Choosing TKD without flexibility

[vilwy]

I've looked into TKD after shopping around at different styles. It seems to click better me from punches, stances, to poomsae. Dispite similar origins and similarities in style and technique I'd favor TKD to Shotokan.

I have some limitations with flexibility at the hip. Front, back and low kicks are ok. I'm otherwise fit.

There seems to be some mentions of "Combat TKD", Pre-Olympic TKD and "Traditional TKD". Would any of these, or some other style/school of TKD have adaptations towards lower (chest/waist high) kicks? For example, several schools of Karate have variations in technique and philosophy.

 

[skribs]

There's two questions here.

First - there are no prerequisites to signing up. If you're not that athletic or not that flexible, that's fine. You'll develop that as part of training. If there is a real limitation (i.e. injury or deformity) that prevents you from developing it, that's fine too. Any decent instructor will cater to the individual.

Second - what is actually available in your area? You can find the theoretical best martial art and have it not be available. Or the school in your area is run by a charlatan or an abusive coach. Or you just don't like the people there.

Don't worry so much about what the best martial art is. Look what's available in your area and find the school you fit in best with. Then get to training.

 

[kyukpado]

There is certainly nothing wrong with wanting to practice any style of TKD, or any other martial art, with flexibility limitations. Glad you found something you like.

There's a massive debate on what exactly each of those types of TKD exactly are, but so far as I can tell, there's effectively three kinds of TKD: Modern TKD, ITF, and Original/Traditional.

Modern TKD, which is controlled by Kukkiwon and largely responsible for what you see in the Olympics, is going to want to see techniques performed to a standard, so they want to see head kicks at head level (or to the moon if you're that flexible). You'll be just fine practicing this, but you may not win as many competitions.

ITF I understand a bit less than the other two types, but I believe its requirements of technique standards are the same as WT, meaning they want to see a technique performed to their standard. Same as WT, there's still nothing wrong with practicing this with hip limitations.

Original/Traditional TKD is the style(s) that were defined before everything combined under the Kukkiwon and split from what became ITF. You'll see these listed/portrayed as their Kwan name ("Taekwondo Jidokwan") or sometimes just by their original name, like Moo Duk Kwan. Many of these are actually Tang Soo Do, so maybe look into TSD as well to see if you like it. Regardless, and speaking from experience in an original Jidokwan studio, what matters is effectiveness. Yes, a side kick to the head is what the pattern may dictate, but if you can only kick to the ribs, it'll still be quite effective, which is the point. This category of TKD may be what you mean by Combat TKD.

To forestall any Traditional TKD debates, this is only my viewpoint and opinion on these topics. If you're interested, look up and read into the Kwans of TKD. Wikipedia is a start, there's plenty of interesting books out there for deeper reading.

And, in case it applies, any of these styles (as well as pretty much any other martial art) can and will improve flexibility over time, even if just by a little bit. So enjoy!

 

[Kung Fu Wang]

I have some limitations with flexibility at the hip.

Training can change that.

 

[Kung Fu Wang]

I have some limitations with flexibility at the hip.

A: I'm not in good shape. When my body is in good shape, I will come back and joint in your class.
B: But my class can make your body to be in good shape.

 

[Earl Weiss]

In line with what others say, convenience is a big factor. Class time and location etc. If you have several to choose from watch a few classes at each to see what is going on and if that is what you want to do. I say several because at any particular class certain things may be emphasized which are only part of the overall curriculum and watching just one class could give you the wrong impression as to the entire spectrum of what is taught.

 

[vilwy]

Thanks for the helpful feedback. I will look further into Traditional TKD.