which martial art is right for me?

hisholinessnb

I'm mid thirties, retired from GAA last year. Several years experience of karate as a youngster but not as an adult. Looking for something closer to full contact, but without wanting to go training like a savage and challenge for titles, more so something to do once / twice a week. Hoping for something which will greatly improve fitness also. Although I'm not at a bad level (ran marathon last year) so I want something to push me cardio wise. Around the drogheda area. Any recommendations for what would suit and any clubs?

arybvtcw0eolkf

There's a whole clatter of styles which would tick those boxes.

Have you any idea what attracts you, ie striking (boxing/kicking) or grappling/Wrestling (submissions/joint locks/chokes & strangles/throws).

Do you fancy something with a grading syllabbus (most tradition styles, but some are competition based, ie Judo where after green you must fight for and win your grade).

The usual (and good) bit of advice most people will give you is to visit clubs in your area and see which one clicks with you.

hisholinessnb

Thanks, I'd probably go for striking based styles to be honest.
Had kickboxing in mind but my hesistation is that I'd be a beginner in my mid thirties. I wonder do many clubs have late starters or would I be far above the average age?

Doug Cartel

What's available in your area? What fits best with your schedule?

Furious-Dave

There's a new Kickboxing club opened in the Westgate Fitness Centre. Might be worth checking out.

http://www.sseskickboxing.com/index.html

hisholinessnb

thanks, might pop down to that club and have a look!

arybvtcw0eolkf

hisholinessnb wrote: »

I'm mid thirties, retired from GAA last year. Several years experience of karate as a youngster but not as an adult. Looking for s

hisholinessnb wrote: »

Had kickboxing in mind but my hesistation is that I'd be a beginner in my mid thirties. I wonder do many clubs have late starters or would I be far above the average age?

Your age won't be an issue, and for what its worth I've never come across a GAA player who wasn't fit, strong & tough or afraid to take a knock.

columok

I appreciate that you'd like to give striking a go and if so the likes of full contact kickboxing or muay thai would be great.

Consider BJJ though as it can be trained at high intensity with relatively low impact. Conditioning wise it's hard to beat and can be an awful lot of fun!

hisholinessnb

columok wrote: »

I appreciate that you'd like to give striking a go and if so the likes of full contact kickboxing or muay thai would be great.

Consider BJJ though as it can be trained at high intensity with relatively low impact. Conditioning wise it's hard to beat and can be an awful lot of fun!

Have a lot of admiration for BJJ but dont think there are any classes within my range (navan-drogheda).

Furious-Dave

There was talk a few months ago about an MMA gym in Navan. Here's the thread http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=61746935

Haven't heard anything about it since. MMA is GREAT! for fitness as it covers both striking and wrestling/grappling.

bigdogbarking

How far are you willing to go? there's a club in dundalk if you don't think its too far for you?It has classes ranging from mma, bjj, mua-thai, hapkido, kick boxing, jeet-kune do and i think even some tai-chi. So it more or less covers everything. I'm don't want to be seen to promote the school as i hate to see people do that (eg kravmaga, and Mr cumiskey etc:rolleyes:), so do your own homework on it.Just give "MAS-F Dundalk" a google, they have their timetable online too.

hisholinessnb

Cheers but Dundalk is out of my range unfortunately. Gonna give the kickboxing club in drogheda a go.

tatty_bear

Well, kung fu is defo the best martial arts form when it coes to developing the skill to fight in close range <mod edit>in my opinion<mod edit>, using body mechanics to do the most of the work. Wing chun or as some call it Chinese boxing is intensive, dealdly and very effective. Bruce Lee was the first person who introduced this martial arts form to the Western world. There are no belts ,but there are scrolls and there are no specific competitions held in this fighting style.

Niall Keane

Chinese boxing .....there are no specific competitions held in this fighting style.

sanshou???

hisholinessnb

anything in the drogheda area?

Samba

I'd rec. Jiu Jitsu.

If you are looking for something more relaxed and easy going, you can always try Judo.

JacksDad

hisholinessnb wrote: »

I'm mid thirties, retired from GAA last year. Several years experience of karate as a youngster but not as an adult. Looking for something closer to full contact, but without wanting to go training like a savage and challenge for titles, more so something to do once / twice a week. Hoping for something which will greatly improve fitness also. Although I'm not at a bad level (ran marathon last year) so I want something to push me cardio wise. Around the drogheda area. Any recommendations for what would suit and any clubs?

Hi hisholinessnb,

I'm a member of Boyne Valley Martial Arts in Navan (with a club in Drogheda too, see here for full details) This club teaches the art of Lau Gar Kung Fu as well as Kickboxing.

I'm doing it myself since February '09 and like you in need of a regular cardio fix, and find that this club more than ticks the boxes training on a Tuesday and a Thursday. I think it may be right up your street to meet your fitness demands as well enjoying the art of Lau Gar itself.

If you need any further info give me shout or pop down on Thursday for 8pm and give it a go yourself.

JacksDad

hisholinessnb wrote: »

Had kickboxing in mind but my hesistation is that I'd be a beginner in my mid thirties. I wonder do many clubs have late starters or would I be far above the average age?

Just seen this too from you hisholinessnb and the simple answer to your question is your never a late starter! I'm in my thirties myself and I've trained with older students at our club at beginner level.

arybvtcw0eolkf

Samba wrote: »

I'd rec. Jiu Jitsu.

If you are looking for something more relaxed and easy going, you can always try Judo.

lol.

Samba

Douglas Juicy Guava wrote: »

lol.

edit

Oh wait, I get it now, I've insulted Judo :rolleyes:

Are you suggesting for one moment, that Judo is as intense as Jiu Jitsu?

Because I have one very big lol awaiting your response if that's the case!

Doug Cartel

Samba wrote: »

Are you suggesting for one moment, that Judo is as intense as Jiu Jitsu?

I don't think anyone would suggest judo is as intense as Jiu Jitsu.

Judo is more intense than Jiujitsu.

hisholinessnb

Well if theres no Jiu Jitsu or Judo in Drogheda then I aint joining either, so get off my thread

Samba

hisholinessnb wrote: »

Well if theres no Jiu Jitsu or Judo in Drogheda then I aint joining either, so get off my thread

There are clubs around that area alright, from my experience, I've trained in both for a total of 7 years, 3 doing Judo and 4 in Jiu Jitsu, personally I found the Jiu Jitsu to be much harder going and far more intense.

Last I remember, there's a club in Ashbourne, but I'm out of touch now, as i've been sidelined from martial arts due to a serious back injury.

Niall Keane

Yea, what's up with those laid back Judo lads, lazily lifting and slamming each other every few seconds?:D

Samba

Niall Keane wrote: »

Yea, what's up with those laid back Judo lads, lazily lifting and slamming each other every few seconds?:D

Tell me about it, they can't even last longer than 20 seconds on the ground

arybvtcw0eolkf

Samba wrote: »

I'm out of touch now, as i've been sidelined from martial arts due to a serious back injury.

Well don't go getting the hump with us here about it!... :pac: