Totally new and needing advice

majoha · 08-30-2003, 04:36 AM

Hi there,

I want to learn a martial art - known next to nothing about any of them - and would be grateful for any advice in pointing me in the right direction.

I have been pretty unfit all my life but four months ago I decided this was going to change, so I joined a gym, have been going 5 days a week, every week, (2 days cardio 3 days weights). I have improved a heck of a lot and am really enjoying it.

So now I want to learn a maritial art, partly as a focus for training and partly for self defense, and partly just because I have this desire to.

ANy suggestions as which one I should go for ??? I'm 35 - which I guess is pretty ancient to start. I have seen a San Shou class advertised and was thinking of giving this a go but as I say I know very little so some feedback on it would great.

Thanks

platinum_angel · 08-31-2003, 12:02 PM

welcome to the board

Wearing Grey · 08-31-2003, 12:12 PM

Where do you live and what martial arts are there in your area? We could all recommend something, but if you do not have it in your area it would not do much good.

WG

majoha · 08-31-2003, 01:50 PM

Thanks to both of you for replying.

Okay I live in Stockwell, but my gym is in Soho and I work close to there, so ideally I'd like to take classes there.

I know the gym www.thethirdspace.com I use runs some classes but there website is down at the moment so I can't tell you what (will post them once its back up).

Any recommendations for classes in central london ???

Also just how fit do you have to be start MA classes and does that vary with different MAs ?

Sorry for all the total newbie questions but as I said I am right at the beginning, but I do want to learn.

Cheers,

Wearing Grey · 08-31-2003, 02:11 PM

Well, I live in the US...so I am not going to be much help finding you a school. I suggest your yellow pages or what ever directory you use in the UK.

Do not worry about being fit to attend a class. My advice would be just to go to the school...look around a bit. Take a free lesson if they offer one (most schools do) and then pick one you like. There really is no "best" martial art. There is a "best" martial are you YOU. You make the decision on which one you like, then you run with it. If you end up not liking it, you can try something else.

Here is an idea of what you will probably come across...

My suggestion would be to find out what is in your area, and if you have any questions about it...post on the board and someone will reply.

Also, if you have questions about what arts do what, then post and we can help with that too.

You may also want to post what you want out of your training, what you plan do do with it, do you want to use legs/feet or arms/fists more, do you want to do throw/grabs/grappling, are you in it to just get in shape, do you want a modern or tradional school?? Things like that will help us help you for a possible match.

WG

majoha · 08-31-2003, 02:41 PM

Thanks,

OKay I'm gonna do a bit of research into what is available in my area and give it a go.

Out of interest, how often do you train in MAs, and what kind of general fitness traing do you as well ?

Wearing Grey · 08-31-2003, 04:25 PM

Well, me personally I train 5 days a week. Anywhere from 1 hour to 1 and 1/2 a day. Sometimes I train anywhere from about 2 to 3 hours when i am feeling up to it.

I also train with weapons. Nunchucks about 30 minutes a day. Staff about once a week, and my bali song about 15 minutes a day.

I do not do much fitness training other than the pushups and things like that during stretching. While I am watching TV I will stretch a lil bit too.

I am trying to find a sparring partner here on the weekends but have not found anyone..so if anyone in Louisville wants to meet up sometime that would be cool too, drop me a line.

If you have any other questions let me know, as I would be happy to help you.

WG

seany85 · 09-01-2003, 03:23 AM

i spend two hours a week on trapping, two hours on focus pads, two hours on drilling.
but half that time is spent in the lessons.
I also do three 5 mile runs a week, that takes about 30 mins,
plus a daily routine of press ups, pull ups, dips, sit ups, leg raises, hindu squats, and calf raises.

phunnylaugh · 09-01-2003, 12:17 PM

http://uechi-ryu.com/oldsite/dojolist.htm

<--Instructors and how to contact them-->

majoha · 09-11-2003, 04:48 PM

OKay, so I went to watch a Wing Chun class last week and decided that is what I want to learn - start next week. Any recomendations for books on Wing Chun ??? Thanks

scorpio_magnis · 09-13-2003, 03:25 AM

First I must say you can choose any martial art because they are for all ages. But my favorite is ninjitsu or tae kwon do.

I hope this helps
Scorpio

BB Wolf · 09-16-2003, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by majoha
OKay, so I went to watch a Wing Chun class last week and decided that is what I want to learn - start next week. Any recomendations for books on Wing Chun ??? Thanks

Anything by Yip Man (don't even know if he wrote any books) William Cheng, or some eary stuff from Bruce Lee. Ok. Anything from Bruce Lee. Its just that his early stuff is about Wing Chun.

