three60roundhouse

An art well-suited for the street which can help you deliver a lot of damage with few blows? Sounds like you should check out Muay Thai, which is a kickboxing system that is pretty easy to learn the basics of, and includes devastating sound kicks, elbows, knees, and boxing techniques. It'll get you conditioned both physcially and mentally for a fight.

It took me 4 and a half years, though 5 seems to be the norm. I'm there quite a bit However, my style isn't straight TKD - elements of muay thai, BJJ, and even a little karate are in there as well.

The BJJ belt system originally went like this: White, Blue, Purple, Brown, Black. But when children started training in the art, teachers in Brazil wanted to keep BJJ from getting "watered down", and therefore they started a rule that no person under 16 can get a blue belt, and no person under 18 can get a black belt. However, there was still a large spread in talent among these children, and the belt system is basically to distinguish skill among peers, so a new belt system for those under 16 was instituted. After white belt, a child would get a yellow, then an orange, then a green belt, where they would stay until they turned 16 and could be awarded a blue belt. Rockson Gracie, Rickson's eldest son (who tragically passed away), could tap much larger purple belts when he was 15 and a green belt, but was not awarded his blue belt until he turned 16. I got my yellow a few months ago, and I am 16 now. However, I am not yet ready for blue belt so will remain a yellow belt until that time comes. A lot of people forget about the existence of the yellow, orange, and green belts because BJJ is mostly an adult male art.

It was very cute I liked that it appealed to all ages.....I went with my fortysomething mom, and my sisters who are 8 and 3. I'm 16 - we were all laughing!

I think it's a great idea - Judo is awesome for Brazilian jiu-jitsu standup game, and BJJ is awesome for your Judo newaza game. A few things though - don't use headlocks! A lot of judo teachers teach pins that are headlocks, and ANY BJJ teacher I've ever trained with teaches A LOAD of headlock escapes! Also, the judo guys I've rolled with were big on "turtling up", I guess because that stops the action in judo - in BJJ a lot of competant guys will clock choke you or take your back from that position.

I have an atama gold weave in blue https://www.atama-kimonos.com - it is a very durable gi, a little slimmer in the sleeves like many Brazilians prefer. The collar is thick but not too thick - the only drawback is the thick seam in the back. I also use an MKimonos Hybrid gi - I didn't think any gi could be better than the Atama till I got this! It's a bit more expensive, but worth it. It's extremely comfortable, nice looking, can take a beating, and has a short skirt and thick collar just like I prefer. https://www.mkimonos.com I have also heard rave eviews of Gameness gis (I tried my friend's once and thought the collar was too thick), HCK kimonos (pretty expensive), and a few other brands. Is this Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or some other form you are studying?

I disagree! First of all, I train in tae kwon do, not karate (check my sig...), but my school uses karate gis, and I prefer them to taekwondo dobok. Also, it is easier to see color against a black gi - the difference between a blue and purple belt, a brown and black belt from afar is greater. In my school, black belt instructors such as myself wear black. It distinguishes us at first sight as black belts. Also, silly as it may sound, it is a reward or thing that brings us pride, something that sets us apart from all the other students - because in my school, as in most schools, only about 5% of all people there are black belts.

All these companies make black gis? A lot of companies, I notice, stick to white.

I'm looking for a place to buy a high-quality, very durable black karate gi that will last me a long time. Also, I prefer a short "skirt" below the belt! Middleweight or heavyweight, please - what gi do YOU wear? What is your dream gi?

Well, I was basically pretty lazy - I've been training about 5 days a week and using a stationary bike the other two, so I just couldn't really find the time to run. Well, yesterday morning, Thanksgiving morning, my parents talked me into running a local 5k race - I did it in about 32 minutes, so a few seconds over 10 minutes per milke...I ran the first two without stopping and a walked about a quarter of the last mile. I don't think this is too bad - but it was FUN! I wasn't expecting that. Maybe I'll start running once or twice a week!

I just bought two sets of dumbells - 5lb and 15lb, and I am going to purchase a barbell also (when i get paid...ahem). What I'd like to know is, what are the different kinds of benches (flat, incline, etc.) $$ is tight for me so I can't buy both types! Which would be more beneficial for me, a 16 year old girl interested in gaining strength, flexibility, and a little mass as well...thanks!

I am only learning Chung Moo....so I don't think it would be a good idea to do that one (maybe next time as it is a very powerful form). I was thinking of doing Toi Gwe or Hwa Rang...hm...

Hey! I don't post in here often even though TKD is my main style, mainly because my school is very nontraditionalist and we don't focus at all on forms. I just got my first dan, and I know up to Hwa Rang (we do the ITF set), and just for fun with some friends I want to enter an open karate tournament in forms and sparring. Sparring I think I have a good chance in, but in a black belt division with somewhat elementary patterns I'm not sure. Which of the ITF patterns do you think judges would enjoy? What should I work in within the forms? THANKS!

I've been lucky and have never really been very hurt in my years of training, just broken fingers and toes - way too many of those. I always seem to get injured in BJJ comps - once I had my neck cranked pretty bad, and one I was strangled and had a swollen gland for weeks. I've hyperextended my joints and such, and gotten 2 black eyes and a lot of lil injuries. Yeah I know, I'm boring.

