The Global Martial Arts University (GMAU) has multiple program options. But you may be wondering, “Which one is right for me?”

In this blog post, I share details about each of our martial arts programs to provide critical information that will help you decide on a best fit.

If you’re curious about the differences between programs or are simply stuck in trying to figure out which one you like, then read on and gain some insight to help you move forward!

Overview of GMAU Martial Arts Programs

The GMAU is unique among entities that offer online martial arts training. We’re obsessed with providing the best virtual martial arts training in the world. We believe everyone should have access to the training they need to protect and better themselves. That’s why we built a better, proven way to learn martial arts.

With the GMAU, you can train in the style of your choice in the convenience of your home, across multiple devices, and achieve real rank at your own pace with one-on-one instructor feedback. All of this comes at a fraction of the cost of practicing at a traditional brick-and-mortar studio.

The GMAU’s instructors all have black belts and have taught thousands of classes in their own academies. They also have many years of experience working with distance-training students through our unique and highly effective blend of online instruction, communication, feedback, and student guidance and motivation.

Our core programs currently include: Shotokan Karate, Taekwondo, Muay Thai, Krav Maga, Nunchaku, and Bojutsu.

Shotokan Karate

Shotokan Karate is a traditional Japanese martial art founded by Master Gichin Funakoshi.  Shotokan remains firmly rooted in a strong martial arts tradition, emphasizing lifetime training for a healthy mind and body, rather than strictly as a sport. Shotokan Karate emphasizes kihon (basic techniques), kata (forms or pre-determined combinations of techniques), and kumite (sparring) and equally emphasizes hand strikes, blocks and kicks.

Most of our programs, including Shotokan Karate, have multiple instructors. The head Shotokan instructor, Jonas Bieri, currently holds a 2nd Dan black belt. He has been training in karate and Goshindo Jiu Jitsu for many years, and still loves to find new aspects of the arts to dive into, explore, optimize, and teach to his students. He’s also a senior web and database developer, and lives with his wife and two kids in Basel, Switzerland.

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Set up a FREE Beginner’s Account and start training Shotokan Karate TODAY! Also, be sure to check out our YouTube videos here.

Taekwondo

Taekwondo is a Korean martial art. The name means: Tae  (foot), Kwon  (hand), Do  (art). Taekwondo emphasizes kicking and leg flexibility more so than punches and hand strikes. It has become a global sport with a strong reputation, and stands among the official games in the summer Olympics. Taekwondo training includes poomsae (forms), self-defense, and sparring.

Our head Taekwondo instructor, Adam Gerrald, loves training and sharing his passion of martial arts. He holds a 4th Dan certified Kukkiwon black belt in Taekwondo. He also holds a black belt in US Marine Corps Martial Arts, a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, a brown chevron in Ultimate Bo, and has experience in other arts including Capoeira and Filipino Martial Arts.

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Set up a FREE Beginner’s Account and start training in Taekwondo TODAY! Also, be sure to check out our YouTube videos here.

Muay Thai

Muay Thai is the national sport of Thailand. It is known as “the art of eight limbs,” which refers to the eight points of contact used — the fists, elbows, knees, and shins. Muay Thai is a combat sport and a martial art. Modern Muay Thai looks much more like kickboxing than traditional martial arts. It emphasizes defenses, technique combinations, and sparring. Muay Thai training involves a lot of conditioning, hitting/kicking pads or bags, and sparring training.

Our head Muay Thai Instructor, Nick Vasallo, has trained in Aikido, Karate, Taekwondo, Kickboxing, Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, and Krav Maga. He has won tournament medals and has competed in amateur bouts. Coach Nick practices Jiu Jitsu and is the head instructor of Muay Thai at Danville Jiu Jitsu, Wrestling, and Kickboxing. He is a CMAT (Certified Martial Arts Teacher) and creator of the GMAU’s Muay Thai program. Coach Nick is sponsored by and an affiliate of Zebra Athletics, Iron Neck, RXT-1, DoubleUP Roller, and Punch King. He’s also a college professor of music, married with two kids, composes/sings/plays guitar in two bands (Antagony and Oblivion), and owns WeNeedMerch.com – a custom apparel company.

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Set up a FREE Beginner’s Account and start training Muay Thai TODAY! Also, be sure to check out our YouTube videos here.

Krav Maga

Krav Maga is a self-defense system developed by the Israel Defense Forces for training military personnel in hand-to-hand combat. It’s a simple, aggressive, and easy-to-learn system of self-defense. Krav Maga training focuses on principles rather than techniques. It’s not a traditional martial art, nor is it a sport; it stresses efficiency, aggression, and survival. 

Our head Krav Maga instructor, Dustin Koppel, has been involved in the martial arts for more than a decade, and has been teaching for over eight years. He began with Krav Maga and Muay Thai Kickboxing. He holds a 3rd Dan black belt in Krav Maga and a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. As a competitor, he has won kickboxing championships in the light- and super-heavyweight categories.

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Set up a FREE Beginner’s Account and start training Krav Maga TODAY! Also, be sure to check out our YouTube videos here.

Nunchaku

The Nunchaku is a traditional Japanese weapon originally developed in Okinawa. Nunchaku consists of two sticks linked together by a short chain or rope. In more modern times, the nunchaku was popularized by Bruce Lee. It’s widely used in karate and Okinawan kobudo martial arts. 

Our head Nunchaku instructor is Adam Gerrald. As stated above, Adam loves training and sharing his passion of martial arts. He holds a 4th Dan certified Kukkiwon black belt in Taekwondo. He also holds a black belt in US Marine Corps Martial Arts, a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, a brown chevron in Ultimate Bo, and has experience in other arts such as Capoeira and Filipino Martial Arts.

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Set up a FREE Beginner’s Account and start training Nunchaku TODAY! Also, be sure to check out our YouTube videos here.

Bojustu

Bojutsu is a Japanese word that refers to the art of using a long stick as a weapon. With roots in traditional Japanese martial arts, it emphasizes grips, blocks, strikes/thrusts, katas, and freestyle sparring. Our Ultimate Bo program combines traditional and modern bo techniques and provides a great total body workout.

Our head Ultimate Bo instructor, Nathan Douglas, holds a 3rd Black Chevron in the style. He’s also been training in Taekwondo since 1998, and has a 4th Dan Kukkiwon black belt. Nathan has been a martial arts teacher since 2012; he teaches taekwondo and bojutsu in a local academy. He lives with his wife and kids in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.

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Set up a FREE Beginner’s Account and start training Ultimate Bo TODAY! Also, be sure to check out our YouTube videos here.

Final Thoughts

That’s all of the GMAU’s core martial arts programs in a nutshell. Now that you have the info you need to decide which program is best for you, there are a few other important things to know. And these crucial details are true across ALL of our programs:

• Rank is certified by the Global Martial Arts Association and The Association of Martial Artists World Wide.
• You can choose a monthly, biannual, or 3-installments payment option to find the price point that best aligns with your budget.
• There are clearly outlined syllabi for each rank within the programs.
• We have an electronic library of hundreds of lessons and follow-along classes that are immediately available when you sign up.
• You’ll have direct communication with your instructor, a message board to connect with other students, and access a private Facebook community group.
• All of our programs come with a 60-day money back guarantee.

So what are you waiting for? Now’s the time to start training.

Give the GMAU a try!