Are martial arts for a 35yo newbie (no sports experience whatsoever)?

[TTEscrima]

I'm thinking Tai Chi now.

Hey now. I almost sprayed my keyboard with water.

I'm thinking ANY art that's taught as a martial art will be too much from the way the first post reads.

The idea of training a martial art that you aren't likely to be injured in strikes me funny.

I'm guessing even the Yellow Bamboo guys strain their vocal chords occasionally.

From the list he provided of available schools, Wing Chun is probably the best to dip his toe in the water and see if he actually likes training, and the injuries are likely to be least serious for a beginner.

Saying there is Kung fu available is like saying there are restaurants in town, what TYPE of KF schools are available?

Hung Gar might be an option as well if its available.

[Bjjexpertise@be]

THERE you go...

Problem solved! LOL

What's your rank in judo anyhow, Tant? You're always such a big advocate for it .

[jonbey]

I suggest Tai Chi, if it is taught as a martial art. The kung-fu could be good. Anything with little throwing or high kicks. A good southern kung-fu style. Or maybe boxing? Never been to a boxing gym myself, they are probably pretty hard core!

[ICC1]

BJJ for sure!

[Tant01]

I'm in Tucson too and have trained at or visited almost every gym in town. Send me a PM if you want or have Q's about specific places or arts and I'll help you out.

THERE you go...

Problem solved! LOL

[Flaves]

Hope this helps

I may be a newbie but at least my caps lock key is not broken. :-P

The following styles are available in my town: Aikido, Karate, Judo, Tae Kwon Do, Brazilian Ju Jitsu, Tang Soo Do, Muay Thai, Jujitsu, Mixed Martial Arts, Danzan Ryu Jujitsu, Krav Maga, Capoeira, Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu, Hiraido Jujitsu, Kung Fu, Wing Chun.

I'll pick the top 3 suggestions from you guys and try them all next week.

Sure man, I'd be happy to help you understand anything that you were confused on.

I am going to preface my message by pointing out that some people on this board will undoubtly read some of what I am going to say and disagree or debate it to wits end. The thing is the below is my opinions and beliefs based on my personal research and experience. Different people will have different beliefs and experiences and thus their opinions will be different. I sincerely hope this doesn't turn into a 5 page debating post. Especially since the main goal here is to help 35yoNewbie find a school that is right for him... not one that we think is the best! ;-)

While I understand the concepts and styles of most of these arts I have not taken them all myself, although I have researched many of them. I currently train in Muay Thai, Jun Fan Gung Fu/Jeet Kune Do, Filipino Martial Arts, Wing Chun, Submission Grappling, and Krav Maga.

Wing Chun along with most forms of Kung Fu/Gung Fu usually have a lot of forms that accompany them. They are good for developing agility and flexibility and over time you will also develop conditioning. There are many different styles from more traditional schools to more modern schools, and each system has it's own philosophies to accompany the style. You will most likely have to try the school to see if it fits your personality.

Muay Thai is a great art. It deals with strikes from all of your human weapons including hands, feet, knees, elbows, and in some cases head (although not legal in competitions). In most cases a MT school will get you in great condition in a limited amount of time, while at the same time allowing you to learn a style that allow you to defend your self in a real world situation if necessary, although the art is typically taught from an in ring or competition perspective. The tricky thing here is finding a MT school that fits your personality. Some MT schools will actually be more along the lines of an MMA school, while others will be more traditional. It sounds to me that you would enjoy the more traditional better. You can look on Thai Boxing Association of the USA to see if there are any schools in your area which are under the Ajarn Chai linage.

I love the art of Krav Maga as well. You will get in condition quickly and learn a style that is extremely applicable in real world situations. The thing is that you will learn a lot of techniques that are banned from competitions such as finger jabs to the eyes, kicks to the groin, etc. If you like this style, you may also like a JKD school, as the schools of thought are similar, although KM can be a little more hard core.

Aikido may also be an art that you may want to explore. One of the main concepts of Aikido is to prevent injury to the attacker while defending yourself. This is done through redirecting of energy instead of meeting force with force like in a Karate style. Like most Japanese arts these schools usually have a uniform requirement of a Gi as well as belt rankings.

