Martial arts- a troubling decision?

Ok recently I have been thinking about getting back into martial arts, I use to do a bit of boxing, but don't wish to rejoin the club. I have looked at other forms such as Muay Thai, and other kick-boxing arts or do you think I should go with TaeKwanDo/Karate..They all have advantages and disadvantages, but my next form will be something I get right into. Please share your experiences on how your form helped you or why you think yours has a edge.





cheers.

Martial arts- a troubling decision?
It will all depend on your main goal for training.


Do you want to get in shape or train for practical self-defense?


Do you want to compete?


Would you rather focus on striking or grappling?


If it's striking, would you rather kick or punch?





This is an important one that many people overlook: What is your mindset/philosophy about martial arts and self-defense in general? If you don't agree with the philosophy of the particular style, the instructor, or the school as a whole (if it even has a certain philosophy), you won't enjoy yourself.





I have taken Isshin-Ryu and Iaido (both for six years), and have been taking Aikido for going on three years. I really like my instructor a lot because his personal philosophy on life is very similar to mine, and he also came from an Isshin-Ryu background. Due to that fact, he knows where I am coming from and can sometimes anticipate a certain problem I will have with a particular movement.





Isshin-Ryu is very practical and effective. With the right instructor it is devastating.


I took Iaido because I wanted to learn a weapon, and the katana is very formidable. It is also very good for focus and learning to shut everything else out. Not extremely practical unless you have a stick in hand.


I started Aikido beacuse I wanted more options. In our litigious society, martial artists are always having to defend their actions as not being "too cruel". With Aikido I have the option to include compassion in my technique.





Good luck and good training.
Reply:I currently train in Mixed Martial Arts. My main concentration is in Muay Thai/Kickboxing and Grappling. I believe Muay Thai is a good form of martial arts to start with as it incorporates knees, elbows, kicks, strikes, and the all important Thai clinch which allows you to control your opponents movement. The grappling aspect (or jiu jitsu) is good to have in case the fight ends up on the ground, which alot do. Training mixed martial arts, and not just one discipline, has helped my confidence tremendously as I am comfortable with striking or grappling.





If you had to start with one discipline and you're not interested in MMA, then I think Muay Thai would be a very good foundation.
Reply:i think u should try kickboxing as it would probably suit you are style after being a boxer,when u have learnt the 'basics'(good leg work,elbows,knee's) have look at shoalin kung fu,if you are looking for something to get 'right into'.After saying that ,I think you will find that they all come to the same conclusion,conditioning your mind and body for combat,any good instructor can show you. Kempo is another good form for boxers to take on,it's pretty 'straight-up ',if you know what I mean,However, this is just my opinion,started out boxing to ,about 24 years ago.Since then have done the three others,it has really helped me out a few times .
Reply:If you want something on the traditional side, choose Tae Kwon Do.





If you want something on the less rigid side and more of a fighting Art, choose Muay Thai.





With your boxing background, I would say you will be more suited to Muay Thai.





I also began my Muay Thai career with a boxing and traditional MA background. It worked for me, I'm sure it will work for you as well.





Have fun!
Reply:I would tend to favor Japanese/Okinawan karate or one of the kick boxing type martial arts like Muay Thai over Tae Kwon Do. In the Japanese/Okinawan systems they dont favor the use of feet over hands per say. Tae Kown Do is almost exclusively kicking and no punching to the face or head and usually does not include any ground fighting aspects like karate does. To be a well rounded fighter or well rounded in self defense I would look for those things in a school and an instructor which you are more likly to find in Japanese/Okinawan martial arts.
Reply:Find a Martial Art that has a philosophy and code of conduct that you will be able to respect and honor. To be realistic, physically you can divide the arts into 2 categories- striking and grappling. The biggest differance in the arts isn't how to do something, but why to do it.
Reply:a well rounded system is best choice.make sue include weapons and common sense.
Reply:It all depends on what you want to get out of martial arts training. When you say you've been boxing and interested in Muay Thai, then it sounds like you're interested in the competitive aspects of fighting. If so, then you have to consider your age. It's pretty tough (but not impossible) to start competitive fighting past your 20s. Your body takes longer to recover from the physical abuse. So, if that's not your cup of tea, but you're interested in learning new technical skills along with rigorous workouts, then your choices include (but are not limited to): jujitsu (traditional or "brazilian") for a great groundwork/grappling; karate/tkd (for great aerobic workouts and relatively safe tournament fighting [if you choose]); "kung-fu" (e.g., wing chun) for physical conditioning, flexibility as well as competitive aspects (similar to karate/tkd which actually come mainly from Chinese martial arts); and lastly, consider kobudo (traditional Okinawan weapons training) or iado (Japanese sword, including kendo with the wooden sword), or even get away from the Asian arts and consider fencing. When making your decision, be careful to avoid cookie-cutter chain schools with high-pressure sales tactics and long-term contracts. Instead, check out the YMCA or the town recreation center. Also, note that my descriptions are the most broad generalizations. Within one type of martial art, such as karate, you'll find a great variety of approaches from school to school.