Newbies to Martial Arts

KickChick · Black Belt

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/

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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 · Orange Belt

Good sites KickChick

Seth · Yellow Belt

Thanks KickChick, just what I needed to read

.

KBShibs · White Belt

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

shuriken_girl · Yellow Belt

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 · Black Belt

Bon · Black Belt

I'll refrain from arguing then =/
_________________
It takes sacrifice to be the best.

There are always two choices, two paths to take. One is easy. And its only reward is that it's easy.

Bon · Black Belt

::edit::
_________________
It takes sacrifice to be the best.

There are always two choices, two paths to take. One is easy. And its only reward is that it's easy.

omnifinite · Purple Belt

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

.
_________________
1st Dan Hapkido
Colored belts in Kempo and Jujitsu

three60roundhouse · Pre-Black Belt

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).
_________________
1st dan Tae Kwon Do
Yellow Belt Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
16 Years Old
Girls kick butt!

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