So I'm thinking of taking some Martial arts classes

[Moros]

I've been getting a more and more routined life, with less partying and all. And I was thinking about getting some more regular hobby's again. As I also wanted to get back into shape again, I tought why don't I swap the bars for a gym and some boxing gloves or something. I was never a fan of making long runs through the park/forest or lifting weights on my own. Martial Arts however look like perhaps to be a much better alternative to me. You have those trainings in groups with a tough coach who pushes you to your limits. And I always noticed that someone pushing you to your limits really helps me a lot. Also it's more fun that just working out in the gym as well.

So I looked around and I found some martial arts schools in the neighbourhood. Judo is a bit boring for my taste, but I was more intriged by two other options. There is this Kung fu school (or den or what is it called?) and this MMA school which I'm considering the most at the moment. The first teaches kungfu only, though various styles (of which you pick two for your first basic trainings). The other gives MMA, Jujitsu, that Bruce Lee fighting style and more and also has an open gym for it's members. It also seems very approachable, open and has very compatible training hours with my schedule. So I'm mostly considering this one. Also it's today's fashion. Kung fu is so '80s and '90s ;).

Someone else have experience with Martial Arts, recommendations for possibly other fighting styles, advice or just fun anecdotes?

[Togakure]

If you want to kicky-punchy kick ass, then no, I have no advice. If physics-based, highly "moral" methods of self-defense interest you, then do a little research on Aikido. As is often said, it is as much a Way of life as it is a "martial art."

[Whacker]

Depends. What is your goal? Do you just want a good cardio workout? Or do you actually want to learn how to fight?

[Hax]

Depends. What is your goal? Do you just want a good cardio workout? Or do you actually want to learn how to fight?

Oh boy. Now you've done it. Don't get Whacker started! He'll whack this thread into the fathomless pits of martial arts discussion!

[Whacker]

Oh boy. Now you've done it. Don't get Whacker started! He'll whack this thread into the fathomless pits of martial arts discussion!

Says the kiddo who does Aikido... And kendo... and that Japanese bow stuff. Also it already IS about MA. Just don't let Vuk in here.

[Hooahguy]

I may also want to do MA. Though if I did it would be self-defense, not any of the "way of life" stuff that some others have.
I may do kick boxing if my lady friend invites me to join her one day.

[Moros]

It's about getting into shape in a fun way while picking up some skills. I'm not doing it to get enlighted, nor do I do it because I want to fight competitions. (Unless I appear to be aprodigy or something ) I've always had interest in Martial arts and their techniques though.

I've looked into Aikido before but it's not my kind of thing I think. It's about peace and quiet too much for this adHd guy. And I don't like Steven Seagal. Also as far as I'm aware there's not a dojo around I can easily go to. (I depend on public transport and my two own feet) I'd like to have a more physical MA, with some good sparring possible.

I was thinking about Ju Jitsu, MMA as well because of variety as well. Muay Thai however does struck me as a very physical and technical, and looks okay as well.

I'm worried about my physique though, I haven't exercised in almost two years. I started last week again with some basic and short training routines and I noticed that my strength and especially my stamina have been reduced since my pre-university days, when I did 20 handstand push ups with relative ease. So I don't hope I wouldn't be too much of an embarrassment the first trainings... Hence I already started some basic training. Nothing much though as I'm no fitness coach, start from almost nothing again and I could do without long time injury.

Edit: anyone that did Muay Thai, Ju Jitsu (or BJJ), MMA or something similar? What may be some good routines to do outside of the gym to get in shape, both for health, appearance and for the physical aspect of the training. I'm thinking about perhaps changing my diet a little. Not too much though, as I'm a true bon vivant.

[Hax]

Says the kiddo who does Aikido... And kendo... and that Japanese bow stuff. Also it already IS about MA. Just don't let Vuk in here.

I don't do Aikidou. And you know why I like Kendou and Kyudou, too!

[Togakure]

...
I've looked into Aikido before but it's not my kind of thing I think. It's about peace and quiet too much for this adHd guy. And I don't like Steven Seagal. Also as far as I'm aware there's not a dojo around I can easily go to. (I depend on public transport and my two own feet) I'd like to have a more physical MA, with some good sparring possible. ...

Fair enough. Certainly need to be picky about the establishment and sensei, and if there isn't a good one in range, it'd be better to consider other options.

"Enlightenment" so-to-speak, integrating with the way one lives, is a byproduct to those who progress far into the practice. It just happens and is not something that is usually pressed upon students. Just the opposite, in fact, if the sensei is Japanese.

Meh, Steven Seagal is not a very good example of what aikido is about, though because of his fame he does tend to come to mind first, after O'Sensei. Early on he was arguably more attuned to it, but he has long since morphed into something else. I'm sure he would say differently, but that's my take.

