Newbies to Martial Arts

[KickChick]

I've noticed for the past week we have had an upsurge of new members who are either new to martial arts or are trying to figure out just what style is "right" for them. Please search through this forum "General MA" (such as http://www.karateforums.com/forums/viewtopic.php?topic=3579&forum=2&13) to find topics concerning this and I am going to add a few sites that I personally recommend.

 

Other members feel free to add on .... try to keep it generalized (not style-specific) ... so as our newbies can make their own choice in the matter. Thanks!

 

http://www.faqs.org/faqs/martial-arts/newbie-guide/

 

http://money.cnn.com/2001/10/17/saving/q_karate/

 

http://www.blackbeltmag.com/rookies/

 

_________________

 

KarateForums Sensei

 

1st dan Tae Kwon Do (ITF)

 

Cardio/Fitness Kickboxing Instr.

 

[ This Message was edited by: KickChick on 2002-08-02 23:20 ]

[shaolinprincess]

Good sites KickChick

[Seth]

Thanks KickChick, just what I needed to read .

[KBShibs]

Thanks for the sites! Im going to go and check them out! I need all the help I can get!!!

[shuriken_girl]

I posted this in another thread, but it's relevant here as well:

 

Do you really want "self-defense", I mean, do you really need it? Or are you just interested in knowing how to fight?

 

For me it was pretty much the latter. That, and working to perfect techniques by practicing hard gives me a lot of self-satisfaction.

 

So:

 

Better for self-defense: Ju jutsu, brazilian ju jutsu, judo, aikido, a self-defense course

 

Better for pure fighting/kicking butt: muay thai, ninjutsu, krav maga

 

Good for both self-defense and also kicking butt if necessary: karate, kung-fu, tang soo doo, ju jutsu, freestyle kickboxing

 

Useless for real fighting: taichi, american boxing, tae kwan do, aerobic kickboxing (these are for fun, sports and fitness, mostly)

 

Don't take that TOO seriously, it's just a general guide and some people would disagree with some of it (like the tae kwan do part.)

 

But I really do think it'll help you out.

 

FIRST find out everything available in your area. Don't just look in one place, really look around.

 

Once you know your options, decide what you're looking for, what type of art you'd like to take. Do a little research.

 

Then check out different schools, ask the teachers questions to see if they're for real.

 

Pick your school, start your training and work hard.

 

Remember, the effort to find a good school and a good teacher is worth it! If you train under a bad teacher you'll just be wasting your time, energy and money.

 

Good luck! And let us know if you begin training in something.

[KickChick]

Useless for real fighting: taichi, american boxing, tae kwan do, aerobic kickboxing (these are for fun, sports and fitness, mostly)

 

Don't take that TOO seriously, it's just a general guide and some people would disagree with some of it (like the tae kwan do part.)

 

I for one most thoroughly disagree with you! ... especially re: "tae kwan do" .....and its Tae Kwon Do.

 

You are offering your point of view, but I started this thread to offer un-biased info to all our new soon to be martial artists. Lets not confuse them!

 

Any more good resources to share?

[Bon]

I'll refrain from arguing then =/

[Bon]

::edit:: Edited September 29, 2002 by Bon

[omnifinite]

Don't forget Kempo. There's some butt-kicking happening there .

[three60roundhouse]

[color=indigo]American Boxing Useless? Ok, shuriken, I'll call Mike Tyson and schedule a bout with you (smart practitioner of a usefull art) against Iron Mike (the strong mean punching machine, but from a useless art).[/color]