I have always hated running, but I think it's because of my approach. Everytime I want to try to start running, I just go for it and end up getting bored or too winded and I just get miserable. However, I'd like to work on my cardio and I need to vary my routine, so I'd like to try it. Runners out there, help me! How did you start running? How do I build up to say, a 5K? Thanks so much! Oh, and I'm not dreadfully "out of shape" - I train like 3 TKD classes and 3 BJJ classes a week, and I'm generally active.

We have around 30 adults training at all levels in my TKD class. My instructor is a fifth dan, and his other instructor is a 2nd dan. I am a first dan. Usually class has between 12-20 people, and everyone trains together. Now, kids are a different story. I help instruct the kids - there are like 400 of them In BJJ, a typical class has between 5 and 8 people, and the instructor is a purple belt. I am a yellow belt. There are maybe 10 of us altogether, and about 5 who compete regularly.

http://www.richmondlinxx.com/adult/bjj_schedule.php http://www.gmachado.com/ http://www.duke.edu/~jwc/novabjj/ http://www.grappling.com/

Ok. I haven't been here a while, but I have some questions. Last Saturday I recieved my 1st dan black belt under my instructor, and since I'm 16 and a junior in high school this got me thinking. Like all kids I've wanted to be a million things when I "grow up" but it's always been in the back of my head that I love training and I've been seriously considering becoming a martial arts teacher when I get older. I've been teaching kids to kick and punch since I was 13 - I started off as a very young assistant instructor in a large kids program. Now, at 16, I sometimes teach classes myself, and I have a lot of power in the school, something usually not besotwed upon younger teachers - other instructors have said I am a "natural" because I am the oldest of 6 kids. Kids like my classes and I am generally respected, even by kids as old as 13 or 14. I work about 15 hours a week at my dojang. In 2 years, I am "supposed" to go away to college, and I am definitely planning on attaining a bachelor's degree and most probably a masters as well, but I can not imagine life without teaching martial arts. My 3 younger brothers also train (they are "junior black belts" or "poom" belts, the highest ranked children, and have been training longer than I have). One of my brothers is 13 and very serious about his training. My father said that he would fund a school if we ever wanted to open one, and he would recieve a % of the profits. I have read a lot about opening schools on this forum and have found them helpful, but for all those on here who own schools I have a few more questions. --What might one study in college to prepare for this kind of proffession? --If my instructor teaches a more "hybrid" style (BJJ, muay thai, and ITF TKD) and belongs to no federation, how will I pregress in dan rank enough to be able to open a school? I mean, BJJ is BJJ and I could always train at a school, but VERY few tae kjwon do schools would accept my dan ranking even though I know the forms and curriculum of the ITF. --How long should I wait? My insturtcor was only about 27 when he opened his school.

It's hard to say that there is a "greatest"; any single one martial artist who made a great difference. There are a few who made comparable strides; Gichin Funakoshi, founder of Shotokan Karate Mas Oyama, founder of kyokushin karate, a TOUGH guy. Bruce Lee, for mass publicity and ideas regarding cross-training. Chuck Norris, he may be a little cheesy but had a lotta influence Morihei Ueshiba, founder of Aikido Jigoro Kano, founder of Judo. His guys actually practiced MOST of the moves in modern day BJJ. There are many more martial artists who have made a difference - I'm sure there are hundreds we have never heard of. However, I think these are not the GREATEST but the onbes who CHANGED martial arts for everyone. Now, it's tough to say that Helio was the most influential Gracie, because what people SAW was Royce - one of the smallest, weakest Gracies, ripping his way through the UFC. And then there was Rolls, the most technical Gracie, who died a tragically young death. The invincible Rickson, who says he has fought 400 fights without one loss, but I don't really buy it. Royler, the biggest winner in grappling tournaments. Carlos Sr., the first to learn jiu-jitsu from Maeda. Rorion, who made the art popular in the US and was the mastermind behind Royce's fights. However you see it, The Gracies are VERY influential martial artists. They are the only family who could have forced even the most traditional of schools to cover some grappling.[/b]

What's your favorite move (or moves) that look very spectacular but work? Grappling has a tendancy to be unspectacular, and BJJ isn't much of a spectator sport for the untrained....but what do you think? ---Any kinda sweep where you pick the person up in the air and throw them to the side or overhead...with hooks or feet in the hips... ---The flying kimura from the half guard...cool move. --Helicopter armbar...I can't do it but it looks hella cool. ---A lot of standup game...judo throws and such. --The triangle. Look at some of Nogueria's fights. ---The 270 degree armbar from knee-in-the-belly.

I'm fairly thin and grapple a lot (which is awesome for your core) and, like suggested above, train my abs every other day....my abs are VERY strong if you feel them, but not visible...some people just don't have the genetics for a visible six pack.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to start training in Muay Thai....what kind of headgears, wraps, gloves, instep pads, etc. do I need, and where can I order some? What brands do you prefer? Also, women of kickboxing, if you are there do you use any *extra* gear?

I'm with about 13 and up. I was 15.

Some nuts, seeds, milk or soymilk, sometimes I'll fix a sandwich or a salad with crumbled tofu or cheese.....or a smoothie! Smoothies are amazing post-workout pick-me ups...some milk anf frozen fruit...and i like a little scoop of PB in there as well....Banana/PB milkshakes are heaven!

Thanks a lot, everyone! This so helpful!