I tried a beginner's kickboxing class earlier...

[wafter]

Something I've been wanting to do for ages but always shied away from it for many reasons - low self-confidence, poor fitness, logistics..

It was humbling to say the least. No contact just a taster of practicing basic form / a few kicks, punches etc - however I really struggled to keep up with the instructor / rest of the class and became completely befuddled on a few occasions; overwhelmed by trying to keep tabs on what every part of my body was supposed to be doing.

The instructor was great and very supportive, although I get the feeling that if I'm going to make any progress whatsoever I'm going to have to practice very slowly on my own at home a lot just to be able to actually follow the moves in class.. no matter how badly this might continue to be.

Despite my abysmal performance I came away oddly happy; proud that I'd at least pushed myself well out of my comfort zone for once in my life, allowed myself to be totally vulnerable and hopefully dealt with my enormous, embarrassing shortcomings with an amount of grace and humility.

The class seems to offer a lot besides the obvious ability to defend oneself and I'd really like to make this work; although at the moment I'm on the fence as to how likely this is.

Time will tell I guess - at least on this occasion I can at least say I tried.

In the meantime I'd welcome any success stories in this field to give me a bit of hope

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

Having the perseverance to stick with it during the first few months is the key ime, I was so inflexible when I started Taekwondo decades ago during A-levels, but with stretching and plenty of practice eventually I could do head height kicks. The speed and coordination can be overwhelming as well during those first few months in many martial arts, but it should get easier and hopefully become a fun exercise.

 

[Drago]

I did TKD when I was younger.

Gave it up in my mid 30s. Im a heavyweight, and in one match in Sheffield I had to fight this dude that was absolutely enormous. I mean Im big, but this guy was like The Mountain. I knew then how Apollo Creed felt stepping into the ring with Ivan Drago.

I got the stuffing kicked out of me and the next day at work was so stiff with the bruises I could hardly move. There was a on older black fellow on the shift who was quite fatherly in his manner towards me and who was prone to trotting out pearls of wisdom like Rudolph Walker in the Thin Blue Line. He gave me a gentle telling off, told me I was getting too old for that sort of thing and I thought, "sod it, hes right," so I binned it off after that. Daughter #1 kept at it and earned black belts in TKD, Karate and Kickboxing and she now does this white collar boxing stuff.

 

[annedonnelly]

It's always hard going along to a new class. Everyone else knows what they're doing and seem to understand what the instructor means. Do the moves have unusual names like they do in yoga/pilates?

Sounds like you have a good instructor though. Hopefully he/she is savvy enough to keep an eye out for anyone struggling and has time to support them while keeping things moving for the rest of the class.

I bet you have some aches & pains today.

 

[Drago]

If self defence is you're thing and you're willing to keep at it then Krav Maga is hard to beat. Eye weteringly effective.

If you're a big fellow with a bit of horsepower then TKD, Karate, or indeed kickboxing and good for inflicting some good old fashioned blunt force trauma. The good thjng about those is that out on the street Johnny Scumbag doesnt generally expect you to use your legs as a weapon (knee strikes are my favourite - ive dropped more than one aggressor instantly with a well placed knee to the outside of a thigh.)

Keep at it besause persistence is the key to success in every endeavour. Enjoy yourself, and good luck!

 

[oxoman]

My sons now 20 and 25 are Taekwondo blackbelts 1st and 3rd respectively, they stopped due to covid and work getting in the way. They have recently started kick boxing and despite being young and relatively fit they've both had a wake up call with the fitness involved. They didn't realise how much there fitness had dropped off from when stopped TKD. It's humbled them both a bit, especially when others at the club are older than them but way fitter and supple. There both getting there, the eldest has a point to prove, his words not mine as he represented England in his respective style of TKD. Yes several types. He also did jujitsu for a bit but prefers KB now. It's great for fitness and building confidence. However one caveat to anyone doing any martial art, its a hobby and it does not pay your bills when you get injured. I saw a few badly broken bones when the lads competed at a high level, so be careful. Krav Maga is also worth looking at but more niche. Good luck Wafter

 

[fossyant]

I've enough injuries to try anything like that. I suspect I'll be told I can't have a neck and back massage at the Spa we've booked on Friday due to my rotator cuff. I won't be telling them about the pelvis or back.

Good luck and stick with it. Co-ordination is the tricky bit

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

Certainly a lot harder getting into dynamic martial arts like this when you're older. I had a literally few years break away from Taekwondo, after being a competent red belt when I was in my early 20s, on return I knew what I was supposed to be doing but the body said no!

 

[numbnuts]

I think all females should learn some sort of self defence, with the times we live in.

 

[Drago]

A noble sentiment, although you're more likely to be a victim of violent crime if you're male and during the daytime.

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

The class seems to offer a lot besides the obvious ability to defend oneself and I'd really like to make this work; although at the moment I'm on the fence as to how likely this is.

Stick with it, like anything in life we all learn and adapt at our own pace. You will, without doubt, get fitter and pick up the moves given time. If a natural by product is a nice confidence boost and the knowledge that you have a little bit of self defence knowledge in your locker (even if you never need or intend on using it) then even better. Not kickboxing but when I first started pilates I was well and truly out of my depth. Thought cycling would have given me a strong core, not in the slightest. First class I could not finish any of the exercises whilst people with a good 30 years+ of age on me breezed through them with ease. I stuck it out and within a few months I could comfortable manage all the exercises, no doubt you will get there too.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

a well placed knee to the outside of a thigh

That took me right back to my school days and giving, and receiving, a ‘dead leg’.
I can feel that pain in my leg all over again!

 

[oxoman]

I forgot to mention. When you get involved with martial arts you end up with a 2nd family.

 

[wheresthetorch]

I fenced for years which was ok for self defence provided I was carrying a sword down the side of my trousers. Which, if I'm honest, wasn't very often.

 

[vickster]

I fenced for years which was ok for self defence provided I was carrying a sword down the side of my trousers. Which, if I'm honest, wasn't very often.

Paging @Fnaar!