BJJ vs. Muay Thai for Beginners: Which Should You Start With?
Published by Lone Wolf BJJ Academy — Washougal, WA
Both Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai are excellent starting points for martial arts — the right one for you often comes down to what kind of training you find more engaging, not which is "better."
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)
BJJ is a grappling art focused on controlling an opponent through positioning, leverage, and submissions (joint locks and chokes) rather than strikes. It's often described as physical chess — technique and timing matter more than raw strength or size, which is part of why it works so well for kids, smaller adults, and people newer to athletics in general.
- Lower-impact than striking arts (no punches or kicks to the head)
- Strong emphasis on problem-solving under pressure
- Great for building functional strength, core stability, and mental resilience
- At Lone Wolf, taught by Don Stoner, a 2nd-degree Black Belt under Rigan Machado & Fabiano Scherner with 30+ years of experience
Muay Thai Kickboxing
Muay Thai is a striking art using punches, kicks, knees, and elbows. It's a fantastic full-body cardio workout and builds real striking skill, coordination, and explosive power.
- Higher-intensity cardio workout
- Builds striking technique, footwork, and reaction speed
- Great outlet for stress relief and overall fitness
- At Lone Wolf, offered for both kids and teens and adults
So which should you start with?
If you're drawn to problem-solving, don't mind close-contact grappling, and want a martial art that rewards technique over athleticism, start with BJJ. If you want a high-energy striking workout and enjoy hitting pads and bags, start with Muay Thai. Many Lone Wolf students eventually train both — the skill sets complement each other well, and our schedule is built to make cross-training easy.
There's no wrong first step. The only "mistake" is not getting on the mats at all.