Anyone here do any martial arts?

redhare317 · 02-10-2005, 09:36 PM

I recently became interested in martial arts. I finally have some time to pursue such things and think it will be useful to train in something like a martial art for various purposes. What do you guys train in/recommend?

starman · 02-11-2005, 01:48 AM

I've done some tae kwon do, but I thought it was too flashy, and dropped, switching to Muay Thai, mainly because my father's friend can personally tutor me, and because it seems to be a more realistic type of fighting style.

I've also had fencing lessons when I was younger, and been in varsity wrestling for the last few years.

It's really hard to recommend something if you don't describe yourself. It's like saying, hi, I'm Bob, what type of music should I listen to?

Crayon · 02-11-2005, 01:51 AM

I used to do TKD! Red, go to: http://www.martialartsplanet.com

You have to be very careful - there are lots of McDojos out there (especially with TKD and any forms of Karate).

I had gotten back into TKD last year after a 7 year hiatus and I left after a week once I realized how much belt testings were. Now I'm looking into some forms of kung-fu or maybe Vovinam.

It depends on what your goals are for MAs. Do you want to compete a lot? Are you doing it for the 'art' part or for self-defense or...?

For one thing, TKD is kind of a martial sport and involves a LOT of kicking and is long-range. Depends on yerself.

zpmqxonw · 02-11-2005, 05:43 PM

I did taekwondo for almost 10 years, but just recently quit. It was great when I did it and I truely loved and enjoyed it, but it became too much pressure for me. I loved to compete in taekwondo and traveled all over the country at least once a month for tournaments, I even got to train at the Olympic Training Center a couple days!

I quit recently though, because I had been on yo-yo diets since I was 12, and developed some unhealthy eating habits. I had just lost over 30 pounds, but my instructor wanted me to lose more, which would put me already below my 14 percent body fat. I decided it was unhealthy and I quit a couple weeks ago, but I hope to come back to the sport I love in a couple months or years. It really gave me some great life skills such as perseverance, self-control, integrety, courtesy, and more. I highly recommend you try taekwondo, but like the other posters have mentioned make sure you find a respectable school.

theblumuffin · 02-11-2005, 05:54 PM

I do uechi-ryu karate.

mesotired9 · 02-11-2005, 06:23 PM

"I know kung fu..."

I'm sorry, but I felt that was necessary.

ilovetocamp · 02-11-2005, 08:35 PM

i think that a grapping/ssubmission martial art would be one of the most practical

i kinda want to learn judo, but no real schools around here

I used to do TKD, but i don't think it would be the most practical art... (you do need alot of space to kick and stuff)

redhare317 · 02-11-2005, 10:11 PM

Thanks for your replies, everyone. Seems like TKD is a good choice for a lot of you. However, I feel too stiff and inflexible to learn it. I'm 17 years old, short in height, medium in weight. If I'm good, I'll definitely compete. I'm mainly looking for a balance between sport and self defense, so I was seriously considering BJJ. (There's an accredited school nearby.) But I still want to know the popular choices so I can expand my options. The BJJ academy also offers Muay Thai. How much can I expect to pay, say, monthly for typical martial arts instruction?

Crayon · 02-11-2005, 10:14 PM

Hmm... it really depends. My parents spent about 50 bucks a month for my TKD lessons and an extra 20 bucks for belt testings. At my other place, it was about the same price but belt testings were also 50 bucks.

Anyway, call them up and ask if you can have a couple of free lessons. Browse MAP... it's a really good site and should answer any questions you have.

Don't worry about flexibility. Within a month or two, I was able to do the splits.

You're going to need to spend a good amount of money for equipent for MT. If you do TKD, you'll need sparring gear. I spent around 100 bucks for my sparring gear a long time ago.

I suggest finding out more about all of the schools in your area and just trying things out and seeing what's reasonable. If you become serious in your MAs in the future, you'll find yourself practicing different styles to complete your fighting.

rainbow kirby · 02-26-2005, 08:42 PM

I've spent a total of almost 10 years training, 7 years of kenpo and almost 3 years of taekwondo. I'm a junior black belt in kenpo and a black tag (high red belt, 1st gup) in TKD.

Crayon · 02-26-2005, 09:04 PM

W.T.F. or I.T.F. TKD? (I practiced the former briefly...)

adjlad · 02-26-2005, 09:24 PM

ummmmm....oooooook

anyway, i see that some CCers are saying that TKD isn't as practical as some other forms of martial arts? Can anyone enlighten me on some of these or clear up this issue for me?