I am so out of shape, yet want to do MA. Advice in starting!

[Shazkar]

Oookay, so, first off, new here and new to Martial Arts (unless you count the time between Pre-K and like 3rd grade).

I'll preface this with saying that I am not very athletic... I haven't really played many sports since 8th grade (4 years ago) and even then I was miserable and not very dedicated. As a result of all this inactivity, I am probably one of the most out of shape people that I know. Seriously. At the moment I can't think of a single person I know that is within my relative age group that is more unfit... hence my reason for being here.

Okay, well, I'm 18 now, senior in high school, 5'5"-ish, and according to my new digital bathroom scale I am 135 lbs, though I'm not so sure how accurate it is, because I recall just over a year ago being 150 at the doctors, but I guess that is a good thing. Unfortunately, despite not being very heavy, I am nonetheless fat, especially in the gut area. It's a problem. I get winded quite easily as well.

And onto the more martial arts related aspect of this post... recently I've been trying to independently come up with some kind of workout routine, wanting to get in shape, etc., but I've decided that what I really need is some activity that I will enjoy and will help me improve my discipline and my physical wellbeing. I was chatting with my friend, who is 14 and started doing TKD just two summers ago, and that got me jealous, in the regretful sense that I didn't do something like that earlier. I kind of feel like I missed out on all these things, which I know I would have enjoyed, made some good friends doing, and prevented my body from detereorating to the state it is now in.

..and so hopefully it is not too late for me to jump on the MA train (and seeing the posts of people 30+ starting it up takes the doubt out of my mind that it is). However, one thing I am worried about is if I am currently too unhealthy and weak to start MA, and should do some training before starting... or if I can start despite my condition of unhealthiness, and use MA to help me get into shape.

Now that that is passed, I also have some more questions...

First, since I am going away to college within 7-8 months (with no idea what state or city currently), are there any recommendations you have about me starting up now, since I most likely would not be able to continue in the same place for even an entire year?

Second, how should I go about figuring out the style/school to join? My only reference currently is the yellow pages:

Here is a link to the results that came up when I put in my zip code, if anyone has the time to look and help me out...

Out of those places, the ones listed as being in Needham, Dedham, Norwood, and Walpole are the closest to me if you want to simplify your viewing, but if you see one in that list that looks good and is not in one of those towns, please let me know so I can check its proximity to me.

Any other tips or advice for me? I can provide more info as needed.

Who knew that being jealous of a girl 4 years younger than me could motivate me to do martial arts... crazy world.

P.S. and slightly unrelated... any good books on doing Yoga by myself? I saw that Yoga book by DDP but have no idea if its actually any good.

Edited January 18, 2006 by Shazkar

[DragonMike]

I would suggest that you take a look at some of the dojangs in your area and see if they will let you pay on a month to month basis. I would not sign a contract at this point since you will be leaving for college soon.

Ad for working out, I would look on line for an introductory workout routine. I would not let your current state of physical fitness stop you from training.

[Meguro]

Who knew that being jealous of a girl 4 years younger than me could motivate me to do martial arts... crazy world.

Not so crazy, some people started doing martial arts because of movies. Back in the day, it might have been "Enter The Dragon", these days almost any movie has some martial arts to inspire you. If it takes someone younger than yourself to motivate you, that's what it takes. Go with it.

Start by visiting all the schools in your area. Take free sample classes if they offer it. Talk to the teachers and students and educate yourself. By the time you head off to college, you'll know which ma clubs to seek out on campus.

At this time, you can lay the groundwork by doing some light jogging, stretching and toning. It's never to late to train.

[Jiffy]

Welcome to KF!

First thing to remember is that doing something is better than doing nothing. Find the local schools in your area and just have a look around. Find one that will let you pay on a casual basis and make them well aware of your situation. Then once you move, you can look for a more permanant solution.

In regards to your age, forget about it! You are still young and there is still HEAPS of time to learn a lot and generally enjoy yourself. We get a lot of students begin as adults and most of them do quite well. Infact we have a couple that started in their late 40's/early 50's and they are both black belts now, so really, don't worry about it! Just look toward the future and get into a dojo for some fun!!

