I’d like to improve my reflexes, circulation and agility- I’ve never taken anything like this so I’m looking for a beginning class,  I’m also interested in self defense- I am very petite so I probably wouldn’t take a class where would flip over another person- ( I can’t even carry a gallon of milk!)  But most importantly I really want to have fun- I get bored easily- I’ve had a gym membership for 2 years and I’ve only been there MAYBE 4 times. \n\nAlso- I was planning on going to a martial arts center  rather than a Junior college- is there any difference?\nCan you give me an idea of how much it’ll cost and how long before I see results?\n\nAny advice would be appreciated.\n\nThanks!
214506
Since you are as you put it "petite" I would recommend an Art that uses speed over strength. This will sound odd,but I would recommend Tai Chi. Although they train in what appears to be a very slow,and methodic way. It will teach you the correct placement of your feet to maintain balance.\nBear in mind that whatever you do slowly, you can do quickly. In this case also very effectively.
668409
My training is similar to yours.  I train BJJ, Muay Thai, and Boxing.  I also have a strong background in wrestling, having done it for over 6 years and having coached it for a short time.  Right now I'm not near any schools, as I work on a Navy base in Italy.  There are a couple of guys here with different backgrounds and we spar together, teaching each other what we can.  When I get back to the states I'm going back to my BJJ school, and looking for a muay thai gym if I can find one.\n\nI think you're training now is ideal for MMA.  Boxing and muay thai have awesome footwork and striking techniques. Combine that with the comfort muay thai fighters have in the clinch and the ground fighting prowess of BJJ and you have a very well rounded fighter.  All that's missing is the takedown ablility of wrestling or judo.  I've trained with many higher ranked (in belt)BJJ practitioners, and I've always had them off the takedown.  They eventually improve their position and get me with a submission, but that will change in time.\n\nI don't completely agree with your view on Kung Fu, though.  It's true that there aren't many MMA champions with Kung Fu backgrounds, but I don't think that is because of the stye.  I think it's more because of the training.\n\nKung Fu, traditionally, was a mixed martial art form.  The chinese brought together various famous fighters to study their styles and techniques and to develop strong fighters for battle.  It's techniques are effective and it has potential for MMA  Presently, though, I don't think Kung Fu is practiced in a way that builds great fighters. Especially in the US.  It has become more of a forms based martial art and the practitioners don't spar enough, if at all.  It's possible for a Kung Fu fighter to study for years and have less ring time than a Muay Thai boxer would get in his first few months at a gym.
507528
Start physical training TODAY. Running would be best. \n\nLearn some basic military close order drill, like facing movements (left face, about face, etc.)\n\nDon't go crazy with short buzz hair cut.\n\nBe prepared to be yelled at. You're going to put up with some BS.\n\nDon't forget to STUDY. You're going to have a lot of information thrown at you.\n\nRemember to turn on the "game" when you step into the academy and turn it off when you leave. I mean your family and friends really don't want to be shown all the great tricks you're going to learn in unarmed defense class.
559757
First off, If you 've never had any amateur fights, don't think about it.  Get some amateur fights under your belt first.  It sounds like to me you'd be better off finding a gym, asking for a trainer to take you under his wing, work out for at least 6 months on just the fudlements (hand-eye coordination, throwing punces the right way), then spar, then get a couple of amateur fights, Once you have 3 fights you can fight open which means you can be in these types of tournaments.\nAlso there are other national and state tournament such as Blue and Gold
483091
It won't help you directly. I mean the admission people at the Universities won't say "Hey! This one has got martial arts! I know I'm choosing to invite!". But if you can learn life-skills though Martial Arts, it might help you through the stressful times at University.
621123
hey hun..i have love the taebo (kick boxing) videos. they have starter videos so you can learn the moves while you advance...plus Billy Blanks (the instructor and creator of taebo) encourages you through out the whole video like tellin' you to walk it out or grab you some water and pace yourself..He even encourages you to modify the moves to help you if you have back pain or any thang like that.(he is really in tune with what helps people) Unlike a lot of the other videos that tell you to just keep going...if those aren't good reasons to try then here is the best one...taebo burns 800 calories per hour work out....i wish you luck...love daisy
497756
I used to belong the the YMCA until I joined the YWCA.  I think the Y is a great place to workout and send the kids for swimming, gymnastics, etc.  They really take a family approach and have a great environment to workout in.  The programs offered for kids and adults have quite a variety and levels for all participants.  And the cost isn't too much, either, compared to other fitness centers.  They really do offer a lot.  Perhaps you can sign up for a trial period to see if you could try it and see if you like it and it works for you.  As with any program, it's only worth the money if you use the facility.