Capoeira is an awesome art in the sense that it is a lot of fun. It is not necessarily the best for defense unless you can get to a high level. It is also an art that you need to have a good amount of flexibility, balance and agility before you even start. Without those skills, you may have a difficult time.

If I were going to pick 3 arts for you to try based only on the information you have given, I would have to say to try:

1) Muay Thai
2) Wing Chun
3) Krav Maga

although I wouldn't discourage you from trying any of the other arts.

I think you need to ask yourself a couple things. 1) What is your main goal? Getting in shape? Self Defense? To compete in a ring? Learning a new skill? Making friends? etc.

2) Are you a goal oriented person? Do you want to have a level or belt system that you can advance in?

3) How much money and time do you want to invest into the art? Some arts may not require a uniform, or only a T shirt, but may instead require you to purchase a good amount of training equipment. Some on the other hand may only require a Gi and Belt.

My final advice to you is to visit all the school and do your research on the instructor's background as well as the culture of the school. You can learn a lot about a school based on the instructors background or the school's linage. To give you a couple examples there is a big difference between a TBA certified school and a MMA school that does a little MT. Also for a style like Krav Maga, a IKMA school is much different than a Commando Krav Maga school, which is different from a World Wide Krav Maga school.

I hope this information helps, and I would be more than glad to discuss matters with you more. Best of luck.

Dan

PS Thank you for the complement, but I don't think of myself as THE MAN... I'm just A MAN who is glad to help.

[Ghost]

I'm in Tucson too and have trained at or visited almost every gym in town. Send me a PM if you want or have Q's about specific places or arts and I'll help you out.

tart




The message you have entered is too short. Please lengthen your message to at least 10 characters.

[treelizard]

Flaves you are da man. You obviously know what you are talking about. Can you help me understand some of the things you said?

I'm in Tucson, Arizona.

I'm in Tucson too and have trained at or visited almost every gym in town. Send me a PM if you want or have Q's about specific places or arts and I'll help you out.

[Ghost]

Hiraido Jujitsu seems to have elements from many styles...



Judo, Judo, JUDO! Goshinjutsu is Judo. BJJ is Judo, most Jujutsu is JUDO.

Notice a theme here?

yeah this is why i thought it might be suitable, maybe you have some comments about injury rates.
I rate judo very highly as a system though and would really love to study it myself.
In some ways i think judo might be better than that Hiraido Jujitsu as Judo is more pure.

[Tant01]

Ju-D'oh!

Hiraido Jujitsu seems to have elements from many styles...



Judo, Judo, JUDO! Goshinjutsu is Judo. BJJ is Judo, most Jujutsu is JUDO.

Notice a theme here?

[Ghost]

if you want to avoid injury id suggest wing chun, judo(though you may get an injury) and hiraido jujitsu

[35yoNewbie]

I may be a newbie but at least my caps lock key is not broken. :-P

The following styles are available in my town: Aikido, Karate, Judo, Tae Kwon Do, Brazilian Ju Jitsu, Tang Soo Do, Muay Thai, Jujitsu, Mixed Martial Arts, Danzan Ryu Jujitsu, Krav Maga, Capoeira, Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu, Hiraido Jujitsu, Kung Fu, Wing Chun.

I'll pick the top 3 suggestions from you guys and try them all next week.

[Ghost]

Flaves you are da man. You obviously know what you are talking about. Can you help me understand some of the things you said?

I'm in Tucson, Arizona.

LMAO thats one of the best posts for a little while.

YOU ARE THE MAN< YOU SOOOOOO KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT........EVEN THOUGH I DONT UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE SAYING!

[35yoNewbie]

Flaves you are da man. You obviously know what you are talking about. Can you help me understand some of the things you said?

I'm in Tucson, Arizona.

[Hardball]

Ahhh... Judo is the GENTLE art. I'm not too old to slam or choke... Judo would be great for any newbie!

That's my story and I'm sticking to it! LOL

He would get hurt when it's his turn to uke. He's trying hard to avoid injury. I'm thinking Tai Chi now.