Good luck.

Edit: @Whacker: Enjoyed the "Aliveness" article; thanks for the link.

[Whacker]

I did Kung Fu for 18 months, it was interesting but I realized that I wasn't learning how to actually fight. The cardio was decent. Have been doing BJJ for a year or so now, and I compete semi-regularly.

There's a big difference between kicking and punching the air, and kicking and punching a live, resisting human, or trying to choke them.

Some things to keep in mind. One, It's generally accepted that no one martial art covers everything. If you want to be well rounded, you need to be able to strike and grapple. Two, not all martial arts are created equal, and while it does heavily depend on the practitioner, there are a good number that are generally regarded as worthless. Three, combined with the previous, you are looking for something that practices with aliveness in training. Read this: http://aliveness101.blogspot.com/200...aliveness.html . Aliveness with effective training is what you want. You can have aliveness with ineffective training, which simply teaches you how to be good at being bad. See point two. Four, beware mcdojos and systems/teachers/schools that claim that certain techniques are "too deadly", or crap that is "only for the street". People that practice without fighting and aliveness who think they can fight better than people who do due to their "special d34dly techniques" never cease to amuse me. Read about mcdojos here: http://mcdojo-faq.tripod.com/ .

Last, if you can tell me here or in PM what city you are in, I can most likely get some recommendations for you.

[stratigos vasilios]

I used to do Go Kan Ryu Karate, but I gave that up for sport as it was too conflicting on my studies to do both. I got relatively high, blue belt

But then I gave up sport to play drums, a double kick is a great exercise. So I guess to keep up with the cycle, I'll give up drums to go back to Karate...

[Vuk]

I did Kung Fu for 18 months, it was interesting but I realized that I wasn't learning how to actually fight. The cardio was decent. Have been doing BJJ for a year or so now, and I compete semi-regularly.

There's a big difference between kicking and punching the air, and kicking and punching a live, resisting human, or trying to choke them.

Some things to keep in mind. One, It's generally accepted that no one martial art covers everything. If you want to be well rounded, you need to be able to strike and grapple. Two, not all martial arts are created equal, and while it does heavily depend on the practitioner, there are a good number that are generally regarded as worthless. Three, combined with the previous, you are looking for something that practices with aliveness in training. Read this: http://aliveness101.blogspot.com/200...aliveness.html . Aliveness with effective training is what you want. You can have aliveness with ineffective training, which simply teaches you how to be good at being bad. See point two. Four, beware mcdojos and systems/teachers/schools that claim that certain techniques are "too deadly", or crap that is "only for the street". People that practice without fighting and aliveness who think they can fight better than people who do due to their "special d34dly techniques" never cease to amuse me. Read about mcdojos here: http://mcdojo-faq.tripod.com/ .

Last, if you can tell me here or in PM what city you are in, I can most likely get some recommendations for you.

lol here goes Whacker throwing up stuff from an article he read. Nah, seriously Whacker, the article is pretty good, and I agree with much of what he says...just not all.
To the OP, based on what you said you were looking for, I would suggest boxing and BJJ. If you were looking for real self-defense, I would suggest Wing Ts(j)un, but since you are not, I will save us both the lecture from Whacker. :P

[Fragony]

Kickboxing or judo, period. If you want anything might as well take ballet lessons, more chicks.

[Vuk]

Kickboxing or judo, period. If you want anything might as well take ballet lessons, more chicks.

Judo is a completely declawed ghost of what was once a martial art. I would not study judo unless you also study some traditional JJ. Just my two cents.

[Yaropolk]

Aliveness is not a word

[Moros]

I did Kung Fu for 18 months, it was interesting but I realized that I wasn't learning how to actually fight. The cardio was decent. Have been doing BJJ for a year or so now, and I compete semi-regularly.

There's a big difference between kicking and punching the air, and kicking and punching a live, resisting human, or trying to choke them.

Some things to keep in mind. One, It's generally accepted that no one martial art covers everything. If you want to be well rounded, you need to be able to strike and grapple. Two, not all martial arts are created equal, and while it does heavily depend on the practitioner, there are a good number that are generally regarded as worthless. Three, combined with the previous, you are looking for something that practices with aliveness in training. Read this: http://aliveness101.blogspot.com/200...aliveness.html . Aliveness with effective training is what you want. You can have aliveness with ineffective training, which simply teaches you how to be good at being bad. See point two. Four, beware mcdojos and systems/teachers/schools that claim that certain techniques are "too deadly", or crap that is "only for the street". People that practice without fighting and aliveness who think they can fight better than people who do due to their "special d34dly techniques" never cease to amuse me. Read about mcdojos here: http://mcdojo-faq.tripod.com/ .

