About to start training, advice appreciated, Austin TX area.

[jstreet]

Greetings All,

Thanks for the great site! I have been reading through this site, the yellow pages and internet specific sites and I have narrowed a list of schools I am interested in learning more about. I am a big UFC fan and I am leaning toward a school that offers cross training as I see the benefit of learning multiple styles would help in a real world situation. It seems based on what I am looking for either Krav Maga or Wing Chun Kung Fu is going to be the way to go. I am open to any other ideas or forms but these two seem to be regarded as quick to learn and real world effective. Believe it or not I have not been able to find a school in Austin that teaches Wing Chun, although there is a Wing Tsun academy. I have read they are simimilar in many ways but most people prefer Wing Chun. I am 35 years old, I am in Real Estate and I weigh between 260-280 pounds depending on how dedicated I am to my Gold's Gym work out routine. I am also interested in Jeet Kune Do. There are so many styles that interest me that it is proving to be very difficult to make my decision. Living in Austin, TX I have the good problem of having several schools to choose from. No matter which style I choose I think the most important thing is selecting the best instructor possible. The better the teacher the more you get out of the training. I may be relocating to the west coast in the next few years so Krav Maga and Wing Chun sound good because they are effective and quick to learn compared to other styles. But still, I am seeking the best instructor possible so this is proving to be a difficult process. After reading this forum it seems as if TKD and Black Belt Academies are the least street effective arts and are more for point fighting so I have not looked in to any of those schools, although several of them are highly regarded here. I am not concerned about cost, but I do not want to be ripped off. So any general advice you can offer is greatly appreciated. If anyone has Central Texas/Austin/Round Rock information that is also greatly appreciated. On to the links.

1. http://www.fitandfearless.com/

Krav Maga taught by real MMA fighters with cross training available on site. I love what they offer but horrible location for me. Traffic is bad and school is clear across town from where I live.

2. http://www.selfdefensetexas.com/

Krav Maga close to my home. Instructor has a great back ground, but the S.Austin location offers the mixed class schdule. Tough to decide between these two.

3. http://www.rrma.net/

Very close to my house, not sure about the styles they teach. I am still going to check it out.

4. http://www.centerofmartialarts.com/

Great school with lots of different styles under one roof, location is ok, haven't updated their site since 2003?

5. http://www.blankenshipmartialarts.com/

50 years experience,30 years in Austin several styles under one roof, seems like an Academy type school. Not sure if I want that. Impressive credentials. Probably a very large school.

6. http://www.austinwt.com/index.php

Wing Tsun Kung Fu, can't find Wing Chun in Austin.

7. http://www.usakfa.com/main_sub.html?src=overture

Different Style of Kung Fu

8. http://www.masteryi.com/

Sounds VERY intersting. This is a South Korean martial art similar ( I think) to Krav Maga. It is taught to all of the S.Korean special forces that guard the wall between N. and S. Korea. This is a very highly regarded school and his credentials are incedible, but I have never heard of Tukoong Moosul.

9. http://www.spiritwarriors.com/

Sounds very interesting. The Bujinkan (BOO-jin-Kahn) Dojo is the collective name for the nine remaining systems of the authentic Ninja. They only take students 18 and up. Does this mean they are a more difficult style to learn or is this an art for adults only?

10. http://www.texaskungfu.com/

Kung-Fu close to home.

11. http://www.swshaolin.com/

Kung-Fu across town, still no Wing Chun>?

12. http://www.austinjj.com/

Gracie jj here in Austin, way on the other side of town, but it is a Gracie school so I want to check it out. They offer cross training.

13. http://www.kimsoo-austin.com/

Many different styles! Way across town.

14. http://www.austinkenpokarate.com/

http://www.kenpo-texas.com/index1.html

I don't think I want to take Karate, but the first school cross trains in Kung Fu and I wanted to give the Karate experts a chance to give their two cents.

15. http://www.sijo.org/index.htm

Not sure about this, wanted to see if anyone has heard of this guy.

Well that's the list. Now I want to narrow it down, start observing classes and get started. I left off several TKD,ATA, Karate schools so anyone that has any info on schools other than what I have listed feel free to chime in.

I am trying to be as open minded about this as I can possibly be.

I am looking forward to all of your comments,suggestions and advice.

Best Regards,

Jon

[ShotokanKid]

Lucky you that you have so many options.

In my biased opinion, do Gracie JJ. But of course, that's biased.

When it comes down to picking, you should decide based on price, convenience, teaching, and your own goals.

Sit down and write out what you want to get out of doing a martial art. Sit in on a few classes and decide if the class fulfills your goal.

I don't want to narrow it down and pick between a few of the schools you listed because I don't want to weed out a potentially good school.

Sit in on a few classes.

Hope I helped.

[jstreet]

Good idea. I appreciate the feedback. Anyone else?

[danbong]

I would say start with either BJJ or Muay Thai and after a couple of years start training in the other one. Of course many BJJ schools that train for MMA competition teach MT to prepare, so you might not even have to find an additional school. In terms of selecting a school there is no substitue for watching classes and trying them out. Also compatibility with the instructor is important. Pay close attention to the skill level and attitute of the senior students - they demonstrate what the instructor can do with his students. And lastly, beware of hype. Any good martial arts school can improve your chances of surviving a fight. Some can improve your chances more than others. No school or style can make you an invincible machine.

[jstreet]

Sounds like Sage Advice. I am going to visit at least 5 schools before I sign up.

[luckorskill007]

Dont sign up because of the style. You go be taking BJJ with a crappy instructor and learn nothing. Or you could take some random nameless style with an excellent instructor and learn more than all of us put together. Id say go and ask if you can try out a class for free. BTW im going to be biased towards Krav Maga cause i teach it hahha, but all the styles have their pros and cons