I have flat feet. Can you suggest a MA?

[Emerson]

Hey everyone,

 

I am very interested in taking up a martial art. However I am concerned that my flat feet may hold me back. Currently I worthless without my orthodics, which require that I wear shoes. Are there any MA's out there that would allow me to wear shoes? Or are there techniques I can utilize to overcome my flat feet?

 

Thanks

[Luckykboxer]

i am not familiar with flat feet...

 

i assume you mean you have no arch and possibly even balance issues.

 

I would assume if you have to wear special inserts to deal with it and have seen a doctor for that then you also probably would have heard of exercises to help correct it if there were any.

 

If i had to guess on some exercises i would have to say flexibility and lower leg/calf workouts.... but that is only a guess

 

are you able to stand on the balls of your feet?

 

if so then you can probably do alot of martial arts.

 

If you cant then you can probably try martial arts and adjust your feet the best you can.

 

regardless you will discover quickly whether you cant or not. Bes tof luck on that though, My advice would be to try it, and if it gets frustrating keep trying it until you get it right.

 

I have seen some pretty amazing things from people with disabilities.

 

I have seen a professional one armed kickboxer named baxter humby.... he fights well and has won belts.

 

I have seen blind jiujitsu practitioners who move like they see it all

 

I have seen people with missing arms and legs adjust and make martial arts work for them.

 

I am a big believer in if there is a will there is a way.

[Rotten Head Fok]

I am not familiar with flat feet either, I don't see wear it would completely stop you from taking any style of martial. Ask the teachers, Instructors of schools in your area this question and see what happens. Good luck !

[ramymensa]

I have a coleague with the same problem, though his case is "lighter". He doesn't wear shoes and he moves amazingly well. You'll have to visit a dojo and speak to the instructor there. Some won't have any problem with you wearing shoes and they'll be willing to help. The idea is to go and communicate. You'll have some difficulties I guess, but they can be overcome by hard work and dedication.

[markusan]

Lots of TKD practitioners wear light martial arts shoes. They have a very flat thin sole so you would have to check if they could take your particular orthotic. Like the other folks said, I have a student with a prosthetic leg, another with a knee brace, a girl whose shoulder keeps popping out in class (and pops back in by itself) and I personally have tendonitis in my hip. I have a great young student with downs syndrome and another who is deaf (doesn't listen to a thing I say!)

[aefibird]

I have flat feet, although not as bad as how you describe. I've never found training in Martial Arts to be a problem. I occasionally wear martial arts shoes (like the ones TKD guys wear), because sometimes training in bare feet makes the soles of my feet and my knees hurt.

 

There's plenty of people who have health problems or disabilities train in the martial arts. Many instructors are adaptable and understand that sometimes some people cannot do a particular technique as well as another person, or are unable to perform certain movements with a particular part of their body or whatever.

 

Some styles of Kung Fu wear shoes to train in all the time, as do some Karate and TaeKwonDo clubs. However, I'd pop along to your local martial arts clubs and have a chat with the instructors there. Even if that club or MA school doesn wear shoes, I'm sure they'd be able to accomodate you.

 

I firmly believe that martial arts are for all, regardless of age, ability, sex, experience, whatever.

[Emerson]

Thanks for the help everyone. The main problems that I have due to flat feet are underdeveloped core muscles. My hips, quads, and buttocks are underutilized due to my foot structure (poor muscle coordination). I can overcome this via wearing my orthodics while getting proper exercise, such as a MA.

Edited July 30, 2004 by Emerson

[Vito]

boxers always have shoes on- and they all train with weights (a good way to build up your hips quads and butt by the way.)

[The Saint]

Find a gym and srengthen you legs. I have flat feet and have had no issues with martial arts. Sometimes my knees hurt but it goes away. Training with you ortotics on is good for you legs and knees. Streghten you leg muscles before you start would be the best advise I could give you. Even if you cross train it will help.(weight + martial arts)

[Emerson]

Well I'm back after a long absence. Since the last time I was here I have gotten new orthodics and gotten used to them. For me it was more challenging than I thought. Basically I have had to learn how to walk much differently, but for the better. Now I am utilizing my trunk and quads much more than I did in the past.

 

Anyways, thanks everyone for your help. I am going to try to get started soon. I am leaning towards Kung Fu, as a friend of mine is into it and I like what I have heard from him. Also I wouldn't mind knowing someone going in to help guide me along.