Looking for Advice on starting MA

[peckalo]

Guess I will start off with a general overview of myself. I am 5'8", weigh round 150lbs. I have been working out consistantly for a little over 2 years with a 1 month break sprinkled here or there (haven't taken more than a week off in over a year). I have never been looking to get huge, just stronger and lean. As it is I bench 185#, squat around 205 (never tried to max on squat) and am pretty lean.

Right now I ideally lift 5 times a week as a mix of overall compound movements and spot training. I also do at least 15 minutes of high impact cardio a day, with one day devoted solely to cardio.

Anyways, I would like to mix in some MA training into my workout routine. This has do to with releasing tension that gets built up, wanting to learn to "use" my body, and for other reasons (self confidence etc.).

I am looking for recommendations on what to try and what is relatively easy to fit into my routine. I am willing to sacrifice a lifting day and some of my cardio but don't want to lose too much gym time. I want something that I feel is practical and am not too focused on the zen aspects.

 

[apac]

I recommend you see what classes your gym has to offer. For one, you'll be sure to get some decent form and hopefully avoid any injuries, but also an instructor will really push you to get a great aerobic workout.

Styles that come to mind:
Kyokushin/Ashihara/Enshin Karate - very practical styles, full contact. I've been practicing Enshin for about 8 months now
Brazillian Jujitsu - A guy in my karate class tried one of the local BJJ studios, and despite being a black belt in Kempo, said that the workout was absolutely ridiculous. Pretty much 2 hours of really intense training, probably good if you can afford to burn yourself during the classes.
Muay Thai Kickboxing - Just looks like a ton of conditioning work + great practical stand up fighting.

 

[TallBill]

I started Boxing 3 weeks ago and added in grappling this week. Both are a heck of a workout and I'm learning a lot quickly. It's absolutely draining but I'm conditioning myself to still lift weights afterwards.

 

[sherwinz28]

I have about the same stats as OP but have been lifting for about 15+ years on and off. I used to mix MA with my training and it was brutal. Lift weights 5 days a week and then MA 3-5 days/week as well. I studied Kajukenbo for about 2 years but that was about 10 years ago. It was extremely difficult to get large no matter how hard and how much I ate due to the amount of calories I was burning per day. I'd really like to get back into MA but at my age and my time constraints not sure it would be an option. I'd love to do some boxing or possibly BJJ.

 

[TallBill]

Originally posted by: sherwinz28
I have about the same stats as OP but have been lifting for about 15+ years on and off. I used to mix MA with my training and it was brutal. Lift weights 5 days a week and then MA 3-5 days/week as well. I studied Kajukenbo for about 2 years but that was about 10 years ago. It was extremely difficult to get large no matter how hard and how much I ate due to the amount of calories I was burning per day. I'd really like to get back into MA but at my age and my time constraints not sure it would be an option. I'd love to do some boxing or possibly BJJ.

It is possible though. I've put on 3-4 pounds since starting boxing 4 a week. Just gotta eat.. A LOT! I'm already a super heavy weight so meh.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Originally posted by: peckalo
Guess I will start off with a general overview of myself. I am 5'8", weigh round 150lbs. I have been working out consistantly for a little over 2 years with a 1 month break sprinkled here or there (haven't taken more than a week off in over a year). I have never been looking to get huge, just stronger and lean. As it is I bench 185#, squat around 205 (never tried to max on squat) and am pretty lean.

Right now I ideally lift 5 times a week as a mix of overall compound movements and spot training. I also do at least 15 minutes of high impact cardio a day, with one day devoted solely to cardio.

Anyways, I would like to mix in some MA training into my workout routine. This has do to with releasing tension that gets built up, wanting to learn to "use" my body, and for other reasons (self confidence etc.).

I am looking for recommendations on what to try and what is relatively easy to fit into my routine. I am willing to sacrifice a lifting day and some of my cardio but don't want to lose too much gym time. I want something that I feel is practical and am not too focused on the zen aspects.

What will fit into your routine, is something only you can determine. I am not certain what you mean by fitting in relatively easily though, many systems will let you almost completely do away with the other cardio you do, they will give you plenty of that.

The tension release issue I can fully relate to. I tell people my Therapist is Dr. Heavy Bag. I just visualize whatever is pissing me off or troubling me, and go at it, when its over, I'm not mad, glad, or sad, just dead tired. Any system that offers a lot of contact and works with training mitts, strike pads, heavy bags, focus balls, rolling on the mat, throws, sparring, ect. will serve that purpose.

Again, what is in your area will dictate where you can find training that stresses utility instead of indoctrination into a particular traditional system. You can always post back with what you have found, and we can all go from there. Also, as another member stated above, there are systems that are by their nature very physical, will give you the skills, and hence, confidence you seek, and take care of that "releasing tension" issue. Which one is right for you though, only you can say. So, my advice is, don't be afraid to try more than one, of the first isn't doing it for you, look for another. Like everything else in life, treat it like the salad bar, take what you want, leave the rest.

 

[StageLeft]

MA = Massive Attack and your training will be good if u listen to this while working out.

 

[Koing]

BJJ will get you ripped

You will find it much harder to get big (it isn't your goal anyway) if your doing a lot of CV unless your quite big to start with (TallBill).

Koing

 

[irishScott]

If you want practical combat/street defense, Krav Maga hands down.
http://www.kravmaga.com/krav01.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krav_Maga

Same technique used by the IDF, and a lot of it's been integrated into the US Military's respective systems (especially the Marine corps). I took it for 1.5 months, and I'm going to pick it back up in the summer (no training facility near my University ). It's no shit, no required uniforms, no rituals, no nonsense. You grab the gun, kick the balls, steal the gun, disable, and move on. It also trains you to fight multiple opponents as well as knife and gun defense. It's also designed to be learned quickly. Maybe not the best in terms of physical conditioning (although it does provide a great workout), but by far the best for practical combat/street fighting purposes.

Edit: To add to what other have said, BJJ will get you ripped. There was a BJJ class right before my KM class, and even the smallest guy was fucking huge.