When people first consider starting martial arts, they often bring with them a mix of expectations, hesitations, and — more often than not — misconceptions. At Bushido Martial Arts, we believe in setting the record straight. So in this post, we’re debunking some of the most common myths we hear from new students and curious parents.

Myth 1: “Martial arts are all about violence and fighting.”

Reality: Martial arts training is more about control, discipline, and defence than aggression. Students are taught how to avoid confrontation, how to protect themselves and others if necessary, and how to manage their emotions under pressure. True martial artists train to become more peaceful — not more violent.

Myth 2: “You need to be super fit or flexible to start.”

Reality: Absolutely not. Martial arts is for everyone. You don’t need to be fit, flexible, or even coordinated when you begin. That’s what training is for. Our classes are designed to build fitness, mobility, strength, and coordination — one session at a time.

Myth 3: “Only kids do martial arts.”

Reality: We train people of all ages. Some of our most dedicated students started in their 30s, 40s, or later. Whether your goal is self-defence, fitness, confidence, or a new hobby — martial arts is ageless.

Myth 4: “Black belts are unbeatable.”

Reality: A black belt doesn’t mean someone is invincible. It means they’ve mastered the basics, shown consistency, discipline, and understanding of the art. There’s still plenty to learn beyond black belt — it’s a milestone, not a finish line.

Myth 5: “You can learn everything from YouTube.”

Reality: While there’s plenty of good content online, martial arts needs live feedback, correction, and partner practice — things you simply can’t get from a screen. Techniques must be taught properly, supervised, and drilled under the watchful eye of an instructor to ensure they’re safe and effective.

That said, we do recognise that videos can be a helpful tool between classes. In our Freestyle Karate syllabus, the kata we teach is based on Sensei Hirokazu Kanazawa (Shotokan man on YouTube), so if students are ever stuck or want to review at home, that’s a great reference point — as long as it supports, not replaces, in-person training.

Myth 6: “All martial arts are the same.”

Reality: Not at all. Karate, Jiu-Jitsu, Taekwondo, Kickboxing, and others each have different origins, techniques, and philosophies. At Bushido Martial Arts, for example, we specialise in Japanese Jiu-Jitsu and Freestyle Karate — a combination that blends traditional principles with practical self-defence skills.

Myth 7: “You have to spar or fight in class.”

Reality: Sparring is only introduced at the right stage — and even then, it's controlled and optional. Our focus is on safe, progressive training. No student is thrown into sparring until they’re ready, and it’s never forced.

Final Thoughts

Martial arts isn't what Hollywood makes it out to be — and that’s a good thing. The reality is far more valuable: a path to improved confidence, focus, fitness, and real-world self-defence, in a supportive and structured environment.

If you’ve been unsure whether martial arts is for you (or your child), now you know — the biggest myth is that you need to be ready before you start.