Choosing a Martial Art Form

[dmw16]

I have wanted to take a martial art since I was a kid, and now I am graduating college and need to find a way to stay active.

How do I go about choosing a style? I want something where there will be competitions eventually since I enjoy some competition from time to time. Beyond that I dont know where to start.

ANy suggestions?

 

[Ricemarine]

If you're looking for actual fighting... Maybe Wing Chun Kung Fu, Karate, JuJitsu (brazilian is good too), and muay thai (kickboxing, very good in streets).

If you're looking to just show off... do performances... or aerobic. Tae kwon do. Or karate...

From what I know, I might be wrong.

Muay thai = Use of 8 parts, very powerful in street fighting.
Karate = Striking, some defense, good for those competitions.
JuJitsu = Taking advantage of the other opponents power, has more stuff than Judo which is for grappling.
Wing Chun Kung fu = Defensive in a way, short ranged combat.
Jeet Kun Do = Another use, its all about you being creative in your fighting ability.
Tae kwon do = Kicking, and more kicking.. A lot of people think of this as an ineffective martial art, for kicks can be blocked easily.


Too bad there aren't any good muay thai places...
Or karate... For they just advance you by the belts...

For karate, there are some dojos that advance you by hours, and are just a way for you to lose your money. Go to your dojos and find good ones.

 

[YoshiSato]

The "experts" are going to tell you to check your local dojos and see what styles are offered and watch a few classes.

I want to learn kendo(tennen rishin style) but I can't find any dojo in my area that teaches any style of kendo so I'm totally SOL. And I'm not driving 50 miles to the one college that has keno club.

 

[dmw16]

Is there a better way than the yellow pages to find dojos?

What do lessons usually run a month?

 

[YoshiSato]

Here Maybe

 

[reverend boltron]

Yeah, I used to teach martial arts. I taught brazilian jiu jitsu and muay thai kickboxing. Also, I studied filipino stick and knife fighting (kali) and southern mantis for a couple of years (southern mantis is kung fu). I would suggest brazilian jiu jitsu, it is so full of depth, and there are tons of competitions you can go to, plus it will help you gain your confidence in ways that other martial arts lack. This is all from personal experience. PM me if you have any questions.

 

[DAGTA]

Originally posted by: Ricemarine
If you're looking for actual fighting... Maybe Wing Chun Kung Fu, Karate, JuJitsu (brazilian is good too), and muay thai (kickboxing, very good in streets).

If you're looking to just show off... do performances... or aerobic. Tae kwon do. Or karate...

From what I know, I might be wrong.

Muay thai = Use of 8 parts, very powerful in street fighting.
Karate = Striking, some defense, good for those competitions.
JuJitsu = Taking advantage of the other opponents power, has more stuff than Judo which is for grappling.
Wing Chun Kung fu = Defensive in a way, short ranged combat.
Jeet Kun Do = Another use, its all about you being creative in your fighting ability.
Tae kwon do = Kicking, and more kicking.. A lot of people think of this as an ineffective martial art, for kicks can be blocked easily.


Too bad there aren't any good muay thai places...
Or karate... For they just advance you by the belts...

For karate, there are some dojos that advance you by hours, and are just a way for you to lose your money. Go to your dojos and find good ones.

Kicks can be blocked easily? Anyone that blocks a well executed Tae Kwon Do kick with an arm has a good chance of having a broken arm.

I agree with everything else you said.

 

[YoYoBabyYo]

Well, I have a black belt in Tae Kwon do and I can tell you that it is a very active form of martial arts. However, it is very boring so you might as well learn something where you can do some cool flips and summersaults! Forget martial arts, get into gymastic! You can meet some very flexible gals!

 

[necine]

I take jeet kune do... it's amazing. Combination of every fighting style you can think of... no fixed positions, everythings fluid. It takes its basics from Wing Chun Kung Fu, modern boxing... it's the most scientific approach to fighting you can find.

 

[SuPrEIVIE]

don't know if i spelled it right but what about shodokhan? like in street fighter? HADOUKEN!

 

[Jediab]

What are you looking to want to do? Get in shape? Learn some cool weapon mastery? Good street survival skills?

All the above posts are great, but not all styles are right for everyone. Find out what you think would be best for you and choose one that has been listed by the other posters.

 

[dmw16]

I want to get in shape and feel confident in my ability to (eventually) protect myself.

 

[Ricemarine]

Originally posted by: dmw16
I want to get in shape and feel confident in my ability to (eventually) protect myself.

well if you want intense, and good in regular street brawls.
muay thai.

 

[DaFinn]

Originally posted by: Ricemarine
If you're looking for actual fighting... Maybe Wing Chun Kung Fu, Karate, JuJitsu (brazilian is good too), and muay thai (kickboxing, very good in streets).

