krunchyfrogg

History: I used to practice a mix of Shorin Ryu, Goju Ryu, and Shotokan. I really loved it. After an injury, moving, getting married and having a kid, I find myself in my mid-30's and about 50 pounds heavier than I was when I last practiced martial arts. I just found a Judo school near me, and I was thinking about joining. How is Judo on an overweight beginner (as I feel like I'm completely starting over)? Here's the school's website: http://www.smma.net/ Any and all help is appreciated.

History: I used to practice a mix of Shorin Ryu, Goju Ryu, and Shotokan. I really loved it. After an injury, moving, getting married and having a kid, I find myself in my mid-30's and about 50 pounds heavier than I was when I last practiced martial arts. I just found a Judo school near me, and I was thinking about joining. How is Judo on an overweight beginner (as I feel like I'm completely starting over)? Here's the school's website: http://www.smma.net/ Any and all help is appreciated.

Nevermind. I found it: $45/year or $400 lifetime membership. http://www.usja-judo.org/MembershipInfo.htm

I'm looking into a school near me, and it lists the tuition fees on the website, but adds: How much am I looking at here?

A very good friend of mine says the same thing. Unfortunately, after moving to a different state, I don't know anybody! I'm not into pats on the back, and I've never been to a tournament. PM sent.

I found an Aikido dojo 10 minutes from my home, with a branch 10 minutes from my job! It sounds like this might be a match made for me, since membership will allow me to attend either dojo, and I can just go near my job when I'm stuck working late. I really don't know anything about this style, other than what I've just read on their website https://www.aikidocenters.com Does this place look good? What should I expect from an Aikido class? Are the workouts tough? Just tell me anything you can about this style please!

Point me in the direction of the free classes.

That comes to $145/mo. for one person. I don't know how many times a week instruction is given, but you--anyone--not only has to have the money but the time, as well. instruction would be two days a week. And they were set days, not flexible.Derwentbob: my Wife plays tennis competatively at least 3 times a week at a nice tennis club, and she pays a lot less than me. To be fair, the school did offer a few free classes (I think they all should).

Thanks a lot guys. I'll keep looking.

I am trying to get back into the martial arts, and I found a dojo that I think I would like. When I got to talking to the head instructor about cost, I was instantly turned off. He told me the school`s tuition is $1750 for one year. I felt like it was too much, and it`d definitely out of the range of what I can afford. What do you consider a fair price for a karate school? Are there any styles that are inherently less expensive to attend? TIA!

Thanks for all the nice words everybody. I'm meeting with the head instructor this weekend and I'll let y'all know how it goes.

I got one through my dojo, but I'd like a few extra as I'm a sweaty dude and I don't like doing laundry every day.

Hey guys, after a few years away from martial arts (marriage, moving, injury, and baby... in that order), I'm looking into getting back into the "swing" of things (ha ha ). Anyway, I went to a local dojo where Isshin-ryu is taught. I was impressed by the facility and the sensei was very nice. He told me there was some overlap from my former style (a combination of Shotokan, Goju-ryu, and Shorin-ryu), and that I'd have a bit of an advantage in the learning curve because of this. A couple of questions: 1) Could anybody here compare and contrast the different styles listed above? (I realize this could be difficult since my original school was a blend of three different styles) 2) My official "interview" will be coming up this week. What questions should I ask about this place? Are there any red-flags I should be aware of? The dojo's website is https://www.eastmorriskarate.com I might have some more questions later. Thanks guys and gals!

Catmom, you have a lot of legitimate concerns, but if you leave your school without confronting the Sensei, then he will never know why you left and what your issues are. Talk to the man, let him know how you feel. He might confirm your suspicions, but he may very well tell you something you were'nt expecting. There's only one way to find out.

That's cool. Any other questions I should ask when checking out a dojo?

How did the word "bad" enter your last sentence? That was a great episode! Having only experienced one school in my life, and greatly wanting to return, my biggest worry is joining a mcdojo. I am really trying to find a school that's convienient for me and is a good school. It's tough. Anyway, here's my plug to the thread about what questions I should ask.

Is it too pricey? IIRC, it's labeled as a "McDojo" but i've never actually been to one. One just opened about 20 minutes from my home. Any and all advice is helpful.

Dojos should just have "casual Fridays" like a lot of offices. It makes sense to train in clothes you normally wear, as it's how you would be dressed in an encounter if you ever did need your skills. That being said, I understand how a lot of places are either "traditional" or fall into the category of "mcdojo" where they need to show off all their patches and awards on a gi. Besides, I can certainly understand how most people would feel if they're going to be working out, they'd like to be wearing something other than their normal work clothes (doesn't really apply to me, I work in a hospital and scrubs are even more comfortable than jeans and a tee shirt, clothes I usually favor!).

Well, she hasn't visited this site in over a year, I don't think it matters now.

baldur's Gate II for the computer is based on D&D rules and you can choose to play a Monk. Their kicks and stuff look pretty cool.

I'm a special procedures X-Ray technologist.

I really, really liked this movie. As a big fan when I was a kid, I do have some issues, but it's pretty darn good. I'll discuss those issues in the future if this thread gets some more replies.

Heck, there's nothing wrong with making friends! "I don't need friends, I've got a wife" is not a healthy attitude - it'll increase the number of people you can go for beers with when your wife's being a pain in the butt. LOL, that's not what I meant. I was more going along the lines of saying that I'm sweaty and gross after a session... I'm not hanging out then. And as I get older, I "hang out" less and tend to "retire at home" a whole lot more.

Thank you so much everybody, especially you, AKC.

Thanks a lot everybody. Hey lady who discovered radiation the hard way (): what difference does it make if the students hang out together? I'm a guy in his early 30's with a wife... I think I'd rather hang out with her.