Martial Arts. Picking a good one, and a good club?

[Alle_Gory]

I want to get back into martial arts. I did some ITF TKD for a few years. Got to yellow & green stripe. Seems pointless to do it again, and it was more of a sport. Didn't learn much in terms of practical fighting techniques.


Been looking at Kung Fu. More practical ground fighting and close quarters fighting.

Any other arts I should consider in case I can't find a good kung Fu club in my area? Also, what should I look for in a club?

I want to learn some self-discipline, and get in better shape right now.

 

[Bible_Belt]

Myself and a few other guys here practice Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazilian_Jiu-Jitsu

BJJ is very practical and used at least to some extent by almost every mma fighter. Typically, bjj is best complimented by also studying a striking art of your choice. I also train in traditional boxing and some muay thai kickboxing, although I am interested in learning others as well. My bjj instructor has trained in Jeet Kune Do and Kali.

The latest style I have been reading about is barely a style:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jailhouse_rock_(fighting_style)

But the short movements of the 52 blocks remind me of kung-fu. They seem very similar.

I personally would avoid karate, TQD, and Judo, or at least avoid training in any one of those arts exclusively. I respect them all and train in some of their techniques, but they have too many practical weaknesses when practiced on their own.

As far as picking a good club, look at who gave the belt to the instructor at the dojo. Although world-class instruction is usually wasted on a novice, your instructor's instructor should be world-class.

 

[Ambition Now]

I practice Kung Fu, Hung Gar style for about 3 years and i love it.
Its a very complete fighting system and i practice the shaolin forms and chi kung also.

 

[Alle_Gory]

BJJ is very practical and used at least to some extent by almost every mma fighter. Typically, bjj is best complimented by also studying a striking art of your choice. I also train in traditional boxing and some muay thai kickboxing, although I am interested in learning others as well. My bjj instructor has trained in Jeet Kune Do and Kali.

This is my concern. I only have so much time available with school. I am also going to do weight & endurance training to complement my time at the dojo. Any good martial art that is an acceptable blend of what you're talking about?


What about Muay Thai? I have a gym here.

 

[Interceptor]

I train in JKD, Kali/Escrima, Silat, Muay Thai, and some Shooto/Bjj.

I think you may want to closely examine what you want out of the martial art training.
Are you more interested in weight management/stress relief/hobby for fun?
or are you interested in competing?
or more practical street self defense?

So, you may have to get more specific on what do you mean "good one" and "good club".

What may be ideal for one person, may not be ideal for YOU.

And be careful of ideologies.
You need to pay attention to what YOUR needs are, not someone else's flag waving.

So I suggest you delineate specifically what it is you are wanting.
Then feel free to ask for more specific information regarding Your personal needs.

 

[speakeasy]

I've taken Krav Maga the last several years and have attained green belt. I highly recommend it if you're looking for something practical for real life situations. It also teaches defense against point-blank gun attacks and knives in addition to straight up fighting. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCJ64DW4GTA

 

[e-lie]

Do a google search for russian martialarts.

 

[RazorAzoth]

Yeah, it all depends on why you're taking it. If you're taking it because of self-defense reasons to feel confident enough to defend yourself, a good balance between striking and ground is ideal. There was a huge discussion about this on this weightlifting forum and in the end Muay Thai(striking) and BJJ(ground) was considered the best combo.

Krav Maga is brutal though. Eye gouges and biting and stuff. Basically learning to survive in an attack threatening yor lfe.

I figured quite a few people here take a martial art. It's highly recommended by Carlos Xuma to gain ****loads of confidence...which of course will transfer over to your ability to approach a woman.

 

[Heart Break Kid]

I do Muay Thai. If you are choosing a place make sure there is lots of sparring and not a ridiculous amount of equipment. Less standing around and more sparring means more effective use of time for a busy schedule. If you are looking for some cardio, I like to do fencing as well which is a great workout and a lot of fun. If you know a place that offers it, it a day a week is good. Throw in a couple marksmanship classes (for your rest days from Muay Thai) and you have a winning combo.

BJJ is excellent too, I am going to hunt around for somewhere in Spring once my calendar is more flexible. However if you can find several of the competitive martial arts your primary concern is the teacher. There is no number one (unless you literally take martial art to mean art of war -- in which case art of ICBM is #1 ) so if any teacher tells you that you should be wary. Although kung fu is your primary interest it is good you are not shying away from other possibilities.

