Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?
This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.
Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.
Jump in the discussion.
No email address required.
Notes -
I used to join some boxing and Muay Thai trainings a long time ago. When I was actively training and sparring boxing I really liked the feeling that I had some idea how to stand up for myself if anything happened. Also nowadays I am in meh shape (but not horrible, I run and play tennis) and nothing ever got me as fit as regular sparring so I really would like to pick up a fighting sport again. I would like something where I can train against other people with some force without getting concussions (so no more boxing, I used to have bad headaches after sparring rounds..) and without kicking (very injury-prone in my experience, also some orthopedic problems making this uncomfortable for me).
I will probably drop by a nearby BJJ gym later today to check it out. There is one Gracie gym and one independent well-reviewed gym in my neighborhood. I have some doubts though: BJJ looks like memorizing a fuck ton of technique of dubious value without the constraints of the sport (hitting, biting, gauging etc). Also I am afraid the classes will be a long series of "technique/combo of the day" without long term structure as I often found martial arts classes to be, and I will lose interest.
I know a bunch of people here do casual martial arts so I am fishing for some recommendations. I live in decent size city so I could probably find a gym for most things you recommend.
Edit: just went to my first class and apparently it was cancelled. Great start
What do you want? To improve your fitness? To learn self-defense? To have something to do as a physical hobby?
I used to do jujutsu (earned a black belt, almost made it to nidan before Covid basically killed our dojo), though our style was traditional Japanese, not BJJ. It's very practical self-defense oriented (BJJ is much more focused on ground fighting). Then I did judo for a while before I had to admit I'm too old to feel comfortable rolling with much younger (undisciplined) guys and hitting the mat.
Long ago, I did karate and kendo. (Kendo is a sport, not a real martial art, but it has a lot of the same aspects.)
So anyway - if you want intense workouts and a sense of achievement, BJJ really cultivates that mindset, and it's pretty good as far as self-defense goes. Krav Maga is supposed to be very good for focusing on the self-defense aspects, though I have never taken a krava maga class. Karate and kung fu and other striking arts - well, it really depends on the dojo. Some are just pretty aerobics pretending to be fighting styles, others are more practical, but those rely on the intense sparring that you say are a problem for you. It should be noted that any good BJJ school will totally gas you after a good randori and it also involves getting slammed on the mat and having your limbs bent a lot and occasional elbows to the face and ribs and knees in the groin and heels crushing your toes, so, no "real" martial art doesn't come without the possibility of injury.
Kendo is fun if you like very formal, traditional martial arts, but obviously it is not of much practical benefit. And it's a hell of a cardio workout. You still get hit in the head, though.
All 3 I guess? I am definitely not sort of guy who would enter drunken brawls either by provoking or refusing to just run away. But recently some life changes (ie pregnant partner and then a baby) made me confront that there can be situations where you really have to stand your ground, helped by a couple of unpleasant encounters as well.
I am totally fine with some bruises (I have a pet theory that your body expends a lot of calories healing bruises and getting bruised is a good way to lose weight, never bothered to research this lol) but I definitely don’t want long term head damage(bread and butter of boxing) and serious joint/tendon problems as I know these can be truly awful and permanent from some experience. So the other comment scared me a bit about bjj at this point.
More options
Context Copy link
More options
Context Copy link
More options
Context Copy link