Learning Martial Arts Zone

Question: Hi, i wanna learn martial arts,please advise?

(Posted by: on 2009-11-09 06:52:11)

Hi, I am a 25 year old guy and wanna learn martial arts, but have a few questions, can any one please help ? 1) I am quite overweight so will I be able to go for it ? 2) Can anyone suggest me which of the arts is better, I mean all may be good in their own sense but the better ? is it Kung Fu, or Karate etc or any other ? 3) as i stay in pune where will be abl to find an institue that i can do after my job hours ? or before that, any great training school ? Thanks

Posted by: Qyu on 2009-11-10, 07:48:13

Martial arts school in Pune ;) pune.olx.in/ karate-do-kick-boxing-training-school-iid-9346273 None is bad it depends on you on your practice.But by suggestion is that take Kick Boxing.

Posted by: Brandon R on 2009-11-09, 06:59:26

1. yes you can but u need to be committed and prepared for a uphill battle because working off the weight isn't easy.. 2. i prefer Hybrid style "mixed martial arts " and for a big guy with no prior training at ur age that i what i would suggest for you. BJJ works nicely for compact guys so if ur shorter and heavier then consider BJJ. if ur a lanky dude maybe striking styles like kickboxing or Muay thia. 3. idk where that is, but if its a heavily populated area with a few gyms im sure u can find something to fit ur schedule.

Posted by: Chris on 2009-11-09, 07:00:20

Do not do "Kung Fu " Or Karate you need to take mixed martial arts such as jiu jitsu were you can get ground fighting in. Karate is useless up close and in fact does not offer much for self defense in realistic situations. So I would look for a place where they have MMA. Look for Muay Thai,Tai Kai Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, or royce gracie Jiu-Jitsu. These are the best for ground fighting and workout.

Posted by: minamiko on 2009-11-09, 07:05:23

1.)You may have a bit of trouble running or doing the exercises but you'll get used to it. 2.I think Karate may be the best suited for you. Not easy but very enjoyable. if you like pinning down your opponents that is.it really depends on your preferences. 3.You can ask your local gyms for their schedules...and if they can cater to your schedule.

Posted by: masti on 2009-11-09, 07:09:55

It really depends what you like, you might want to check out the classes before you join up! See which class suits you more. As for weight, it shouldnt be an issue, you're not training to compete straight off the bat, and it will help you fitness.

Posted by: Nick D on 2009-11-09, 08:13:52

1) your fitness is not a problem, just keep on going and your fitness will improve 2) for striking muay thai, for grappling bjj, and for fitness id say MMA or boxing 3) most school will run an evening class/ es

Posted by: Aero on 2009-11-09, 08:36:29

1. 25 yrs old? You're a young man! Sure, you're overweight now, but you're taking steps to better yourself. With time, you will be fit for fitness. 2. Each arts, as you have already stated, are good in their own rights. As for losing weight, great conditioning, and functionality, I would recommend Thai Boxing if your city has it. 3. Definitely Google or Yahoo your local area code to see what schools open to what hours. Have fun!

Posted by: Sensei Scandal on 2009-11-09, 09:32:31

Don't worry about your weight or anything else. Just commit to making yourself a better person. Also, there are MANY kids here who do not know anything about martial arts but love to give advice. You can tell who they are by comments like the ones "chris " is making. There is an Instructor of Okinawan Shorin Ryu - Kyudokan, who is in Sri Lanka. If you are not near Sri Lanka, I am sure he could recommend someone. His school - the Kyudokan, is a great lineage of Karate - one of the best. Here is his website - karateindishe.freeservers.com/ index.html

Posted by: kadiss17 on 2009-11-09, 10:30:27

1) being overweight can slow you down but it should stop you. You will get fitter as you train. 2) All the arts have something to offer. It depends on the school, the teacher, and most importantly YOU. It really depends on your preference. 3) I don't know where you live but I'm sure you can find something in your area. Just GO FOR IT!

Posted by: arctic_saver101 on 2009-11-09, 18:22:08

1) For sure! In fact it will help you get in shape! 2) Depends what you're looking for, no martial art is "better ". If you're looking for practicle self defense, try ju jitsu maybe. If you're looking for a martial arts that mainly involves kicking and such, try taekwondo. There are tons of possiblities. 3) I'm not sure of any training schools, but most have classes after work hours, expecially with adult classes. They would have no busines if they didn't, because adults work and kids are in school!

Posted by: Wong Sifu on 2009-11-09, 22:01:43

Follow Sensei Scandal's advice. Any martial arts will improve your health and reduce your weight. It can also help you to defense yourself if needed. All your questions will be answered once you start training. Just find a good instructor and start training. Martial arts were formed by collection of experience of life and death struggles by many masters in the past. Their effectiveness have been proved through history of human kind. Many life have been lost to acquire these experiences. If they are useless as some uneducated person assumed, they will all be gone by now. UFC, MMA, etc are entertainment and martial SPORTS (not martial ARTS). So far, nobody died in these sports because there are rules and regulation in these sports and they are sanctioned by the sport committee of the government. That is why they are called martial sport. There is no rules, regulations, judges, referees, timer, trainer, medical personals when one is on the street in a real life and death struggle. And most likely when one is tapping some one out on the floor, the other guys friends and home boys will throw anything they get their hands on to him. Unfortunately some uneducated fans of these sport assume that because these martial sport athletes look good in the ring, they must be great fighter in the real world. This is like saying the tennis champion could hit the ball with the speed of 100mph, this champion should have no problem of knocking anybody out in a fight. Anther point is: most of the law enforcement groups and the military forces in the world use some form of traditional martial arts as part of their foundation training. None of them use MMA or UFC. Go figure. This is not a put down of the MMA and UFC athletes. They are great athletes and I enjoy watching them in action and they have my utmost respect as athletes. Still, MMA and UFC etc are martial sports not martial arts.