08-30-2003, 04:36 AM	#1 (permalink)
majoha Novice Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 4	Totally new and needing advice Hi there, I want to learn a martial art - known next to nothing about any of them - and would be grateful for any advice in pointing me in the right direction. I have been pretty unfit all my life but four months ago I decided this was going to change, so I joined a gym, have been going 5 days a week, every week, (2 days cardio 3 days weights). I have improved a heck of a lot and am really enjoying it. So now I want to learn a maritial art, partly as a focus for training and partly for self defense, and partly just because I have this desire to. ANy suggestions as which one I should go for ??? I'm 35 - which I guess is pretty ancient to start. I have seen a San Shou class advertised and was thinking of giving this a go but as I say I know very little so some feedback on it would great. Thanks

08-31-2003, 12:02 PM	#2 (permalink)
platinum_angel Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: heaven and hell Posts: 714	welcome to the board __________________ In order to experience true peace you must first overcome true hardship. remember the wind, for it flows through all of us. I like smeg-ma chips. for all those who i offend............i don't give a shit

09-01-2003, 12:17 PM	#9 (permalink)
phunnylaugh Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 9	DojoList http://uechi-ryu.com/oldsite/dojolist.htm <--Instructors and how to contact them--> __________________ "Consider the subtle difference between "having no form" and having "no form"; the first is ignorance, the second is transcendence" - Bruce Lee Web - http://www.nskarate.tk

09-13-2003, 03:25 AM	#11 (permalink)
scorpio_magnis Novice Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: newport Arkansas Posts: 4	First I must say you can choose any martial art because they are for all ages. But my favorite is ninjitsu or tae kwon do. I hope this helps Scorpio __________________ Live by the sword... Die by the sword

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08-31-2003, 12:12 PM	#3 (permalink)
Wearing Grey Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 28	Where do you live and what martial arts are there in your area? We could all recommend something, but if you do not have it in your area it would not do much good. WG

08-31-2003, 01:50 PM	#4 (permalink)
majoha Novice Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 4	Thanks to both of you for replying. Okay I live in Stockwell, but my gym is in Soho and I work close to there, so ideally I'd like to take classes there. I know the gym www.thethirdspace.com I use runs some classes but there website is down at the moment so I can't tell you what (will post them once its back up). Any recommendations for classes in central london ??? Also just how fit do you have to be start MA classes and does that vary with different MAs ? Sorry for all the total newbie questions but as I said I am right at the beginning, but I do want to learn. Cheers,

08-31-2003, 02:11 PM	#5 (permalink)
Wearing Grey Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 28	Well, I live in the US...so I am not going to be much help finding you a school. I suggest your yellow pages or what ever directory you use in the UK. Do not worry about being fit to attend a class. My advice would be just to go to the school...look around a bit. Take a free lesson if they offer one (most schools do) and then pick one you like. There really is no "best" martial art. There is a "best" martial are you YOU. You make the decision on which one you like, then you run with it. If you end up not liking it, you can try something else. Here is an idea of what you will probably come across... My suggestion would be to find out what is in your area, and if you have any questions about it...post on the board and someone will reply. Also, if you have questions about what arts do what, then post and we can help with that too. You may also want to post what you want out of your training, what you plan do do with it, do you want to use legs/feet or arms/fists more, do you want to do throw/grabs/grappling, are you in it to just get in shape, do you want a modern or tradional school?? Things like that will help us help you for a possible match. WG

08-31-2003, 02:41 PM	#6 (permalink)
majoha Novice Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 4	Thanks, OKay I'm gonna do a bit of research into what is available in my area and give it a go. Out of interest, how often do you train in MAs, and what kind of general fitness traing do you as well ?

08-31-2003, 04:25 PM	#7 (permalink)
Wearing Grey Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 28	Well, me personally I train 5 days a week. Anywhere from 1 hour to 1 and 1/2 a day. Sometimes I train anywhere from about 2 to 3 hours when i am feeling up to it. I also train with weapons. Nunchucks about 30 minutes a day. Staff about once a week, and my bali song about 15 minutes a day. I do not do much fitness training other than the pushups and things like that during stretching. While I am watching TV I will stretch a lil bit too. I am trying to find a sparring partner here on the weekends but have not found anyone..so if anyone in Louisville wants to meet up sometime that would be cool too, drop me a line. If you have any other questions let me know, as I would be happy to help you. WG

09-01-2003, 03:23 AM	#8 (permalink)
seany85 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 265	i spend two hours a week on trapping, two hours on focus pads, two hours on drilling. but half that time is spent in the lessons. I also do three 5 mile runs a week, that takes about 30 mins, plus a daily routine of press ups, pull ups, dips, sit ups, leg raises, hindu squats, and calf raises.

09-11-2003, 04:48 PM	#10 (permalink)
majoha Novice Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 4	OKay, so I went to watch a Wing Chun class last week and decided that is what I want to learn - start next week. Any recomendations for books on Wing Chun ??? Thanks

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