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Raian
White Belt
White Belt

Joined: 08 Dec 2013
Posts: 1
Location: Las Cruces, New Mexico
Styles: none

PostPosted: Sun Dec 08, 2013 10:56 pm    Post subject: No Martial Arts experience where do I begin? Reply with quote

I live in Las Cruces, New Mexico I'm interested in starting to learn martial arts and really just do it for the exercise. I'm not sure what would be a suitable style for me to start with. Any recommendations from anyone who lives around that area? Also what sort of expenses are usually involved with lessons/classes and equipment?
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Wastelander
KF Sensei
KF Sensei

Joined: 18 Oct 2010
Posts: 2734
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Styles: Shorin-Ryu, Shuri-Ryu, Judo, KishimotoDi

PostPosted: Mon Dec 09, 2013 8:28 am    Post subject: Re: No Martial Arts experience where do I begin? Reply with quote

Raian wrote:
I live in Las Cruces, New Mexico I'm interested in starting to learn martial arts and really just do it for the exercise. I'm not sure what would be a suitable style for me to start with. Any recommendations from anyone who lives around that area? Also what sort of expenses are usually involved with lessons/classes and equipment?


Welcome to the forum!

If you are just looking to do martial arts for exercise, then just about anything will fit the bill. The key is to find one that you enjoy doing, because that's the one you will stick with, and the only way to really benefit from exercise is to do it consistently. Check out the schools available in your area, talk to the instructors, try out some classes, and pick the one you like best.

Expenses are an area that is more difficult for us to help you with. Pricing for classes varies greatly from art to art, and location to location. Training can cost anywhere from $0 to $250+ a month, depending on what you do and where you do it. Similarly, equipment and uniforms can vary in cost as much (or more) as the classes, themselves. I can say that you will want a cup/groin protector, and a good mouth guard, for any martial arts that do partner work (drills, sparring, grappling, etc.). Anything else will probably be more specific to the art being practiced.
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Kishimoto-Di | 2014-Present | Sensei: Ulf Karlsson
Shorin-Ryu/Shinkoten Karate | 2010-Present: Yondan, Renshi | Sensei: Richard Poage (RIP), Jeff Allred (RIP)
Shuri-Ryu | 2006-2010: Sankyu | Sensei: Joey Johnston, Joe Walker (RIP)
Judo | 2007-2010: Gokyu | Sensei: Joe Walker (RIP), Ramon Rivera (RIP), Adrian Rivera
Illinois Practical Karate | International Neoclassical Karate Kobudo Society
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Ellacooper
White Belt
White Belt

Joined: 08 Apr 2014
Posts: 21
Location: Australia

PostPosted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 12:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Many "traditional" styles, like Taekwondo and Karate, can be a great way to get fit and do as exercise. These styles build stamina, balance and coordination by challenging the student with difficult kicking and striking techniques. If you think this may be the style for you, just be sure you select the right school. Thanks
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DWx
Black Belt
Black Belt

Joined: 17 Jan 2007
Posts: 6455
Location: UK
Styles: Tae Kwon Do & Yang family Tai Chi

PostPosted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 11:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Great advice already from Wastelander.

What I would say is, Google schools in your area and ask around to get an idea of what's available first. Then go along and try a few classes at each. A good rapport with the instructor and school atmosphere is more important than the style. If you want to narrow it down a little, maybe you can ask yourself the following questions as each martial art and school will be geared to slightly different things:

Do you want to strike (kick and punch), throw or grapple?
Do you want competition?
Self defense?
Weapons training?
Do you want tradition/discipline or more informal?
Hard contact / light contact?
Adults only or family friendly?

That should help you narrow your search down a little.

You might want to look at these threads for more help on what you should look for:

http://www.karateforums.com/how-should-one-go-about-choosing-a-school-and-instructor-vt38789.html
http://www.karateforums.com/what-are-the-right-questions-to-ask-vt31895.html

Good luck
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derekdadude
White Belt
White Belt

Joined: 09 Jun 2014
Posts: 12


PostPosted: Tue Jun 10, 2014 2:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for the help!
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blackxpress
Yellow Belt
Yellow Belt

Joined: 14 Apr 2006
Posts: 98
Location: Carlisle, OH
Styles: Kyokushin, Goshin-do

PostPosted: Tue Jun 10, 2014 5:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Most any martial art will help you get more fit as long as they train hard. I was fortunate to have started in a dojo that trained hard. I was unfortunate in that my original dojo closed and I had to find a new place to train. Along the way I visited a couple of dojo's that were obvious belt factories. After being used to hard training I barely broke a sweat. I knew right away I needed to look elsewhere. I love karate and appreciate the value of a good karate workout but if all I was interested in was fitness I might consider boxing or Muay Thai. A good boxing gym is hard to beat when it comes to strength training and physical fitness.
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Harkon72
Black Belt
Black Belt

Joined: 27 Aug 2012
Posts: 1875
Location: Wales
Styles: Okinawan Karate, Aikido, Ninpo.

PostPosted: Tue Jun 10, 2014 5:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The greatest factor with any martial art is the teacher; a poor one can make a fantastic system awefull; a great one can take you on a journey beyond what you can imagine. Good Luck.
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jaypo
Purple Belt
Purple Belt

Joined: 26 Apr 2012
Posts: 520

Styles: Shotokan, Shorin Ryu

PostPosted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 7:44 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'd say for cardio, kickboxing would be a great style. But if you're looking for all around fitness (balance, strength, power, coordination), Shotokan, Taekwondo, Tang Soo Do would do wonders.
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sensei8
KF Sensei
KF Sensei

Joined: 23 Feb 2008
Posts: 16430
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Styles: Shindokan Saitou-ryu [Shuri-te/Okinawa-te based]

PostPosted: Fri Jun 13, 2014 4:06 pm    Post subject: Re: No Martial Arts experience where do I begin? Reply with quote

Raian wrote:
I live in Las Cruces, New Mexico I'm interested in starting to learn martial arts and really just do it for the exercise. I'm not sure what would be a suitable style for me to start with. Any recommendations from anyone who lives around that area? Also what sort of expenses are usually involved with lessons/classes and equipment?

First of all...Welcome to KF; glad that you're here!!

You've already recieved some pretty good advice, so, I've nothing to add, at the moment!!

Good luck on your search!!



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