Most people who walk through our door at Gracie Humaita Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Martial Arts Reno already know they want to learn how to hit. What they don’t always know is which art actually teaches it well, or what the difference looks like between a sport focused on punches versus one built around kicks. After years of training and teaching in Reno, I’ve had this conversation hundreds of times. This post breaks it down clearly so you can choose with confidence.
What Martial Arts Uses Striking in Reno?
Several martial arts disciplines center on striking — meaning punches, kicks, elbows, knees, or some combination — and you can find instruction in most of them here in Reno. Here’s how they differ in practice.
Boxing is the purest punching art. Footwork, head movement, and hand combinations are trained obsessively. According to the International Boxing Association, modern boxing as a sport dates back to rules codified in 1867, and the technical depth built up since then is remarkable. If you want to develop fast, accurate hands and serious defensive instincts, boxing is the cleanest path.
Muay Thai is Thailand’s national sport and the most complete striking system in widespread use. Fighters train punches, kicks, elbows, and knees, plus clinch work that lets you control an opponent at close range. The World Muay Thai Council governs competition internationally, and the art has seen massive growth in the U.S. over the last decade. In my experience, Muay Thai practitioners tend to have the most well-rounded striking game of any single discipline.
Karate covers a wide range of styles — Shotokan, Kyokushin, Goju-ryu — but most emphasize punches and kicks with a strong focus on technique and form. USA Karate is the national governing body, and some styles like Kyokushin allow full-contact body kicks, which builds genuine toughness.
Taekwondo is primarily a kicking art. The World Taekwondo Federation sanctions Olympic competition, and the emphasis on high, fast kicks makes it athletic and visually impressive. The trade-off is that hand techniques are often underemphasized in sport-focused programs.
Kickboxing blends boxing’s hand combinations with karate or Muay Thai kicks. It’s a practical, beginner-friendly entry point for anyone who wants to strike and isn’t sure where to start.
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) draws from all of the above. A competitive MMA fighter trains striking from boxing and Muay Thai, then adds wrestling and grappling on the ground. If you plan to train for cage competition — or simply want to be effective in the widest range of situations — MMA training integrates striking with everything else.
Why Striking Alone Has Limits?
Here’s something I tell every adult who comes in specifically for striking classes: striking is highly effective standing up, but real confrontations — whether in sport or on the street — frequently end up on the ground. Research from law enforcement training programs consistently shows that most physical altercations involve a grappling or ground component.
That’s the core reason Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) complements striking arts so effectively. A striker with zero ground game can be taken down and controlled by someone smaller and less athletic. A striker who also knows BJJ has an answer for every range of a fight.
This is not a criticism of striking arts — I have deep respect for Muay Thai and boxing. It’s practical context. The most capable martial artists I’ve trained with are cross-trained, not specialists.
Choosing the Right Starting Point in Reno
For beginners in Reno, I typically recommend starting with one discipline and going deep before spreading wide. If you’re drawn to striking, Muay Thai gives you the broadest toolkit. If you’re interested in self-defense with a grappling base, BJJ is where I’d point you first — and then layer striking on top.
For kids, the calculus is a bit different. Our kids program focuses on BJJ because it teaches control and de-escalation, not just how to hit. That’s a more appropriate foundation for children. You can read what Reno parents say about their kids’ progress on our reviews page.
If you’re unsure where you fit, a private class is the fastest way to get an honest assessment. One session is enough to identify where your gaps are and what kind of training will move you forward fastest. You can also check our current class schedule to see what fits your week.
Our instructors bring competition experience and real teaching backgrounds — not just credentials on paper. That matters when you’re learning to move your body correctly under pressure.
Ready to Start Training
Gracie Humaita Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Martial Arts Reno serves students across Reno and Northern Nevada, including a location in Sparks. Whether you’re brand new or coming back after time off, the intro class for $30 is the lowest-risk way to see if training with us fits.
Visit our Reno location at 9333 Double R Blvd #1100, Reno, NV 89521, call us at (775) 376-6229, or get in touch online. We’ll answer any questions before you ever set foot on the mat.
Written by Alexandre Garcia. Read more about the author.