Last, if you can tell me here or in PM what city you are in, I can most likely get some recommendations for you.

I'm going to pick one near/in the city I study at uni (Leuven, Belgium). I'm probably going to move there after I'm finished studying and even during vacation it's easy to reach from my place anyway. I'm thinking of going to possibly go to this school:
http://www.fama-vechtsporten.be/

They have fighters who fight in both kickboxing/muay thai and MMA (and the likes) (team deffcross or something) and apparantly also gave classes to police and the likes. There are two more similar dojo's, but they didn't really feel right. Anyway you can take a few free classes (month or something), and I'm gonna see if I like those. Classes start with warm ups, practicing and learning techniques and always end with sparring. Of course followed by a cool down. And apparantly they don't like giving belts easily (well except a white one). So if I'm to believe the second article that's good sign as well.

[Whacker]

Aliveness is not a word

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aliveness

I'm going to pick one near/in the city I study at uni (Leuven, Belgium). I'm probably going to move there after I'm finished studying and even during vacation it's easy to reach from my place anyway. I'm thinking of going to possibly go to this school:
http://www.fama-vechtsporten.be/

They have fighters who fight in both kickboxing/muay thai and MMA (and the likes) (team deffcross or something) and apparantly also gave classes to police and the likes. There are two more similar dojo's, but they didn't really feel right. Anyway you can take a few free classes (month or something), and I'm gonna see if I like those. Classes start with warm ups, practicing and learning techniques and always end with sparring. Of course followed by a cool down. And apparantly they don't like giving belts easily (well except a white one). So if I'm to believe the second article that's good sign as well.

Will ask about that and see what folks come back with, and if there are any other recommendations. Never hurts to try anything at least once though.

[Vuk]

I'm going to pick one near/in the city I study at uni (Leuven, Belgium). I'm probably going to move there after I'm finished studying and even during vacation it's easy to reach from my place anyway. I'm thinking of going to possibly go to this school:
http://www.fama-vechtsporten.be/

They have fighters who fight in both kickboxing/muay thai and MMA (and the likes) (team deffcross or something) and apparantly also gave classes to police and the likes. There are two more similar dojo's, but they didn't really feel right. Anyway you can take a few free classes (month or something), and I'm gonna see if I like those. Classes start with warm ups, practicing and learning techniques and always end with sparring. Of course followed by a cool down. And apparantly they don't like giving belts easily (well except a white one). So if I'm to believe the second article that's good sign as well.

Martial arts are all just a scam to get your money. None of it really works. If you want to truly learn to fight, spend your money on this guys stuff instead: http://www.howtofightandwin.com/secrets.htm



No, really, a lot of what Whacker told you is true, but it is all bosh about no martial art being all you need. In fact, if you get one that DOES cover every range in an effective way with universal principles that apply to all ranges, you will do much better devoting yourself to it than crosstraining in three or four different martial arts (this is coming from a guy who has done a lot of crosstraining). You standup game should be driven by the same thing as your ground game.
Good examples of such consummate martial arts are Wing Ts(j)un, Krav Maga, Pankration, etc.
Generally (and I think that Whacker would agree here), it is advantageous to stay on your feet, especially when faced with multiple attackers, as going to the ground is a general death sentence. In such cases, it is best to always try to scramble to your feet (as taught in WT, KM, Pankration, etc) when possible. It is one of the reasons that many Chinese martial arts do not include ground fighting, because they were designed for and used against multiple opponents, and thus going to the ground was not an option, and when it happened, you always tried to return to your feet.
There are some really good Chinese standup styles that emphasize not going to the ground (Bājíquán, Xingyiquan, etc), and despite what the likes of people like Whacker may think, are extremely effective in real self-defense.

[Fragony]

Says the kiddo who does Aikido... And kendo... and that Japanese bow stuff. Also it already IS about MA. Just don't let Vuk in here.

Archery is cool. Thinking of going hunting but not sure I can actually shoot something that's alive, and it would haunt me if it isn't dead at once. Plenty of wild pigs and deers and hares 30 minutes from here. Wild pigs are pretty dangerous though and deers are too cute, and I know what a wounded hare sounds like. I am a budhist at heart I don't want to kill anything but it sounds really fun and I have all the gear

[Whacker]

@ Moros - That place checks out, in fact the guy whom I asked trains there. Check out their Muay Thai.

@ My Beloved Vuk - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dLz8h2R0X0

[Strike For The South]

@ My Beloved Vuk - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dLz8h2R0X0

LOL

[Vuk]

@ Moros - That place checks out, in fact the guy whom I asked trains there. Check out their Muay Thai.

@ My Beloved Vuk - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dLz8h2R0X0

um...WTH is that?! lol It is certainly not Wing Tsun.