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

[ColinJ]

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.

You got tired of people saying "Is that a sabre, or are you just pleased to see me?"!

 

[Cirrus]

You got tired of people saying "Is that a sabre, or are you just pleased to see me?"!

I think he’s been foiled

 

[wheresthetorch]

I think he’s been foiled

Funnily enough, I was an epéeist!

 

[Drago]

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!

Imagine a dead leg from a 6'4" 20 stone copper. I actually had to call an ambulance for one lad, but I didn't feel guilty as a few days earlier hed stabbed and old feller during a burglary. I was keen not to get stabbed myself so dropped him right quick.

 

[Chris S]

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.

I trained with a karate instructor who was tiny. Whenever he had to fight somebody bigger (which was 99% of the time) he would just take their legs out or go for body shots. He did the same in his other job as a bouncer.

 

[Chris S]

I'm starting boxer training in September. It's non-contact but I might move on to light sparring depending on how it goes.

 

[Webbo2]

Myself and Mrs W did some Karate classes when were first courting, the gentleman running the class was about 5’ 3” and also a parking warden. He told many a tale of putting a ticket on a car and being threatened with violence by the owner, then trying to calm them down and when this failed giving them a warning who they were threatening. Followed by having to call an ambulance.

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

I trained with a karate instructor who was tiny. Whenever he had to fight somebody bigger (which was 99% of the time) he would just take their legs out or go for body shots. He did the same in his other job as a bouncer.

There was a short guy called Benny at Southampton uni taekwondo club in the 90s, he couldn't be much more than ~5 foot. But he trained and practiced more than anyone, with controlled sparring he was so hard to keep with, because he was so insanely fast and accurate with kicks.

 

[cyberknight]

Until I started working where I am now I was really into martial arts .
Started with Lau gar Kung Fu where I was close to black sash when I found wing chin which I found suited me more as well as tai chi so I was in classes 2-3 times a week plus home practice but the shift pattern and family health issues meant I couldn't dedicate myself to it at a level where it was worth going so I drifted away I yearn to get back into it but now my shift pattern is even worse and I'm falling to bits any way

 

[wafter]

Thanks folks - really appreciate the encouragement

Loads of great points I'd like to respond to, so at the risk of using up all of the words on the forum...

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.

Thanks - I hope that if I can get to the point where I can at least execute the moves badly I can build on that. Last time with some I was just melting down and doing completely the wrong thing - moving the wrong arm or leg / in the wrong direction / completely failing to follow what I was being shown.

It's highly embarrassing very publically broadcasting with your flailing limbs that you evidently don't know your left from right!

I hear you on the flexibility - I hope that some of the other stuff I've been doing has offset this somewhat in some areas; I do some limited stretches after stuff on the rings, while the strength training means I could actually do the ten pressups demanded of me last time; which I'd not have managed a year ago.

While everyone no doubt likes the idea of being able to fend off all manner of bellendery out on the streets, physically I find the most appeal from simply having more control over my own body and getting the opportunity to knock seven shades out of a dummy / bag seems like a welcome catharsis.

Much in the same way the strength training highlighted to me how pathetically limited many are (myself included) with seemingly simple abilities like being able to lift your own body weight, this has really driven home how little control and co-ordination one typically has over one's own body.. which along with the strength seems like such a basic, beneficial pre-requisite of life..

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.

A wise man knows his limits and knows when to listen to those wiser than himself

I certainly don't relish the idea of really hard contact and unless I became really accomplished have no desire to compete - fair play for getting that far!

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.

Apparently so!

There are no odd names for the moves (at least not that I've yet been exposed to) but there was the need to should various things when you execute a move; neither the shouting or getting told to shout when I didn't being particularly appealing or enjoyable..

The instructor and his assistant(s) certainly seem patient and sympathetic which is very much appreciated. Had it been some ripped meathead barking orders at me I'd definitely not be going back.

As it happens I think from an exertion perspective the short bit I did was fairly mild.. I did also ride 38 miles that day and did a fairly hard session on the rings after the class (I think I needed an outlet for the frustration) the effects of which I've been feeling ever since.. and to be fair some of my leg muscles I'm not used to giving me grief are aching, which could have been a result of the class.

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!

Cheers - I know a big chap who paticipates in this and did consider it myself, although one of the things that appealed about kickboxing was the distance / ability to practice much of it without engaging someone else.

