Women’s Self-Defense Products vs Martial Arts Training

Self-Defense Items

When it comes to personal protection, many people believe that self-defense products are the best option - especially for women.  They can certainly be helpful, depending on the situation.  But can simply owning one of these products eliminate the need for consistent martial arts and combat training?  Most of the time, absolutely not.

Based on the available data, statistics show that the average human male is larger than the average human female, in terms of both height and weight.  This means that the “average” woman would already be at a size disadvantage if they were to be attacked by an “average” man.  It would be in every woman's best interest to have some sort of martial arts training, in order to possess the much needed self-defense technique and situational experience they provide.  This data also makes it clear why many women choose to carry self-defense tools on them, such as: 

Guns

Knives

Flashlights

Tasers

Spray (bear spray, pepper spray, etc)

Please check your local and state laws, if you do decide to carry one of these items for self-defense purposes.  In addition, make sure you have trained with whatever equipment you will carry, as it is important that you are proficient with your gear choices and your own gear is not used against you by an attacker.

Ladies, you may feel safer by carrying one of these items.  Knowing that it is there if you need to use it can certainly give you comfort and allow you to feel more relaxed.  But simply carrying a weapon does not necessarily mean that you will be safer.  Carrying a weapon and knowing how to effectively use a weapon are two very different things.  What happens if you forget to carry one of these tools?  Do you have the ability to protect yourself and others from potential threats?

Martial Arts Training

While carrying different utility items can definitely be beneficial, martial arts training turns you into a weapon.  Instead of relying on some type of instrument to defend yourself, rely on your own skills and abilities.  You may find that you don’t always have to carry a knife, taser, or irritant spray if you have martial arts training.  

Practitioners of grappling sports like BJJ, Judo, and wrestling know exactly how to handle themselves in direct close quarter combat.  Their muscle memory and training experience allows them the capability to take the fight down to the ground, control their counterpart from there, and even use submission holds if they believe them to be necessary.  Those who train in striking forms of martial arts like Muay Thai and boxing know how to keep a certain distance between themselves and an opponent/attacker.  At all types of ranges, they are able to efficiently deliver quick and powerful strikes, while absorbing a minimal amount of damage that comes back at them (if any at all).

But how?  How do these people know how to do that?  The answer is simple: they train.

These people weren’t born with the ability to immediately throw someone to the ground or knock somebody out.  They devoted themselves to learning their martial arts discipline(s) of choice and training it on a consistent basis.

In recent years, the amount of women who have started their martial arts journey and enrolled in their nearest gyms have increased.  This is great news, but it can get even better!  A large number of women still do not train and have no martial arts experience - a potential weakness when it comes to self-defense and personal protection.  

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”  This is especially true when it comes to martial arts and defending yourself.  By not consistently learning and training (failing to prepare), you will most likely not be prepared for a situation that requires an efficient defensive response.  However, this can be changed!  

It is NEVER too late for women, or anyone, to start their training.  You can learn so much in such a short amount of time, and even more in longer periods of time.  

We encourage any woman reading this to enroll in their local BJJ, Muay Thai, or MMA gym and begin their self-defense journey.

Analysis: Self defense products vs Martial Arts training

So which is better, the self-defense objects or martial arts training?  It all depends on the situation and the level of training someone has.

Weapons training is a great option for learning self-defense.  Having pinpoint accuracy with a handgun and knowing how to handle situations with a knife or any other self-defense tool (for attack, defense, or both) is incredibly valuable and can definitely protect you from harm.

Martial arts is also a great option for learning self-defense.  Knowing different techniques and being able to use them is essential for unarmed combat.  Having multiple ways to neutralize a threat to your safety, whether it’s through striking or grappling, can be all the difference you need to walk away from an altercation safely.  

Making a Choice

As a beginner with no prior experience, if you had to choose between these two types of self-defense systems, martial arts training would be the better option to start with.  There is not some miracle product sold for $20 that will save you from everything or get you out of any situation.  Yes, it may help, but you should not completely rely on one of these products to save your life.  It’s your life, so you need to have responsibility over your own safety.  Start martial arts training and learn how to defend yourself with what you have: your own body.

At the end of the day, NOTHING replaces martial arts training.  What if you forget your self-defense tools one day or go to a place where you cannot carry them (ex. airport, concert, sporting event)?  What if someone attacks you and you don’t have your gun or your knife or your irritant spray?  

Will you be able to defend yourself?  If you have children, will you be able to defend them?  

By consistently training in BJJ, Muay Thai, or MMA, you will.  (Note: You don’t have to make yourself exclusive to only martial arts.  You can still do weapons training to supplement your combat sports practice.)

Thank you for reading - we hope this was a helpful explanation of women’s self-defense products vs martial arts!  

If you believe that reading this article could be beneficial for someone you know, please feel free to share it!

If you are looking for high quality gear to begin your journey, here are some of the products we offer:

Jiu Jitsu products

https://sanabulsports.com/collections/jiu-jitsu-gis 

https://sanabulsports.com/collections/no-gi-jiu-jitsu

Striking Products

https://sanabulsports.com/collections/striking-equipment