Just Starting. Have Questions.

[italian_guy]

I think that you are in a situation similar to the one I was when I started.

You enter the MA world starting from a fitness point of view and then you started to like the art as a whole.

My suggestion to you is to try karate, for those reason:

1) The contact is controlled so the risk of injuries is limited (although not absent like in any physical activity)

2) Karate has a certain amount of grappling but it is mostly striking (you say you don't like grappling very much).

3) It has a good fitness training (like most MA anyhow).

4) I think that 1.5 hours per week is a little too low so at least you should go to a different place.

MMA is good as a full contact sport with self-defence aspects but I think is not what you are looking for.

[KF Dude]

Should I expect a good work out from an MA class?

---> Keep in mind that martial arts main focus is developing technique for fighting/self-defense. Improvement in general fitness is a side benefit not a primary for martial arts.

Is there a big risk of injury (I unjured my knee during a throw last night) with all MA types or just some?

---> In any combative school there is a risk of injury. If your instructors know what they are doing it should be minimized through proper training & saftey gear.

If I am more interested in sport and conditioning than self-defense is MA right for me?

---> IMO I'd say no. There are more effective sport/conditioning training out there than martial arts. Running or aerobics classes will give a better cardio workout. Lifting weights will build your muscles more efficiently. Boxing will help you learn to punch without the extra & often timing consuming traditions of a martial art.

Is there a particular MA type that could be recommended for my situation?

---> Tae Bo or something similar. Maybe a boot camp type exercise class.

Is 45 minutes the norm for MA classes?

---> That's the class time for our beg/intermed classes.

Seems like I am spending a lot of money for not a lot of instruction. Thanks for any help you can provide

---> To get the most out of a martial art school you must be dedicated to learning that style. Otherwise you are just wasting your time & giving yourself a false sense of sercurity that it will actually work for you in a self defense situation. I hope this helps you

[Rateh]

Since no one else has mentioned it i thought id add...practice.

The amount of time spent in the dojo means nothing if u dont practice outside of that. If you really want to go anywhere in martial arts, you have to practice regularly on your own. Class time is for learning, home time is for practicing.

[Shazkar]

Since no one else has mentioned it i thought id add...practice.

The amount of time spent in the dojo means nothing if u dont practice outside of that. If you really want to go anywhere in martial arts, you have to practice regularly on your own. Class time is for learning, home time is for practicing.

Uh, question, since I'm new and perhaps starting BJJ... how does one practice a grappling art without people?