674887
The classes I went to were pretty lite, but you didn't go there to bake cookies,  I was points sparring and got the littlest person there for an opponent, a 22 year old girl who was scared of getting hit, I didnt want to hit her so she got the first of 2, well I threw one to her midsection and she did a whitebelt middleblock but did not follow through, her arm stopped just at her collarbone and my fist ended in her neck, she stopped and just started bawling like you wouldnt believe.....I felt like total s hit.  \n  Point being, just learn your blocks and do em right and you shouldnt worry about getting hit, its not knitting class.
247939
As you know age doesn't matter if your cardio is good and you can go the distance you shouldn't have a problem. Unfortunately you have to compete in tournaments weather it be mma or kick boxing but you will have to have a professional record  or some titles under your belt if you wish to get paid. If you are willing to fight for free go to one of the smaller shows there are usually heaps of fight promoters who would be willing to watch you fight for free in there gym. If you are good enough the might sign you up for a fight good luck.
613937
Jared,\nYour question is an awesome one. I am a black belt in Tomiki Ryu Aikido and I'm from NC. I have often thought the same thing while watching every single MMA fight. I worked out with Rich Franklin on June 10th and even asked him why MMA fighters didnt use Aikido. He told me that if I wanted to seriously enter MMA fights that I needed to give up Kung Fu and Aikido, then get a Muai Thai and Boxing coach. I love Rich Franklin and I totally respect him, but I dont think he understood my question. Before utilizing Aikido, (most effectively) your opponent needs to be commited in his attack. In MMA it seems that everyone now are really good with the jab (none commited attacks) and use them effectively until damage is done to set up for the commited attack, or of course they go in for the take down.  This then puts an Akido practitioner at the disadvantage. It can still of course work, but when your paired up with a world class athelete who attacks like one, it would take a Highly trained Aikidoist to stay in total control.\nWhen I ask that same question I am wondering about the "TONS" of close quarters jpint lock techniques that I have learned. Like all the million finger and wrist locks that hurt really bad and can easily make anyone tap out or break there arm. \n\nThe next time I watch a MMA fight when to opponents are in the clinch or even grappling on the ground, I want to see one of them grab a finger or a wrist and wrench it back in a lock. even if they dont tap out they will have a hard time punching with a finger thats flopping around or a hand that cant be bent. \n\nAlso I saw something the other day I had been wondering about, why dont you see anyone stomping feet?  A well placed stomp to the instep could easily break the foot bones making it almost impossible to walk. \nSo my answer is Aikido could easily be applied in a MMA but it would require a person of years of skills and of course some other training as well.\nIm mebriansmith@yahoo.com hit me up and we could chat
25588
Firstly there are two points that are very good in your question:\n1) School is above all- it is your future.\n2) Fitness is very important for everyday life.\nAs a military fitness coach and athlete I know that fitness and a good sweat helps the mental side of studies and has a general impact on the trainer, but you have to commit yourself and be serious to see any results.\nAs for your parents: My attitude would be to explain that you would like to sign up for a gym as a hobby and try it out. If you do enjoy it I am sure (as an honors student) you will be able to manage both. \nRemember that you cannot train every day. In the beggining you will start with 2, max 3 sessions a week and slowly build up a routine and expand your training sessions. Another point is that your training should be no more than 2 hours (including a warm up, cool down a a good shower, at least at the beggining) which is another point for your parents- your training will not take up THAT much time.\nAnyway good luck... hope you keep to it... a healthy body means a healthy mind!
637318
You shouldn't panic :)  A couple of minutes ago I was doing a comparison research alongside of my program of study and was shocked to learn that a candidate could pass with 60% in his/her core classes, at an alternate institution.\n\nWhat you have going for you is "working experience".  I suggest you spend extra time on the areas that needs strengthen and "go for the gusto girl"  Kinesiology is the arena of your skills.  The science is "so new" it is not in "check spelling yet" -- It is simply the science of movement.\n\nI am excited for you -- this is the same interest area my daughter has.  She will be starting school in the Fall and excluding sports - she has never worked a minute in this area.  \n\nHere is the link that practically gives content to your entire program of study.  Physical Therapy has been upgraded to Kinesiology since 1964.\n\nGo for it sweetie - you have an excellent start.
