FunkyDemon
White Belt
I've been lurking here for a few weeks and the forum is nagging me to introduce myself so I guess I will. 
I found this forum when I started looking into clubs to join in my area. I had not done any martial arts for three or four years so I decided to make sure I was thorough when looking for a new club. In the past I had done TKD (hated it, mostly due to the 'instructor'), Karate (liked it but it was at a place I used to work), and White Tiger Kung-Fu (really liked it, but it was too much travel). Actually I wouldn't even count the Kung-Fu since it was only a month.
I checked out several of the clubs in the area (those that responded anyways). I settled on one that teaches Hung-Gar and Kick Boxing (now at the end of the second week in classes). I liked the format of the classes and the feel of the club. The other schools I looked at were too formal for me. I got lucky when I went to see an Aikido class since it was testing day and saw that it definitely wasn't for me. It amazed me how many schools have no sparring (not even touch sparring). I don't mind kata/forms, but if that is all you do then forget it. The Jodo looked interesting, but it didn't offer the workout I was looking for (and the class was too expensive to think of doing it also). I ruled out the Ju-Jitsu and Judo after watching the Aikido (and the fact the schools didn't respond to messages).
What I had really wanted was something with weapons. The one place that teaches European sword/dagger was too far. So was all of the Kendo places. There are a few fencing places that are border line. I may consider them in the future.
I found this forum when I started looking into clubs to join in my area. I had not done any martial arts for three or four years so I decided to make sure I was thorough when looking for a new club. In the past I had done TKD (hated it, mostly due to the 'instructor'), Karate (liked it but it was at a place I used to work), and White Tiger Kung-Fu (really liked it, but it was too much travel). Actually I wouldn't even count the Kung-Fu since it was only a month.
I checked out several of the clubs in the area (those that responded anyways). I settled on one that teaches Hung-Gar and Kick Boxing (now at the end of the second week in classes). I liked the format of the classes and the feel of the club. The other schools I looked at were too formal for me. I got lucky when I went to see an Aikido class since it was testing day and saw that it definitely wasn't for me. It amazed me how many schools have no sparring (not even touch sparring). I don't mind kata/forms, but if that is all you do then forget it. The Jodo looked interesting, but it didn't offer the workout I was looking for (and the class was too expensive to think of doing it also). I ruled out the Ju-Jitsu and Judo after watching the Aikido (and the fact the schools didn't respond to messages).
What I had really wanted was something with weapons. The one place that teaches European sword/dagger was too far. So was all of the Kendo places. There are a few fencing places that are border line. I may consider them in the future.