[Shazkar]

Thanks for the advice so far. Is there anything in particular to look out for? What I mean to say is that, lacking experience, how will I know a particular dojo is good?

I'll start re-hitting the gym while I look around, and also, if anyone could point me a to a good site online to find a good workout, that would be great.

Oh man, I'm excited.

EDIT: And I know this is hard (in fact, near impossible) to do, but any style suggestions? Or should I just read up on the ones within my area and pick one?

[man thing]

Good that you're excited. This could improve several areas of your life. As far as what style.....

You mentioned getting into shape and having fun to stay motivated: my personal opinion, bjj, judo, other grappling aren't very fun. Any traditional karate would have some fun workouts. Maybe not all practical, but fun.

Based on my experience(which isn't too much) standup ma's will get you in better shape overall than grappling. Especially cardio. I wouldn't reccomend boxing or muay thai to someone out of shape though, at least from what I hear. That's why I suggest shotokan karate(other karate styles might be just as good, don't know). TKD might be good for you too.

[JWLuiza]

Heck, with only a few months, as long as they make you sweat: Krav Maga, Muy Thai, anything. Just keep checking places out. Do trial classes. Trial classes = free workout! Tell them you are looking to get in shape and see what they provide.

You should be proud of yourself for being proactive about your physique/health. SOme of my best memories and friends are from my MA experience.

Good luck. If you come to a school in the DC area, I'll help you out!

[Shazkar]

If this helps, here is a list of what is near me...

Bigtrouble Boxing

7 Trout Pond Ln

Needham, MA 02492

(781) 444-2882

Calvin Chins Martial Arts Academy

39 Highland Cir

Needham Heights, MA 02494

(617) 423-4001

Carrasco Tae Kwon DO

850 Highland Ave

Needham Heights, MA 02494

(781) 455-0938

Chos Olympic Taekwondo

130 Bridge St

Dedham, MA 02026

(781) 326-9009

Craig Lowes Kempo Karate Studio

6 Guild St

Norwood, MA 02062

(781) 769-8833

Excel Martial Arts

1125 Washington St

Norwood, MA 02062

(781) 762-9235

Fred Villaris Studio of Self Defense

202 Bussey St

Dedham, MA 02026

(781) 326-5566

Kenboxpo Karate & Family Self Defense Center

106 Access Rd

Norwood, MA 02062

(781) 769-6536

Kensho Ryu

996 Main St

Walpole, MA 02081

(508) 660-3997

Learning Center for Marital Arts

1044 Washington St

Norwood, MA 02062

(781) 769-8080

Masters Self Defense Centers

716 Washington St

Dedham, MA 02026

(781) 326-2262

Needham Martial Arts Center

1028 Great Plain Ave

Needham, MA 02492

(781) 455-0528

The last place is a Kung Fu place, which I looked up and it says it has:

http://www.kungfutaichi.com/

Kung Fu curriculum includes:

Southern Style: 5 Animals, Nan Quan (Tiger - Crane)

Northern Shaolin Long Fist

Chin Na

Bagua Zhang

Buddha Palm

(Chinese Wooden Man Form)

Traditional Chinese Weapons including: Staff, Broadsword, Spear, Chain, 3-Section Staff, Straight Sword, Double Broadsword Double Straight Sword

Also has Tai-Chi and Qigong which I am not that interested in, but its cool too.

So since there are so many kinds of Kung Fu, what kinds are these? Is it good?

I'm leaning towards either Kung Fu, Karate, or TKD as of now. Ha, my friend is trying to convince me to drive 30 minutes out to where she does it, but 30 minutes is 30 minutes, though she really likes the place.

[Sensei Rick]

it's always so funny to hear people thatt say they aren't in shape and want to get into shape to start ma training. Get to a class, you will get into shape. The place to get into shape is the dojo. I want to know what you've done. Get to it young man, and then stay with it for life.

[Shazkar]

it's always so funny to hear people thatt say they aren't in shape and want to get into shape to start ma training. Get to a class, you will get into shape. The place to get into shape is the dojo. I want to know what you've done. Get to it young man, and then stay with it for life.

Yeah, I'm gonna get into a class as soon as my afternoon sched clears up in a few weeks, but before then I still need to find the right place which is hard since I don't know what to look for...