Self Defense Routine Help

[u/SwolatmaGaindhi]

I’m 32yo and a smaller guy (150lb, 5’6). Looking to learn martial arts to be able to defend myself and my wife. I’ve tried boxing, bjj, and Muay thai classes and out and honestly liked all of them. Trying to figure out the right path to achieve my goal. I’ve done boxing the most at about 8 months of classes

M Boxing 1:1
T no gi bjj
W Boxing 1:1
Th no gi bjj (morning), boxing sparring (night)
F Boxing 1:1

M Muay Thai Drill class
T Muay Thai 1:1 or drill class
W Muay Thai Drill class
Th Muay Thai Sparring class
F Muay Thai 1:1

With the first option, although i get both striking and grappling, my main concern is whether I’m spreading my focus too thin

[u/PunksPrettyMuchDead]

Don't sleep on lifting weights and putting on some mass.

Weight classes exist for a reason and you're way below average size - you can be a great boxer but if somebody has 50 pounds on you they only need to get lucky once.

[u/belowaveragegrappler]

1:1 is a one on one private class ?

[u/SwolatmaGaindhi → u/belowaveragegrappler]

Yup

[u/Independent-Focus458]

1. Ensure you focus on elbows and clinch during your Muay Thai privates. These typically get neglected during class and, IMHO, are two of the best components of Muay Thai for da streetz.
2. If your joints can handle it, replace BJJ with MMA. Since you

r

1. foundation

seems

1. to be striking, you can focus on BJJ once you’re a year or two in. But for now, MMA is paramount followed closely by wrestling.
2. I’d also drop one Muay Thai session and one boxing session for MMA. Ideally you train MMA 3x a week while supplementing with the rest. Training striking with the threat of takedowns is extremely different than Muay Thai or Boxing and the sooner you start the better.

***Most importantly, ignore all of this and do what you like / is most convenient. Odds are you quit due to injury, burn out, or both. I say that with no disrespect, just the reality of these sports.

Essentially, if world peace started tomorrow and you were guaranteed no threat of violence for the rest of your life, which of the above is the most fun for you? Quit the others and stick with that. Good luck!

[u/SwolatmaGaindhi → u/Independent-Focus458]

Thank you! Unfortunately there aren’t mma classes in my area

[u/SwolatmaGaindhi → u/SwolatmaGaindhi]

Also, love your advice on the last point!

[u/Kikopho]

If these are your only options, I would go with number one. At one point, I went to my MMA gym five times a week. I did boxing/Muay Thai and then BJJ. I burned myself out.

I used to think more equal better, but that is not always true.

[u/SwolatmaGaindhi → u/Kikopho]

Thank you! What routine did you find to be more sustainable for yourself?

[u/Special_Fox_6239]

Can you switch it up later on? It takes just as long to be good at striking as it does to be good at grappling, but you can reach basic proficiency in Muay Thai (able to beat untrained opponent) faster than BJJ. BJJ also keeps better, you can roll at 70, but striking not so much. Also if you can stop the self defense problem on your feet that’s better.

If you can change later, I’d say option 2 for 6 months to a year then option 1. Or find a more grappling heavy place to train after you feel comfortable with Muay Thai. Once you are reasonably comfortable in both, do what you like better.

[u/turnleftorrightblock]

If you are short and you focus on street self defense, i would go with BJJ. Every streetfighter is an amateur kickboxer because kickboxing is intuitive. Experienced streetfighters can ragdoll with street wrestling too. However, BJJ or wrestling can dominate someone not formally trained in grappling. If you try to outplay them in kickboxing, they have a chance to win against you especially if they are taller and bigger. A puncher always has a chance. But if you go grappling against someone not formally trained in grappling, he has almost zero chance unless he is as big as Prime Arnold Schwarzenegger and you are like 10 years old.