Looking to restart my martial arts study.

[Enviroman]

Hello all,

I wanted some opinions on my decision ahead. Let me give you some background on myself: I'm in my early 20s, a college junior in Philly, I've studied Aikido and a form of Okinowan karate (for a combined total of 2 years or so), I'm pretty out of shape/overweight, and I'm looking to study martial arts.

As I said, I have a small background in martial arts but I'm far from experienced (I'd put myself squarely in the beginner category). I'm looking for a style that provides good self defense, will help me get in shape (along with daily cardio, which I've already started), and that I am comfortable with...obviously the last one is extremely subjective and something I'll need to figure out on my own.

Well, I live in the 'burbs of Philly and I attend college in Philly. My local options are as follows (I'll not list the school name if it's all the same...):

1) Kenpo School ($60/month unlimited)

2) Kempo School #1 ($70/month unlimited)

3) Kempo School #2 ($85/month unlimited)

4) BJJ School #1 ($99/month unlimited)

5) BJJ School #2 ($75/month twice a week)

6) Mantis Kung Fu School #1 (unknown price/may be out of business?)

7) Mantis Kung Fu School #2 ($40/month twice a week)

Northern and Southern Kung Fu School ($85/month 2-3 times a week)

9) Tang Soo Do #1 ($35/month unlimited)

10) Tang Soo Do #2 ($85/month unlimited)

11) About 7.5 million TKD schools that vary in price.

Initially, I wanted to go into BJJ...I know a lot of people call it a fad, but I know some people that practice it and they seem to love it. Those hopes were crushed by the monthly fees. The one school said "well, we'll see what we can do" about the fee and I'll go visit them on Saturday.

The three kenpo/kempo schools all seemed to be very money oriented. I felt like a piece of meat being sold an oven by a used car salesman. They were very quick to try to get me to sign up for a contract and put me into a "free gi."

Right now I'm leaning toward the first Tang Soo Do school. The fee is super reasonable, the teacher was one of the only ones I contacted that made me feel like I was a person and not a small stack of bills. The only problem is that I think TSD is sort of suspect and it very closely resembles TKD with the high kicks and other impractical teachings (no offense to any TSD people...please set me straight if I'm wrong!)

I need help!

[Sam]

Personally id go check out each of the schools [take a random selection of a couple of the TKD schools] and see waht tehy're offering adn what they look like.... go to the thread "what do you look for" for advice on what alot of the more experienced MAs look for in a school

[Bleeding Lion]

i suggest you do one practice with each and decide. i would rather do an art i didnt really want to do with a teacher i know i'll love than the opposite.

randomly, if i had to pick one out of the info you provided, this would be my (very) personal choice, taking price in account:

1) Tang Soo Do #1 ($35/month unlimited)

2) Kenpo School ($60/month unlimited)

3) Kempo School #2 ($85/month unlimited)

4) BJJ School #2 ($75/month twice a week)

5) Kempo School #1 ($70/month unlimited)

[Enviroman]

Personally id go check out each of the schools [take a random selection of a couple of the TKD schools] and see waht tehy're offering adn what they look like.... go to the thread "what do you look for" for advice on what alot of the more experienced MAs look for in a school

I actually met with one of the teachers today (Kenpo #1) and it didn't go well. He did a "hard sell" on his class, asking me to try and cut expenses in other areas to afford his monthly fee! I'm going to the Tang Soo Do school tomorrow. We'll see!

Thanks!

[Enviroman]

i suggest you do one practice with each and decide. i would rather do an art i didnt really want to do with a teacher i know i'll love than the opposite.

randomly, if i had to pick one out of the info you provided, this would be my (very) personal choice, taking price in account:

1) Tang Soo Do #1 ($35/month unlimited)

2) Kenpo School ($60/month unlimited)

3) Kempo School #2 ($85/month unlimited)

4) BJJ School #2 ($75/month twice a week)

5) Kempo School #1 ($70/month unlimited)

I completely agree with you. I didn't enjoy Aikido that much (as a style) but I loved the teacher and stayed on for quite a while. It was the complete opposite for my first time training. I loved the style and hated the teacher. I didn't last long there.

I have a feeling that I'm going to study the TSD. I'm pretty against the flashy aerial (and other) kicks that seem very impractical in any sort of self defense situation...but we'll see!

[Bleeding Lion]

yeah, give it a try, i completely see what you mean, i ranked it #1 just because it its $420 a year compared to $600 for the 2nd cheaper. I dont know about you, but as a college student, price would definitely influence my choice.

[elbows_and_knees]

it's a process of evaluation and elimination:

1. what are you looking to get out of the chosen style?

2. what are you willing to pay?

3. how far are you willing to travel?

4. how many days per week would you prefer to train?

stop by the schools and for the most part, interview them. Talk to the instructor and try to get a feel for his teaching methods, his intentions with the school, etc. Watch his classes and check the students technique, skill level and possibly behavior. Don't stop there, though - talk to the students too. See how they like the training, how well they feel they are progressing, etc.

[Enviroman]

yeah, give it a try, i completely see what you mean, i ranked it #1 just because it its $420 a year compared to $600 for the 2nd cheaper. I dont know about you, but as a college student, price would definitely influence my choice.

Unfortunately, price definitely influences my decision. In fact, it's probably my number one factor. I'm gonna check out all of the schools and I'll let the other schools know that I can pay up to $50 a month and see if they'll come down in price. I figure that some teachers will be willing to come down if they see that I really want to work and if they don't have a full class they might be willing to take me on.

[ItalianMuayThai]

im sure if they see your really dedicated, theyll be willing to negotiate

[karatekid1975]

$35 a month unlimited for TSD sounds great .... Ok so I'm plugging TSD I did it and I know it's a good style. But it's totally up to you. If you can find a good instructor, then you're in (the style matters, but not as much as a good instructor). So, you are doing the right thing, shopping around. Find a style (within your price range) that fits you.