In one sentence, describe what the following article is about:

People begin learning a martial art for many reasons. Perhaps you feel out of shape, or maybe you no longer want to be picked on.  Martial arts are a good way to boost self-respect. When you start training, you will begin to understand yourself better. This will help you understand and respect others as well.  Martial arts will help you define and overcome your weaknesses. They are challenging and empowering at the same time. Before you start kicking trees and punching walls, do some research on martial arts. Don't just pick what's popular at the time. Find one that you're interested in.  There are many different types of martial arts. There are hard styles, which focus on force, and soft styles that focus on manipulation of energy.  Another benefit of researching martial arts is broadening your knowledge of fighting styles. It's a good idea to have a working knowledge of other styles if you want to be a martial artist. a style that suits you. Some arts favor strength and others agility. Think about the qualities you have and what you want to nurture as a martial artist.  If you want to practice a more traditional martial art, look into Kung Fu or Aikido. The traditional arts tend to place a lot of emphasis on the philosophy behind martial arts.  If you have long legs you might consider Taekwondo, which emphasizes kicking. If you're a bit stockier, look into Jiu-jitsu, a prominent grappling art.  There is no "right" martial art to study. There is only the martial art that is right for you. Training in martial arts is an act of dedication regardless of the art you choose. Still, some arts will require more time than others.  If you choose an art such as Capoeira, which is a blend of dancing and fighting, expect to spend a significant amount of time learning complex moves.  Other arts, such as Boxing, or Jeet Kune Do, are built on efficiency of movement and simplicity. Not to mention there are far more resources to learn these arts. Once you know what you want to study, find resources and equipment to help you along the way. Checkout some books or watch videos online.  Invest in a heavy bag if you want to get the most out of training alone.  There are a lot of schools that advertise online martial arts classes. While it's not the same as going to a school, you may still be able to learn more than if you trained alone.

Summary:
Think about why you want to learn a martial art. Research different martial arts. Pick Consider how much time you can invest in training. Find materials to help you train.