Regular aikido student here--yeah, I'd agree. Better off learning to rabbit punch a throat or kick someone in the groin. But there are lots of reasons to train

Regular aikido student here--yeah, I'd agree. Better off learning to rabbit punch a throat or kick someone in the groin. But there are lots of reasons to train a martial art. I like aikido because it's mentally / kinesthetically taxing. I've also trained in judo and danzan ryu jujitsu. DZR probably had the most immediately practical self defense (beyond groin / throat strikes). Judo is also a fantastic choice for self defense in that it shares aikido' removal of lethal / maming techniques, but unlike aikido has "shiai" or full intensity competitive fights. I'm not a very competition oriented person, but traditionally taught judo is, in my opinion, something of a local optima between traditional martial art, practical self defense, and solid fitness. That said, I get less banged up in aikido, which is nice in my mid-thirties :-) Edit: I should also add that martial arts are a last resort option for self defense. If running or screaming or handing over your wallet could work, those are all better options. People get hurt in fights, especially if someone is armed.