Which martial art school should I join if I also want to get fit?

scrotist

About 10 years ago I joined some Japanese martial art class. Got a green belt. But it was too staged and I didn't feel like it was real martial arts.

It depended on the bad guy stabbing or punching you in an exact area so you could disarm him. I thought it was a load of shite. Ok, I know what to do if I am stabbed directly in the heart, but what about my leg or my face? I quit after the green belt.

Anyway I'm in my late 30s now and I'd like to start again, with something more energetic and practical.

I would like some cardio workout too. I'm thinking boxing or muay thai. Is there anything else I could try?

I'm in Cork city if that matters.

Mellor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058410115/which-martial-art-school-should-i-join-if-i-also-want-to-get-fit

You were probably doing some form of japanese jutsu or aikido. Both are very choreographed in terms of self defence. And, even though you knew the knife was coming at your chest - I'd be shocked if you could defence competently.
Self defence is hard. Any thing that teach "simple defence move" is shite. The best self defence is being competently able to fight. So I recommend and style that is full contact.

Boxing or Muay Thai if you want to do striking. BJJ, Judo or wrestling if grappling. MMA if you are not sure (as they'll have class in a mix of those 5).

BJJ is essentially the version of what you did before, that actually works. I'd suggest that to really highlight how little you learned before.

MrStuffins

Bit of a boring answer so apologies in advance, but the real answer here is "whichever one you'll enjoy the most"

The fitness element will depend on how often you turn up and how much effort you put in. Sure, some martial arts are more physically strenuous than others, but no point doing a high intensity one you don't like as you won't go and you won't get any fitter.

My suggetion would be to try all of the ones Mellor suggested above. These are the ones that "work" for want of a better term. They work for self-defence as they are pressure-tested, which means they also work really well for fitness too as, in theory, you should be exerting yourself. You might find you life striking over grappling, or the other way around.

creeper1

It was probably ninjitsu or some other such traditional martial art.

I agree with the above post that consistency is going to be incredibly important if you want to get fit.

something you enjoy is going to be something you attend regularly.

Yeah combat sports tax your body and increase fitness but are you made of the right stuff?