Another sign you are in a McDojo is a superfluous quantity of belts and/or 12 year old masters. If the thai boxing gym near you has neither of these I would say ask them if you can take a class ! Some places will let you take one or two to decide -- especially the smaller ones.

 

[Kerpal]

Boxing + BJJ and/or wrestling.

 

[speakeasy]

There was a huge discussion about this on this weightlifting forum and in the end Muay Thai(striking) and BJJ(ground) was considered the best combo.

That's the general concensus I've read on martial arts forums. I would also add boxing because it's as good as it gets as far as punching. Thai kicks are the best, combine the MT kicks with western boxing and you'll be whipping some serious ass on the streets. The BJJ or wrestling or some type of ground game is a necessity. What I like most about Krav Maga is that it combines all these into one system. We borrow the most effective techniques from many different systems. We use Muay Thai kicks using the shin rather than the foot like they do in Karate. We use boxing stance and use all boxing style punches, but also borrow the elbow and knee strikes from MT. Then we have open hand strikes, attacks to the throat where you make your hand into a blade and hammerfists as techniques. For grappling, we are taught some judo throws to get your opponent to the ground, and then BJJ once they are down.

Krav Maga is brutal though. Eye gouges and biting and stuff. Basically learning to survive in an attack threatening yor lfe.

Haha, everyone things KM is all about biting people and poking them in the eyes. That's about 1% of the system and if that's all they taught, nobody would actually need to be trained in how to bite or eye gouge someone.

I figured quite a few people here take a martial art. It's highly recommended by Carlos Xuma to gain ****loads of confidence...which of course will transfer over to your ability to approach a woman.

Lol, well, I can't say it's improved my game in the female department. Although it might help if the girl knows you do this stuff. It makes them feel more "protected" when they are out with you, so it helps from that angle. But as far as overall confidence, it helps, though keep in mind when sparring, you will be getting your ass whipped by higher level people than you, so that doens't help!

 

[RazorAzoth]

Haha, everyone things KM is all about biting people and poking them in the eyes. That's about 1% of the system and if that's all they taught, nobody would actually need to be trained in how to bite or eye gouge someone.

Oh I know, I'm just saying it's brutal because it's the only art that teaches brutal aspects. I believe the Israeli Army invented Krav Maga or something?

 

[Alle_Gory]

So I suggest you delineate specifically what it is you are wanting.

I want to have more discipline. I don't care for ideologies.

I also want to learn practical fighting techniques. Close quarters mostly, and striking as well. Maybe some basics weapons training like knives, rods... etc.

I've done TKD which is heavily focused towards jumping around and striking at a distance. Practically useless in the real world.



I don't care much for confidence to approach women. I want something to focus on that will improve the other areas of my life. Things are going to get really tough for me after I finish school, and I want a solid mental foundation.

 

[Interceptor]

Alle,
then my advice is that you look into a more self defense oriented school.
They should have a comprehensive weapons component of their training program, and have a good program addressing long, middle, short range, and all skills:kicking, punching, HKE, trapping, grappling.

Honestly, I would say look into a good JKD concept school that addresses all ranges, and skills, and looks into standup and ground, AND includes weapons. But this is just my opinion.

There's not much 'traditional' stuff in it, and there is still a practical approach in the curriculums, if the instructor is a progressive kind of guy.

Other than that, you can look into pure Muay Thai, or a good MMA gym, that has an emphasis on street based approaches, and must include weaponry technology. IOW, not a purely cage oriented , competetive environment.


Krav Maga is pretty well rounded. And non traditional. I recommend reaally looking at the instructor, as I have seen the make or break factor really up to the instructor, and his quality and real motivation for teaching.


Believe it or not, Hwarang Do is a good traditional martial art, that has plenty of reality based approaches and very practical. They do have uniforms and stuff, and traditional Korean terminologies.
But I have seen quite a bit of impressive stuff from them, and would recommend it.

Really there are so many, that I have avoided just listing art after art after art...
and leave it up to you to look up martial art schools in your area, that are semi convenient to get to, and are relatively affordable.

and ultimately, I can suggest JKD or Muay Thai, or a great MMA gym , but if you dont like the environment, dont like the instructor, the fellow students are ass holes, it wont matter, will it?

Youre going to have to do some leg work and find out first hand how these schools train, and how are the students.
And be prepared to PAY well for good value,and a great environment, that encourages you to grow.

