Functional? Jiu-Jitsu? Muay Thai? Boxing? When there are several options on the table, it’s easy to freeze — and end up starting none of them. This article solves that in five minutes.
The good news, which we’ll repeat right to the end: at Be Water you don’t have to pick just one. Every plan gives you access to every modality. But let’s help you figure out where to start.
Start with the right question
Forget “which is the best modality?”. There isn’t one. The right question is: what do you want? Pick the goal that resonates most with you:
- “I want to get stronger and fitter” → Functional Training
- “I want to learn self-defence and ground fighting” → Jiu-Jitsu
- “I want to blow off stress and build brutal cardio” → Muay Thai
- “I want technique, reflexes and definition” → Boxing
- “I don’t know / I want a bit of everything” → start with Functional and try the rest
Now let’s go through each one calmly.
Functional Training — the base of everything
If you could only do one thing, it would be this. Be Water functional training combines strength, conditioning, explosivity and mobility in a single programme, in small groups with a coach correcting you.
It’s for you if: you want to get stronger, change your body composition, have more daily energy, or build a physical base that serves everything else — including the martial arts.
You don’t need: any experience. Every exercise is adapted to your level.
Want to understand why it’s not the same as CrossFit? Read our functional training vs CrossFit.
Jiu-Jitsu — human chess
Jiu-Jitsu is a ground-based martial art: technique and leverage beat brute force. It’s the choice for people who like to think while they train and who want self-defence that actually works against bigger opponents.
It’s for you if: you like strategy, you want to learn to control a ground fight, and you’re after a tight community (the mat builds friendships for life).
You don’t need: to be in shape to start. You’ll get there — while learning. We have GI (with kimono) and No-Gi. If you’ve never picked up a kimono, start with our Jiu-Jitsu for beginners guide.
Muay Thai — the art of 8 limbs
Fists, elbows, knees and shins. Muay Thai is the most complete striking art there is, and probably the most effective training to shake off a bad day and build out-of-this-world cardio.
It’s for you if: you want intensity, you want to release stress hitting a bag, and you want cardio no treadmill can give you.
You don’t need: to want to compete. The vast majority train for fitness, technique and headspace. See the benefits of Muay Thai that go beyond the ring.
Boxing — simple, technical, addictive
Just hands and feet moving. Boxing looks simple and that’s exactly why it’s so deep: you spend a lifetime refining timing, footwork and reflexes. It’s elegant, demanding, and it transforms your body.
It’s for you if: you want fine technique, fast reflexes and remarkable muscle definition, in a more hands-focused format.
You don’t need: anything beyond willingness. Start with Boxing for beginners.
Quick decision table
| Your main goal | Modality to start with |
|---|---|
| Strength and body composition | Functional Training |
| Self-defence and strategy | Jiu-Jitsu |
| Releasing stress + cardio | Muay Thai |
| Technique, reflexes and definition | Boxing |
| A bit of everything | Functional + try the rest |
The secret: combine them
Here’s what a lot of people don’t realise. The modalities don’t compete with each other — they complete each other.
Functional training gives you the strength base that makes you better at Muay Thai. Jiu-Jitsu gives you the ground control that striking doesn’t cover. Boxing sharpens the reflexes you use in everything. The most complete athletes at Be Water don’t do one modality — they do several, and each one pulls the others up.
And since every plan includes access to everything, you can do functional on Monday, Jiu-Jitsu on Wednesday and Muay Thai on Friday, without paying more. Check the full schedule and build your own week.
”What if I choose wrong?”
There’s no wrong choice — there’s only not starting. If you try Muay Thai and realise you actually prefer the mat, great: you switch the following week, no cost, no bureaucracy. That’s our philosophy: be water. You adapt, you flow, you find your way.
The only way to really know is to try. And the first class is free. Don’t decide with your head in front of a screen — decide with your body, on the mat or on the bag.
Book your first class
Tell us what interests you and we’ll help you choose the best class to start with. Send a message on WhatsApp (933 869 791) and book your free trial class. Plans from €64.90/month, no lock-in, with access to every modality.
Still unsure about the place? Read why Be Water is one of the best martial arts gyms in Lisbon and what your first class is like.
Be Water Lisboa — Av. do Brasil 7, Campo Grande. Monday to Friday 7am–9pm, Saturday 10am–1pm, Sunday 11am–12:30pm (Open Gym + Open Mat).
— Be Water Team
