Why do you train?

[Szczepankiewicz]

I know this question has been asked many times in the past, but I'm actually paying attention this time, so I won't ask again.

Why do you train? What drives you to do what you do and determines how you do it?

[Szczepankiewicz]

I train for 'real world self defense'. Everyone I can talk to, every book I read, every forum I troll....err post at, each time I train it is because I want to be able to protect myself and my family from danger.

I don't go to bars or other places where I am likely to get into it with someone. Ok, I do take in the occaisonal metal concert and lurk on the rail....

I train full contact striking and grappling. I seek to avoid or escape 99% of the time. I train with pistols and rifles and sticks and boots. Single attacker, multiple attacker, you name it, I'd want to train for it.

I know a little, just enough to realize that there is so much more out there.

That's why I love Taekwondo. It's the bestus....

But seriously, why do you do what you do?

Szczepankiewicz

[MrPoopy]

I train mostly because it's fun. I'm not doing it to become a high ranking martial artist or to be a bad ass, it's just a lot of fun to do. At first I thought I was going to do it for fitness, but i've been doing bjj for about 14 months and haven't lost any weight. But I can last a really long time on the floor. I never tap to exhaustion.

[Ice Phoenix]

I train for ass-kicking ability, self-defense, fitness, competition, and cause I'm interested in the science (body mechanics, physics & leverage) involved in martial arts, especially grappling!

Let's face it, the martial arts are one of the main reasons I bother getting up every morning!

[Bri Thai]

Aren't the first two choices te same? Put me down for either, and adda bit of fitness there too..........

[Szczepankiewicz]

No Bri, I do not believe that they are the same.

Some folks train so they can be bad asses when needed. That entails good physical fitness, good skills and lots of practice. They project an aura of power and set the stage for confrontation when they pick and choose.

That would be number two on my list, but I do believe they are different. Mainly in attitude/mindset.

I don't train often enough or with the intensity to compete or go around kicking ass and chewing bubblegum.....

[Bri Thai]

But learning to kick ass when you NEED to means self defence.

Learning to kick ass when you WANT to means being a thug does it not?

Anyway, I couldn't register a vote! I reckon you have excluded me because I am too clever for you!

[jonbid]

i train for fear. fear of being unfit, unhealthy, unprepared to protect people or myself. Just generally think that its a great solution for people who do go out of a night or people who want to be fit.

[Szczepankiewicz]

You cannot register a vote because you are too retarded to figure out how....

Seriously, how could I exclude someone from voting in a poll?

And yes, I agree with your self-defense/thug comparison.

What's wrong with being a thug???

[Bri Thai]

I was only joking........

[MA Fan]

I initially started through fitness, then started to enjoy learning the techniques, language, applications, etc. I continue now purely because it has become a large part of my life. I like the people in my class and in martial arts in general (so far that I have met anyway).

Even though we train in groups and do group kata, etc. It's a very personal and almost selfish thing to do, you have to find your own drive and determination to continue. To repeat time after time after time a technique - to get even remotely like you were shown it requires a certain drive and patience I wasn't aware I had before MA training. I feel less tense these days to, I have a healthy outlet for my frustrations

My 2p.

[Szczepankiewicz]

BT, So was I you big sissy. Hence the .

Sorry chap, I will be more thenthitive to your feelings.

[Bri Thai]

It wath the that fooled me.

[Szczepankiewicz]

Since when have you ever taken anything I have posted as serious????

Oh, I laughed out loud about the Muppets analogy.


SZ

[ceasarx]

I have studied the martial arts since I was ten and I am now twenty eight. I studied karate and combat Judo for four years and at the time I wanted to learn to fight. then I got into kenjitsu and shobukan ninjitsu. for a year so I could learn to use the Ken. I now practice Jui jitsu and have been doing so for several years for no better reason than to learn to become better than I was the day before