Best martial art?

I'm thinking about starting Kendo. Does anyone have any experiences with that or would you recommend it?

Kendo is great if you like rules that will help you become more aware of chivalry in your everyday life. But it does tend to be rules heavy and doesn't lend itself to a free spirit type personality. I personally don't think it teaches one enough of swordplay to be effective in real combat. It's an external martial art with heavy emphasis on the internal.

If you are looking for something useable on the street while also training the spirit I would suggest Wing Chun. Depending on where you live it may be hard to find a lineage teacher.

And finally, if you just want the be the largest threat on the field you could try out Krav Maga. It is a medley of several martial arts. However the focus is on survival/winning so not much there for the spiritual seeker.

I don't know every martial art out there. But if you haven't already, rent some martial arts movies. IP Man series, anything with Sammo Hung, the Seven Samurai, The Protector, oh man the list could go on forever. Just watch the forms and see yourself doing them. Find a teacher for it and good luck.

As Bruce Lee said " no one style has all the answers, you must seek out many styles, get many answers. Take what works for you and discard what doesn't."

It's all about what you hope to take away from the style you learn. From Tai Chi, I learned patience because it was so slow and I wanted to learn everything and how it could be used in defense. When my teacher actually showed me the moves sped up, I was amazed. From Kung Fu, I learned to control my body because quite a lot of it requires certain postures and is very Confucian in nature as things have proper places and timings. Come to think of it, the name Confucianism comes from the original translation of K'ung-fu-tzu (pronounced 'gongfoodzuh'), so it only makes sense that Kung Fu takes this nature. As the Bruce Lee quote points out, learn all you can from as many styles as you can and use only that which suits your needs.

Frost wrote: I did karate for a year, about three years ago and I am therefore well aware that the instructor plays a huge role so suggesting a specific club could be the best way forward but any info is appreciated.

Anyway, I've decided I want to reach and then maintain a high level of fitness so I joined my local gym (finally making use of my student discount), I only managed to go for a week though before I sprained my ankle last weekend down at a local park. So whilst I'm bored waiting for the swelling to go down I'm just planning what I'll do when I get back and I am interested in starting a martial art again. Basically I'm looking for something that is focused on dexterity, endurance and mental strength. If it's any help I live in the South West of England.

Anyway I think this is my first proper post so, yeah, hello everybody and thanks in advance for any help you can give.

Dexterity, endurance and mental strength you say? Why not give parkour a try. Urban free flow (if it still exists) has a pretty good write up on the philosophy of parkour. I am kinda knowledgeable on it so if you have any questions just ask or shoot me a pm.

Drunk style

The best martial art is the one you train in. Its going to be 1000 % more fun, useful, and beneficial than the ones you dont.

Check out some schools, take some free classes, and pick the one you like best.

I guess it depends on how you define, "best". If best just means the martial art that teaches you dexterity, endurance, and fitness then you may not be looking for a martial art at all (Aikido maybe). Yoga, Pilates (I have no idea how prevalent this is on your side of the pond), Kick-Boxing, or maybe join a jogger group?

I'm personally interested in Judo because it has always struck me as the least violent and most realistically helpful type of martial art (for someone like me). Lately, I've been wanting to get into it because it would help me get into shape, stay fit, and develop some physical discipline.

Ve-Lo-Zi wrote: I'm thinking about starting Kendo. Does anyone have any experiences with that or would you recommend it?

I have been practicing Niten Ichi Ryu style Hyoho (in Niten Institute, here in Brazil) since I was 17 (I am 22).
Try it! It will be a unique experience!

Extreme thumb wrestling...