Ben

Realising TKD is somewhat expensive conpared to most of the other arts, especially with many mcdojo's adding to the statistics of "TKD = Expensive!" i was wondering a few things from those TKDists out there After all, a lot of students dont realise all the prices that can be involved with the art! A) how much do you pay monthly/per session? B) how much do you pay for advancing to new belts? C)Cost of 1stDan and above? (No idea where to put this, so as its TKD based, i stuck it in here )

Shorinryu has the best advice here... a lot more valuable to invest in a heavy bag or anything that wont mess up your joints and calcify your bones to the point of agony. Sure, it looks cool... but as Bruce Lee said, boards dont hit back

yay! well done! :D:D and congrats on your cyber-orangebelt too, Hybrid! *coughs and points to his cyber-orangebelt too..*

i was actually thinking he meant "tendons" and "ligaments" ... of course, they are probably spelt wrong because my spelling is awful but you get the picture

Flexabilty and strength do go together and is fairly easy to obtain. There have been many threads here explaining this, but i'd may as well summarise it here Weight training is there to tone muscles and make you slightly stronger. it compliments technique. As does flexibility. If you're not going over the top on weights (trying to get "big") then you can obtain both by doing weights and stretching. For a list of stretching that can be done ( if you dont already know ) go to the "Sticky" thread in this section As for advice about weights, if you have a quick look through this section you're sure to find a lot of information on how to use weights with MA in mind Hope i've helped!

Welcome to the boards (officially that is!) I agree your experience shows in your posts. You seem to have settled pretty well, we share a certain.. discomfort *sly grin* but I hope you enjoy your time here

This is a very unconstructive, pointless post, but for the sake of stating a strong oppinion ... took the words right out my mouth

A bit too costly for a student such as myself. I just splashed out on an excersize bike, (Winter coming, rains all the time =\) a decent set of weights and a nice new pair of trainers... and what with me injuring my shoulder recently (no more work for 3 weeks.. which also means no money... and training ) i doubt i'll be able to afford that any time soon, hehe. All very good idea's and suggestions but I think i will just have to go with what delta says - although my step dad has nicked a load of metal poles/pipes and sold his welding gear a few weeks back... gaah the timing! thanks guys!

i have done quite a few of those the worst being the pool cue incident.. i'm also a firespinner and play with some poi on occasion... spinning pool cues is natural. ^_^

I'm talking about generally. theres always an exception. UFC's are a different ball game. Yes age also comes into it, lots of things come into it, but when talking about this, the most common situation is talked about. I believe anyone who is willing to start a fight with an old man is.. well.. i wont go there. and the other way around? .. i doubt that will also happen. I also see no need for forcing my oppinions, or argueing with someone, about their own *individual* oppinion. so dont worry about making another post analysing mine, thank you

Theres a certain amount, or lack of, natural ability to everything. this said, two fighters that are equal in skill and size will always have a hard time beating one and other. the same situation, but someone who is heavier and taller will have more power, an equal amount of speed and a longer reach -simply tipping the odds. I havnt read through all 13 pages of this, but i looked at a couple... if you're talking about a skilled small fighter against a big, relatively unskilled fighter, size shouldnt really matter if good training has been done. *stays away from Jerrylove and Shorinryu's .... discussion... *

My parents are very fond of gardening, but even before we moved in to this house there were no tree's :\ Although i'm now thinking of making my own hanging device that can be inserted into the ground... kind of extreme, but i could really benefit from some bag work

Here just what i think personally, and also what i have done: A while back i joined a TKD club... the first 2 times i was a spectator, and then got as far as joining in for a few classes. the instructor was, what i feel, very good, and i made it clear that i left because i felt i needed to be fitter within myself, not the way he teaches. He understood and ever since i have been working on my health. As a person, i felt i could benefit from being more fit. that it would help me achieve what my goals were and are. and i believe that as an individual, thats what matters and i feel its the best way to achieve what i want to do. that is my individual decision. I find it good to see instructors who are willing to individually train students no matter what condition they are in. i have great respect for them, and to really connect with your students, i feel that doing warm ups with them, going through kicks etc with them, pointing out whats wrong would really be good for the student. I dont know where i'm going with this... just.. some kind of input from a begginer i guess.. plus it being 1:30AM doesnt help

LOL! ... theres the small problem of aspestos (i dont know, i'm bad spelling... the toxic stuff that is illegal now ) with the roof... so i think thats now narrowed the choices even more =\ i'd be willing if it was my garage, but living with my parents and all... bah any other suggestions anyone?

