Hey guys, I want to say thanks in advace for the replies, I have been doing alot of research on this already and found various views but this board seems to be VERY knowledgeable. My situation, I am 32 years old, five feet nine inches and 300+ pounds and need to get in shape. I do walk just a little a few times a week, some hiking, but not enough. Typical walking on the treadmill is BORING, and I decided I needed to find an exercise that I won't be looking at the clock going, only 10 minutes left, 9.5 minutes, ooo only 8.3 minutes left, etc. I was considering various sports and came up with Martial Arts. (Yeah!) I took Judo for about 2-3 months or so, about 8 years ago and really enjoyed the grappling and throws but an overzealous higher belt twisted my knee around 3 different directions during a throw and I could barely walk for almost a month. The senior instructor was a really nice guy, but the gym was an Aikido place primarily and the Judo was just something he was doing on the 'off' days. (He was not the owner of the Aikido or main instructor there.) I felt like that the high level guy should not have been practicing his higher level throws on me in the first place and decided that was probably not the place to return. Throwing around, at that point, a 260lb guy is not easy to do, especially when I am not very good at 'falling' or 'being light on my feet' and even though I fell, it wasnt pretty and not the way it was intended I am sure. So now...I got to find something that will fit me and my body type. There is a Jujitsu place in Kernersville that looks good but their schedule really won't fit with mine. I have found an interesting "Karate" school http://www.kikville.com but I am not sure which style they lean towards. I sent the school a message asking for more info etc. SO I guess my question is this, I need the exercise, everything I am reading says TKD is not a great fit for my body type, these forums seem to suggest Karate may be a good fit, I enjoyed the Judo and grappling/throws, what should I look for? My other/final question is this: Judo/Ju-Jitsu is really good for the little guy against the big guy. So what is really good for the big guy against the little one? I already have the size, my legs are extremely strong, how/what will give me the advantage? If you were going against a BIG guy like me, what is it you are hoping I wouldn't know? For instance, in Judo, I could see how my strength could add speed (and distance) to the throws, add momentum if you will? I have a feeling my legs would kick like a MULE, but not very high since I am old/stiff! Course I am NEWBIE so I could be wrong... So, just like a million others...what about ME.... TIA....Sam Hinton[/url]
