Which Martial Arts shall i do ?

[Vaughany]

In fact we use to see who could F**K the ugliest woman - if you had'nt had a dose, you had'nt lived

 

Thankfully, I done my time and left for a not so interesting, but far safer job now.

[Digsy]

Only skim-read this thread so aplogies if I'm re-covering any gound here. What do you actually want from learning a martial art?

 

To be able to defend yourself if it kicks off up your local boozer?

To keep fit?

To look cool or seem hard (no offense meant but you know what I mean)?

To blow off steam / aggression / to unwind?

To compete?

...or just to appreciate it for what it is?

 

I used to do some martial art or other in my early teens. That was a bloody long time ago now so I can't even remember which one it was. I liked it because of the social aspect and because I was developing a skill in a competitive sport but as far as I could tell it would have been fecking useless in a "real" fight. I gave it up after a couple of years.

 

Off topic, but I've recently taken up fencing again. I know its not going to win me many macho points or be any use at kicking out time and it isn't even that good a work-out. However it is competitive, skillful, fast and different, so I like it.

[RICHARDA]

I used to teach kickboxing in my 20's as a black belt instructor and obviously would recommend this to anyone interested in learning a martial art.

 

However I would never put down a different style/type of martial art and say which one is the so called "best". There is'nt one, it just depends what you want to gain from it.

 

If you do decide on kickboxing it generally falls into two catagories the american type which is fairly basic and revovles around kicking and punching or various other oriental styes which can incorporate both these plus choke holds, ground fighting, Chi kung, etc.

 

Good luck and don't forget that all it is, is practice.

 

HTH

Rich

[scooby_doo_do]

lol..

 

We'll looking for: fitness with the To be able to defend yourself if it kicks off up your local boozer? - think that'll be quite cool...

[BigRoy]

Off topic, but I've recently taken up fencing again. I know its not going to win me many macho points or be any use at kicking out time and it isn't even that good a work-out. However it is competitive, skillful, fast and different, so I like it.

 

LOL No seriously, fencing is one of the best and hardest disciplines to do. Good on ya! Keeps you very, very fit aswell.

[qaisar]

lol..

 

We'll looking for: fitness with the To be able to defend yourself if it kicks off up your local boozer? - think that'll be quite cool...

 

In which case I would say try Muay Thai (Thai Boxing) or just normal boxing.

 

Personally out of the two i prefer Muay Thai due to the kicking element and the fighters are some of the best conditioned around, but the training can be pretty tough.

 

make sure u find a reputable trainer first and watch a lesson to see if its something u might like

[Steviekid]

I've done karate for years because I was lucky to find a good adult only class where the instructor was fairly "old school" and focused very much on practical techniques. In this situation karate is an excellent martial art but unfortunately the majority of other clubs are pretty much useless in terms of being able to actually fight and are usually full of kids.

 

For general fitness and very showy moves then TKD and Kung Fu and it's branches are great. I've done a bit of work in Wushu with various weapon forms which is a good laugh but completely unpractical. Your flexibility also needs to be very good for both, more so than other martial arts.

 

If you want to win fights in the street or the pub you've got to look at ju-jitsu, ninjitsu or jeet kune do, all of which can be fairly brutal. Personally (and I'll probably get slated for this) but I've never rated Thai Boxing as there's far less technique, or Judo because its just glorified wrestling - although most fights end up on the ground so its got its uses.

 

Oh and don't do kempo, thats for grandpas.

[Jurgen-Jm-Imports]

... lol.. Thats funny... i'm scared now...

it bloody hurt that was with pads on too guy was 6 foot 5 15 stone pure muscle

[Whitelightning]

My 2p worth:

 

Togakure Ryu - Traditional Tai-jutsu.

 

There is another name for the group of skills that encompasses this martial art and its sister skills, but I am not even going to mention it due to commercialism.

You dont need the full set of skills, just do the unarmed combat element.

 

It is the art of winning through manipulating your opponent AND the environment.

This opens more avenues and is less constrained than standard Bushido disciplines (Read into that what you will). So technically tai-jutsu should not be a "-jutsu" (or -do), it should use the japanese name "po" - Tai-po - if traditionally correct.

 

No fuss, no posing - its not for show.

It just is.

 

Your selection of a martial art should reflect your character.

Are you fit ?

Is it to be used as a sport ?

Is it complimenting something else ? (Another skill ?)

Are you disciplined enough for training and kata (set stances and moves) ?

Are you even more disciplined for training and NO kata (harder) ?

Is this a 3 min wonder to impress your friends ?

Do you have no friends - which is why you are taking it up ?

Have you considered your inner psychological thought process for control ?

