I am 5'4, lift weights and do cardio and have lost a good deal of weight already. Maybe 20 lbs. more. Just would like something to not only help burn calories but maybe teach me something as well. Thanks!
2006-08-18 16:36:04 · 13 answers · asked by nichole2780 1 in Sports ➔ Martial Arts
You're short and you're female, which means you probably don't have the same upper body strength as most males your size. I'm not saying this to be mean, it's just usually the truth. You're not going to be able to create the same striking power as a guy my size at 5'11" and 190lbs. And I'm not that big! Again, that's just physics, not sexism. To ignore this would be like saying that 12-year old black belt in karate could take out an untrained, but full-grown man. Not very likely.
Fine, take up an art that uses leverage and your opponent's weight and body against him. Judo's a good start, though I'd go for jiujitsu because you're going to spend more time learning how to achieve dominant position instead of just throwing people. Throws are great, but you'll often end up on the ground. JJ covers throws and also focuses what to do once you hit the ground. You can punch and kick all you want, but a girl your size has less impact on a large opponent.
Finally, if you're in this for fitness, that's fine. Study tae bo or something. Don't confuse combat art with fitness sport. If you want to learn how to defend yourself, karate, kung fu, or whatever probably isn't going to be as effective. Going back to my example, unless you get lucky, you can probably kick or try to punch a guy my size quite a bit before you have any real effect. Get me onto the ground and choke me out or throw an arm-bar on me, and you'll submit me regardless of our size differences.
Most fights end up on the ground at some point anyway--better to study an art that actually takes that into consideration!
2006-08-18 17:27:10 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wing Chun is probably best for you. It is a Chinese style invented by Ng Mui, a Shaolin nun. It is a very efficient style and evens a woman with a stronger man. It also helps against faster foes. It can be learned in about a year if you work at it and are a good pupil. Actor Bruce Lee originally studied this style, but he wanted to add some showier moves for his films, so he adopted Tae Kwan Do kicks. As his ego grew, he started his own style called Jit Kun Do or Jeet Koon Do. Start with Wing Chun though.
2006-08-19 03:42:24 · answer #2 · answered by miyuki & kyojin 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you are really serious about it, Muay Thai. Most Muay Thai fighter in Thailand are actually very small, they usually weight 135 lbs or less. However they're totally feared by many because of their toughness, stamina, power, and speed.
If you don't have the time or want another option, then go for Judo, brazilian/Japanese Jiu Jitsu, or sambo. be sure to pick school that are involve with full contact competition, they tend to do better at teaching students.
2006-08-18 19:29:53 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
most all arts can be implemented by anyone, you just got to have the right attitude and the right teacher. for you to pick the right style, i'll say this. look in the yellow pages do a search online to find all the schools in the area. go into those schools and talk to a few people watch a class if they allow you to. many schools will even have a few lessons free. remember they are a business and they want your business, don't be shy. after looking a few styles you should have an idea of what it is YOU want to study, and no one here can give you that answer.
2006-08-19 08:01:31 · answer #4 · answered by Jimmy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you are lookin for cardio type of work out and martial arts, you should try taking up a kickboxing program, I know at the marital arts academy I go to, we have a womans kickboxing program and it's a mix of a workout and kickboxing.
p.s. since when is 5"4' short? lols I am a 5'4" and I don't consider myself short at all, I'm just average.
2006-08-18 17:37:33 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would avoid kicking arts. (kick boxing, Northern Shaolin, and tae kwon do) they are great for work out, but kicking is more for the tall people who has great length to work with. if you are 5'4" i would go with something that deals more with hands, although boxing would be bad because they don't teach you to deal with kicks. (although boxing is the best for a work out i think, and it is learning something)
I would go for Wing Chun, because the founder was supposedly was a Shaolin nun who created the style to teach to a girl to defend herself again a suitor she did not like. basically it was made for a short not so fit girl to fight against a man. (probably someone who was fit since time demanded a lot of physical labor)
2006-08-19 02:34:47 · answer #6 · answered by Jas Key 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ummmm..... If i were you i would try kung fu. I am in a shaoulin longfist kung fu class.Right now i am a green belt...Hopefully i am going to get m blue belt soon. Anywho enough about me....In kung fu it helps you burn calories and it teaches self-defense. I recommend it.
2006-08-18 16:46:31 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Judo!! Being shorter gives you added leverage to throw. My daughter is three inches shorter than you and has been state champion twice.
2006-08-18 16:42:50 · answer #8 · answered by snoweagleltd 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
capoeira -u got good stamina and like cardio training. Capoeira is like putting all your exercises together. Your height wont be a disadvantage.
2006-08-18 19:22:26 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Taekwondo-I have red belt and I like this martial art!!!
2006-08-19 00:32:01 · answer #10 · answered by Alexa 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