Hello from the UK
- Thread starter Dragonfly
- Start date
Welcome!
None of them are simple, otherwise everyone would have a āblack beltā! But the ubiquity of Karate and learning material makes it a good place to start.Work on your general flexibility (hamstrings and leg adductors), a bit of gentle cardio and your golden!
None of them are simple, otherwise everyone would have a āblack beltā! But the ubiquity of Karate and learning material makes it a good place to start.Work on your general flexibility (hamstrings and leg adductors), a bit of gentle cardio and your golden!
Last edited:
Xue Sheng116 34
All weight is underside
Simfers124 31
Blue Belt
Hi there! Welcome! Choosing an art to start with is daunting for sure.
First step is figuring out what would be your "territory", if you will, which is the maximum distance and time you're willing to travel, several times a week, to train.
Next, you find out what's available in that area. Do a bit of research on the arts that are taught. As Gyakuto said, karate is so wide-spread now, dollars to donuts (wait, you're British, should that be pounds to... biscuits?) you'll find at least one school. This forum is gonna be a great ressource for that, it is filled to the brim with knlwledgeable people.
Then it's about figuring out what school you want to attend. You can look at their socials and their Google reviews, but nothing beats going there and talking to them and trying them out, ideally through a trial class or three, failing that by at least observing a class (if they won't let you do either, just leave).
With your goals (getting fit and having fun doing so) and just starting out, a school's competition record is going to be meaningless.You're just looking for a school where you feel comfortable. Look for people helping each other out, a friendly vibe/atmosphere while still training seriously. It's hard to put into words, especially since I'm still half-asleep, you'll know it when you feel it.
Enjoy the journey! It's a heck of one, and remember: You're not alone, if nothing else we're here, and EVERYONE has been where you'll be, a raw beginner completely lost. Yes, even that black belt who can do seemingly impossible things with their body.
First step is figuring out what would be your "territory", if you will, which is the maximum distance and time you're willing to travel, several times a week, to train.
Next, you find out what's available in that area. Do a bit of research on the arts that are taught. As Gyakuto said, karate is so wide-spread now, dollars to donuts (wait, you're British, should that be pounds to... biscuits?) you'll find at least one school. This forum is gonna be a great ressource for that, it is filled to the brim with knlwledgeable people.
Then it's about figuring out what school you want to attend. You can look at their socials and their Google reviews, but nothing beats going there and talking to them and trying them out, ideally through a trial class or three, failing that by at least observing a class (if they won't let you do either, just leave).
With your goals (getting fit and having fun doing so) and just starting out, a school's competition record is going to be meaningless.You're just looking for a school where you feel comfortable. Look for people helping each other out, a friendly vibe/atmosphere while still training seriously. It's hard to put into words, especially since I'm still half-asleep, you'll know it when you feel it.
Enjoy the journey! It's a heck of one, and remember: You're not alone, if nothing else we're here, and EVERYONE has been where you'll be, a raw beginner completely lost. Yes, even that black belt who can do seemingly impossible things with their body.
āTuppence haāpenny to a crumpetā
As you can see, @Dragonfly, there are very few Brits on this forum which means youāll have to simplify your language, and use the vernacular you may have picked up from years of watching Kodak, The Streets of San Francisco, Rhoda and Friends
āWho loves ya baabyā, ā Buddy-boyā, āThis is Carlton your friendly doormanā and āWe were on a break/how yoo dooinā?ā
Xue Sheng116 34
All weight is underside
Hmmm your post was condescending, arrogant and insultingā¦.. what do you knowā¦ there are constants in the universeāTuppence haāpenny to a crumpetā
As you can see, @Dragonfly, there are very few Brits on this forum which means youāll have to simplify your language, and use the vernacular you may have picked up from years of watching Kodak, The Streets of San Francisco, Rhoda and Friends
- Thread starter
- #8
Hello again. Thanks for the tips. There are a few clubs nearby. Krav Maga, Judo, Karate, Taekwondo are the main ones. A lot are aimed at kids though. Best bet is to visit clubs as you said. I will do that and see if any feel right. A guy called Jesse Enkamp has a video and he says all martial arts are climbing the same mountain from different starting points. It suggests everything is the same in the end - is this true?
Prince_Alarming62 5
Senior Master
Welcome aboard
Xue Sheng116 34
All weight is underside
IMO, if taught correctly, and trained correctly, and depending on your goals... yes
I think this aphorism is borrowed from theological circles where all religions are said to be different paths to the same spiritual summit. It might be a good fit for Abrahamic religions (but not so much for Eastern religions) but with regards martial arts, I donāt think it applies very well. Tai Chi is so different to Karate which is so different to Aikido which is so different to Wing Chun etcā¦
Prince_Alarming62 5
Senior Master
I've come to believe that he is doing it for exactly that reaction. I'm sure nobody else is fed up of it.
Simfers124 31
Blue Belt
Considering your stated goal, which is to get fit, yes, I believe every martial art will help you fulfil it, since every one will get you moving. They'll do it in different ways, and they will not all work the same muscle groups in the same way, but you will be fitter.
The important thing is finding one you enjoy doing, so that you actually, you know, keep doing it.
Happy hunting, now!
That is a very difficult question and the answer is highly subjective.
Try Shotokan Karateā¦
Simfers124 31
Blue Belt
Define what "real martial art" means to you. Krav maga is a system of fighting, literally an "art of war", which is the dictionary definition of a martial art, but it may not be yours.
Once you define that, you'll either know if krav maga fits those criteria or you can ask more questions.
Once you define that, you'll either know if krav maga fits those criteria or you can ask more questions.
- Thread starter
- #19
The Karate of Shotokan is my first choice. It seems more trustworthy for some reason. Each class is a fiver. The location is a five minute walk away. They teach two classes each week. I have made contact and will try a class tomorrow evening.
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