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You're looking for a breathtaking workout, a physical path to spiritual growth, or no-holds-barred moves for dropping an attacker. But where to begin? With Jujutsu? T'ai Chi? Use this guide to sort through the best-known martial arts -- and pick the path that's best for you.

Karate-Do

Translation: "The way of the empty hand."

Origin: In the 16th century the conquering Chinese banned weapons in Okinawa; the islanders learned Kung-fu style boxing as a means of defense. Karate was perfected in the 1920s by Funakoshi Gichin, an Okinawan schoolmaster.

Big Picture: Kicks and punches concentrate the greatest amount of energy into one spot. The Karate "chop" was first used by Okinawans to smash through the bamboo armor worn by invading Japanese.

Best For: People looking for a no-nonsense mental and physical workout.

High: Executing a perfectly synchronized team kata with two partners.

Low: Sparring against someone who's out of control.

Beginner's Heads Up: Newcomers spend many hours practicing basic techniques and drills before sparring.

Competition: Points are awarded for controlled techniques that lightly tap an opponent's vital point.

Web Coordinates: Cyber-Dojo WWW home page (http://www.ryu.com/CyberDojo/) includes an extensive list of recommended schools and a bulletin board for corresponding with Cyber-Dojo members in 20 countries.

Kung-fu

Translation: Bruce Lee popularized the Cantonese term, Kung-fu, meaning "a man's effort."

Origin: In the 6th century Bodhidharma, a Buddhist monk, developed a series of 18 exercises combining motion and meditation and taught them to the ascetic monks of the Shaolin temple. Kung-fu grew out of these exercises, which proved devastating in combat.

Big Picture: A complicated martial art of some 400 styles developed from careful observations of animals fighting. The motions are fluid, even acrobatic.

Best For: People who are looking for a dancelike martial art, where technique counts for more than raw power.

High: Throwing a 360-degree rolling kick -- only Bruce Lee-types can do it.

Low: Maintaining a "horse stance" until your legs shake uncontrollably.

Beginner's Heads Up: A neophyte might feel silly at first because the moves require you to be simultaneously alert and relaxed -- a counterintuitive combination.

Competition: In sparring, score one point for a simple kick, three points for a throw.

Web Coordinates: Kung-fu, the home page: descriptions of different styles and a listing of schools in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. http://www.uwm.edu/~porath/kung/kung.html