If you're looking to just show off... do performances... or aerobic. Tae kwon do. Or karate...

From what I know, I might be wrong.

Muay thai = Use of 8 parts, very powerful in street fighting.
Karate = Striking, some defense, good for those competitions.
JuJitsu = Taking advantage of the other opponents power, has more stuff than Judo which is for grappling.
Wing Chun Kung fu = Defensive in a way, short ranged combat.
Jeet Kun Do = Another use, its all about you being creative in your fighting ability.
Tae kwon do = Kicking, and more kicking.. A lot of people think of this as an ineffective martial art, for kicks can be blocked easily.


Too bad there aren't any good muay thai places...
Or karate... For they just advance you by the belts...

For karate, there are some dojos that advance you by hours, and are just a way for you to lose your money. Go to your dojos and find good ones.

There are several different forms of Karate. Some of them differ quite a lot. I've practised 3 different forms that were totally different. If you go for karate, just ask around and find the right one for you.

I've done Jiu-jitsu, and its a very good allround martial art.

If you want to learn to protect yourself, Krav Maga is the way to go.

 

[Jediab]

Originally posted by: dmw16
I want to get in shape and feel confident in my ability to (eventually) protect myself.

Most styles will help you in defending yourself, but some are better at getting you in shape faster. Regardless of what style you choose, try to look for something where there are kicks involved. In general, the body uses more energy to throw a kick than a punch, thus is will help get your heart rate up. Jeet Kwon Do for instance like was mentioned is not very tight. There is a lot of movement involved, thus increased heart rate.

Some of the exotic kung-fu style are also great for getting one into shape. They work not only on your cardio, but also on muscle stamina (ever see some of those funky positions they get in?), and flexability in areas you didnt know you had muscles. Plus its a great opening line for meeting chicks. "Hey baby, want to see my praying mantis?"

 

[her209]

Kendo?

 

[Gooberlx2]

Originally posted by: Ricemarine
If you're looking for actual fighting... Maybe Wing Chun Kung Fu, Karate, JuJitsu (brazilian is good too), and muay thai (kickboxing, very good in streets).

If you're looking to just show off... do performances... or aerobic. Tae kwon do. Or karate...

From what I know, I might be wrong.

Muay thai = Use of 8 parts, very powerful in street fighting.
Karate = Striking, some defense, good for those competitions.
JuJitsu = Taking advantage of the other opponents power, has more stuff than Judo which is for grappling.
Wing Chun Kung fu = Defensive in a way, short ranged combat.
Jeet Kun Do = Another use, its all about you being creative in your fighting ability.
Tae kwon do = Kicking, and more kicking.. A lot of people think of this as an ineffective martial art, for kicks can be blocked easily.


Too bad there aren't any good muay thai places...
Or karate... For they just advance you by the belts...

For karate, there are some dojos that advance you by hours, and are just a way for you to lose your money. Go to your dojos and find good ones.

hmmm...I totally disagree about Tae Kwon Do. I find it to be just as effective and far less constrictive (in the teaching of it anyway) than Karate. The most effective would probably be some form of Jujitsu. But anything will increase your reflexes and help to keep your mind trained and steady during a fight.

 

[Xylitol]

Taek won do if you wanna look cool

 

[zmaster]

kendo indeed. no better way to relive stress than to smash the shinai on the opponents head with all your might...

 

[tommywishbone]

Young grasshopper, I humbly recommend Kung Fu. And remember; you are a student on the very 1st day of class and you will remain a student until the day you die. Walk through life as humble as the dirt.

 

[Xylitol]

Originally posted by: zmaster
kendo indeed. no better way to relive stress than to smash the shinai on the opponents head with all your might...

Yea but with Kendo you cant rip out your opponent's b@lls

 

[Mickey Eye]

Taek won do, some teachers do just emphasise the power of the kicking. Which is why the school I went to won a lot, through teaching the effective punching techniques. I haven't been in years though. As for using it in a street fight, reverse kick for the win.

 

[TheNinja]

I would suggest ninjitsu.

If that doesn't suit you, then Krav Magna, I heard there was a guy who studied Krav Magna and he could rip somebody's arms right off!!!

Actually I'm interested in Muay Thai and BJJ. I think striking looks like fun and BJJ seems like a good defensive martial art.

 

[Ricemarine]

Originally posted by: TheNinja
I would suggest ninjitsu.

Cause your name is "TheNinja" lol.

 

[YoshiSato]

Originally posted by: Xylitol

Originally posted by: zmaster
kendo indeed. no better way to relive stress than to smash the shinai on the opponents head with all your might...

Yea but with Kendo you cant rip out your opponent's b@lls

No but you can cut them and both heads off.

Besides my red oak daito will break a few bones too.