Is it worth trying to learn martial art from a book?

[Herbsman]

Obviously there must be some benefit, and like any physical activity it's much better to be taught by someone who knows what they're doing. But how much can I expect to gain with no tutor and a novice sparring partner?

[Asleep on a sunbeam]

I'd advise strictly against it, and I think most people will agree with me. If you know your stuff the books can help, but spotting inturppretations of things going wrong isn't easy, for most even possible.
What martial art are you hoping to learn from a book?
Could you go to another (or even the same type as the book teaches) martial arts club?

[City_of_F]

I spent years trying to learn martial arts from books. I would suggest trying to take away the following from books:

1. Stretching and/or strength training techniques (this will give you a serious advantage when you do get going)
2. Names of particular movements (in the language they are supposed to be learned in)
3. Philosophy and/or theory of said martial art

I would have to say that for all my efforts, there was no instructor to tell me what I was doing wrong and the book isn't going to help you there. It tends to cement bad habits that it can take quite awhile to unlearn. Even video is fairly worthless if you're trying to learn an art. My instructor has made hundreds of corrections to my movements and I have learned that sometimes a fraction more power, more movement, or a particular pivot adds amazing amounts of effectiveness to a particular technique.

Sparring is also an important part. I'm an orange belt in Judo and I know several techniques and by themselves I can execute them perfectly, but unlike karate, I tend to lose in Judo more often than I win due to not being sure when to exactly use which move. I'm still learning how to move with my opponent and you can't get that from a book.

I would suggest getting a book if that is all you have, but I wouldn't suggest trying to learn the art itself from it. There are too many movements that need to be taught by a qualified teacher.

[EceGled]

There are so many things about martial arts that are very subtle or that you could never know if you were doing correctly or not without an instructor. Where I train, we practice the same basic techniques over and over a million times because that's how much practice it takes to achieve the subtlety of a high-level martial artist.

[Clem Snide]

Useless, don't bother. There will always be a class of some martial art nearby. Even if it's not exactly the one you want to learn you will get more out of it than reading any number of books on your your chosen style.

[powerlifer]

you can pick up good little tips from books, but as far as technique and such goes its a big NO NO in my opinion. You will end up with alot of bad habits that you cant notice yourself.

[Mouse]

In any martial art that I know of, there is no substitute for a qualified instructor. But if the alternative is to not train at all, my feeling is to say why not go for it? My one caveat is to be aware that you don't have an instructor making sure you train safely. You will really have to educate yourself on how not to be a danger to yourself or your training partner.
What martial art are you thinking of training? Styles that have a more formalized approach to technique or philosophical aspects would probably be tougher to get without formal instruction. Also, what exactly is preventing you from going to a school?

[City_of_F]

Useless, don't bother. There will always be a class of some martial art nearby.

Also, what exactly is preventing you from going to a school?

I know back when I was trying to learn out of books, I was living in a small town, in a depressed economy. Basically, the nearest martial arts class was 45 miles away, I didn't have a car at the time, and my job barely paid enough to keep me in books (even then, I was pretty limited to the library), much less class...

[Herbsman]

I did OK in Karate when I was a kid, did a few tournaments and stuff, but I have absolutely no confidence to fight now. Not sure which martial art to go for, there's too much choice now! My friend does Muay Thai and my other friend (his fighting partner) has stopped going, so I might replace him.

[Clem Snide]

I did OK in Karate when I was a kid, did a few tournaments and stuff, but I have absolutely no confidence to fight now. Not sure which martial art to go for, there's too much choice now! My friend does Muay Thai and my other friend (his fighting partner) has stopped going, so I might replace him.

Just go along to the class and tell them you're an absolute beginner: they won't expect you to be confident at fighting!

[Herbsman]

I meant I have no confidence to fight in self defence, in a situation where I actually need to fight...

[Gelert]

Learning it from books is fine for most emergency surgery in my experience, so why not give it a shot...

Seriously though, I'd only go down this route if you feel you'd have no option. And in fact, even then, I fear it could do you more harm than good.

Example: Mofo with big knife demands your wallet and iPhone.

Parallel Universe 1: You give him your stuff. Live to mope. Bruised pride, wounded regrets at not getting round to reading the Dorling Kindersley book on superninja jap-slapping skills. Superficial injuries to ego.

Parallel Universe 2: You've read everything Ashida Kim ever wrote and feel emboldened enough try using it. Endex for you.

If you're lucky there's a surgeon waiting for you who hasn't learnt it from cut-by-cut illustrations in a book.

I doubt a book can ever teach you the confidence to defend yourself in a fight. Personally I feel my sole source of confidence in that respect comes from knowing I don't harbour any undue compunction, hesitation or compassion which hamstrings my ability to fluidly impart even lethal force should it feel essential for the protection of my life. Somebody else might say it comes from the ability to do a particular set of moves or look good in a gi, but as far as I'm concerned, no book does that for you, with the possible exception of a draft of Steven Griffiths' PhD thesis.

So in my opinion the best book on self defence ever is this http://bookshop.blackwell.co.uk/jsp/wel ... 1177945481

Finally, a thought for the day, grasshopper.

in a situation where I actually need to fight...

There are many more situations where you just think you need to fight than there are situations where you actually need to. And the frequency of the former increases in direct proportion to the weight of teach-yerself kung fu books on your shelf at home.

[City_of_F]

So in my opinion the best book on self defence ever is this http://bookshop.blackwell.co.uk/jsp/wel ... 1177945481

I have to admit, after five years of steady training and ten years of study... I'd probably still say that is one of the best books I've seen on survival.