Karate = For Kids , Muay Thai = For Men ??

[G Money Slick]

Aside from a little Hapkido with a friend of mine, I was interested in learning Karate for the longest time but got discouraged by the number of small, dorky children (most around 10) walking out of all the local schools here in Central Florida; running around inside like little idiots. Instead of a place to learn to fight, it seems more like a daycare.

 

I've noticed that a kickboxing gym is more of a place of men than a karate dojo, as it seems to have more "serious" contenders inside. I'm talking about breaking a sweat, weightlifting, heavy bag pounding, real fighters. I'm sure alot of people here would disagree who support karate over kickboxing/Muay Thai, but does anybody else seem to notice this situation? It's like kickboxers seem more tough than karateists, who don't get as much respect.

[Sasori_Te]

This topic sure seems like an attempt to start a flame war. Maybe a moderator could step in here?

[SevenStar]

in an attempt to diffuse A flame war, I will agree and disagree. MT being a "man's" sport is an american thing. In thailand, they start muay thai training as early as age 6.

 

As for the training you see, most sport schools tend to train so hard because they compete. If they didn't train the way they do, then they wouldn't stand a chance in the ring.

 

"karateists" get plenty of respect. It's on an individual basis, as with anything else. you must earn it.

[WapCaplet]

G Money,

 

I invite you to come on down to our Karate Kumite class on Friday nights and then you can let me know if you think we are just running a daycare centre. And if you don't have respect for the karateka training there beforehand, you certainly will afterwards.

 

Wap

[Little Dragon]

well karate is also a great style of the martial arts.kids mostly take it rather than muay thai unless u wanna see 5 year olds grabbing eachother and slammin heads on their elbows and knee's.

[TheDevilAside]

Kickboxing? Cardio kickboxing? Obese nerds at a local gym trying to lose the pounds so they'll have a chance with Queen Amidala?

 

Hey.. just as fair of a statement. No offense to anyone (that makes it all better, doesn't it?)

 

"Karate" is a general term. Muay Thai (at least the way it's taught in the US) is more of a "narrowed down" style, and not a category of martial art with hundreds of subordinate styles. Karate is more diverse than Muay Thai here in the US, meaning, a "karate" dojo is not always similar to the one next to it.

 

But yes, I've noticed this with some Karate dojos. Some TKD dojos. I've made the same observations at a Kickboxing place, even though they didn't call it "cardo kickboxing". And now, unfortunately, my very own Kenpo school has turned into one. Grr. I think I'll finish up a year and pursue my interests elsewhere.

[delta1]

"Karate" is a general term. Muay Thai (at least the way it's taught in the US) is more of a "narrowed down" style, and not a category of martial art with hundreds of subordinate styles. Karate is more diverse than Muay Thai here in the US, meaning, a "karate" dojo is not always similar to the one next to it.

 

But yes, I've noticed this with some Karate dojos. Some TKD dojos. I've made the same observations at a Kickboxing place, even though they didn't call it "cardo kickboxing". And now, unfortunately, my very own Kenpo school has turned into one. Grr. I think I'll finish up a year and pursue my interests elsewhere.

 

TDA, sorry to hear about your school. If you want, PM me and we can talk about other options.

 

I agree with your statements. No two schools are exactly the same in any system. And kids classes are allways less intense than the adult classes- or at least they should be. This is one good reason that a good school will not award a Blk Blt to a child. They simply have not trained to a level of intensity that gives full understanding ( aka getting hit hard enough to convince you NOT to do THAT again ).

[G95champ]

I somewhat agree

 

I agree to that fact that MT is more hard core than any other MA for the simple fact it is all about fighting. Thus not many young kids take it. Thus people are mature and sparring and fighting can be done more often and at greater speed.

 

I disagree in that you say karate is not like that. Our Shotokan Advanced classes are very much like that. Ive never left in a dry Gi. Now kids classes or beginners classes are a differant story because you are teaching younger people that are there for fun to to bust noses.

 

I don't think you can compare the 2 that way its an unfair comparison. Karate appeals to a broad group of people as to where MT is just for the fighter. Is that good??? Well to each his own...

[gcav]

Comparing an adult MT class to a children's karate class?

[Mu Ryuk]

I somewhat agree

 

I agree to that fact that MT is more hard core than any other MA for the simple fact it is all about fighting. Thus not many young kids take it. Thus people are mature and sparring and fighting can be done more often and at greater speed.

 

I disagree in that you say karate is not like that. Our Shotokan Advanced classes are very much like that. Ive never left in a dry Gi. Now kids classes or beginners classes are a differant story because you are teaching younger people that are there for fun to to bust noses.

 

I don't think you can compare the 2 that way its an unfair comparison. Karate appeals to a broad group of people as to where MT is just for the fighter. Is that good??? Well to each his own...

 

I'm in 100% agreement. If you walked in and watched the kids class at my Dojang, you would think it was complete crap. But the advanced kids (most of them anyway) and all the adults are very focused and dedicated. You can't compare any kids class to Muay Thai, because Muay Thai is fighting...period. Nothing else, just fighting.