Hapkido vs Other Martial Arts: What Makes It Unique?

Salman Nazir May 19 2025

Let’s Talk About Martial Arts

So you’re thinking about trying a martial art, right?

Maybe for self-defense, maybe to get in shape, or maybe just because you’ve seen cool fight scenes in movies and thought, "I wanna learn that!"

Whatever your reason is awesome choice! But now you’re stuck wondering:

Which martial art should I go for?

You’ve probably heard of Karate, Taekwondo, or maybe even Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

But there’s another one that not many people know about, and trust me, it’s a hidden gem Hapkido.

Let’s explore what Hapkido is and how it’s different from the other martial arts you hear about all the time.

First Things First, What Is Hapkido?

Hapkido (say it like: hap-key-doe) is a Korean martial art. It’s mainly about defending yourself in real-life situations.

Imagine someone grabs your arm, pushes you, or even tries to hit you.

Instead of just blocking or punching back, Hapkido teaches you how to handle it smartly.

You learn to:

Use joint locks (bend their wrist or arm to stop them)
Throw them off balance
Control them without needing to hit hard

And the cool part?

You don’t need to be big or super strong. Hapkido works on technique and timing, not muscle power.

Hapkido vs Karate What’s the Difference?

Okay, so Karate is probably the most well-known martial art. It focuses a lot on straight punches and powerful kicks. Great for building discipline and fitness!

But here’s how Hapkido is different:

Karate wants you to hit hard and fast
Hapkido wants you to use the other person’s energy against them

Think of it like this:

Karate is like hitting a wall head-on.

Hapkido is like sidestepping the wall and making it fall over itself.

Pretty smart, right?

Hapkido vs Taekwondo Which One’s More Practical?

Taekwondo is full of fancy kicks, fast movements, and it looks super cool in action. But it’s more focused on sport and competition.

If you just want to win medals or look flashy Taekwondo might be your thing.

But Hapkido?

It’s more down-to-earth. It teaches kicks too, but the kind that actually help if someone grabs you in a parking lot or on the street.

You don’t need to do flying kicks.

Just solid moves that work in real life.

Hapkido vs Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Who Wins on the Ground?

BJJ (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu) is all about grappling and ground fighting. If someone takes you down, BJJ teaches you how to choke them out or lock their arms.

Super useful, no doubt.

But Hapkido mixes both worlds:

You learn how to stay on your feet
And also what to do if you end up on the ground

I personally practiced both, and when I trained at home, I used a grappling dummy to try out different moves.

👉 If you're training solo, having a good dummy is a life-saver. It lets you practice throws, locks, even submissions at your own pace.

Check out our Grappling Dummies if you’re serious about getting better from home.

Hapkido vs Judo More Than Just Throwing

Judo is fun. You grab, you flip, you pin feels like wrestling!

But Judo is mostly about sport rules. Hapkido, on the other hand, is more real-life focused.

In Hapkido, you don’t just throw someone you also learn:

How to defend against a punch
What to do if someone grabs your shirt
Even how to react if someone pulls out a stick or a knife

It’s kind of like street-smart martial arts.

So... What Makes Hapkido So Special?

Here’s the fun part.

Hapkido gives you a bit of everything:

You learn how to punch and kick
You learn how to lock and control someone’s joints
You learn throws and takedowns
You learn to stay calm which is super important

And you don’t need to be a bodybuilder or an athlete. Hapkido works for everyone.

Whether you’re a:

Teenager looking to feel safer at school
Adult who wants to stay fit and protect their family
Woman wanting to feel stronger and confident
Or even a senior wanting to stay flexible and mentally sharp...

Hapkido fits in your life.

Also, when you start training seriously especially with joint locks and throws don’t forget to wear wrist straps!

They help keep your wrists safe during practice. We’ve got solid Wrist Straps made just for that.

My Honest Experience with Hapkido

When I started Hapkido, I had zero experience. I wasn’t strong, I wasn’t fast, and I sure wasn’t flexible.

But I stuck with it. I watched videos, read blogs (like the ones we publish here), and practiced a lot using my grappling dummy.

Over time, I started feeling more confident, more balanced, and more peaceful.

It didn’t just teach me how to fight, it taught me how to stay calm, focused, and in control.

FAQs

Q1: Can I really learn Hapkido at home?

Yes, totally. With a bit of space, a mirror, and training tools like a grappling dummy, you can start learning the basics safely.

Q2: Is Hapkido good for women and kids?

Absolutely. Since it’s not about brute strength, it works well for all ages and body types. It’s even taught in schools and family centers.

Q3: Will I need wrist protection?

If you're practicing throws or joint locks, definitely. Wrist straps help avoid pain or injury during training.

Q4: How is it different from other martial arts?

Most martial arts focus on just one thing like punches, kicks, or grappling.

Hapkido covers all of it, making it a very complete self-defense system.

Q5: Is Hapkido better than Karate or Taekwondo?

Not "better", just different. It depends on what you’re looking for.

If you want practical skills, real-world moves, and a peaceful mindset Hapkido is amazing.

Final Thoughts

If you’re still unsure, that’s okay. Every martial art has its strengths.

But if you’re looking for something that’s practical, well-rounded, and beginner-friendly, you should definitely give Hapkido a try.

And if you ever need help along the way from blogs, training gear, or advice we’ve got you.

Check out our helpful blogs, our training dummies, and wrist gear to make your martial arts journey smooth and safe.

You got this 💪

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