Posted by: Joseph G on 2009-11-09, 23:35:20

If you are overweight start with Tai Chi and Martial Arts exercises and try to get your weight down. Then go into kung fu because you will not do high spin kicks like karate. Shui Jiao Chinese wrestling is also good. Here is a site for martial arts exercises youtube.com/ watch?v= XZQL22xOmUM Being overweight can stress your heart instead of exercise it. Take it slow and work in to it. Never drink caffineine or any energy drink before an exercise. they raise your blood pressure and harm your heart. Cut out the sugar in everything Do low impact work outs because your hip and knee joints will wear with body weight. If you are very obese try to see a doctor and go on the opifast diet. It works.

Posted by: John on 2009-11-10, 09:25:59

I think karate would be better for you at this point as some Kung-fu is pretty athletic and acrobatic in nature and karate would avoid that to a large extent while giving you a total body workout using both your upper and lower body. I will also tell you the same thing I tell anyone that I take as a student that is overweight and out of shape. It did not take just a day or a week to put that weight on and get out of shape so it will not take just a day or week to get it off or get back into shape. It is a building process so keep that in mind and you have taken the first step in doing something about it and that is to try and change it. Just keep on taking those steps-one at a time and you will get there. Look for a good traditional karate class or program; most stress some physical conditioning along with teaching martial arts. Always go and watch a few classes, talk to the students and the instructors before joining or signing anything and if any have a trial program without a contract consider them and trying things out. DO NOT sign anything with blanks in it or the instructor says that they can fill that in later. There was a question last month about an unscrupulous instructor that did just that after the person signed it and now they are paying and locked in on a contract that they don't want. Picking a karate or martial arts program and school is like buying a car and it pays to shop so that you can make the best choice.

Posted by: Kweli on 2009-11-11, 12:34:06

I train with guys that are overweight all the time.... Most of the times it is themselves that make it seem like they cannot do it. Its almost like their weight gives them a free excuse to stop coming. If you can mentally get through the first few weeks then you will be fine. Most guys that pull through the 'beginner' stage end up loosing ALOT of weight, very quickly. I lost 20 pounds in 1 month when i went back to Muay Thai.. As for which art.... Personally, i would avoid the traditional 'asian' arts like Karate, Kung Fu or Taekwondo (sp?) Get into something that is more offensive... Something that you quickly get into the 'fun' part: Boxing, Kickboxing, or Muay Thai (my favourite) are all very good choices. Cardio will get you in shape, and hitting pads with a sparing partner will lower your stress and raise your confidence Judo, JuJitsu - If you want to learn how to flip someone on their back, or submit them on the floor. Theres also some good arts that have a combination of arts.. these are good too

Posted by: confusedmoon on 2009-11-12, 00:53:45

Everybody always suggests MMA and BJJ, but what about you? i'd only suggest them if you'd like to compete. Are you in this for competition, or for fun and self defence? They're highly strict about you actually competing in MMA, and they're absolutely not a self defence class, although it does work when needed. So ignore the MMA talk, unless you want to compete, or have future plans on it. About self defence now. You have to go try different schools. If they don't let you try at least once for free, screw them and find a better school. Only you can suggest schools for you. Google different styles and find info on them. Youtube has videos, so check them out.

Posted by: Agent 47 on 2009-11-12, 13:22:37

Judo or Ju Jitsu are best for you. You said you are overweight so these arts without any punch, kick or any hit, will be much easier and quicker for you to learn.

Posted by: jalbroven on 2009-11-12, 20:37:31

Yes you can go for it. With the exercises you will lose weight. Which martial art is best is up to you. Personally I like things like muay thai, taekwondo, and karate. If you are just after self defense, then maybe something like aikido or judo would be better for you. As for your third question, I'm sorry I don't know.

Posted by: mohamed on 2009-11-13, 04:46:58

‎‎Yeah ، your wieght isn't a problem for practicing kung fu ، may be it gonna be a good point for you and also by practising kung fu ، you gonna be fit .‎ good luck with my best wishes

Posted by: Prathap U on 2009-11-13, 04:52:00

1. Weight should not be a problem. Go ahead and join !! 2. I feel that you should join any martial arts which is genuine in terms of belt grading. I see a lot of instructors who do not have affiliation and are training students for money. 3. I may land up at Pune if my final interview with a company clicks and I can help you. Iam a 2nd Dan in Shotokan Karate from Bangalore.In case I don't make it to Pune, please get in touch with folks in groups of Yahoo Karate and query them for a better school. All the best, -Prathap

Posted by: No name. on 2009-11-13, 06:15:51

1. Yes you can still do it if you're overweight, that's not a problem. You'll probably start losing weight. 2. There is no better art. You just need to find a good teacher. 3. They should be able to tell you what time and day the classes are. You can also look for a private teacher who will teach you purely one-on-one when you both have free time. Some teachers will hold a seperate lesson with you if you can't make it to some classes.