Have you considered the use of your skill in a public environment (legally, some skills are not permitted in the UK) ?

 

Oh so many questions.

 

If you want to get fit, have a laugh, impress your friends etc - go commercial (TKD, Karate, Judo etc) and forget my post.

 

If not - look it up and research it further.

 

 

 

99.9 % need not apply

[Syed Shah]

Boxing or kickboxing. Preferably with full contact. Best exercise ever, and good for the odd fight too.

[oxygene]

I have done Kickboxing (Lau Gar) and Traditional Kung-Fu (Lau Gar) for 5 years, it's a great sport.

 

I need to find a decent SiFu in gloucester, if anyone knows of one ?

[China Man]

There is quite a large collection of fighting style in Fung Fu and depends on what type of body built you are you will benfit more from one and another.

 

If you are a woman/small built you can always do Wing chun or JKD. Focus on close encounter and combat.

 

If you are a big guy you can do South Fist....don;t really know what the english call. They do stuff that involve throw long punch and high kicks.

 

I had lesson in both and never went deep into either as I am not a discipline person. I understand the comcept of the style and left it there and then.

 

I wonder if anywhere in UK acturally teach street self defence. Grab the nearest ash tray when about to get into a fight. Put your jacket on and not taking it off if you do decide to get into action etc etc

[BigRoy]

I need to find a decent SiFu in gloucester

 

is that like a gay thing?

[dude]

Baseball !!!!!! and take the bat home with you all the time !!!!

 

Seriously i did Ninjitsu for a couple of years and ended taking the kids classes, great fun and very effective if a little brutal , all the moves have been outlawed in any other martial arts competitions , the Tai jutsu part is very much Jiu Jitsu/Aikido based , ideal for close up fighting with a lot of breaks involved

 

Dude :littled:

[Dash Rendar]

I have done quite a few martial arts. I have black belts in two styles of karate and used to be a karate instructor at the Oxford University Karate Club.

 

I've done Shotokan, Wado Ryu, Goju Ryu, Kyoku Shin Kai, Shito Ryu (no, I didn't make it up!), Tae Kwon Do, freestyle karate, Lau Gar Gung Fu, Jujitsu and... ehem... ninjitsu (insert scornful cough here).

 

Karate is great for all-round fitness, mental discipline, coordination and fighting technique. It's approximately 50:50 kicking and punching. Most karate styles don't involve much contact... Touch contact, or semi. Some are full contact, like Kyoku Shin Kai and this is quite gruelling.

 

Shotokan is a very 'strong' style with much focus on tradition. Wado ryu is also traditional, but also has a strong focus on 'competition' karate.

 

However, it's not all that good for self defence since karate-ka (people who 'do' karate) like to keep at kicking distance and this doesn't really happen on the street!

 

From a self-defence standpoint, jujitsu is by far the best martial art to take up. It involves locks, breaks, throws, chokes and strangle holds. Furthermore, you get to do a lot of groundwork, which is where most street fights end up. It's much like aikido, but is more aggressive and more direct.

 

Many of these arts (especially jujitsu) have some focus on weapons. My personal collection involves two katana, one bo staff and a set of nunchaku.

 

Ninjitsu is a crock. I've done a little and read several books, but it's not a true martial art! It's like jujitsu, but extremely diluted in content and technique. They spend far too much time focussing on mysticism and not enough on real technique.

 

So, my view... If it's about fitness, technique, and self-improvement, then you can't go wrong with something like Shotokan karate.

 

If it's about self defence and how to do some serious damage, gotta be jujitsu!

[RedM]

Off topic, but I've recently taken up fencing again. I know its not going to win me many macho points or be any use at kicking out time and it isn't even that good a work-out. However it is competitive, skillful, fast and different, so I like it.

Thats exactly what I love about Kendo. I'll never use it in the real world but as a sport it is great fun and, as you say about fencing, it is competitive, skillful, fast and different. With armour on you get even more of a physical work-out.

[oxygene]

is that like a gay thing?

No roy it's not m8, silly sod. No a SiFu is an instructor.

[Digsy]

Thats exactly what I love about Kendo. I'll never use it in the real world but as a sport it is great fun and, as you say about fencing, it is competitive, skillful, fast and different. With armour on you get even more of a physical work-out.

Yeah, its fun This week is week 14 of a 15 week course, after which we get most of the way towards our grade 2 foil. After week 15 I think we go onto a week-by week basis and have to start providing our own equipment. The upside is that I think we get the option to sawp from foil to sabre. Now that's real swordfighting!

