I want to take up some kind of martial arts as I feel it will help me loosen up both physically and mentally. There are other reasons aswell but the reason why I haven't started a class yet is simply because there are loads of possible classes, I don't know where to start.

Can anyone give me any pointers to what classes they would go for through experience or your own reaserch.


Thanks

Where do you live?

Middlesbrough, its closest city is Newcastle. If it was a good class I'd be prepared to travel a little but idealy I want something close.

I'd personally recommend Brazilian JiuJitsu. This sport changed my life. Over the years it's helped me lose weight, gain confidence, make friends, get fit and learn a real world skill set.

Gracie Barra Newcastle is headed by Dave Elliot who is a very good coach and competitor. I don't know much about the Dungeon guys but I've seen them at comps and their guys always do very well.

Gracie Barra Newcastle

The Dungeon

If you'd rather do a striking art than a grappling one then you can't beat Muay Thai or western Boxing.

Hope this helps.

Muay Thai for me - awesome work out and knowing that I can defend myself against the average joe has given me a lot of confidence.

BJJ is excellent but was too harsh on my back (I'm old). Would also recommend Krav Maga

I will definitely contact the guys for Brazilian JiuJitsu. I really want to gain an understanding of all the different options I have and pick 1, or more, that suit me and help me achieve my goals.
What do you mean when you say, a real world skill set?

Right now, I'm not sure if I'd want to compete, I definitely want to train but competitions and stuff like that I'm not sure if I'd want to do that. I have competed before in Fencing among other sports, I'm half decent at it and I also have the qualies to instruct it. But I suppose, in these kind of sports, to develop properly maybe competing is the only way.

I think grappling arts would be best though I do want to learn other thing's. 1 thing I do want to try though is a striking art, maybe something like Kali but not boxing.


I'm not really a big lad either so whatever I choose to do will be to increase my fitness but not decrease my weight. Gave me some great pointers there dude, thanks.

Themaxx - Thanks. Krav Maga looks awesome but the videos I've seen for it are quite theatrical. I'd like to see some sort of training session. I'm very new to all this so I'm trying to work out which would be best for me to practice. Didn't realize how many variations there are but I think the major thing is that I want to be able to transfer the skills and techniques I've learned so that I can use them for a self defense purpose whilst boosting my confidence.

I totally recommend Krav for the self defense side of things, best option hands down. I don't know of any Krav gyms in the North East, but the Krav instructor I work with is pretty well connected, I could ask them if there are any gyms or instructors they recommend.

What I mean by this is that most traditional style Martial Arts will teach you techniques that have no real world application. Shit like defending against multiple attackers and fending off knife attacks without getting maimed yourself just does not happen. I have seen middle aged overweight women who genuinely believe they could fend off a 22st attacker using some bullshit wristlock that they've only ever tried on a compliant opponent in their tong po wang fu class.

Whilst I wouldn't say BJJ will help you in these situations either it does give you an amazing understanding of body mechanics and how to apply leverage to overcome larger opponents, it will improve your balance and movement which can be essential in certain situations. I personally do it for sport than self defense but knowing something simple like a rear naked choke has got me out of a couple sticky situations when I've been out in the past. The law don't look too favorably on you if you knock seven shades of shit out of someone but if you incapacitate them with a choke and make them go to sleep they don't seem to mind in my experience.

Don't worry about not being a big dude either. Jiujitsu was founded by a 60kg Brazilian dude called Helio Gracie. He was so confident in his technique overcoming his opponents physical advantages he would challenge all comers of all sizes and styles in Gracie challenges. You can see the footage on YouTube today.

I am slightly biased as I love jiujitsu and think everyone should do it but at least try it man and then make your own mind up from there.

You should consider other things as well, e.g. circuit training, which is what I do. They might run that at a local gym or school hall in the evenings. It's a group thing so it's good fun and motivational. It's also quite intense so it gets you fit which gives your confidence a boost. I was there tonight and there was me and another guy and four women. One of the women was chatting me up after the class haha.