Martial arts
What are martial arts?
Martial arts is a sport that trains techniques of physical combat, strikes, kicks, throws, and locks within a regulated framework. The term encompasses a wide range of disciplines: from Japanese Karate to Korean Taekwondo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. What all martial arts have in common is the ambition to train the body and mind equally.
Martial sports and martial arts are not neatly separated opposites. "Martial sport" usually describes athletically organised systems with defined training and often competition rules. "Martial art" emphasises tradition, methodology and personal development more strongly. Many disciplines – including Karate, Judo or Taekwondo – can combine elements of both.
The Shinzen Dojo Berlin unterrichtet Kyokushin Karate. This guide deliberately takes a broader view: it explains the differences between martial arts, typical training priorities and criteria for choosing. If you are already looking specifically for a provider in Berlin, our local decision-making aid for martial arts in Berlin on locations, getting started and trial classes.
Martial arts compared
Eight well-known martial arts with different focuses: from pure standing combat to throws and ground fighting to combined systems. The overview categorises them neutrally and leads to more in-depth comparisons if required.
Karate
Japan · Okinawa
Striking & kicking techniques · Kata · Kihon
Karate encompasses various Japanese and Okinawan styles with strikes, kicks, blocks and – depending on the style – kata and various forms of contact. Kyokushin is a well-known full-contact style.
Learn moreJudo
Japan · 1882
Throws · Locks · Ground fighting
Judo ("the gentle way") was founded by Jigoro Kano. Without strikes or kicks, with a focus on throws, locks and choking techniques. Olympic discipline.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)
Brazil · 1920s
Ground fighting · Submission · Grappling
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu developed significantly in the 20th century from Judo and the Kodokan Judo of the time. The focus is on ground fighting, control, locks and choking techniques.
Boxing
England · Antiquity
Fist techniques · Conditioning · Ring
Boxing is the classic striking combat sport. Only fist techniques, no kicks. Very conditioning-oriented, with a clear competitive structure.
Kickboxing
Japan / USA · from 1960s/1970s
Striking & kicking techniques · depends on the ruleset
Kickboxing encompasses various rulesets and lines of development. In Japan, forms emerged in the 1960s from the encounter between Karate and Muay Thai; in the USA, full-contact karate or kickboxing developed further later on.
Learn moreTaekwondo
Korea · 1955
Kicking techniques · Dynamics · Olympic
Taekwondo ("the way of the foot and the fist") is a Korean martial art with a focus on dynamic kicking techniques. Olympic discipline since 2000.
Muay Thai
Thailand
Elbows · Knees · Clinch · Full-contact
Muay Thai ("Thai boxing") is the Thai national sport. Typical features are fist strikes, kicks, knees, elbows and clinch techniques. As a full-contact competitive sport, training is physically demanding.
MMA (Mixed Martial Arts)
USA · 1990s
Standing & ground · combined disciplines · Full-contact
MMA combines techniques from several martial arts such as boxing, wrestling, BJJ and Muay Thai and connects standing and ground fighting in a shared competition system.
What martial arts do for you brings
Full-body fitness
Strength, stamina, coordination and flexibility. Martial arts train the whole body, without machines, using only your own body weight.
Mental strength
Concentration, discipline and respect. Martial arts train the mind just as much as the body. Traits that have an impact on everyday life, school and work.
Self-assertion & practice
Partner training, a sense of distance and dealing with pressure can provide confidence. However, no martial art guarantees protection in a real-life dangerous situation.
Community
Genuine camaraderie is created in the dojo. You train together, grow together and stand up for one another.
Goal orientation
Belt systems provide structure: from beginner to master. Measurable progress, clear goals, steady growth.
Competition opportunities
Tournaments at local, national and international level. If you want to, you can; if you don't, you don't have to. Everyone decides for themselves.
Combat sports for any age
Many martial arts can be trained from childhood through to older adulthood. The deciding factors are the training format, state of health, intensity and age-appropriate instruction.
Children
For children, age-appropriate methodology, safety, coordination and the joy of movement count for more than the question of the supposedly hardest style.
Learn moreTeenagers
Teenagers benefit from clear structure, sporting challenge and a training group where development is possible step by step.
Learn moreAdults
For adults, the range extends from fitness and technique to sparring and competition. The deciding factor is which training format provides long-term motivation.
Learn moreBeginners & returning students
Prior experience is not necessary for many martial arts. A good trial class shows you faster than any theory whether the style, trainer and group are a good fit.
Learn moreThe right martial art find
Which combat sport suits you? The answer depends on your goals:
- Fitness & Health: Karate, kickboxing and Taekwondo train the whole body and improve stamina, strength and coordination.
- Self-assertion & pressure situations: Disciplines with regular partner training can train a sense of distance, reaction and dealing with physical pressure. This should not be equated with a guarantee for real-life self-defence.
- Mental Strength & Character: Traditional martial arts like Kyokushin combine physical training with values such as respect, discipline, and endurance.
- Competition: Boxing, Judo, Taekwondo, and Kyokushin Karate have clear competition structures, locally, nationally, and internationally.
- For children: The style name alone is not the deciding factor. More important are age-appropriate training, coach quality, group size, safety concept, and whether the child enjoys going.
The best way to find the right martial art is to compare several reputable options and then attend a trial session. If you are specifically looking in Berlin, you will find the next step on our Berlin page the next step.
Start Martial Arts Finder
Seven questions, eight martial arts compared. Find out which discipline best suits your goals – without claiming there is one 'best' martial art.
Start Martial Arts FinderMartial arts in Berlin
Are you looking for martial arts in Berlin? The Shinzen Dojo Berlin offers specialized pages for local search queries:
Martial arts guides
Staying fit in winter: Karate, nutrition and healthy training routines
Staying fit through the winter with Kyokushin Karate: At the Shinzen Dojo Berlin, regular exercise, a good warm-up and sufficient recovery go hand in hand. Read why dry clothes after training, a clean karate gi and well-maintained equipment are important. We also provide practical tips on broth, herbal tea with honey and a balanced diet. We explain when Vitamin C, Vitamin D or magnesium might be useful and why you should rather take a break from training if you have a cold.
Read more
IFK German Open 2026: A first competition that remains in memory Black belt
A white belt, his first tournament and straight away an experienced black belt as an opponent: For Victory Ogbonna, the IFK German Open 2026 became a special experience. In Naunhof, the 27-year-old from Shinzen Dojo Berlin competed for the first time in the Kumite +90 kg category. After regular fight time and extra time, he lost by Waza-ari, but showed fighting spirit and got back up after a hard head strike. A first competition, an important experience – and definitely not the last.
Read more
First World Zen-Kyokushin German Summer Camp 2026 at Werbellinsee
Three days of Kyokushin Karate, intensive training sessions, grading and true community: From August 28 to 30, 2026, the first World Zen-Kyokushin German Summer Camp took place at Werbellinsee. Karateka of different generations and grades trained Kihon, combinations, Kata and Kumite together. A review of a special weekend full of training, challenges and shared experiences.
Read moreMartial arts explained
Get to know Kyokushin in training
Anyone who wants to get to know Kyokushin not just by reading about it but in practice can visit the Shinzen Dojo Berlin training sessions. Adults train in Berlin-Schöneberg, children and teenagers in Berlin-Steglitz.
Theory understood. Compare locally now.
Are you actually looking for martial arts in Berlin? There we will show you locations, target groups, how to get started, and how Kyokushin compares to other options.
Compare martial arts in Berlin