 

Last week I was fencing against a girl who is brilliant to practise with because she is 100% consistent. Trouble is she was being 100% consistent at scoring hits on my right nipple. Feck me that hurts!

[BigRoy]

No roy it's not m8, silly sod. No a SiFu is an instructor.

 

silly me

[lightwave]

From what Dash Rendar said, I'd agree with his assesment of Ju Jitsu. I've not even done any martial arts, but I download and watch plenty Ultimate Fighting. Brazilian Ju Jitsu rules the UFC and seems very effective for all the reasons he said.

 

I've been a aikido fan for a while and have often considered taking that up. Obviously though, I haven't.

 

For all you 24 fans out there, Krav Maga is a real martial art. It's an Israeli self defence art tought to Mossad agents and I think the Israeli army. It's supposed to be very effective, but try finding somewhere to learn it. I think there's clubs in London...

[RedM]

Yeah, its fun This week is week 14 of a 15 week course, after which we get most of the way towards our grade 2 foil. After week 15 I think we go onto a week-by week basis and have to start providing our own equipment. The upside is that I think we get the option to sawp from foil to sabre. Now that's real swordfighting!

 

Last week I was fencing against a girl who is brilliant to practise with because she is 100% consistent. Trouble is she was being 100% consistent at scoring hits on my right nipple. Feck me that hurts!

It's a whole different thing when you get your own equipment. In Kendo it averages at 6 months before you get into armour. Not that the armour really protects you though. I don't mind Men cuts (Men being the head) but cuts to Kote (wrist) f**king hurt. I was bruised all week at first and then getting fresh ones! Of course, I have now 'discovered' wrist guards:limp:. Anyone who thinks getting hit by a bamboo sword is wimpy has never been on the recieving end of a 5th Dan who can cut you faster than you can perceive what is happening.

 

Totally enjoyable though!

[Miguel]

I done Shotokan for many years and obtained black belt in it ..loved it for the tradition and dicipline ...its not a lot of good to me now as i cant use my legs so i have taken up a new one , Pokeye works a treat and i only have to use 2 fingers somtimes one

[dude]

Ninjitsu is a crock. I've done a little and read several books, but it's not a true martial art! It's like jujitsu, but extremely diluted in content and technique. They spend far too much time focussing on mysticism and not enough on real technique.

 

 

If it's about self defence and how to do some serious damage, gotta be jujitsu!

 

Dont know what Ninjitsu club you went too but my one didnt focus on any misticism at all , i would have said most of the techniques were Aikido or Jiu Jitsu based the kicking and punching techniques are more real than most other Martial arts in that you dont need to have done a 15 min warm up to carry them out without pulling a ligament , most Ninjitsu locks and throws are designed to not only inflict a lot of pain but to also carry on and break things which is a VERY effectice way to end a fight , also a lot of very effectice strangle holds .

As a testament to their effectiveness the guy used to teach womans self defence and i can assure you that we as 'volunteers ' got hurt regularly as the woman needed to know that the techniques worked . All training was one on one not a lot of KATA as involved in Shoto kan etc , all IMO of course

 

Dude

[Whitelightning]

Well with all this advice, you should be able to picture a method that suits your character.

 

Remember to fight without fighting should be your goal, I am afraid the UK Courts take a dim view of using martial arts - even in self defence.

[Dash Rendar]

Whichever martial art you finally choose, IMO the most important thing is to find a class with a good instructor. Admittedly, it's tricky to know a good instructor from a bad one when you don't have the benefit of experience.

 

But true martial arts involve more than just learning moves by repetition. While it sounds a bit cliché, martial arts is training of the mind as well as the body and it takes an instructor of the righ temperament to impart the correct mindset and attitude.

 

Many students begin martial arts to learn how to be more effective bullies. Most 'bullies' don't stick at it for very long because they can't handle the discipline, they don't have any respect, and they don't have patience. But of those bullies who stick at it, a miraculous transformation occurs after a couple of years. These same people end up more mellow and, as someone else quoted earlier, they learn the art of 'fighting without fighting'. (Bruce rocks.)

 

One of the most rewarding aspects of being a martial arts instructor is to see this transformation in your students. That's why it's so important to pick an instructor who has the right temperament, as well as kick-ass technique!! Otherwise you'll end up being in the Cobra-Kai! lol

 

I'm rambling...

 

Also note... Activities like kick boxing are not so much a martial art as a sport. Kickboxing is great fun and good for fitness, but you won't typically learn good technique. (And you definitely won't learn the kind of stuff jujitsu will teach you.) Rarely have I seen kickboxers who can throw fast effective kicks with good technique... Unless they happen to have come from a karate or tae kwon do background.

 

I'm done. Honest!