So I want to try something, but have a lot of options

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Fly

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Hi guys, fishing for advice really.

I've been casting an eye around since the New Year towards a martial art, but I've hit a brick wall in the sheer volume of options I have available to me locally.

I have a background in amateur boxing, which I will continue to pursue as my hard work has started to reward me.

I'm not fussed with regards to competing (might change :rolleyes: ) as I will be participating in matches involving my boxing club.

What I'm looking for really I suppose is something that I can relate into a real world situation. Which is to say, that boxing has taught me technique and defense with regards to punching, but I don't feel this will help much should I need to defend myself in life as I doubt my opponent will be well versed in no-clinching rules ;)

**DISCLAIMER** Please ignoramus' spelling!

Clubs near to me (20min drive or less) offer the following:

Karate - LOTS of schools locally.
Judo - LOTS of schools locally.
Tae Kwon Do - LOTS of schools locally.
Muay Thai
Kendo
Jun Fan Gung Fu*
Keet Kune Do*
Kickboxing (Sport I think)
Jun Fan Kickboxing*
Rapid Arnis*
Urban Eskrima*
Krav Maga
Tetsudo
Rokokai
Systema
Shoto Ryu
Aikido*
Hipkido

Like I said, please ignore the spellings! The ones I've asterisked are taught by schools that I've had at least two or three positive referals two. Which in my book, having once had to find a reputable ABA Club, is pretty useful information.

I don't have a particular preference, but something that I could relate into real world self defense would be of a benefit.

EDIT: That more a 'sparring' based form the better!
 
I think you'd enjoy muay thai and judo, but I think you should check out all the schools just to make sure they are suited for you (location, price, legitimacy, environment, etc) I am sure the schools will let you atleast watch a class, if not try one for free. If you're going on a trial run, I would be sure to both watch and participate in one class. For the reasons that you want to have both an objective and subjective experience.
 
You know, most of them allow you to fully participate in a full lesson free of charge, kind of like a 'taster' class. Which is pretty cool, so might just work my way around those at first.

I'm pretty sure that most of the others will allow me to watch a class, even if I have to talk my way into it :D
 
Judo
Muay Thai
Rapid Arnis*
Urban Eskrima*
Krav Maga
Systema
Hapkido

Most of the schools above will have some clinch work to it. I'm not sure about all Hapkido schools...we do at mine. The schools listed above could easily be used for practical means. However, Kendo is such a cool martial art and sport to take up...if you get some free time, you might consider doing some Kendo just for fun.

As has been said, I'd call each school and tell them you're shopping around at various styles around the city and you've narrowed it down to X number of arts. Ask them if they offer an introductory lesson and if you can come observe 1-2 classes.
 
I couldn't see a practicle reason for studying Kendo but my thoughts mirror yours which is why it made the list :cool:

I've called a couple, there's a TKD class that runs out of the Leisure Centre where the gymn I use is, which would be handy. Called the bloke who ran it and he said "Sure, come down have a go" which is a sound attitude by me.

Also called a Brazilian Jui Jitsui school nearby have had quite a lot of recomendations for its 'practicality' in street self defense. That bloke said I could come down and watch and take it from there.

And a guy who runs a small Rokokai (Karate based?) class said just pop along and have a go.

So far the attitudes have been great, no monthly or annual contracts or subscriptions - bar of course the obligatory disclaimer - laid back and seemingly friendly which is great. I remember how intimidating it was stepping into a boxing gym for the first time. Mind you, I was a right fat c**t then :D :p

Thanks for help guys, will post back when I'm settling in...
 
if your talking about good fitness, good for real life incidences, and everything else, i say muay thai kickboxing :) it helps you build a good pain tolerance
 
Everyone of them says they have practical applications. I would check them all out to see which ones really do. Some of the schools may be geared towards many different things.
 
LeiYunFat said:
Everyone of them says they have practical applications. I would check them all out to see which ones really do. Some of the schools may be geared towards many different things.
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Lei is right here, its all about how the art is taught. Most karate and TKD is taught for sport, however if its taught for defense its very practical. The problem is finding a karate and TKD school that teaches it for defense if thats the way you wanna go. Don't fall into the "yea we teach for sport but you can defend yourself with it" crap. If its sport, then its sport. In our school we are mainly taught for defense then we adapt for sport sparring. Its easier than learning sport sparring and then getting into a real confrontation and you pull a punch because your used to it.
 
i think anything with strict katas and forms such as the old fashioned MA arnt as good anymore cuz in a real fight you dont really see people doing that stuff, you mainly see grappling and jujitsu stuff (head locks etc)

and if people are wondering, well with karate i can learn to knock someone out with 1 hit, well anyone can if you condition your hand to punch hard
 
mucleboywannabe said:
i think anything with strict katas and forms such as the old fashioned MA arnt as good anymore cuz in a real fight you dont really see people doing that stuff, you mainly see grappling and jujitsu stuff (head locks etc)

and if people are wondering, well with karate i can learn to knock someone out with 1 hit, well anyone can if you condition your hand to punch hard
Click to expand...

I have to disagree, and you're SORELY mistaken...

My art practices kata and does things like Gichin Funakoshi (and actually more like Yosh.itika Funakoshi) did it, and I assure you that Im very capable of keeping a grappler away from me, and if he gets in, I can handle myself... Not saying i wouldn't lose, but I could handle myself. Forms and Katas teach footwork and how to string techniques together, not how to fight, we use ippon, gohon, sanbon, and jiyu kumite for that.

As for the second part of your statement... If you really think that knock out power is determined by conditioning your hand, you're sorely mistaken again...

A well conditioned punching hand is nothing without power. The difference between a street fighter punching and a karateka punching (mainly in shotokan, other styles are different) we derive our power from our hips, where street fighters will derive punching power mainly with swinging roundhouse type punches, making our punches powerful and fast. We don't try to knock out people with just one punch, we set up for the one punch that will end a confrontation.

edit... the . in Funakoshi's name is due to the fact that the forum program picked up that part of his name as a censored word hehe
 
mucleboywannabe said:
i think anything with strict katas and forms such as the old fashioned MA arnt as good anymore cuz in a real fight you dont really see people doing that stuff, you mainly see grappling and jujitsu stuff (head locks etc)

and if people are wondering, well with karate i can learn to knock someone out with 1 hit, well anyone can if you condition your hand to punch hard
Click to expand...

A perfect example of why you're just a "wannabe".
 
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