Martial Arts

[Marcg868]

Well as i am currently turning my life round after splitting with my ex, ive decided id like to take up a martial art of some form.

Preferably something that will keep me fit, make me a bit stronger.

My cousin is a Tae Kown Do instructor and says give that ago,

But i was thinking something along the lines of Boxing or Thai Boxing etc.

What do people reccommend, and any good schools around Greater Manchester area.
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JACK, MISS YOU LOADS YOU LEGEND.

[craigie b]

Brazilain Jiu Jitsu is an excellent martial art for developing strength and is very effective as grappling is largely unknown by others. As a sport its non impact so its safe and easy to train in but be under no illusion that it isn't lethal. The locks and chokes break bones and KO people if used with intent.

Kickboxing often has a high emphasis on fitness, depending on the school you go to. I do this and fitness is a must.

Boxing is also very fitness based and very effective on the street.

[Marcg868]

Well yeah, im looking for something to keep my fit and build my strengh, and also be able to defend myself, when i kicks off in the pub.
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JACK, MISS YOU LOADS YOU LEGEND.

[numark1]

I did TKD for 12 years, with my dad and sister (he was AMA champion 6 years in a row)

You could try kickboxing although most sports bar boxing are quite "non contact"

Boxing would be good but you are quite late to start so will get quite battered at first if you are training with decent people. Would be fun though.

[craigie b]

Thats not entirely fair to say you'll get batterred. Boxing, like any other sport has to cater for all comers. If you don't wawnt to fight you won't have too. But if you do then you stand a high chance of a few good thumps

Kickboxing is full contact. There are 3 types of fighting in competitions....points, semi contact and full. Points is about getting a strike into your oppoent. It looks gay but once you get to the professional level then the strikes are incredibly hard. My mate has broken many opponents jaws and ribs whilst getting a point in.

Semi contact is like free flow fighting, but your just trying to strike your opponent and dominate the fight. Power and force is not the empasis and you can get deducted for being to rough...however I've known people to get knocked out and lose even though the knock out is technically wrong since it shows lack of control.

Full contact is just that. numerous rounds of various times. both fighters have to throw at least three kicks but other than that kO or points wins. Very rough and the fighters often look like they've never set foot inside a kickboxing gym as if looks like a brawl.

[Marcg868]

Ah dont worry can take a beating. Been stabbed, kicked in the head, bottled. Sure i can cope And then perhaps learn how to give a beating back instead of it being the usual head butt.
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JACK, MISS YOU LOADS YOU LEGEND.

[Icey]

I did TKD for a couple of years, couldn't get into it, for me it seemed more like a test of memory than teaching anything that could be useful in a 'real' situation.

A few years later I did Thai Boxing on and off for about 3 years. Great fun, much less memory intensive (which is good as my memory is shot) and much more fitness orientated.

Personally, the complex martial arts (TKD, Judo etc...) hold no interest other than what you see in films. Something alot more simple thats more physically demanding just seems to make more sense.

(ChrisW)

[craigie b]

I agree. Being taught a handful of moves and repitive practise of them is far more effective than learning hundreds of dead techniques

[mr.z]

Depends really, ninjitsu (well the fighting aspect) is perfect if you want to WIN at a fight, full of dirty sneeky tricks.. some kungfu is good for this too, but wont get you fit nearly as fit as something like tkd or kickboxing.. Wing chun is also designed for close quater combat with crappy footings e.t.c.

TKD does vary from one federation to the next, in good and bad ways, some blackbelts were pretty useless in some clubs i'd seen tbh, i'd imagine this is the same elsewhere..

Lots to choose from, find out what nearby (phoneing the closest martial arts supply shop is the best bet for that)
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[mr.z]

[numark1]

Could look at MAT (martial art trickz)

I was looking at it but not many clubs about. Used to do quite a lot of gym and wasn't too bad in the air, would be cool to try, although insanely hard. Like a form of breakdancing.

[Marcg868]

Well theres loads of Boxing clubs roud the Manchester/Bolton area. And the main one that stands out is Thai boxing with Sandy Holt round here. So their the main two that im interested in.
____________________
JACK, MISS YOU LOADS YOU LEGEND.

[Itchy]

Wing Chun , or Hakka southern Mantis , very ugly to watch used in fights very effective, I took up Wing Chun last year but quit due to moving , uses 99.9% hands which is good cus my legs are awful short.
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[craigie b]

[Misc]

I like the idea of Thai Boxing because they have bloody strong legs, 1 kick to a 'normal' persons leg would probably send him to the ground, pretty handy in a fight.

Always wanted to do boxing, i might start.

[craigie b]

A few ways to make a kick devastating.....

Thai/JKD/Krava type attacks where the kicks are aimed low. Side kick to the knee cap willcollapse/break a leg.

Front kick to the shin is quick, easy and often unexpected line of attack (in the street). Combined with the right shoes and its a screamer.

Other than that, lots of practise and stretches at high kicks. My instructor can kick as fast as he punches at any high. There used to be a bouncer in liverpool who would keep a black book of people he'd knocked out using high kicks (in the street that is).

Personally I preffer option A and B as I lack flexibility but have strong legs.

[craigie b]

This is a JKD forum I post on, but I can't link to it as you need to be a member to view it! Very interesting.