I'm interested in taking martial arts, I have a few questions?

I've got a few (more) questions, just trying to research into it a little bit more :)





First of all, I'm 16 years old, almost 17, is it too late to start? I've heard of people who start at 17 or 18 and get their black belt by 21 or so. I would be very committed to it and try very hard; I also used to be in gymnastics so maybe that would help?





What martial art is best, most fun and most impressive to take? Karate, kung fu, TKD etc.





What are the main principles of the main martial arts? Is karate just a simplistic, blunt movements; is kung fu more engaging, full on fighting sort of thing? I'm looking to learn something more exciting and fun to do.





Lastly, which martial arts have real contact fighting/matches-- as in competitions, etc. or are there mostly just demonstrations to graduate belts/sashes and such?





Thank you so much for any help!! It is very much appreciated =)

I'm interested in taking martial arts, I have a few questions?
ur never too old or young





there is no best unless u wanna fight someone





martial arts relaxes ur mind





they have both demostration and full contact, its ur choice when you get good
Reply:I had the good fortune to have done some martial arts. I think that if you go to as many dojo's as you can find in your area, you will see which art suits you best.





I am concerned by your comment that you would like to chose the one which is impressive. I think most of them are impressive, not for what they display, but mostly for what they do not display.





Mental strength, personal power discipline.





Enjoy It is good that you have this interest.





Regards


Deon
Reply:believe it or not, the style and management really will answer your questions. Every Martial Arts style is different and since most people don't take martial arts, (let alone learn all of them), it's hard to get a justified answer. There is no real main martial arts.





Being a student of Jhoon Rhee TKD, I know for a fact that it does have sparring which what you described as "real contact". But they also do have flashy forms for demonstrations.





As for your age, I'm happy to say that joining now is still a great time because you wouldn't have to wait to go up belts as long as I do. After my next for third degree in March or April, I'll be forced to wait 10 years before I can test again. I'm not going to be looking forward to that because I won't learn anything new. But by the time you got to where I am, you'll be about 26.





If you need more details, I think there's a phone number. I've never used, but my Master has told me about.





"Call USA-1000; Jhoon Rhee means Might for Right." I believe that's what I was told.





As far whatever you choose, I hope it goes well. =)
Reply:I do TKD and it is really fun, i think u can start whenever it just depends on if ur willing 2 stick with it! :)
Reply:It's never too late! And it's great that you're excited about it. But I would not focus on achieving rank because the essence of martial arts is to develop skill and knowledge. I'm a long-time karate practicioner though I've done many other styles a bit. Kung-fu is much more elaborate and in some ways very compelling. TKD is really a sport-type martial art with a lot of emphasis normally on sparring techniques and fun with high kicking, etc. Karate looks simpler than some though many of the forms and application are very deep.





Aikido is anothe type very fluid with emphasis on redirecting energy. And judo is very much a sport but also compelling if you like throws, etc. All the styles have some amount of competition-- if you want to compete/spar a lot you may want to look for trophies in the practice room.





In my experience even within styles there is a huge variation in terms of skill, process and emphasis. I would probably discourage people who were interested in serious study from going to a profit-making 'strip mall dojo' run by a big corporate organizations. (Karate schools are the most common in this not so good area). Mostly because they often put more emphasis on what you pay than what you learn and the level of instruction can be very inconsistent even with 'black belts'.





The most important thing is that you go to visit/observe as many styles and schools as you can. and go back to the places you really like that feel like the right fit for you. If you're really interested in forms, kicks or sparring it will be pretty evident from the class though you should ask the instructors if you really want to compete.Then try a class or two. Especially don't let anyone sell you a 'membership' right away. And be wary if they give you a list of fees for belt-testing, etc.





Also just remember that when you first practice it may seem quite difficult. Martial arts practice done right is a great journey not just an acitivty. Don't give up when you find what really appeals to you! And have a great time Christine!





P.S.


I practice with a non-profit group of traditional karate dojos-- there are dojos all over the world and you can find out more at ska.org.





take care!
Reply:Well, I started TKD when I was 17 (im 18, along time huh? lol! well actually, its been 9 months now : /) and from experience, Its not late at all to start at 16/17.





Now for what martial art is best, there is no best martial art. whith that sayd, TKD rules! lol, jk jk. really it all depends on what you want to focus on. Karate is probably the most street usable between TKD, karate and kung fu. It incorporates punches, kicks, joint locks, and take downs so they have a vast arsenal. you should also check out the diffrent styles of karate, like kempo and okinawa, since they vary in what they focus on (kempo focuses on speed and okinawa on strength).





Kung fu focuses on speed and flexibility, and you should know that there are alot of styles of kung fu, not just one. For example there is wing chung, preying mantis, shaolin kung fu, and so many other variations. The problem with kung fu (my taichi teacher told me this, she does wushu and kung fu too) is that it is not unified like TKD or karate, so there might be variations on the styles. for example, the long stances could vary (you probably feel lost dont you? I forgot you dotn know these terms, just bear with me for a while,k?) one being shorter than another, or how low someone should go in a certaint form, but these varyations are not that bad and do not affect the styles too much.





