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What Martial Arts Style to pick?

How to Choose a Martial Art – Hamilton’s Guide to Finding the Right Style

Finding the right martial art for you can be difficult. A lot of people don’t fully understand the differences between styles, so we think it’s easier to look at them in more general terms.

In our view, there are three main categories.

First, there are primarily fighting-focused schools (a generalisation), such as MMA, boxing, kickboxing, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). These tend to focus on sparring, and practical fighting skills.

Then there are traditional martial arts, such as Taekwon-Do, Karate, and Kung Fu. These focus more on structure, discipline, forms, and technical development.

Finally, there are hybrid systems, like Incorporated Martial Arts (IMA).

At The School of Martial Arts, we teach IMA, which sits between the two. You get both the practical side of modern fighting and the structure and discipline of traditional training. This gives you a strong, broad foundation.

We’ve also kept a strong element of the old-school, regimented Taekwon-Do approach, without compromising the original intensity. That creates a training environment that is structured, focused, and built for long-term development.

Under the guidance of our founder, Master Reid Clark, students have earned Incorporated Martial Arts Black Belts and progressed to compete nationally and internationally, with some reaching organisations such as the UFC.

If you want a traditional martial arts school with a practical edge, then this could be exactly what you’re looking for.

At The School of Martial Arts in Hamilton, we help beginners, teens, and adults find what suits them best, whether your goal is fitness, self-defence, or simply learning something new.

Choosing the right martial art can feel like a big decision, especially with so many options available. The key is finding a style and a school that match your goals, keeps you progressing, and gives you a positive training experience long-term.

1. Know What You Want

Most people start martial arts for one of a few reasons:

To get fit and active
To learn practical self-defence
To build confidence and discipline
To challenge themselves

Different styles can emphasise different areas, so it’s worth thinking about what matters most to you.

2. Understand the Different Approaches

Broadly speaking, martial arts tend to fall into a few categories.

Some systems focus more on sparring and striking, while others place more emphasis on structure, technique, and tradition. There are also hybrid systems that aim to combine both approaches.

Each has its strengths. What matters is finding a system that gives you a well-rounded foundation and keeps you improving over time.

3. Consider the Training Environment

The school itself often makes the biggest difference.

Look for:

Clear structure and progression
Experienced instructors
Supportive environment
Classes that suit your level

At The School of Martial Arts in Hamilton, classes are designed to be structured, beginner-friendly, and focused on steady progress.

4. Find a System That Grows With You

A good martial arts system should support you at every stage:

Beginners learning the basics
Students building confidence and skill
More experienced practitioners developing advanced techniques

Through Incorporated Martial Arts (IMA), our approach combines traditional structure with modern, practical training, giving students a broad and adaptable skillset.

5. Think Long-Term

Martial arts is something you build over time. The right system should help you develop:

Confidence and discipline
Fitness and coordination
Practical self-defence skills
A sense of progression and achievement

Consistency matters more than anything, so choosing a place you enjoy training at is key.

Why Train With Us

At The School of Martial Arts in Hamilton, we aim to provide a balanced and complete training experience.

Our Incorporated Martial Arts system brings together elements of Taekwon-Do, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Karate, Balintawak, and MMA within a structured framework. This allows students to develop both strong fundamentals and practical skills.

Training is: