Is there anything I can do if I can't afford to join a school?

[Flying Crane]

You should give up this fantasy of training martial arts. Clearly you are not cut out for it.

Perhaps knitting would be a safe alternative. I’ll bet you could find rubber caps for the knitting needles so you don’t put your eye out. Careful you don’t strangle yourself with the yarn. Think you can handle that much?

 

[Wing Woo Gar39]

I can't afford to visit a doctor either.

How old are you? If you are broke you can get free medical care. It’s a thing.

 

[Wing Woo Gar39]

I'm pretty sure they already pay someone to clean up their place instead of waiting for a peniless guy to come over and beg them to do it for free. I don't know how long ago you were young, but I don't see such tactics working in modern world.

Likely a student or the teacher does it. You seem to have a lot of convictions about martial arts schools for someone with no experience. I’m really trying to give you the benefit of the doubt here. Im in my early fifties, I paid for two different students to train this year alone. Because they asked for a way to train, but said they had no money. That was within the last 4 months.

 

[Wing Woo Gar39]

Ain’t no question about that.

Ok well I tried.

 

[Monkey Turned Wolf104]

I'm pretty sure they already pay someone to clean up their place instead of waiting for a peniless guy to come over and beg them to do it for free. I don't know how long ago you were young, but I don't see such tactics working in modern world.

I've seen multiple schools offer deals or similar to students who couldn't afford to pay, within the last 5-10 years. That aside, you've been given multiple different options to help you train, or workout. At some point you have to get past your excuses, if this is something you genuinely want to do, or examine them to see what's actually keeping you from it.

 

[Wing Woo Gar39]

You should give up this fantasy of training martial arts. Clearly you are not cut out for it.

Perhaps knitting would be a safe alternative. I’ll bet you could find rubber caps for the knitting needles so you don’t put your eye out. Careful you don’t strangle yourself with the yarn. Think you can handle that much?

Ya big meanie!

 

[Flying Crane]

Ya big meanie!

Sometimes it’s gotta be said.

 

[Stuarto65]

Exercise is difficult at first. Go slow. Don’t worry about visible results. Stretch daily. Stay hydrated. Eat healthy as you can. You can do it.

Stretching is super important. Since I started Kenpo almost a year ago my flexibility has improved incredibly. I can also kick higher and with much more power. I stretch and drink lots of water everyday, and on days I am not training. The results definitely will come over time. Love it!

 

[Stuarto65]

You should give up this fantasy of training martial arts. Clearly you are not cut out for it.

Perhaps knitting would be a safe alternative. I’ll bet you could find rubber caps for the knitting needles so you don’t put your eye out. Careful you don’t strangle yourself with the yarn. Think you can handle that much?

 

[Kung Fu Wang104]

Are there any elementary moves I can practice myself,

Try to drill "1 step 3 punches" for the next 3 years.

 

[Loser]

Stretching is super important. Since I started Kenpo almost a year ago my flexibility has improved incredibly. I can also kick higher and with much more power. I stretch and drink lots of water everyday, and on days I am not training. The results definitely will come over time. Love it!

Stretching before or after training? I have read contradicting views. Some even say it's not necessary to stretch at all.

 

[Loser]

Ya big meanie!

On it. Reported him/her already.

 

[HighKick]

Are there any elementary moves I can practice myself, any simple body-weight strength-training exercises I can do without guidance? Or do I run the risk of wrecking my body even if I train in the most basic manner without guidance? Am I hoping too much? Should I give up on hope and do nothing as long as I have no money to join a gym/dojo?

Youtube. There are channels relative to almost any style you train in.

 

[Stuarto65]

Stretching before or after training? I have read contradicting views. Some even say it's not necessary to stretch at all.

I stretch before and after. Stretching before really helps loosen up the muscles. I would say not stretching puts you at a much greater risk of pulling or tearing something. I also do cool down stretches which were taught to us in the army.

 

[Loser]

Youtube. There are channels relative to almost any style you train in.

Those videos can supplement training done under the guidance of an instructor. It's not wise to use them themselves, otherwise you'll wreck your body.

 

[JowGaWolf]

You suggest that I enter a dojo and plead with them to train me for free? I have some dignity!

No. I suggest you go to the dojo to see if they offer payment plans that better suit your situation. Not all martial arts schools are in it for the money and may be willing to help you out if they see that you have the passion for what they teach. It's better to have a good student with passion than to turn that student away. As a result some schools may offer discounts, bur

 

[Wing Woo Gar39]

On it. Reported him/her already.

He is a great resource and very skilled. He is teasing you because it seems like you want advice but want to argue about the advice. Lots of very experienced and very skilled people here offering you good solutions to your problem. Many of us are instructors as well. You are literally getting good free advice from multiple experts.

 

[Prince_Alarming104]

If things really are that desparate, just do pushups and find something to hit. My dad taught me to fight by punching bedding when I was a kid. I'd venture to suggest though that if things really are as dire as you're making out maybe you have bigger problems that need to be solved first....?

 

[Prince_Alarming104]

Also, you could try just holding a horse stance for extended periods of time. It's difficult to see how you could injure yourself doing this, if you're really that concerned.

 

[JowGaWolf]

You suggest that I enter a dojo and plead with them to train me for free? I have some dignity!

No, I suggest you go to a dojo and let them know your situation that makes it "impossible" for you to train and then allow them the opportunity to help someone (you) who may need it. If they are not able to help you then you can ask the school of your choice what type of things you can do until you are able to take classes.

At one point in time I thought just like you and as a result I missed the opportunity to learn under a well-known Martial Art's teacher. More than 7 years later I spoke with my old teacher from the first school and told him that I originally had to leave the school due to some financial problems. He told me that I should have let them know because they were willing to help people who couldn't pay the full price..

Because my Pride which people often mistake as dignity. I missed out on a lifetime opportunity. I should have told them how much I was interested in learning and the challenges that I was facing at the time.

The only thing I can tell you for sure. These teachers know how to spot real passion for the martial arts. If you really don't have passion for it, then opportunities like that won't be available for you. If you only see the school as a business, then they will only see you as a customer.