Kung Fu (Wing Chun) or Kickboxing?

[Vitek]

Hello everybody,

 

I am intersted in taking a martial arts class. But I have a very difficult time deciding which one is best for me. I am not the person that likes to start the fights. I want to take a martial arts class for self defence. I heard that Kung Fu (Wing Chun) is very difficult to learn and it takes a very long time, Kickboxing is a lot quicker to learn but it is very aggresive sport.

 

I am 22 years old and I used to go to gymnastics for six years. So hopefully it's not to late for me to start a martial arts. If you guys have any suggestions or recommendations please reply, your help is greatly appreciated.

 

Thank you for your time,

 

Vitek

[pvwingchun]

As a Wing Chun practitioner I may be a littel biased, but Wing Chun is extremely effective as a self defense art. It is not difficult to learn. I beleive the difficulty lies in the application of the techniques. We have no set pattern of flow in our techniques therefore it is up to you to determine how to use what you have learned. It can be a difficult task to figure out what works for you in any given situation. The techniques can be learned rather quickly and you can be proficient in protecting yourself in a relatively short time.

 

As a practical question ask yourself if you can step back and kick someone in a crowded bar or restaraunt if you or accosted there. What about outside on a sidewalk with some sand or gravel on it. Do you live where there is snow or ice. Will you be able to keep your balance in these situations and execute kicks?

[Thuggish]

both are very effective self defense techniques, and as an ex gymnist youd be in excellent shape for kickboxing as well as wing chung. best advice i could give over the net is if youre a bigger guy do kickboxing. i can say that kickboxing will be more effective sooner if you study it (be sure to hit a bag without gloves every now and then, just to be ready for taht fight on the street). truth is, youre better off using mostly hands in a street fight anyway, which both arts will teach you. read and look into both of them, maybe youll find one more appealing than another. try to learn some sort of ground fighting/grappling stuff if you want self defense as well.

[Prodigal Son]

I've done a couple of years of Muay Thai in my youth, and it is a great art which blows many others out of the water - but Wing Chun is WAAAAAY more efective on the street - at least IMHO.

 

Watch a Muay Thai fight, and see how long those guys stay standing - too long... I'm not disputing the fact that they are all tough athletes, but it remains a sport. (It is one of the few styles that has never actually been a true 'martial art'.) WC techniques are not for sporting purposes - they are designed to maim and kill with the least possible effort.

 

My advice, with respect to all other fighters and styles, is to take the longer path of Wing Chun and learn something truly special. And you don't have to wear those silly shorts...

 

respec'

 

>>>PS<<<

[monkeygirl]

I'm going to move this to Getting Started in the Martial Arts, because that's where it belongs...and also because right now you'll mostly be getting replies from the Wing Chun community

[CheekyMusician]

I would recommend the traditional route. I just think the traditional martial arts are more interesting.

 

Also, there's often a lot of "cowboys" in kickboxing etc. that aren't very good teachers, not to mention the fact that kickboxing can mean very many different things depending on what club you go to.

[martialartist1]

wing chun or kickboxing? well simple, self defense wise, then wing chun, sport and fitness wise kickoxing.

[Drunken Monkey]

i still believe that all martial arts, if taught correctly and trained properly will be effective. after all, they've survived all these hundreds of years through how-ever many generations.