2006-07-30 07:59:54 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Martial Arts
If you like a 'toned down' martial arts which doesnt contain heavy contact to the body... Tae Kwondo is for you.
They do teach you Kata training, move set and all that... particularly kicking.
Their are limitation with arts such as Tae Kwondo. It wont prepare for for a self defence fight on the street though. Good for socialising.
Again, Tae Kwondo is not my cup of tea... as I prefer the 'hands on' stuff.
If you find one... also find a session of Ju-Jitsu or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Also (if there is one) look into Wrestling.. There are many styles from Freestyle to Sombo (they vary in rules + they have different methods on controlling people).
My advice is try them all and let your own learnings point you to your Martial Art. I mix my styles....
To end this.... going to classes like Tae Kwondo is all well and good. But they teach you a style of fighting that suits their competitions. I say that for most styles.
Try and relate you styles to the street, and research how effective it would be there.
I learn as a street style fighter. Belts (grades) mean nothing to me. I turn up to these classes to Spar (friendly fight).
Good luck
2006-08-01 03:10:14 · answer #1 · answered by The Avenger 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I started taekwondo about 7 months ago. I got into it because my friend is a world sparring champion. I always wanted to start a martial art, and taekwondo is fantastic. What is really cool about taekwondo is that you get to spar. It isn't watered down sparing. You have so many pads on that you can really go at it. Is is fun? It is my new passion in my life. It is an insane rush. I would read more about it if I were you and find a school that is good for you. Taekwondo might not be for you. Find the martial art that you would really enjoy. If you like to kick things, this is the one for you (taekwondo also uses hand strikes, and they don't neglect to teach and practice them with you.
2006-07-30 21:21:30 · answer #2 · answered by agassi8 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's certainly fun if you think that you'll enjoy breaking boards and impressive kicks! It's great for fitness and flexibility. It also offers the oppertunity to compete against others, if that's what you're looking for.
However, it's certainly best practiced by someone who is keen to remain fit and flexible. I certainly can't kick over my head any more!
As a defensive martial art, it does have a few things to be desired, in that a great deal of moves are not ones to be attempted after 2 beers on a slippery floor.
If you're looking for fitness, competativeness and flashy moves, TKD is for you. If you're after something a bit more philosophical, or relaxing, traditional or practical, then it may not be ideal.
2006-07-30 20:19:30 · answer #3 · answered by Mike F 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being an instructor for 10-16yr olds i get to MAKE it fun!
Its quite a physical sport and you will need a bit of stamina but if you're serious you'll find it gets easier every lesson. It gave me confidence and strength and as im a 23yr old 5'2" woman it feels great when you can put a fully grown man on his **** for getting lippy!! (found this doesn't wrk all the time - lol )
Its whatever you make of it - if you really want to practise - you will definately have fun, but then i suppose it depends on your instructor as well!! Luckily mine was VERY fit so i never missed a lesson :)
Hope you do enjoy it !!
2006-07-30 15:32:50 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
TKD is a good sport, bad self-defense (but better than none). TKD will teach you dicipline and allow you to get in shape/flexible. Sparring is great...though if I were in a school where we wore a lot of pads like another person who posted here I would find another school (get into a real fight and learn what it is like taking a hit or doing a round house and hitting bones -- need to learn the REAL pain or else you dont get better).
Personally, I love Hapkido (sort of a mix of TKD and Aikido).
2006-07-31 00:40:14 · answer #5 · answered by Who me? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Truthfully...
you will get to a blue belt realise that one step sparring is the closest thing to a real life situation...all this empowerment stuff...the person who taught me alwats preached run away first..
i live in a very rough area...you run away its a sign of weakness ,so what do you do...learn the one martial art that
1:the police use
2:the military use
logically...think about it...jujitsu is the way my friend i dont know you but on this you must listen...
I am a :
2nd dan in jujitsu
2nd dan in Kobudo(weapons)
1st dan in kenjutsu
blue belt in TKD
learn jujitsu
sport wise, you cannot go full on...trust me...no amount of pads can stop a golcho chagi( hooking kick)i was disqualified 3 times for excessive force...and all i did was rock his head...
if ballet is what floats your boat...go for it
2006-07-31 15:51:27 · answer #6 · answered by thomas e 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a blast! As a woman it made me feel empowered, stronger. We also learned some self-defense in the class I was in. It gives a great sense of accomplishment when you test for your next belt and then get it! It's great!
2006-07-30 15:04:29 · answer #7 · answered by Brooke 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on what you want out of it. It's a good workout, but can be very hard on your knee and joints from a lot of the kicks. Some places want you to lock out your limbs to get full extention of your strikes.
2006-07-30 20:01:41 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i done it for about a year,its pretty crap actually.most of the moves that you learn you would never use them if someone started a fight with you!!go boxing-its a lot better,keeps you really fit and makes your arms nice and toned.i was doing it up until i got pregnant-and I'll start again once Ive gave birth.that's the best one i think,and Ive also done kick boxing and karate.or try Thai boxing-my friend does that and he really enjoys it.hope i helped!!
2006-07-30 15:08:10 · answer #9 · answered by ibiza_shandy_pink 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If fun is what you're looking for, yeah. It's a sport though, don't kid yourself that it's a realistic method of self-defence.
2006-07-31 07:02:57 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