Yahoo Answers is shutting down on May 4th, 2021 (Eastern Time) and beginning April 20th, 2021 (Eastern Time) the Yahoo Answers website will be in read-only mode. There will be no changes to other Yahoo properties or services, or your Yahoo account. You can find more information about the Yahoo Answers shutdown and how to download your data on this help page.

lexiana asked in SportsMartial Arts · 10 years ago

Have you tried Tae Kwon Do or Karate? Which should I do?

I really want to do a martial art, and I'd decided on Tae Kwon Do when a friend said that he'd done it before, and it hadn't been great. He reckoned Karate would be better.

Thoughts? Especially about Tae Kwon Do?

Thank you! :)

lx

14 Answers

Relevance
  • 10 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    I teach both Karate and Taekwondo. The styles are similar to each other while doing basic techniques however, they differ in philosophy as Karate uses the hand more than the foot and Taekwondo uses the foot more than the hands. Everyone that teaches, is not a good teacher! Every student is not a good student either! So, you should decide which one to study,not because your friend liked or disliked their time in training. I enjoy both martial arts because I like to use my hands and also my feet. I lean toward Taekwondo because not everyone can use their feet on the street. Besides,Taekwondo is an Olympic sport and Karate is not. Suakaow

    Source(s): years of experience!
  • ?
    Lv 6
    10 years ago

    I've done both and I'm going to have to go with TKD. TKD was a lot more fun and quicker paced. While the moves in karate tended to be more street effective TKD teaches most of the same ones. You just have to discard some of the flashy kicks. It is a myth about karate being better than TKD. Reason being is that in TKD they heavily spar and do full contact tournaments. You will get used to having to defend yourself from getting knocked out etc. In karate almost every school is useless point sparring. I would not use a lot of the flashy kicks and stick with more basic ones but other than that you can't go wrong with TKD. The only way i'd say do karate instead is if the school trains kickboxers. You are not likely to find this. Good luck in your training. No training like getting used to someone actually hitting you.

  • 10 years ago

    I have done both but I like doing Tae Kwon Do more. I find Karate boring, because there do more line work. I also like kicking, which something that is more Tae Kwon Do. Tae Kwon Do is a faster style but karate is more powerful in terms of punching.

  • ?
    Lv 4
    10 years ago

    The style probably didn't suit him or he went to a school that was a scam (if in America). But they are both really great to learn. Where I live there's a great Taekwondo school, so that's basically it, just find a good school for whichever martial art takes your interest. Your friend, us aren't doing your martial art training for you, so you have to be happy about doing it, so at the end of the day it's your choice which one you want to do. People who have been studying any style for a long time will be really good at what they do, so no style is bad. That's just rubbish.

  • How do you think about the answers? You can sign in to vote the answer.
  • ?
    Lv 6
    10 years ago

    From personal experience I'd try karate. However - it all depends on the teacher. If you have a good karate teacher in your area go for karate. If not - choose taekwondo. Go and watch a few martial arts classes and see which you think you'd prefer to have a go at. Perhaps try a few to start with. Go for the stricter looking classes where you know you're going to learn, I'd advise avoiding classes where the participants seem unrespectful and talk during classes.

  • 10 years ago

    Just because i did the Rhee and ITF styles, im saying Taekwondo.

    Both systems put alot of focus on Self Defense and Fitness. Well it does depend on what type of gym you go to and whether or not the instructors are legitimate and any good at teaching their members.

    Taekwondo is a great System. The Rhee style which is one of the first styles i learned was very effective for me. The ITF style IMO seemed more like a watered down version of Rhee, but they still did ok for teaching new people how to defend themselves and also compete in ITF rules tournaments.

    Its really your choice but you look like you have your mind and heart set for Taekwondo.

    Word of advice.

    NEVER join a gym where the monthly fees are over $100

    Source(s): 4 years Rhee, 4 years ITF taekwondo. 15 years Self Defense, 3 years Sports martial arts.
  • Leo L
    Lv 7
    10 years ago

    Either is great. The teacher is more important than the style. I''ve been doing TKD for 16 years, but there is a really good TKD school near me. Avoid McDojos.

  • 10 years ago

    his is the kind of question that you itself must answer, you are the one who knows your capability especially on handling some physical activities.

    Besides, style must not be the basis if what to choose, every style has an edge, advantage and disadvantage if we compare them, all you need is a legit instructor that can teach you an efficient skills and knowledge, he can give some important details, an accurate and efficient skills and knowledge.

    Just try to visit some dojo near your place, observe and ask some important question, maybe through that effort, you can decide what's better for you and not.

    ......................................…

    Source(s): Senses Good luck
  • 10 years ago

    defiantly taekwondo if it wasn't evective then why is it in the Olympic games, the military hand to hand fighting style of Korea and some other Asian countries and you need protection during some of the training so your don't get hurt

    Source(s): I take taekwondo
  • 10 years ago

    Honestly, it's up to you, I don't find either bad or good for self defense, that lies in the artist, not the art.

Still have questions? Get your answers by asking now.