What martial art does not take a long time to learn?

[ravenzoom]

I agree, under one year really seems fishy if he started out of the blue with no experience. Perhaps a Mcdojo?

[Grenadier]

One of my goals in life is to become a black belt.

An admirable goal.

Ok, I want to earn it first of all.

Even more admirable.

I am in my 30's and kind of dont want to take a style that would take me 20 years to get to be a master. I mean I hope to study for a long time.

If you keep at it, train diligently, with an open mind, then the knowledge, skills, and of course, the black belt, should fall in place.

Ok what I am getting at is I know some styles have so much material it take years and years to master, while others are still good more to the point, maybe the process is longs. Maybe someone could point out some arts like this? I kind of was thinking of the Japanese arts inparticular.

This depends on the dojo. It seems that the "average" time it takes someone to go from a white belt with no experience, to his first black belt, is about 3-5 years. The amount of time can be longer, if someone is mentally and / or physically challenged, or has a less than desireable work ethic, and can certainly be shorter, if a student displays an excellent work ethic, dedication, and has superior talent.

Some schools have a policy where nobody gets their black belt unless they train for 10 years, others might hand them out like candy on Halloween. Such are extreme cases, of course. If a dojo promises a black belt to someone who has no experience, in under a year, then that's a certain indicator that one should simply turn around, and walk away.

The bottom line is that you should check out various schools in your area, and at least sit in on a class or two, to see how things are run, if you feel you would be comfortable doing what they do, etc. Most importantly, you'll get a chance to speak with the instructors of the schools, and discuss the various aspects of the style, requirements, etc. If you can, take one of the beginner's lessons, as most dojos will be more than happy to give you a free lesson or two.

When you talk to the instructor, be honest about what you want, and what your background is, what kind of injuries you may have, etc.

Of course, there will be some apprehension about starting up in the classes. You're going to be doing a lot of things that might not seem natural, and at times, you may find yourself questioning the movements. That's actually not unusual. However, if you feel flat-out uncomfortable / unwelcome, then that's a different story entirely.

[JusticeZero]

A belt is a worthless strip of cloth. You can buy one cheap at a martial arts supply store. It has no value. The only thing of value is the skills you learn, and that takes time no matter what.

There was a story I read once. An airplane pilot wanted to leave someplace in a bad storm, wherupon he was told, "Your airplane's engine may have passed a routine inspection, but we have found a small crack in it. If you try to fly out in this weather, it will fail, and you will crash. As your airplane plummets toward the ground, will it give you comfort to trace the inspector's signature on the inspection certificate?"

A fast black belt is a cracked engine. It means nothing, it's a worthless trophy. Maybe you can woo the ignorant by your posession of the magical symbol of potency, but your skills, when push comes to shove, will be no better than the low ranked guy at the school down the street who started at the same time as you and has put in as much time as you, who differs from you only in that his teacher doesn't hand out belts like they were candy.

[RealPortugal]

If you want to get a blackbelt quickly you should work very hard in learning your katas and also work on your techniques. Being a blackbelt makes you proud when you first receive it and also when you wear it, but the road for a blackbelt is difficult and also needs lots of dedication to be better such as working harder then the person next to you in the dojo. If you want to get a blackbelt quickly theres no time to slack off.

[CrazyChild13]

I'd recommend Kenpo karate or possibly TKO

[baronbvp]

I recommend busting your you-know-what, week in and week out, at the dojo and at home.

That's the only way it will happen in any legitimate system.

[Rich_2k3]

Krav Maga, its designed to be very easy to learn. Its a system of fighting made purely for self-defence, think special forces style.