331097
No i don't do Shui Chiao but i practise Wing Chun. But i am wanting to study more of a grappling art such as yours. Or maybe chin na. But preferably Judo. I feel in a combat scenario people with a more grappling based art are more likely to come of well. You didn't mention whether you did Shui Chiao. Or whether you were just looking for a teacher. May i suggest something if you are looking for a teacher. Buy Robert W Smiths Chinese Boxers Masters & Methods. In there he states that Shui Chiao resembles an early ju-jitsu. And he had a test with a Taiwanese wrestler and won. And would have won easier if they hadn't restricted the moves he learn't in Judo. I know it doesn't sound as cool. But Judo sounds like a really effiecient type of fighting. Plus the conditioning is really intense. I work with a guy who was a big deal in Judo and he is really tough. Just thought i might let you know.
474733
I like all these jack asses like ninedemonsgod who point to UFC as a good rule of thumb as to what to expect in a real fight. My short retort to his dumb answer would be to ask would you want to go to the ground if facing multiple attackers? Maybe he likes to roll around on the floor with a bunch of guys, but I wouldn't.\n\nI would just suggest you use what you learn, what you remember, and what comes as second nature. Beyond that, adapt to your environment and use whatever you can, be it beer bottle, lead pipe, knife, or even gun if your life depends on it. You'll probably be more prepared based on the way you train, not just dependent on the style in which you train.\n\nOther than that, some people spar and train just for sport, and hopefully they don't get confused as to what is real and what doesn't work. Billy Blanks has great success with Tae Bo, but I wouldn't put money on 38-year old Susie Homemaker who does Tae Bo every morning after dropping her kids off at school when facing a drunk biker.
586891
While any system, if taught well, can help with your listed goals, a medium to close range system maybe a good fit for you. Tae Kwon Do has good systems but they have more emphasis on long range attacks. At long range, you are more likely to have a shorter reach than your opponent so you'll have to work extra hard in this style to be as good as someone who's taller and stronger. Karate may be a good choice. It's not overly complicated for the most part. Techniques are fairly straight forward and many are applicable and progress can be tracked easily when you spar. Kickboxing and Muay Thai are effective, but the training is rough and unless you are doing this to compete, the rules in the ring will limit your thinking on the street a little. Kungfu is great but good luck finding a real master. Besides, it's got an all-show-no-substance reputation around from so many bad practioners getting beat down that you'll more likely get into fights when idiots pick on you once they learnt that you study it. So unless you are looking to get into fights or plans to devote a lot of time and effort and willing to trek around for a real master, Kungfu isn't a good choice. Other Japanese and Korean internal arts can be groups similarly to Kungfu. They are effective but requires a great deal of dedication.\nHere's how I would find a fitting style.\nPart-time (6 hours a week) for self defense: Shotokan Karate, TKD\nCompetition: Muay Thai and Kickboxing\nFull devotion (21 hours a week or more): Internal styles and other Kungfu
81988
Its tough to learn on your own, but there are a few websites that have some basic moves.  I'm sure there's a class in or near your city.  I found classes everywhere from San Francisco to Nevada City (pop 2500)
429498
What do you want to do? Do you want to train for pleasure? Do you want to compete in something new? Do you want to use your experience in wrestling to help you get further in spoort? Do you want to stick to grappling or do you want to learn strikes? Do you want to try your hands at MMA?\n\nIf you wants to be well around and do MMA, take up Muay Thai/kickboxing but make sure to learn basic defend against locks. If you want to be submission specialist in MMA, try take both jiu jitsu and judo. Or look for vale tudo. Straight blast gym will be great for you.\n\nIf you want to compete in something new but relate to grappling, try judo if you perfer keep it stand up and don't like to be on your back. If you want to use your wrestling experience to maximum advantage, go into jiu jitsu. \n\nIf you want to compete in something complete different from wrestling and no grappling go for Kyokushin, Seido, Shidokan, or Eshin karate or Muay Thai or even boxing. \n\nIf you want to train for pleasure, I strongly suggest you look into straight blast gym since you can be both a instructor and students plus you will have few other styles you can learn. It will take time to be a instructor though but you can always give feedback and advices. Also it's a great pleasure to teach others and coach a fighter. \n\nOr you can try check around and see if you can become a coach for wrestling team or figure out  how to become one.\n\nbtw are you in high school or college?