Which one to choose - pls help!!!

monkeyboy

Hi - I was wondering if anyone could help me with a question I have regarding which martial art to choose to learn.
I've narrowed my goals down to 1. fitness 2. praticality(ie I couldnt picture myself doing some sort of roundhouse kick if I got mugged!!!) and 3. not full contact(until my confidence is better/ I'm more comfortable)

In an ideal world there would be an art to match all these goals but I'm happy with just meeting one if possble. Can anyone help?????

Also I'm based in the waterford area - does anyone know of any classes in waterford/tramore area???

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks - monkey boy

SoupyNorman

Hi - I was wondering if anyone could help me with a question I have regarding which martial art to choose to learn.
I've narrowed my goals down to 1. fitness 2. praticality(ie I couldnt picture myself doing some sort of roundhouse kick if I got mugged!!!) and 3. not full contact(until my confidence is better/ I'm more comfortable)

In an ideal world there would be an art to match all these goals but I'm happy with just meeting one if possble. Can anyone help?????

Also I'm based in the waterford area - does anyone know of any classes in waterford/tramore area???

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks - monkey boy




Well i've been kickboxing for a year now and it incorporates everything your looking for.Anyway most if not all martial arts would have the elements you want, you have to look at the big picture all the same.You must be be totally dedicated to which ever you choose, you will be starting from the beginning like everybody had to at one stage.The hardest hurdle is the first few months once you get past the initial pain from training and awkwardness of learning to move your body in ways its not used to then it becomes easier and easier.
My advice would be try 2 or 3 martial arts and have a chat with the trainer after and let him tell you whats involved and what you will get from it.
Do what you think suits you the most, no one can really tell you what to pick.

just a quick note on kickboxing...

We do a cardio-vascular(aerobics!) warm-up for about 30-45mins followed by stretching.Then its into techniques for another 45mins and usually pads or self defence(street fighting style) and a warm down.
in our particular class 90% of the class are beginners/novices at any one time.

TwoKingMick

You can't have practicality without full contact. If theres no contact then its just theory. But you should learn to not equate full contact with broken noses and black eyes, its much more safe if done properly

PhoenixRising

Taekwon-do could be an option. It will help your fitness, and there is sparring but it's semi-contact with pads. There is a lot of kicking used in Taekwon-do, so that may or may not suit you, but it's definitely one worth checking out to see if it fits the bill.

memphis

PhoenixRising wrote:

Taekwon-do could be an option. It will help your fitness, and there is sparring but it's semi-contact with pads. There is a lot of kicking used in Taekwon-do, so that may or may not suit you, but it's definitely one worth checking out to see if it fits the bill.

I agree. TKD is a great booster for confidence, I'm doing it only 7-8 months and already I feel the benifits, both physically and mentally. I would strongly recommend you try out a class and decide for yourself if its the art for you or not.

Most people will say that TKD is simular to kickboxing in the sense that the training is simular, cardio-vascular (warm up) period, followed by stretching, and then pads, or self defefence, or indeed semi contact sparring (with pads), and then a genral wind down/cooling down period.

Like I say give em a try, see which one you like, after that only you will know which is best suited to your needs/wants, and physical ability.

memphis

Colm_OReilly

monkeyboy,

I've sent you a PM.

Colm

Musashi

MonkeyBoy,
As far as I know in Waterford City Mr. John Jacobs still has his ITF Tae Kwon Do classes going.A very nice guy and a great instructor who will actually teach you, not just show off his own skills as some instructors do.
In Tramore I can recommend the Hapkido/BJJ classes of Mr. Alan Sullivan.You learn kicking,punching,locks throws etc. in the Hapkido but he will also "go to the mat" with Gracie style Ju-Jitsu, a good mix to cover all ranges.

http://homepage.tinet.ie/~tramorehapkido/

otron

monkeyboy wrote:

Hi - I was wondering if anyone could help me with a question I have regarding which martial art to choose to learn.

Hi,
Ive recently taken up a (12 week x 2 hour) class in Krav Maga and highly recommend it. Its the fighting technique used by and developed for the Israeli military.

monkeyboy wrote:

I've narrowed my goals down to 1. fitness

Its pretty intensive in terms of exercise, lots of warm up and actual practice on pads etc.

monkeyboy wrote:

2. praticality(ie I couldnt picture myself doing some sort of roundhouse kick if I got mugged!!!)

This is the whole point. Its designed to be done out of instinct rather then constant practice like many martial arts. The moves are simple and don't involve high kicks or fancy moves.

monkeyboy wrote:

3. not full contact(until my confidence is better/ I'm more comfortable)

You practice with a partner but the moves are done in slow motion to train the mind to that movement, proper action is confined to the pads mostly. There is a Bullet man thing at the end which (I hear) involves fighting off the trainer whos all padded up... (havent got to that bit yet)

Anyway, based on what I've seen, its an excellent way to learn practical self-defense. Its pretty vicious, but I have no doubt it's very effective.

Heres the URL:
http://www.kravmagaireland.com/

The majority of the courses are in Dublin, but you can do the course over an intensive weekend. The site mentions weekends coming up in Kilkenny and Cork.

StRiKeR

yea I recmmend TDK too, but if you want to build more confident, Thai Boxing is good too, it might even train someone whos afraid of fightin into a great fighter!

Colm_OReilly

the moves are done in slow motion to train the mind to that movement

Doing moves in slow motion will not help you execute them in real time as you are not recruiting the same nerves and muscles. Only by training at real speed or close to it can you develop the neuromuscular connections and the ability to perform the technique in real time.

Colm

LegacyUser

Krava Maga is a truly brilliant form of self defense from what I have been told.

otron

Colm_OReilly wrote:

Doing moves in slow motion will not help you execute them in real time as you are not recruiting the same nerves and muscles. Only by training at real speed or close to it can you develop the neuromuscular connections and the ability to perform the technique in real time.

Well Im obviously no expert, but Im convinced by what the guy says on the subject. Lots of examples of people in trouble because they trained in a particular way (by say, stopping short of hitting someone). The point the guy makes is that you are effectively practicing missing a shot in a lot of martial arts training. Its worth saying that this isn't the only way you practice, theres lots of pad work etc.

columok

but Im convinced by what the guy says on the subject.

Rather than trust someone who has a vested interest in convincing you that KM works you should trust your own experience. Anecdotal evidence should not be treated as fact.

Other arts that include full contact such as Boxing, Full contact Kickboxing, Savate, Muay Thai and Vale Tudo proove themselves in competition day in day out. There is no missing of shots and they dont charge the exorbitant fees that most KM people seem to charge.