Rich_2k3

My favorite bands (old and new) are: Red hot Chilli peppers The darkness Nickelback Queen Led Zepplin

cloth shin.

I use knuckle mits which are not listed, not all karate mits are foam dipped, infact many are not.

Come to think of it, the only korean style I know is TKD, what r the others called?

Definatley start out on gloves, many ppl even wear handwraps under gloves. After some experience with the bag u could move to lighter gloves or maybe handwraps as long as u dont over do it. Remember even pro boxers use gloves when doing bag work. The reason is simple, if u dont u will injure ur hands and knuckles and do permanent damage, probably get arthritus when ur older. Another thing, if u want to toughen up ur knuckles then do some knuckle pressups, a rough carpet is a good place to start. Ur bag should not be used to toughen ur knuckles up, its there to improve ur fitness, strength and technique. Hope this helps.

Just wondering if shoes would make it harder to kick correctly, although I imagine that front kicks would be easier.

Yeah, there's lots of conspriacy therories but thats how it is with big star's, like elvis, princess dianna, maryolin monroe etc. ppl cant except that they die.

I few things to say JLee. Firstly, never, never use a roundhouse kick in a fight unless ur an experienced martial artist or the situation arise's, like maybe he's getting up after a punch to get u and u slip one on his head. Secondly, dont get intimidated by verbal abuse, its exactly what they want. Finally, I would take up Wing chun kung fu, karate or Hapkido if ur after self defence. Boxing and kickboxing are good for getting stronger and fitter, but I've always seen them as glorified fitness programs (very goos ones at that) and as sports, which they are.

People feel intimidated about martial arts, I dont know why, its just the way the world is nowadays. It could be because they will not except that u can "beat them up"; in their minds they honestly think that they could quite easily beat u in a fight and the fact that you do martial arts means nothing becuse they think its all hollywood myth. Most ppl say, "Right, now i'm taller than him and i'm heavier so I would win in a fight", they basically weight two ppl out and the heavier one would win, but we know its not like that. Fighting is no different that a sport, except there is more at stake. Some ppl are better at a sport than others, its not just about how strong someone is but also skill, experience, speed, luck and a million other things and until ppl see it that way it will never change.

blitzcraig, if he does kick his * and then tell him "Now thats what a black belt is all about".

I quick question, a bit off topic, but I think its still relevent. When ppl have big hands they say "oh, he'd be a good boxer" but surely the smaller the size of ur knuckles, regardless of strength, the more pressure exerted and the more damage inflicted on ur opounent, remember; the lower the surface area, the higher the pressure exterted (sorry for the physics lesson). Heres an example, an elephant standing on ur toe would do less damage than a women in a stilletoue heel, and thats true. Now boxers have big hands, but surely smaller hands will be better, what do think?

Do you wear shoes in martial arts? I'm thinking of getting those Adidas Taekwondo sports shoes, for leisure and karate. Has anyone got a pair and are they good for martial arts. Take a look: http://www.sport-e.com/sport-e/rf.inf.RFServlet?pathinfo=productpages/ProductPage.html&pca=170579742&row=1&col=1&displaybanner=Y&version_id=751&rootcat_id=165513377&Mis_item_id=11&Mis_item_loc_id=5&Parent_version_id=751&Cat1=165513377&Cat2=&Cat3=

20-17

Lots of sleep. good, good.

Yeah, sounds like u've hit a nerve, nasty.

I definatley dont stretch enough. I basically do intense stretches once a week in Karate and then I go do some very light stretches twice a week at the gym. I should really do more...

What kind of training scedules would a pro swimmer have, I mean if u see those guys they've got huge shouders and have an exellant overall athletic build. Is this only from from swimming? Also what kind of diet do they sustain?

Ok, so if I do between 50-60 push-ups a day (In two sessions, half in each) how many of those 10 second back exercises should I do per session?

I'd say somthing along the lines of kickboxing or muay thai definatley. I mean u get straight into it, lots of time spent punching bags and hitting focus mitts, lots of ring work. It'll give u a good work out, plus its good fun. Yeah definatly either of those two. No katas and not much drill work definatley the way to go 4 fitness, plus u dont need to be THAT flexible, the kicks in muay thai are quite low mostly. Good look in your choice, martial arts are the best!

5'10

I'll give it a try, thx.

Interesting...

Is upper and lower back strength important in martial arts? I dont put much emphasis on my back area when working out, dont really know any good exercises and dont want to do them wrong, could cause problems if u now what I mean.

Metsubushi, ignore what I said before, I thought u were someone else who wrote this thread, i'm not gonna name names but u may know u i'm talkin about.

Did u know there are more surveillance cameras in the UK alone (that includes speed cameras) than the hole of Europe and America put together, no joke. Soon its gonna be like the Truman show over here LoL. p.s For all our American friends and rest of world, u may notice that us Brits are quite passionate about them , well thats the reason.