There are many martial arts disciplines available in Barcelona and it can be overwhelming deciding which one to follow. It's best to attend a trial class, something that is offered by most schools. Taekwondo, ju-jitsu, karate, kickboxing, judo, aikido, hapkido, jeet kune do (a variation of kung fu) and kung fu are the most common choices. Some centres specialise in one discipline, while others offer a whole range. Many local gyms, sports centres, health clubs and community centres offer classes too. Martial arts that focus more on self-defence than combat, such as hapkido, are particularly popular with women. But these sports also relieving stress, increase flexibility and improve balance. Useful organisations include the Federació d’Arts Marcials de Catalunya (93 533 11 11), the Federació Catalana de Karate (www.fckarate.com) and the Federació Taekwondo de Catalunya (www.taekwondocatala.com).