Turtle

I actually want to do the cardio to build endurance. I get out of breath too easily. And since I don't have a gym membership, I don't really have access to the good weights for training anyway, just the five-pounders I have here at home. I could care less about my weight, I'm more worried about my fitness level. And ... maybe this makes me a freak, but I really LIKE crunches and sit-ups.

I have a bike, and don't have problems riding it, so maybe I will do that. It definitely seems to just be a problem with the high-impact stuff. I do have a brace, so maybe I will dig that out and try jogging with that on and see. Thanks for the ideas! (I ride a bike for my main transportation; it never occurred to me, hey, people ride them for fun sometimes. ) I'm doing the other stuff 'cause I need the strength training, too. I'm kind of at a point where I need everything and I'm not sure what to focus on. I should start with the cardio, though, and go from there, I guess?

My first jo was made out of a broomstick. My dad helped me cut it to the right size and I sanded it down. I never used it for anything but practice at home, though. And fortunately, there were no parts to break off, because it probably would have happened.

Thank you for the welcomes! And for the advice, Ichi_Geki. I will certainly keep it in mind. I'm not ruling Goju Ryu out entirely. I did enjoy it, I'd just like to see if there's something nearby that suits me a little better first.

I guess I should introduce myself instead of just jumping in. I started studying Kosho Shorei Ryu Kempo when I was in eighth grade, and did that for almost four years until the dojo closed. After that, I switched to Goju Ryu and studied that for nearly two years, as well as taking short classes via my college in Shotokan and Tai Chi. After a long break, I'm hoping to begin studying again. I'd really like to return to kempo, but there isn't a school in my area. There is a Goju Ryu school, but while I liked it a lot, it never really clicked for me the way kempo did. I think the thing I miss the most is the weapons training, especially jo and eskrima — I really loved both, and I don't think I was too horrible with a jo. So at the moment, I'm "shopping around." I've lurked here on and off for a while, but now that I'm starting to think seriously about getting back into martial arts, I figured I should register and start joining in.

What I've always been told is that any stretch can be dangerous if done improperly, but most aren't if they're done correctly. Advice I've heard: Don't bounce in a stretch — that can tear your muscles. Stretching should feel like stretching, but if it's causing sharp pain or cramping, you're doing something wrong. Don't overstretch — if you can't quite reach your toes, that's fine, just try and get closer than last time. Certain stretches have to be "worked towards" — if someone is unfit or hasn't been loosening those muscles, they could damage them. Make sure you are using good posture and have good alignment. When in doubt, don't do it or check with a professional (physical therapist, trainer, etc.). There are some good tips online if you google "unsafe stretching," and a couple of sites show the stretches and exercises that are most commonly done wrong and alternatives that are safer.

I studied karate (first kempo, then when my school closed, goju ryu) for about six years in high school and college. Due to financial reasons, I had to quit taking classes about seven years ago. While I kept up as much with drills and katas as I could at first, I was hit by a car while riding my bike a few years back, and used my injuries, especially damage to my left leg, as an excuse to get lazy. I'll have time and hopefully a bit of extra cash starting after Easter, and I'd like to get back into karate, but, to put it bluntly, I'm fat and out of shape. I'm not really sure where to begin — I'm putting myself on a diet and I've been doing crunches, leg lifts and knee push-ups, but that's about it. So, for those of you who have had to get into (or back into) shape after injury and/or gluttony, where's a good place to start? Any advice? I'd especially like suggestions for cardio — my left ankle is very weak and running puts more strain on it than I'd like, at the weight I am now. (I will be getting a doctor's opinion on the ankle before I actually start classes, but at the moment, I can do standard exercise as long as it doesn't cause actual pain.) Thanks in advance.