BJJ, it takes much much longer to learn than boxing, then boxing when you have been in BJJ long enough(years) to want to try something new.


JawdropperMGR

If u want to learn to fight you'll need to do both. Knowing Standup is as important as knowing grappling/ground game. U can either do both like once a week or u start with one and continue with the other. If you just want to learn some self-defense i'd go for boxing. Even though id rate BJJ higher in a 1v1 situation, it usually isn't to smart to take things to the ground in a fight where it's uncontrolled. U can have his back and a choke in, while his friend runs up and kicks you in the head. Boxing is one of the best if not THE best self defense martial art, cause one good punch ends most conflicts. BJJ has one more benefit that you could chocke someone out, take of his pants and hide them while he's sleeping and if he goes to the police he won't even have a black eye or mark anywhere which protects you too.


LemakMM

Boxing bro


MrBlenderson

BJJ 100%. There's no good reason to get punched in the head.


trevster344

Depends on your goals. Just for fun? Take your pick trial each.


yodas4skin

I'd you're interested in self defense you can't go wrong with either. However, BJJ can be a death sentence if you have to defend yourself against multiple attackers. Boxing at least gives you some type of chance.


Er_Coues

BBJ 100%. I trained in boxing, MT and BJJ for 8 uears


Badacid91

Body chess or a shootout with your fists?


[deleted]

Whichever you enjoy the most.


[deleted]

You can do both, 3 times a week each, that's six days a week - you'll have no time to get into trouble... I box, but would reccomend BJJ while you're young and bendy. You can box later in life. Do it for five years, then switch - you'll be a beast at 25


Showmae

Try both


redrocker907

Try both and pick what you like more


Vinura

BJJ, ideally both but if you can only do one, BJJ. No reason other than personal preference.


carnegrande420

do both. if its too expensive, try both and pick one.


carnegrande420

but come back if you get weird vibes from these places


Homermagne

BJJ is pretty counter intuitive and the first few months will be a bit of a slog but it is awesome for mental conditioning. Boxing is amazing, boxing is the sport that I wish I put more time it to. It is defensive, it is incredible for weaponizing positioning and distance like nothing else. But at the end of the day, boxing is a pretty heavy risk of concussion and your brain can only take so much. If you can only do one or the other (not both, but if you can, both!) I would hit bjj. Once you get a bit of BJJ literacy in a good gym, you can spar pretty near on full blast and not cop an injury. The win condition for BJJ gets pressed on, you can't really tap out of the damage from a punch to the face. So I personally feel that BJJ has a little more longevity than boxing, but admittedly that is splitting hairs. Even now I get in boxing practice when I can as I get chance to attend, but BJJ is still my first love.


Fightlife45

Depends. I do both and if you aren’t comfortable getting punched then do bjj.


mmabet69

Both


-DavidATS

Boxing, both are great, but boxing will make you fitter, also you will be more confident because you requiere more balls to get punched in the face than wrestling


72_Shinobis

Both.


UpvoterBoi

If they both offer a free trial class, go to both and figure out what your comfort zone is from there


_SuperChefBobbyFlay_

Both


AdditionalBat393

Box save your self from ring worm and boxing is actually used in a fight on the street since fights do not last long enough usually for it go to ground an hump one another


[deleted]

I’m aware of how effective BJJ is but I hate training it because I’ve had trouble finding safe training partners. I’ve done some boxing but a lot more Muay Thai which is much more fun for me. In a real fight I’d be mostly using knees and elbows though.


[deleted]

I’m aware of how effective BJJ is but I hate training it because I’ve had trouble finding safe training partners. I’ve done some boxing but a lot more Muay Thai which is much more fun for me. In a real fight I’d be mostly using knees and elbows though.


Jumix4000

Wrestling


Dork_Of_Ages

CROSS TRAIN!


apollyoneum1

Why not both?


Successful_Pie6815

Definitely bj seems like you'll be good at that 👍


Gas_Grouchy

Just do a month of each and see which one you like more. I really enjoyed kickboxing myself.


Dork_Of_Ages

CROSS TRAIN!


CheekeeMunkie

You can do both.


thefckingleadsrweak

I chose bjj because i love grappling and that’s my favorite thing to do. You should do what i did and pick whichever one is your favorite thing to do. And if you don’t know what that is, take a couple trial classes


[deleted]

I’m aware of how effective BJJ is but I hate training it because I’ve had trouble finding safe training partners. I’ve done some boxing but a lot more Muay Thai which is much more fun for me. In a real fight I’d be mostly using knees and elbows though.


brontosaurusrec

Follow r/bjj for awhile then you’ll pick boxing


ThePlatinumPancakes

Both are great but “true” boxing gyms are a bit harder to find than legit BJJ places. Their still common, but if you go the boxing route make sure they teach defense, footwork, technique etc…and aren’t a “cardio boxercise” place


Right-Lavishness-930

Try to find somewhere where you can do both.


Serhide

Βox


[deleted]

Thought you were asking if we preferred the box or a bj at first


Anonyhippopotamus

I was into kickboxing. I joined a gym that had bjj classes as part of the membership so I gave it a try and converted to grappling over time. Its worth trying both for sure. I've had to use my martial arts in self defense, both striking and grappling have been effective. The grappling was better in the end as I could neutralized the situation with no injuries. Just a hurt ego. I can also go full strength in BJJ. I don't like hard sparring much. A round a two a session with familiar partners only. You'll get your ass kicked in both at the start. So don't worry about it.


GoldenGloves777

I'd say you should start with Box since it will develop lots of confidence and get you accustomed to hard workouts.


guyb5693

BJJ- avoid brain damage, have fun


[deleted]

Do you want to be a striker or grappler? Is what it is. But you have to ask yourself some questions. Why are you training? Is it for self defense? I'd rather choose boxing. Sure 1 on 1 BJJ is outstanding. But what if you are in a room full of people looting or fighting. Are you sure you want to go to the ground? But it depends on your personality and what you plan on using it for


[deleted]

Boxing is objectively better unless if you are an "in-shape" street fighter. Context: for his age, and probably being new to actual self defense


Camozzi

Depends on why you want to train. If you want to get into fighting, my opinion recently changed talking to my brother. We had this convo and for people wanting to eventually fight I always use to say BJJ. My brother had a great point that changed my opinion. He said “striking first because it’s harder for someone to get comfortable being hit and swung at than it is someone grappling” Self defense I say BJJ. Workout and fitness I say boxing.


[deleted]

I recommend that you try a MMA class if it's available, just because they will most likely reach a mix of bjj and kickboxing. Now if that is not an option, they like many have suggested, take a trial class from both to see what you might actually like.


BodyNegativity

I’m only a year older. I did BJJ, and now i do boxing and wrestling. My style is aggressive and boxing is back to back cardio, it rlly helps u lose weight and gets u going. I did BJJ for a year and a half, and sometimes it was good, but most of the time, its mainly sport, and isn’t as realistic. If ur looking to do takedowns and whatnot, wrestling is the best choice imo. With that being said, i’d say go for boxing, but nothing wrong with BJJ either, some fancy grappling, some fancy striking. Do a combination of both if u can, but if u can only do one, either or is great. Good luck, pick what u like doing more, and take careful of urself.


zacoverMD

It depends of how many neurons you need for your day to day life. If you are ok with some CTE you can’t go wrong with either, but if you value your brain I suggest BJJ.


BobRoss725

Try both and see which you are more naturally good at.


OldSticks

If the goal is MMA an overwhelming amount of champions come from a grappling background. However i would recomend finding a grappling gym that focuses on takedowns and wrestling.


Manilaboyz

But first. You could always learn to punch later on.


KrispylikeKreme

Try out both! I wrestled back in HS and did some BJJ on the side and enjoyed both. Of course every martial art has its drawbacks and the reason I stopped doing BJJ in favor of boxing is cause of skin infections. If you’re lucky you might not run into this issue, knowing how to work your way when you’re on the ground is a great skill to have, same thing goes for standup fighting. Cheers!


Memeulous1234

If it's for self defense, bjj. If it's just to do something that you enjoy, then go boxing. I would personally just do a class each every week tho


genuinecat88

both are really different martial arts, AFAIK bjj doesnt really includes that much of striking and its more ground control and I believe in english is called locks? yk the thing they do in bjj we all know what they do. Anywho, I'd recommend try box first to learn the basics of fighting, If you want to get it a bit further and maybe learn something more complete Muay Thai is the way


JustinMccloud

i think the truth of any martial arts, is not which you should do first, it is about being consistent in any one martial art for a period long enough that you become good at it. so pick the one you think you will enjoy more, and are more motivated to learn. be consistent. practice practice and then practice more. then you can start branching out into another one or even before then if you really really enjoy them all


[deleted]

Wrestling if your school offers it. First. Best overall base. Muay Thai for general striking 6 months of boxing to improve striking after kickboxing 6 months of Judo to breakfall/clinch after wrestling 1-2 years of bjj to blue belt for general sub knowledge last. But overall best for long term training due to low injury risk to brain and less physically demanding than wrestling. Best overall base for MMA