I am thinking about starting in Martial Arts?
I am 25 years old (just turned) and want to start something new in my life. I thought it would be cool to take up martial arts because I love physical activity, but am a bit out of shape.
I have no idea where to start or which art form I would like to study. I would appreciate if I could be educated on the different ones I can get into, and also ones that can be started at my age.
I don't mind ones that have contact, but I don't want anything that will send me home bloody after class.
by jamesf24 Member since:
Which one to try depends on your motivation, for example, self defense, exercise and fitness, or you wish to be in the UFC. My advice is to check out different places and take trial classes. Find an instructor you like and a place you enjoy going to, and the style really becomes secondary.
After studying Kenpo Karate, Goju Karate, Kung Fu, Hapkido and Tae Kwon Do for the past 22 years, I have to say that TKD is my favorite. Kung Fu is a close 2nd.
Here is a synopsis of some different martial arts with more detail.
Aikido - uses opponents momemtum and strength against them, redirecting the force, instead of blocking the force. Never engaging strength against strength. Aikido is very defensive.
Judo - Olympic sport, opponents are more engaged with eachoter and try to use leverage and balance to throw their opponent. Judo is closer to wrestling, there are no punches, no kicks, all throws. You are mostly standing until you are thrown. After a throw, you usually get back up and start over.
Ju-Jitsu (Brazilian and Japanese) - Brazilian ju-jitsu is more of a grappling, ground fighting system, where the object is to submit your opponent through joint locks (such as an armbar or kimura) or you can choke your opponent out by getting in a dominant position and using a combination of your arms and or legs to choke them (triangle choke uses legs, rear choke uses arms). Your opponet "taps", to signal his submission and the match is over.
Karate - Karate originates in Okinawa, but many styles were adopted and modified in Japan. There are many different types of Karate (Shotokan, Gen-wa-ki, Kempo, Kenpo, Kyokoshin, Goju, Isshin-Ryu). Karate also usually incorporates weapons training into it's system using the traditional Budo weapons (Staff, Nunchaku, Tonfa, Kama, Sai). Empty hand Karate utilized punches and kicks and the training usually involves serious "toughening" of your entire body.
Kendo is sword/stick fighting. They where a type of armor/face shield and fight with bamboo swords.
Tae Kwon Do - TKD is almost like 3 different martial arts. TKD comes from Korea. It is is an official Olympic sport and some TKD practitioners train exclusively in this version of the art. TKD is also a practical self defense system that it utilizes by the Korean military and secret police. It it often taught in conjunction with another Korean martial art called Hapkido, which uses small joint (wrist, fingers, ankles) manipulation and submission tactics. There are also different types of TKD, such as Moo Du Kwan or Han Mu Kwan. One of the unique things about TKD is that they have a global governing body that unifies all of the forms (Poomse or Kata) and standards required for promotion. So let's say you are a blue belt or "5th Geup" in Korea, you are learning the exact same form as a blue belt in California, or Europe, or anywhere else in the world. TKD is also unique in that it's ratio of kicking techniqes to hand techniqes is about 80% kicking to 20% hand techniques.
Tai Chi - Tai Chi is Chinese in origin. Although Tai Chi can be used in self defense, it is primarily used as exercise around the world. It is believed by many that there are many unexplainable health benefits in practicing Tai Chi. The Chinese believe that all life has an inner force called "Chi". Tai Chi is a means of channelling and releasing one's Chi and therefore reaping the benefits.
The concept of Chi is not exclusive to Tai Chi. It is part of all types of Chinese Kung Fu and is known as "Ki" in Japanese and Korean martial arts. The concept is typically considered part of all traditional martial arts.
Hope this helps….
James
January 9th, 2009 at 1:37 am
I would highly reccomend muay thai or kickboxing.
Great martial art for cardio & self defense.
Look it up on the internet
References :
January 9th, 2009 at 2:08 am
Good for you. The question that you have ask though, many of us could sit here and write a book. First of all if you want to get started in the Martial arts, you need to find out what arts are available in your area. Once this is done, visit a few schools and watch how the classes are conducted. Make your judgment from that. Many Martial Arts are fairly similar in nature. The main question, after a few classes, should be, are you enjoying yourself. If so, Keep it up. It only gets better with the more you learn.
Good Luck
References :
14 years in the Arts
January 9th, 2009 at 2:54 am
by jamesf24 Member since:
Which one to try depends on your motivation, for example, self defense, exercise and fitness, or you wish to be in the UFC. My advice is to check out different places and take trial classes. Find an instructor you like and a place you enjoy going to, and the style really becomes secondary.
After studying Kenpo Karate, Goju Karate, Kung Fu, Hapkido and Tae Kwon Do for the past 22 years, I have to say that TKD is my favorite. Kung Fu is a close 2nd.
Here is a synopsis of some different martial arts with more detail.
Aikido - uses opponents momemtum and strength against them, redirecting the force, instead of blocking the force. Never engaging strength against strength. Aikido is very defensive.