TKD focuses on speed, flexibility and kicks. You might find this martial art a bit better for you since you can do gymnastics, and TKD focuses alot on gymnastics (in my school, we have days devoted to doing gymnastics, mainly back flips and hand springs). TKD teaches you how to fight with punches and kicks and is very similar to karate, but you focus mostly on kicks. Some schools, WTF style, also incorporate hapkido (korean martial art which has joint locks and take downs) to compliment TKD. Hapkido covers things like people grabing your arms, hair, chest, neck, its really a self defense martial art.





Out of those three, I find you have alot of fun in TKD and make alot of friends, but kung fu and karate also have that type of atmosphere, just not as much as in TKD. Also, the three of them have sparring and tournaments, but they differ. Karate focuses on point sparring ( you hit an oponent once, and then you take stances to fight again until someone has x amount of points) TKD focuses on continous point sparring ( you fight for a minute and the winner is based on who got the most points, never stoping unless theres a ring out or someone does an illegal move) and kung fu is more hard core, barley any pads, but they dont hit as hard (or actually, that depends on the level these fighters are at).





So to recap, karate is like you say, blunt and simplistic, but its highly effective (just because something is simple doesnt mean it doesnt work), kung fu is very engaging and challenging, alot of difficult but beutiful forms (dont confuse it with wushu, because that is not kung fu, its more art than martial, but it derives from kung fu, and depending on the teacher it can be used as a martial art) but dont expect to have as much fun sparring there as in karate or TKD. TKD has alot of complex kicks and you actually use gymnastics to do some of the kicks, but most TKD schools neglect the aspects of using hands for blocking and striking (not my school, but that again depends on the teacher) and so when you go to the streets, its not as effective. but the good thing TKD has it teaches hapkido, which makes up for not using the hands.





If you want a martial art to really defend yourself take muay thai, judo, or boxing. these are great for self defense and highly effective. but TKD, karate and kung fu are alot more fun and you learn more than how to defend yourself, you learn respect, patience and gain self confidence.





Also, pick a good instructor. If you dont feel comfortable with the instructor and your peers, youll likely drop the class and stop going, which would make it a waste of your time. Go to a school and try to get a free class, observe if the students actually know what their doing or if they got their belts for decorations. also, if the instructor tries to shove a contract at you, kindly say no and walk away, because these instructors are just out for your cash. and last but not least, dont stick to just one martial art, after a while (six months and onwards) you should get into anotherone if you can afford it (belive me, there are matial arts that are more expensive than others), experiment and cross train, but dont drop your first martial art because that is your foundation (unless you really hate it). Also, dont belive the whole "my martial art is better than another" because its not. all martial arts have great things about them. Its up to you to take in what you like about that martial art and reject what you dont, but remember that everything is useful and to never disregard something because it doesnt work for every situation. I went on alot huh? If this helped you, then all right!!! if it didnt, well, I tried didnt I? didnt I? good luck and have an open mind.





p.s. for TKD, I recommend WTF or ITF, since both are recognized world wide. (WTF is the one that uses gymnastics alot, ITF is alot better for fighting in the streets, but both are real good)





http://youtube.com/watch?v=8Y3-STuMbVE





thats a vid that shows what the tournament side of TKD is like. the girls at 2:20 are really going at it! ( you can skip the first minute or so, its not really interesting, but if you wanna watch it, then go ahead.





http://youtube.com/watch?v=wqyTfWSR01o





he does WTF TKD and also gymnastics, he combines them to do tricking or xma. xma is kind of based of TKD.
Reply:You're never too young to start learning a new martial art!


there is no such thing as a best, or most imporessive martial art. although all are fun. if you're in gymnastics, then TKD or brazillian jujitsu could be easier for you, as they require a good amount of flexibility (especially TKD). Karate isnt simple...you may think you know how to punch and kick, but there are sooo many little things you have to remember...and its effective and much more realistic compared to TKD (only fancy flashy kicks)





TKD and Judo are olympic sports, but lots of other martial arts hold competitions and tournaments. Techniques from different martial arts are also used in MMA fighting, eg. UFC, pride, etc.





so.......if you want to impress your friends, take TKD..it may work in real life self defence, but IMO, it isnt realistic


kung fu, karate, jujitsu %26amp; judo are great to learn in my opinion, as long as you find the right teacher.





in terms of effectiveness on the street and self defence, eskrima %26amp; kali (and other filipino martial arts) are very good. krav maga is the probably the most effective though.





there is tons more to know about martial arts, more than you can fit in this answer box ;)....so read something or look on the net for more info...or contact me





hope this helps =)
Reply:its never too late to start, yes gymnastics could help, there really isnt a martial art that's best and most fun, and you definetely shouldnt worry about which is most impressive to take. not all karate is blunt simplistic movements and kung fu is definetely not a more engaging full on fighting sort of thing. infact more kung fu places around these days are complete bullshit trying to make a quick buck. and it depends what you want, dyou want a high contact highly competitive atmosphere of just kata crap and demonstrations?


i think you should try a few before deciding, and if you dont mind me saying, it sounds a little like you're getting into martial arts for the wrong reasons. i dont wear my belt or my art on my sleeve, i do brazilian jiu jitsu but i dont go shouting it to the world or trying to make it sound impressive.


get into something because you like it and you think it could help you.


cary c is not an instructor.
Reply:What everyone said.