Totally new and needing advice

[majoha]

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]

welcome to the board

[Wearing Grey]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

DojoList

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

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

[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

[scorpio_magnis]

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]

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.