Why do You Train M.A?

[GuardMaster]

Give me your reason. For those that have thought about it.

[Hookah Smokin Caterpillar]

5) Self-Defense
4) Get/Stay in shape
3) To Get better at fighting
2) To be a bully
1) I love BJJ

[Shrimp]

1. self-defense

2. challenge

3. mind-body balance

4. fitness

5. friendships

6. mid-life crisis

[Water Dragon]

I'm an addict. Plain and simple.

[Angel_of_Pain]

To become a fearless warrior.

[TracyKarate]

I train for a number of reasons. The most important one is of course self defense. With the confidence in knowing how to defend yourself and your family also comes the balance of body, mind and spirit.

[aikidoka]

dude self defense is the worst reason to train ma, just get some friggin pepper spray. im gonna do bjj cause it looks fun as hell and i can beat up wrestlers with it.

[Hookah Smokin Caterpillar]

Originally posted by aikidoka
dude self defense is the worst reason to train ma, just get some friggin pepper spray. im gonna do bjj cause it looks fun as hell and i can beat up wrestlers with it.

You have the right attitude.

[Oldskulbus]

Because I look good in a Gi!

[GuardMaster]

Give me some more solid reasons to pursue a lifestyle of BJJ!

Heres the ones I've heard:

1) Self defense: The probability of getting attacked is so small that to dedicate half your evening life to it is a waste of time

2) Fighting: Who wants to beat up people? Get a life. You can make more money making friends than enemies.

3) Fitness. I've noticed that M.A. doesn't give me a workout that's uniform enough to target my THR. I have to workout myself for that on an aerobic machine, or hit the weights. Maximum intensity Sports are the safest way to workout for fitness.

4) Its Fun: Many things are fun. Making money to me is fun, and my time would rather be spent there. MMA is hopeless for $$ unless you compete at elite level and my time for that has passed. I am better off dedicating myself to my existing career in IT as a programmer and bringing in the bucks.. thats fun.


But I have a clinging desire from my youth to want to pursue MMA. And it is like a dimly lit match which refuses to go out, and yearns for a greater flame. So give me reasons. Solid reasons. Reasons that would inspire me when I'm 60 to keep training, to put in 3 hours a day into MMA. Reasons that keep men like Jack Lalanne , Gene Lebell, and Helio Gracie full of an energy that tracends the physical.


Give me the fire!

[dan downard]

What do you mean there is no money in it?Since BJJ came to the states there has been a butt load of money made off of it.
Guys who have no NHB record at all are teaching and making lots of money.There are thousands of guys like me who will never be known as elite fighters paying good money to train.
As long as the guy you are learning from knows more than you and has a good understanding of position and technique you will get better.And,as I have seen for myself.Your instructor doesnt have to be some great known blackbelt.He just has to be better than you.He can train with people better than him and then bring it back to you and you pay him.Anyone can do it.And as long as you put forth the time ,money and effort.You will get good.

As far as fun is concerned,it depends on what you like.
I am sure there are lots of people who think fly fishing is the biggest waste of time in the world.But,there are millions of dollars made off of it every year.

I personaly like the emotional high I get from hard physical exertion.Unlike lifting weights,I am able to feel an immediate satisfaction upon submitting an opponant.Also,it is alot harder to say(I think I've done enough and quit.)The other guy is going to keep going and that means so do you.

[YeLLa-TiGeR]

To hit hard. And I love the rush when you are sparring in the ring and you just are kicking ass. The feel of your hand when it cracks against their jaw or the perfect kick to the thigh feels damn good.

Getting beat up and getting your ass handed to you builds character! (at least thats what I'm told )
Being a smaller guy sometimes makes me feel I have to prove myself, and I do that to a certain extent when I participate in activities my bigger friends wouldnt touch with a 10 foot pole.

[Ryu (non-working password]

Why do you care?

This place is probably the LAST place you should be if you want philosophical reasoning behind taking a martial art of any kind.
I'd suggest going to a more legitimate forum.
90% of the answers you'll get here is "I wanna kick ass"

A part from the people who compete, no one even fights here.
It's mostly rooster strutting. ......maybe rooster f ucking..
I'm not sure which.

Evil Ryu

[Hookah Smokin Caterpillar]

Am I the only one that loves the MA I'm in?

[Dio]

I do BJJ to kick ass! I don't do any rooster strutting. I beat people up every day. People will be walking by and i'll just jump up in the air and flying triangle thier pathetic ass!

Actually i do BJJ to develop my self esteem and become a more well rounded person while not sacrificing physical fitness and instilling moral and ethical values that are forged through hard work to increase world peace.