Is Aikido Worth My Trouble?

I’ve been toying with the idea of learning a martial art, more for exercise than anything, but with an at least token nod towards practical self-defense.

Here is my cursory take on major fighting styles, although I’d love any clarification or correction:

• Aikido – Easy to learn, hard to master, this martial art is more about disabling opponents than flashy moves. Not necessarily all that physical.

Leaning heavily towards aikido, because I’m more into defense than offense.

• Judo – Another defensive art and one that many practicers say doesn’t diminish with time and lack of practice. (Relative, of course, to other more technical arts.)

• A striking art – Sometimes I think I might actually want to be able to stike at someone first, even if it’s just in a competition or some sort of sparring match.

Really, I have my heart set on aikido, so this is somewhat a trick question. What’s not to love about Steven Seagal taking out three guys at a time with dainty little twists and slaps?