RiptideMom

Thanks so much for your replies. Very helpful and have gotten me motivated. I agree that I need to work through my comfort level. I think one of my problems as a women is that I have always been on the large/muscular side and have been brought up to protect for my femininity so I tend to try and cover up my strength. I think that is why when I am hitting a bag I don't have to hold back and it feels really good. I know I can work through this and make more than a kitten feel uncomfortable. Oh, about my class - we meet twice a week for 45 minutes but since only two have signed up we may be moving to one day for 1.5 hours per week. I'm not sure the one time a week will be sufficient for me to learn but I will hang in there for now. Thanks again!

I am a 38 year old Mom of three and started cardio kickboxing classes several months ago for weight loss and conditioning. I love the classes and wanted to progress learning better form of punches and kicks so signed up for a mixed martial arts class taught at my same gym. I have mixed feelings about the MA class. I have loved getting instruction on proper technique for punches and kicks but hate the wrestling, sweeps, throws and also don't know if I'll be able to not hold back when sparing. It is just one other girl and me and I don't get the workout that I thought I would. Essentially my questions are: Should I expect a good work out from an MA class? Is there a big risk of injury (I unjured my knee during a throw last night) with all MA types or just some? If I am more interested in sport and conditioning than self-defense is MA right for me? Because only two of us signed up, I am thinking the class may terminate, is there a particular MA type that could be recommended for my situation? The class is supposed to be an hour and my instructor cuts it off at 45 minutes, is 45 minutes the norm for MA classes? Seems like I am spending a lot of money for not a lot of instruction. Thanks for any help you can provide