Think about this deeply.

if you want you can list some schools and their corresponding systems that are in your area, and all of us that have experience can give our opinions on them.
Sound cool to you?

Good luck to you, and we'll support you however we can in this. OK?

 

[slickaz]

MMA/ MT/ KB and Kali stick fighting...last weekend 4 rugby players ambushed me and a friend when walking to our car after a night out..reason?? apparantly his girl was checkin my friend and me out..
we tried to avoid them..but..they were looking for a fight i guess..

my friends a black belt in karate..
i used MMA drops and elbows and kicks from MT, punches from KB the whole fiasco lasted less than 2 minutes..2 of them ended up in hospital and another was totally knocked out..the last guy was pleading us not to break his face...

damage to us? my mate has a sleeve torn and i had dirt on my japanese denims and blood on my shoes...

im not advocating violence..but it just goes to show that you never know when you'll need some natural coordination and self defence to help you..

and thats not the first time martial arts has saved me..

pick a dojo based on your instructors rating..
also try and see is there are students from that dojo that have achieved big things in their style.
most of all, ask for a 2 week trial..because within the first 2 weeks you'll know if the style is for you..
im 220pounds and work out very hard..i have solid muscle weight and so im not super flexible or light..i picked styles that are more "tank" style, big solid hits and good defence..as opposed to the other style where you generally take flight..lol

 

[speakeasy]

im 220pounds and work out very hard..i have solid muscle weight

Well, that alone might be the reason you sent him to the hospital!

 

[Alle_Gory]

I'll go with Krav Maga. It looks realy practical.

I'm going to scout out a few gyms in a week.

I just started school, and I'm getting into the groove of it for a week or so. I will then transitioning to martial arts. I'll be taking some time finding a quality gym. This week and the next is research into all the gyms in the area. Reputation, instructors and their reputation, and the instructor's instructor.



Slick: What is KB? And what do you currently practice? What about training in the weight room as well?

 

[MrS]

Boxing / the worst area in your town
.

 

[apusislaya]

Any other arts I should consider in case I can't find a good kung Fu club in my area?

Krav Magga. If not that then something similar that teaches you about points. You could be deadly with what you already have, since you know how to punch and move, as long as you learn the points.

Krav incorporates all martial arts, and it's basically about how to kill quickly.


Example:

Punch throat, nose, and then balls with you knee. Finish off with a few punches to the skull.


It won't get you into better shape, but you'll be deadly.





Pretty much any other martial arts, unless its military, is for sport. Like ring fighting. Plus discipline and all that stuff that comes with martial arts study. Though, they don't teach how to kill. Which could be valuable when other trained guy tries to beat the crap out of you.

 

[speakeasy]

Krav Magga. If not that then something similar that teaches you about points. You could be deadly with what you already have, since you know how to punch and move, as long as you learn the points.

Krav incorporates all martial arts, and it's basically about how to kill quickly.


Example:

Punch throat, nose, and then balls with you knee. Finish off with a few punches to the skull.

I wouldn't exactly call this a summary of Krav Maga technique. Throat punches are tought, but for the most part, we are not taught killing techniques in civilian Krav, that is reserved mainly for military Krav. Our punches are styled after western boxing and MMA. Combination strikes utilizing jab, cross, hooks and uppercuts with some Muay Thai elbow strikes and some of the open palm strikes from Karate.

KM definitely is heavy on strikes to the groin, but most knee strikes are delivered to the abdomen and face, as they are in Muay Thai, incorporating the Thai clinch.

It won't get you into better shape, but you'll be deadly.

Whoa.... as a green belt practioner of Krav Maga for 3 years I can testify that Krav Maga will VERY MUCH get you into better shape. You apparently don't know much about it. Many people after the first few classes are worked so hard they have to run to the bathroom to throw up. I came pretty close myself and for the first half year, you have to make sure you haven't eaten within a couple hours of going to class or you will lose your lunch. Now I've conditioned myself to where I can eat just minutes before class and workout hard and be fine. I'm in better shape at 32 than I was at 22 because of Krav Maga. I've taken Tae Kwon Do in high school and KM is much more intensive, not even comparble. Dude, our green belt test was like 9 hours long and when I passed, I could barely get out of bed for the next few days. I felt like I'd ran a marathon, pushing my body to new limits I never have.