Karate or ju-jitsu, that is the question...

[Sky]

Hello,

 

I want to start a martial arts style that will work for me in what I hope to accomplish. I would like to do a style that focuses on fighting and self-defense, along with some grappling and throwing techniques. I am hoping to acquire a strong sense of self discipline and focus, along with a kind of inner strength. Basically, something that is pretty all-inclusive, if this is possible.

 

I am a teenage female, and slightly overweight. I would like to use this opportunity to get into better physical shape, train myself for fighting in combat situations, and become more self disciplined.

 

I have looked into karate and ju-jitsu. Anyone who knows these styles is welcome to tell me of their exeperiences. The reason I have chosen these two styles to research is that I live in a very small town, and aside from Tae Kwon do, those are the only two styles I can take here.

[aefibird]

I think that either style that you have described would be good for you. if you are slightly more into the grappling side of martial arts then I'd suggest Ju-Jitsu and vice versa if you'd prefer more striking to ground work.

 

However, probably the best thing for you to do would be to go and try out a few classes in each club to see which you prefer. Which has the better instructor? Could you see yourself sticking with that club? Could you see yourself sticking with that art? Try out both and it might help you to make up your mind. People can give advice and tell you about their JJ or Karate training, but it's better for you to experience it first-hand.

 

Good luck!

[Sky]

Would it help to take both? Or might that mess up training in one style? Because I can drive the hour to ju-jitsu every saturday, and take karate here in town on my two hours every day off of work.

[delta1]

...probably the best thing for you to do would be to go and try out a few classes in each club to see which you prefer. Which has the better instructor? Could you see yourself sticking with that club? Could you see yourself sticking with that art? Try out both and it might help you to make up your mind. People can give advice and tell you about their JJ or Karate training, but it's better for you to experience it first-hand.

 

Excellent advice! Only thing I'd add is that if you want to take it for self defense, look at which school teaches it for self defense. If they are teaching it for practical application, they will spar, and sometimes with contact. And they will focus on practical skills.

 

I'd say doing both would be a good thing. They seem to me to be different enough not to mess you up or confuse you too badly. But I'm not a Japanese stylist, so I could be wrong.

[Sky]

I think I have found a dojo nearby, however, I am not sure about the prices. I haven't been to check it out yet, but from reading the information on the site and stuff, it looks like what I want in a school. How much is a reasonable price? Because this place is asking for $65 a month just for classes once a week, plus insurance and federation membership (another $30 a year). Is this too much?

[Legion]

about $16 a lesson ... not sure about in $ but i attend 2 classes a week for 4 hours and thats £4.50

 

although my arts are chinese :?

[italian_guy]

I think I have found a dojo nearby, however, I am not sure about the prices. I haven't been to check it out yet, but from reading the information on the site and stuff, it looks like what I want in a school. How much is a reasonable price? Because this place is asking for $65 a month just for classes once a week, plus insurance and federation membership (another $30 a year). Is this too much?

I don't know about the market prices in your area it looks a bit high anyhow. The strange thing is that is only once a week, I think the bare minimum should be twice a week, the more is the better. Is it karate or Ju-jitsu? If it is karate I think it is easier to make some practice at home (without partner).

[aefibird]

Thanks for your kind words Delta!

 

That price quoted does seem to me to be slightly high, although many lesson prices that I've seen here on this forum do generally appear to be more expensive in the US than UK prices (apart from Shorinryu Sensei who offers excellent value for money IMO!)

 

I would say that you'd be alright training in both arts at the same time, especially as they are both Japanese - the terminology and dojo ettiquette will be very similar. Many people do train in more than one MA at one and are very sucessful with that. However, seen as you are a beginner it might be worth your while just doing one MA (possibly karate, as you can practice more easily at home) for a couple of months until you start to get into the whole 'training regularly in MA' thing. Then after a couple of months you could start the other MA.

 

I'd say that karate and JJ would work very nicely together - both are Japanese arts so there is no need for you to have to learn 2 sets of teminology at once. Plus, you will be more rounded as a martial artist by taking a mostly striking art alongside a mostly grappling one.

[Sky]

I don't think that I can afford the ju-jitsu classes right now... The dojo is about an hour away, and I don't have a car yet, so my mom would have to drive me every week. But if I do karate, it is closer and less expensive. I will be looking into both dojos in the coming week, and tell you what I decide.

[Thuggish]

forget karate, if its like most if not all schools you wont learn a whole lot of self defense. jiujitsu would be better, its for real fights on the street... and its grappling! if you can finda good bjj, do that.