Martial Arts Question

[Ghosthunter]

I did not want to take away from EA thread.

As some of you know I am mainly looking to start martial arts for variety reasons but most important to lose weight and get back in shape.

if it does not matter since I will sweat in any of them, how do I know what is a good school?


What do I look for? Any tips?

Thanks

[therealcableguy]

Alot of people walk in and sign up at the first place they go to.I recommend to people that come in our school to go and visit other schools.Take your time making this decision.Watch our class.Then go and watch other classes.Decide from what you have seen which one you like the best.They always come back Do you want to compete in the Olympics?Then I suggest Tae-Kwon-Do.They are an Olympic sport.Looking for throws and cool takedowns.Judo.Focus on hands?Kempo.Grappling?Try Ju-Jitsu.Want to be competitive?Then how many champions train at the school?Gotta train with the best to be the best.Best of Luck.

[Norm]

Originally posted by Ghosthunter
I did not want to take away from EA thread.

As some of you know I am mainly looking to start martial arts for variety reasons but most important to lose weight and get back in shape.

if it does not matter since I will sweat in any of them, how do I know what is a good school?


What do I look for? Any tips?

Thanks

Look for an older oriental teaching the class. They are merciless

[Blisster]

hey davy, I am going through the exact same thing as you. Looking to improve my physical fitness, sharpen my balance, be more confident etc. I decided to start with a basic boxing class. It is highly cardio intensive, I'm learning a basic boxers stance, plus throwing basic jabs and punches. I plan on moving from this to either Jiujitsu or Wing Chun (my friend has been "doing" Wing Chun for about 5 years and really wants me to start working out with him, but I thing Jj might be a better overall body workout for me, still havent decided yet).

I figure after the boxing class I will be oin better shape, be a bit more confident and perhaps ready to take on more of a commitment and start learning a martial art.

[Ghosthunter]

Well I decide to drop by my local tang soo do karate class

It looked great, but I doubt I will be able to last the entire hour, all the people in the class looked trim and fit no overweight like me and they were out of breath majority of the time.


I think I need to keep walking and jogging until I get in better shape like others have said before joining one, otherwise I might drop dead halfway into the class.

[blebs]

Davey check out my old instructor and this message board. I think you might get all the answers you ever wanted there.

http://www.usjujitsu.net/bio/mcclanahan/

http://www.budoseek.net/vbulletin/index.php

[Ghosthunter]

Originally posted by blebs99
Davey check out my old instructor and this message board. I think you might get all the answers you ever wanted there.

http://www.usjujitsu.net/bio/mcclanahan/

http://www.budoseek.net/vbulletin/index.php

Woot Thanks blebs99

[Ghosthunter]

OK there are none right where I live, expcet for tan soo do and a few tae kwon do places, nothing that spared my interest

Looks like I will have to go into NYC which is fine since I can go after work, I am just afraid how much I will smell on the 1.5 hour train ride home =)


Trying to decide between these three places:

Choy Lee Fut
http://www.americanhungsingkwoon.com/training.htm

Hung Ga
http://www.yeeshungga.com/site.htm

Eagle Claw
http://www.yingjowpai.com/


All different styles, after looking over that site Bleb99 pointed me to seems like Choy Lee Fut is the best for real life combat, not just have to check the places out and see if the place is good for me.

[Ghosthunter]

What do you think of Krav Maga, seems pretty new compared to everythign else out here but looks like it will work good.

http://www.kravmagainc.com/welcome.html

[terrancelam]

I'm a Hung Gar (Ga) martial artist myself. Horse stance is a basic thing you'll learn, but most of the art is upper body. You do move and learn the other stuff eventually, but if you have forearm, you'll like this type of martial arts. If you want to know some more indepth stuff, give me a shout.

[EvilAngel]

Originally posted by Ghosthunter
Well I decide to drop by my local tang soo do karate class

It looked great, but I doubt I will be able to last the entire hour, all the people in the class looked trim and fit no overweight like me and they were out of breath majority of the time.


I think I need to keep walking and jogging until I get in better shape like others have said before joining one, otherwise I might drop dead halfway into the class.

Don't get discouraged by the "looks" of the people in the dojo, after all you want to train with the best to be the best..

You may have seen their advanced class. The beggining classes at my studio are about half and half of trim and stout individuals.

As long as you you put effort into what you are doing, you WILL succeed in your goals.

I am starting to gain weight now. I went from 220 to 187 and now back up to 192 but I lost my michelin man look ..lol

Good luck on finding a good place to acheive your goals.

[Ghosthunter]

Originally posted by terrancelam
I'm a Hung Gar (Ga) martial artist myself. Horse stance is a basic thing you'll learn, but most of the art is upper body. You do move and learn the other stuff eventually, but if you have forearm, you'll like this type of martial arts. If you want to know some more indepth stuff, give me a shout.

Cool Thanks

Right Now I am basically tossing up between Hung Ga and Choy Lee Fut, both sounded really good, I think it is just a matter of which school I seem to connect to. From what I understand they are similar are they not?

Also do you know anything about the above schools? Good/Bad?

[Ghosthunter]

Originally posted by EvilAngel
Don't get discouraged by the "looks" of the people in the dojo, after all you want to train with the best to be the best..

You may have seen their advanced class. The beggining classes at my studio are about half and half of trim and stout individuals.

As long as you you put effort into what you are doing, you WILL succeed in your goals.

I am starting to gain weight now. I went from 220 to 187 and now back up to 192 but I lost my michelin man look ..lol

Good luck on finding a good place to acheive your goals.

Your right, I went to above forum blebs99 posted and they said same thing, one guy started when he was 260 lbs and he is down to 210 in a year.

[Ghosthunter]

Terrencelam,


Forgot to ask, in the above forums that blebs99 posted, many say while kung fu is a nice art, in the streets it is useless and very hard to apply.

Is there any truth to that? Will I be able to use the stuff I learn and how long will it take? 1 year? Or like 10 years? to be able to use basic? I know it will take a long time to master the art, but how long just to be efficient at it in case you get jumped.


I know it is a lot of hard work, but I want to know in lets say 5 years if I needed to defend myself I would be able to.

thanks