Judo - Olympic sport, opponents are more engaged with eachoter and try to use leverage and balance to throw their opponent. Judo is closer to wrestling, there are no punches, no kicks, all throws. You are mostly standing until you are thrown. After a throw, you usually get back up and start over.
Ju-Jitsu (Brazilian and Japanese) - Brazilian ju-jitsu is more of a grappling, ground fighting system, where the object is to submit your opponent through joint locks (such as an armbar or kimura) or you can choke your opponent out by getting in a dominant position and using a combination of your arms and or legs to choke them (triangle choke uses legs, rear choke uses arms). Your opponet "taps", to signal his submission and the match is over.
Karate - Karate originates in Okinawa, but many styles were adopted and modified in Japan. There are many different types of Karate (Shotokan, Gen-wa-ki, Kempo, Kenpo, Kyokoshin, Goju, Isshin-Ryu). Karate also usually incorporates weapons training into it's system using the traditional Budo weapons (Staff, Nunchaku, Tonfa, Kama, Sai). Empty hand Karate utilized punches and kicks and the training usually involves serious "toughening" of your entire body.
Kendo is sword/stick fighting. They where a type of armor/face shield and fight with bamboo swords.
Tae Kwon Do - TKD is almost like 3 different martial arts. TKD comes from Korea. It is is an official Olympic sport and some TKD practitioners train exclusively in this version of the art. TKD is also a practical self defense system that it utilizes by the Korean military and secret police. It it often taught in conjunction with another Korean martial art called Hapkido, which uses small joint (wrist, fingers, ankles) manipulation and submission tactics. There are also different types of TKD, such as Moo Du Kwan or Han Mu Kwan. One of the unique things about TKD is that they have a global governing body that unifies all of the forms (Poomse or Kata) and standards required for promotion. So let's say you are a blue belt or "5th Geup" in Korea, you are learning the exact same form as a blue belt in California, or Europe, or anywhere else in the world. TKD is also unique in that it's ratio of kicking techniqes to hand techniqes is about 80% kicking to 20% hand techniques.
Tai Chi - Tai Chi is Chinese in origin. Although Tai Chi can be used in self defense, it is primarily used as exercise around the world. It is believed by many that there are many unexplainable health benefits in practicing Tai Chi. The Chinese believe that all life has an inner force called "Chi". Tai Chi is a means of channelling and releasing one's Chi and therefore reaping the benefits.
The concept of Chi is not exclusive to Tai Chi. It is part of all types of Chinese Kung Fu and is known as "Ki" in Japanese and Korean martial arts. The concept is typically considered part of all traditional martial arts.
Hope this helps….
James
References :
22 Years of Martial Arts experience. (Kenpo Karate, Goju Karate, Kung Fu, Tae Kwon Do, Hapkido) Traveled to Japan and Korea. Military Veteran.
January 9th, 2009 at 3:27 am
That's great! Martial Arts can help you in so many ways! Here's a link to w sit that has a listing of different styles:
http://www.blackbeltmag.com/styles
I recommend karate-do, kempo, or kung-fu
Just look into each one, then see if there is a studio near you. I'm really glad your starting up Martial Arts. You are going to be very happy that you did it.
Good Luck and i hope this helps =]
References :
January 9th, 2009 at 4:14 am
i study jujitsu.i am a member of the first Americans world champion in jujitsu..jujitsu is allot like kickboxing but the tournaments are not as full contact.you focus allot on kicks and arm/ leg bars most jujitsu classes will also teach you some very effective self defense moves.these self defense moves are good for women because it is not all about strength but about smarts and speed.best of luck to you
References :
ernielightfootboggs.com(great site lot of info check it out)
January 9th, 2009 at 4:37 am
Since I take Aikido, I'll speak on that. You will get a lot of physical activity, there are a lot of throws, knee walking techniques, pins, wrist locks etc. You don't have to be in the best of shapes, but probably do not want to be in the worst of shapes either.
Aikido focuses on subduing your attacker with minimal injury to your attacker (granted you can cause severe injury with the techniques). Aikido focuses on entering and blending with your attackers momentum to use his force against him and keep him off balance. Aikido also teaches Freestyle, where you have numerous attackers attacking at once.
Also there is no tournaments, it is a non-competitive art.
But there are testing that takes place.
To learn more just do some google searching.
References :
My thoughts summarized
January 9th, 2009 at 5:16 am
I think you should do your homework and check the net and books, to see which art interests you. Then once you have a rough idea on what your looking for. Go check out some of the local dojos.
References :
January 9th, 2009 at 6:05 am
Welcome!
Rather than learning about all the arts, narrow your search down to what is available in your arena. It makes little sense to get your heart set on a style, only to find that it is not taught near you.
Invest the time to visit the schools within reasonable traveling distance from you. Consider the art and style, but choose the teacher. Follow your gut.
As for being sent home bloody, few martial arts schools do that. Bloodied students tend to not continue training, which is never good for the school.
Good luck!
References :