Martial Arts

[BigSi]

Thinking of taking up a new hobby. It was suggested that I take up some sort of martial arts, as one of my friends suggested ‘Tae kwon do’ (or any other). Was wondering if any body has any experience of this? Not looking to crack paving slabs on my head, just something to keep me active.  :whothedaddy:

[stuntman]

Shotokan would be the best bet, it's a form of traditional martial arts that can trace it's routes back to the begining of the movement.

Wadoryu and taekwondo are both very 'bendy' martial arts, lots of kicking and twirls, I've trained in most forms of semi and full contact martial arts and I really enjoyed Shotokan for everyday fitness and excercise

andi K

[BigSi]

Shotokan sounds interesting, do tell!  :-k  :-k  :-k  :-k

[muddyjlx]

i used to do tai kwan do.

it is full of high jumping kicks, you need to be really fit to do it.

i had to give after i busted my knee doing a jumping turning kick and landed wrong.

[pux]

speak to suggs he is your jap slapping man to ask

[Sharpshooter]

I have just finished a session of "ho-dun-puu"

I feel much better for it too. :)

[Bulli]

or you could avoid all the bowing and go for muay thai. Been doing it on and off for 9 years, if you get a good gym you will find it really addictive, Muay Thai has been around for hundreds of years in one form or another, the early forms were all about killing and maiming...but they were fighting for their lives.

much more practical than most martial arts as its a fighting sport, which means you train for fitness rather than for one hit then back to your places and start again.

lots of people are moving towards MMA(mixed martial arts) there are some good gyms teaching this.

[karlo]

My lad does Taekwondo and loves it he's a red belt at the mo next is black stripe (red belt with black stripe) then black oh and he's Ten.

[Silvery Thing]

I would seriously recommend trying Origami.... nothing too strenuous to start with as you don't want to suffer an injury before you go for your belt gradings.

The nastiest injury I got was a bad paper cut on my right index finger

[BigSi]

Your right, Origami certainly looks like fun!!!  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:



"I feel the Force"

[littlepow]

Ju-Jitsu, the ultimate marshall art. Has bits of everything. Will even teach usefull self defence.

[biggerlandy]

mma i do it its fab i took heavy weight belt out of wales 2 years ago  :D

[Welshbreed]

join the phillapines police force. they do martial arts as basic training now.

Personally I like american football (I'm 217lbs or 17st 12) and It's a raelly good sport once you understand the rules (simple once you know them... kinda logical when you look back)

If you just want to get fit, http://www.armyfit.mod.uk/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fGetStarted.aspx is a get fit quick training session, and includes a week by week training program for even the lazyest of people (like me)

I've been doing it for a few weeks now, and am much fitter. But I've also lost 2 stone (in four months :D ) from eating a lot less aswell

[rollazuki]

Muay Thai....Thai Boxing.

Tried others a little, Nothing like it.
Its a true fighting art, not for points scoring, but for hurting. Competitions are like boxing, a knockout being the goal.
Damned hard work, but find a good teacher and watch the pounds fall away(as well as twisted joints, acheing muscles and missing teeth.....lol)

Most important thing Id say tho, is find a gym/class/dojo whatever you choose, where you feel comfortable.

I went to a Taekwondo class years ago, and felt very out of place. The Muay thay gym I attend feels like family. The owner has vast experience, his wife is an ex world title belt holder, and feels like a second home, even if Ive not been for ages.

Above all, try a few, and find the place that makes you feel comfortable, in an environment where you dont mind feeling weak/daft/hurt. They are all gonna happen.

Most places let you try a first lesson free, so try em all.

Good luck

Rolla.

Ps Muay Thai is by far the best, and the Wicker Camp in Sheffield the place to do it!!

[Bulli]

nothing quite like using your elbow or landing a strong leg kick

[biggerlandy]

yes agree with you i study muay thai for my stand up work i allso study bjj grapple and strike combat submission wrestling mixing up all up is great :D

[Bulli]

there is definately something to be said for studying submissions for rounding you off.

dont seem to have a spare minute though lol

[johnpirate]

My late wife did Ju-Jitsu she was a black belt passed at 16 .It seemed a more complete form of training and allowances can be made for infirmities.My 14 year old daughter caught the bug .Dont know why as she was only 11mths old when we lost her mum She made black belt by her 12 birthday but quit as she felt it wasnt taking her forward which in the youth circle I understood what she meant. The World Fereration in the UK is run from Liverpool .Without getting my self into a legal row .Money grabbing persons of doubtful parentage allegedly.

[glaggs]

Most martial arts will help with all round fitness. I did Judo for many years. It builds strength, fitness, stanmina and subtlenessas well as self confidence. It can slao be practiced without the risk of injury or lost teeth. Unfortunately if you get the bug and start entering competitive events you find out quickly how painful some of the holding, throwing and submission techniquies can be. Done right you don't need a minuet to get a submission. These days I would need to seriously work on my general fitness before considering taking it up again. As said by Rolla though, find a gym/dojo where you feel welcome, this is probably more inmportant than the diciplin, especially if you are mainly looking to inmprove your fittness.