Hi Matt!
Okay, so to summarise, you're a young guy who's in good shape, with decent flexibility wants to do martial arts - that's cool.
You also would like to focus on:
- self defence
- cool looking moves
- would like learn how to use a samurai sword
Ideally you also don't want to spend a ridiculous amount.
My general recommendations for finding a martial arts school are:
1) Go to LOTS of schools before you choose - the same style can be taught in a lot of different ways by different teachers. The teacher is generally as important as the art itself, so find out what you like and don't like before commiting to a style.
2) Avoid contracts - some schools want money up front for up to 12months, which means that in 3 months time, if you don't like the school and decide to leave, they still have all of your cash.
As far as choosing a style goes, here's a quick description of arts which may meet your needs:
Tae Kwon Do:
A martial art of recent Korean origin, this system is known for its impressive kicks and acrobatic moves in the air. There are plenty of events to compete in for this art (if that interests you), even up to olympic level. Self defence and Tae Kwon Do is a mixed bag - some schools are more sports oriented, while others do have a significant self defence curriculum - you'll have to judge for yourself. On the down side, you
won't learn any sword-word in traditionl TKD schools.
Karate
The well known Okinawan system, karate comes in a number of different styles, though all concentrate on punches and kicks as the basis of their techniques. While not as acrobatic as TKD, karate techniques can be powerful and impressive. If you're interested in serious self defence and full-contact tournaments, a style like Kyokushin Karate might be best for you, while other styles may meet your needs as well. Again, in a traditional karate school you will NOT learn the sword (karate is a civil self defence art for the non-warrior class), though you may learn staff and nunchaku.
Kung-Fu
The well known chinese term "kung-fu" lumps a large number of arts together under a single heading. Wushu is definitely the most visually impressive of these systems, including flips, flying kicks, and butterfly kicks. You will also learn a number of chinese weapons - broadsword, straight sword, 3 sectional staff, staff, meteor hammer, etc. Wushu is not generally considered an effective art for self defence, however, though will get you fit fast! More self defence oriented kung-fu systems include Wing Chun (which is visually NOT impressive to the average person, using mainly the hands and low kicks & was originally practiced by Bruce Lee), Choy Lay Fut, Hung Gar (both of which have proven quite popular and effective in the past), and others - see what's available first, then check it out.
Jujutsu, Jiu Jitsu, Aikido, & Judo
While I'm describing these together, they are quite separate arts. Jujutsu is the classical martial art used by the samurai, and generally focuses on locks, joint manipulation, and throws. These can be visually impressive, but lack the flashiness of flying kicks. It is an effective art for self defence, and in most schools you WILL use a samurai sword.
Jiu Jitsu is the usual spelling for the martial art which was taken to Brazil by a scotsman called Gracie. It resembles the Judo teachings of the early 20th century, and focuses on ground-work: wrestling and locking while on the ground. This has proven successful in "ultimate fighting" events in recent decades, but visually leaves much to be desired. No sword here.
Aikido is similar to Jujutsu, though is more circular and flowing in many cases. Developed by Morihei Ueshiba in the early 20th, it is impressive and can be effective, but many schools have taken to teaching over-cooperative aikido, which can be inneffective in the real world. You will learn the sword here
Judo, developed by Jigoru Kano in the 19th century, is a variation on jujutsu concentrating on throws. It is here that the modern belt system (black belt etc) originated. It is actually very effective for self defence, and there are plenty of sporting events/tournaments, including olympic level events. No sword though.
Mixed Martial Arts
This is a catch all term for teachers of styles which have eclectically picked and chosen techniques from other styles. Some of these systems are good, others bad - it's up to the individual teacher, and the needs of the student. Generally there will be no swordwork, and techniques, while lacking the visual finesse of TKD/wushu, will be practical.
In closing, since there are TKD schools close by, maybe check them out - they have the added bonus of being 'family friendly' in that they encourage the art as a sport, not just as a way of beating people up - may help with the parents view on you training.
If you don't like it, you can always try further afield.
Always keep an open mind, and train hard, and remember every martial art has something it can teach you.
Good luck.