Good point about the legs - personally I've always felt comfortable with kicks (would always default to this at school when messing about) and recall I could kick my own head height at one point. Now I'm lucky if I can get it above my waist

Also my joints are pretty shafted so I'd rather be taking strikes than having someone try to twist my arms off at the elbow..

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

Thanks!

That must be difficult to return to something and find you've lost so much ground; I imagine like anything else you need to practice continually to maintain form, while of course the passage of time is rarely kind.

It's sounds like they're both more accomplished than most and it must be great to have had the opportunity and ability to try such a broad range of diciplines

In my case I neither expect, nor really desire to reach a competitive level unless I find myself progressing at an astonshing rate. Certainly at the moment I'm looking to it as a physical / mental health-improvement tool rather than an opportunity for competition.

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!

Yeah, I bet. I often wonder with the strength training how much better I'd have been / faster I'd have progressed had I hit it 20yrs earlier.

Better late than never though I suppose!

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

Indeed; there was certainly a good showing of ladies in both students and staff

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.

Thanks - I hope so. As long as I can see progress I think that will be enough. Good work with the pilates - likewise I felt the same (and to an extent still do) with the body weight stuff. Shocking how difficult stuff can be despite being made to look easy by others.

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

Thanks and yes - there certainly seems to be a big emphasis on community and support here. I suppose if nothing else it's a likely natural byproduct of shared vulnerability and experiences outside of everyones' comfort zones.

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.

I did consider fencing and Kendo; apparently this school does do weapons training too so that could be something interesting to look at if I can at least nail down the basics.

I'm starting boxer training in September. It's non-contact but I might move on to light sparring depending on how it goes.

View attachment 784292

Great work - to be honest I think even non-contact stuff has the potential to be very rewarding / beneficial.

Until I started working where I am now I was really into martial arts .
Started with Lau gar Kung Fu where I was close to black sash when I found wing chin which I found suited me more as well as tai chi so I was in classes 2-3 times a week plus home practice but the shift pattern and family health issues meant I couldn't dedicate myself to it at a level where it was worth going so I drifted away I yearn to get back into it but now my shift pattern is even worse and I'm falling to bits any way

That's a shame - any opportunity to get back into it? Sounds like it could be welcome outlet for life's trials!



So... the short of the situation is that I have two more lessons before realistically I have to make a decision as to whether I want to commit the next six months and a non-trivial wedge to pursuing this further.

I'm aiming to go to another class tomorrow night, and hope that if I can show some degree of improvement it'll encourage me to press on. I'm also a little concerned about fitting it in - looks like to get decent value you need to attend two sessions a week, which means I need to better manage my currently casual appoach to other fitness stuff since I don't want to overcook it on the bike / rings etc to the detriment of training... although that said it would take place mostly over the winter when I'm typically out on the bike / rings a lot less anyway.

For now I continue to swing from one extreme to the other - sometimes buoyed by the challenge and enthusiastic to attack it; other times wondering what the feck I'm doing and that I should just get back down my hole to avoid embarrassing myself further. The subject featured heavily of this morning's serving of 3am anxiety and existential dread.

If it all goes south at least I can say I tried if nothing else; which in itself would be a novel accomplishment for me

 

[wheresthetorch]

I did consider fencing and Kendo; apparently this school does do weapons training too so that could be something interesting to look at if I can at least nail down the basics.

Fencing is great fun - stabbing people with swords is a great way to unwind after a stressful day! However, it is also a serious discipline which takes years to master.

 

[BigSid]

With all martial arts technique is everything. Don't worry too much about how hard you punch or speed that you kick, that'll come.
It is always useful to have some knowledge of self defence techniques. However one of my friends was in Special Forces for 30 years and when asked what he'd do if someone wanted a go on the street, in a pub, etc., he said if he has the choice he'd run away. Nothing good ever comes from a street fight, win or lose.

 

[cyberknight]

Thanks folks - really appreciate the encouragement

Loads of great points I'd like to respond to, so at the risk of using up all of the words on the forum...


Thanks - I hope that if I can get to the point where I can at least execute the moves badly I can build on that. Last time with some I was just melting down and doing completely the wrong thing - moving the wrong arm or leg / in the wrong direction / completely failing to follow what I was being shown.

It's highly embarrassing very publically broadcasting with your flailing limbs that you evidently don't know your left from right!

I hear you on the flexibility - I hope that some of the other stuff I've been doing has offset this somewhat in some areas; I do some limited stretches after stuff on the rings, while the strength training means I could actually do the ten pressups demanded of me last time; which I'd not have managed a year ago.

