Thinking about giving up on Martial Arts.

FeckArseInc

I've done kickboxing for about a decade and have done Muay Thai for about a year, along with seminars in other styles. but find that I don't enjoy it as much as I did as a kid.

Either it costs too much, or the clubs/organisation ends up being too cultist and you end up dedicating your whole social life to it.

In my late twenties now, I know that I've passed the stage of being a professional fighter and I'm happy enough with that.

So I was thinking that I may be better off just joining a local gym somewhere.

So what are the pros and cons of doing martial arts?

Dyr

Give it up for a while and see if you find any pros.

AntrimBJJ

http://dysfunctionalparrot.com/martialarts/quit-karate/

This guy spent a long time doing martial arts (mostly karate and some TKD). Although he mentions karate here, I think a lot of the points he makes can be applied to any martial art in some way. For example, martial arts as a means of keeping fit... Sure, they can keep you fit, but they may also result in a higher risk of injuries.

You mention MA being cultish and I find that incredibly off putting too. People who view what they are doing as somehow mystic or sacrosanct.

The pros of MA are:

They can help with self-esteem/confidence
They can help improve fitness
To varying degrees they can make you better at fighting usually

The cons are:

The time/effort needed to become good at martial arts may not be worth the end result.
The can be expensive.
They can lead to injuries.
They can also build false confidence.
Media and marketing have portrayed MA as effect forms of self-defence. This may not be accurate.

Just on that last point, people who train "self-defence" often train fight skills. Why not train flight skills? I've met so many people in MA classes who can't run the length of themselves, can't climb etc... we're always advised to flee from trouble, but quite a few people I've met in MA classes aren't in shape make a run for it. Spending your time running or climbing might give you an even better workout and may be just as helpful in a bad situation.

Just some thoughts.

maguffin

For what it's worth...I am now 47 years training and teaching in martial arts having started back in 1966....and I still get a buzz from it...even though it has taken it's toll somewhat on my hips (2 new ones now), I will continue to train and teach until I pass on to the next level of existence!!

I just love it...it's in the blood, and when I don't get to train regularly for one reason or another I feel something is 'missing'

Don't give up just yet...look for another level within your art or yourself and strive for it!

Michael O Leary

FeckArseInc wrote: »

I've done kickboxing for about a decade and have done Muay Thai for about a year, along with seminars in other styles. but find that I don't enjoy it as much as I did as a kid.

Either it costs too much, or the clubs/organisation ends up being too cultist and you end up dedicating your whole social life to it.

In my late twenties now, I know that I've passed the stage of being a professional fighter and I'm happy enough with that.

So I was thinking that I may be better off just joining a local gym somewhere.

So what are the pros and cons of doing martial arts?

I was in the same situation in 2000. I was sick of all the baggage that goes with being an instructor so for a year (2001) I forced myself not to train with the idea that after a year if I wanted to, I could return training and would probably stick with it for life.

I started back with a different organization in 2002, opened a school in 2004 and haven't looked back since. If you would like to try Wing Tsun in Blanchardstown you are more than welcome anytime. We have classes three times per week and the first month is free.

Michael

Izanaki

Maybe you are just sick of the canonical fighting (you mentioned Kick Boxing and Muay Thai) and you need something more challenging for yourself, a martial art that is not only about fighting, but that involves a personal improvement. I would say, have a rest for a few and then look around for a traditional martial art. I'm running a traditional Aikido class in Harold's Cross if you want to give it a try.

Stefano

siochain

If your not enjoying it's not worth doing it. Could be you need a break or a different club.

I trained for years in KB and other sports but due to a few knee ops I can't do it anymore I'm still involved with the club but I would seriously love another few years run at it.

Life's to short not to be having fun.

smacl

siochain wrote: »

If your not enjoying it's not worth doing it. Could be you need a break or a different club.

Life's to short not to be having fun.

+1, if you're not enjoying it try something a bit different. Getting older myself now at 47, I find I enjoy grappling way more than striking. If you haven't tried it, it is certainly worth a shot, and can be great craic. Some weapons work can also be good fun, so something like kendo, escrima or even fencing might be worth a go. That said, I'm not doing much MA myself these days, spending more time cycling.

I find the gym to be deathly boring by comparison to almost any other sporting activity. The classes are ok, but there's no real progression other than maintaining or improving fitness.

the drifter

Bambi wrote: »

Give it up for a while and see if you find any pros.

This

I stepped away in the middle of October for a while. I'd been training hard all year in 2 clubs. Life , work and other stuff was starting to put extra pressure on me. Stepping onto the mats lost its joy as there was always 100 things i needed to be doing.My head was never in it . So i stepped away.

I will be stepping back onto the mats on the 7th of January and i can absolutely not wait for a good roll.

themandan6611

have a breather, try something new like mma or bjj to change things up

JohnMc1

I haven't trained in Martial Arts since the whole Oyama Karate debacle down here. Plus having a second bout of Cancer earlier in the year hasn't helped. I'm looking into a few things in the new year so hopefully once those pan out I might find the desire to train again.

Doug Cartel

I've seriously felt like quitting a few times. From what I've heard, it's not uncommon. So far I haven't quit, though I have had a few periods of not training.

AntrimBJJ

FeckArseInc wrote: »

I've done kickboxing for about a decade and have done Muay Thai for about a year, along with seminars in other styles. but find that I don't enjoy it as much as I did as a kid.

Either it costs too much, or the clubs/organisation ends up being too cultist and you end up dedicating your whole social life to it.

In my late twenties now, I know that I've passed the stage of being a professional fighter and I'm happy enough with that.

So I was thinking that I may be better off just joining a local gym somewhere.

So what are the pros and cons of doing martial arts?

I was hanging out with a good friend the other night and I will share his story.

He did Aikido for 3 years and got to a reasonable standard. He also did a bit of Judo and enjoyed the physical training and sparring. The Judo club closed down, and in order to keep his fitness up, he would run a mile or two during his lunch hour. That was 7 years ago.

That "mile or two" turned in to 5k races, then 10ks, then half marathons, then marathons, then ultramarathons. This year my friend passed the 100 marathons finished mark.

He said running has allowed him to travel the world, meet great people, given him massive health benefits, mental well being and a great feeling.

The bottom line was he said that running gave him what he was looking for, and he hasn't really missed Aikido or Judo (he gave Aikido up to focus on running).

Just thought I'd share.

reganreggie

I have not been able to train consistently for about six months and I feel terrible. Weight gain and the lack of routine are doing my head in. Give it a rest for a while and see if you miss it or try another art.

Chris Dowling

Lots of good advice here already , but I would just like to poin out martial arts, styles, clubs and instructors come in a wide variety, there is no one size fits all solution as every individual is unique and so sometimes it can take a person some time to find a club and style that truely fits them.

JohnMc1

Chris nailed it. That's part of why I haven't trained in a couple of years. It sucks when you find a club that you enjoy and can see yourself staying with going through the rankings and getting your Black Belt [I might have been eligible to test for it next year ] and maybe getting your 2nd Dans and up only for it to snatched from you for no apparent reason.

Sorry for the highjack btw.