find a single damn place to hang a decent punch bag or heavy bag! its beggining to annoy me in a way. everywhere i look i'm constantly thinking "oh, maybe there! ... no =\" i was just wondering if you guys had any places, or even equipment, that its safe to hang a bag from. i would hang it from one of the rafters in the garage, but quite frankly i dont trust it. any input at all will be appreciated (if relevant )

Very good article, very good. it brings the mental side of MA into the picture greatly... being calm, knowing that the person in-front is simply like anyone else. they are still restricted by the same things you are - but maybe one of you have pushed those restrictions a little more. despite all this, its still a fist or a kick, and no matter how well executed, you should be able to deal with it. If you have anything else already written, i know i wouldnt mind reading some

I cant believe it... the only MT fighter i ever really used to watch. reading that article makes you think about so many issues and situations you might be in its not worth mentioning... it really is one of the only reports that has got me feeling upset in quite a while.. i'd like to say i would have just got the plate and called the cops, but i'd probably have ended up doing the same... theres a difference between preparing for situations and actually being in them i guess.

I start a diet tomorrow, and i've pretty much followed it to a "health and training" book. the most important meal is a good breakfast! i cant stress that enough. unless you eat while you're asleep - you're not getting any carbs which you are slowly burning through those 8-ish hours of sleep. that nudges the meals up to three a day which is better. If i was holding down two jobs, not just one like i am atm, i'd add in another meal - but only a small one. a bit more water and some more juice in there wouldnt go a miss. if you are doing two jobs - then you'll be exhusting yourself, so if you can make sure you have 8 hours sleep for your body to rest.

I am 17 years old, and whenever i go on a full out workout, i sometimes come away, keep sweating a few buckets, and my heart beats so hard i can sometimes feel rushes of blood through my viens. however, i have never had an irregular beat so i am not worried. stress can also make your body react very weirdly too - so if you think that might be it, ask the doctor if this might also be it and talk to them about how you feel mentally, and what your life is like in your mind. last time i was checked my blood pressure was "fine" as the doc put it, and my resting heartbeat is 65 - so not far off yours. Life can be hard sometimes, but only you have the disciplin and choice to be able to change how you live and how you feel. you have a wife and two children that love you very much (or they wouldnt be there!). whenever you're feeling stressed relax and remember all the good things in your life. do a couple of kata's, whether in your mind or with your body, and concentrate. theres nothing like calm concentration to ease stress.

some people learn best in the deep end, others are "careful". i recent got myself some wooden ones with a chain - they arent really heavy, but they are fine for me - the begginer. i have hit my elbows only 5 times so far, because my body learns best by pain.if i hit myself i can see something is wrong, and it makes for better focusing. However that being said, i'm going to get myself a pair of foam's just to see which is best at the moment. the best kind of nunchaku is the one that feels like it was made for you. try some out, see how it feels, and take things from there cant really say much more cause everyone's hit everything i was going to say on the head already!

recently aquired some black nunchaku with metal chain, and i've been spinning staff for ages. you dont even need the studs on the 'chucks... accidently hit myself in the temple earlier (probably a perfect knockout shot to anyone else if it had more power ) while quickly changing positions... put me down on one knee for bout 10 mins so in a weeks time foam nunchaku black wooden nunchaku (chain) homemade staff

I agree that HKD and TKD go very well together. if you can find a place that is ITF afflicted, you might be lucky enough to find a dojang that treats the two as one art. i'm WTF TKD, but i know its not heling self defense - and i wish it was easy to get to an ITF dojang. bah... some people have it so easy with their training... *points fingers at sens childishly*

I use nunchaku's and staff, and i'm trying to find any other "weapon" i can use in order to build co-ordination, wrist flexibility and strength, and most of all awareness. when i start going heavy with nunchaku's, i dont even think these days it just happens, although occasionally i mess up and start rolling on the floor screaming for a while screaming about having no movement in my elbow. as for staff, i'm a firespinner so i just use a four and a half foot heavy staff purely for spinning. i dont just do this to get into shape, i also make up my own forms etc and find it genuinly relaxing. i cant really explain why i train so much with weapons... i quite simply think its essential for me at the moment to build on many things, and its something i find relaxing and enjoyable. and in a street fight - i know someone that once used their watch to scratch someone in the eye. kill or be killed as they say - no rules.

maybe add in a few more carbs into your diet. no matter what i eat, i stick at the same weight unless i dont eat. the only way i can put weight on is constantly drinking beer... which is just way too odd O_o your weight doesnt seem too much of a problem to me - and seeing the background on this you've given me, you've been naturally light. some people are genetically different to others. make use of what you have

Only one word to cover the outcome there: Ouch O_o