While everyone no doubt likes the idea of being able to fend off all manner of bellendery out on the streets, physically I find the most appeal from simply having more control over my own body and getting the opportunity to knock seven shades out of a dummy / bag seems like a welcome catharsis.

Much in the same way the strength training highlighted to me how pathetically limited many are (myself included) with seemingly simple abilities like being able to lift your own body weight, this has really driven home how little control and co-ordination one typically has over one's own body.. which along with the strength seems like such a basic, beneficial pre-requisite of life..



A wise man knows his limits and knows when to listen to those wiser than himself

I certainly don't relish the idea of really hard contact and unless I became really accomplished have no desire to compete - fair play for getting that far!



Apparently so!

There are no odd names for the moves (at least not that I've yet been exposed to) but there was the need to should various things when you execute a move; neither the shouting or getting told to shout when I didn't being particularly appealing or enjoyable..

The instructor and his assistant(s) certainly seem patient and sympathetic which is very much appreciated. Had it been some ripped meathead barking orders at me I'd definitely not be going back.

As it happens I think from an exertion perspective the short bit I did was fairly mild.. I did also ride 38 miles that day and did a fairly hard session on the rings after the class (I think I needed an outlet for the frustration) the effects of which I've been feeling ever since.. and to be fair some of my leg muscles I'm not used to giving me grief are aching, which could have been a result of the class.



Cheers - I know a big chap who paticipates in this and did consider it myself, although one of the things that appealed about kickboxing was the distance / ability to practice much of it without engaging someone else.

Good point about the legs - personally I've always felt comfortable with kicks (would always default to this at school when messing about) and recall I could kick my own head height at one point. Now I'm lucky if I can get it above my waist

Also my joints are pretty shafted so I'd rather be taking strikes than having someone try to twist my arms off at the elbow..


Thanks!

That must be difficult to return to something and find you've lost so much ground; I imagine like anything else you need to practice continually to maintain form, while of course the passage of time is rarely kind.

It's sounds like they're both more accomplished than most and it must be great to have had the opportunity and ability to try such a broad range of diciplines

In my case I neither expect, nor really desire to reach a competitive level unless I find myself progressing at an astonshing rate. Certainly at the moment I'm looking to it as a physical / mental health-improvement tool rather than an opportunity for competition.



Yeah, I bet. I often wonder with the strength training how much better I'd have been / faster I'd have progressed had I hit it 20yrs earlier.

Better late than never though I suppose!



Indeed; there was certainly a good showing of ladies in both students and staff



Thanks - I hope so. As long as I can see progress I think that will be enough. Good work with the pilates - likewise I felt the same (and to an extent still do) with the body weight stuff. Shocking how difficult stuff can be despite being made to look easy by others.



Thanks and yes - there certainly seems to be a big emphasis on community and support here. I suppose if nothing else it's a likely natural byproduct of shared vulnerability and experiences outside of everyones' comfort zones.





I did consider fencing and Kendo; apparently this school does do weapons training too so that could be something interesting to look at if I can at least nail down the basics.



Great work - to be honest I think even non-contact stuff has the potential to be very rewarding / beneficial.



That's a shame - any opportunity to get back into it? Sounds like it could be welcome outlet for life's trials!



So... the short of the situation is that I have two more lessons before realistically I have to make a decision as to whether I want to commit the next six months and a non-trivial wedge to pursuing this further.

I'm aiming to go to another class tomorrow night, and hope that if I can show some degree of improvement it'll encourage me to press on. I'm also a little concerned about fitting it in - looks like to get decent value you need to attend two sessions a week, which means I need to better manage my currently casual appoach to other fitness stuff since I don't want to overcook it on the bike / rings etc to the detriment of training... although that said it would take place mostly over the winter when I'm typically out on the bike / rings a lot less anyway.

For now I continue to swing from one extreme to the other - sometimes buoyed by the challenge and enthusiastic to attack it; other times wondering what the feck I'm doing and that I should just get back down my hole to avoid embarrassing myself further. The subject featured heavily of this morning's serving of 3am anxiety and existential dread.

If it all goes south at least I can say I tried if nothing else; which in itself would be a novel accomplishment for me

Im definitely wanting to get back to it but fitting around my shift pattern is hard as on early shift i go to bed at 8 pm and lates in going to bed around 2 am so its hard to find a class that i can get too .