How/where to start martial arts?

Question

I've been wanting to take martial arts for a while (i'm 18 now), but seeing those small places in a street shopping square, it just doesn't seem like i'd get the same.. what's the word.. quality degree of training at one of the well instituted, authentic places. is this incorrect, should i just go to one anyway? I figure that is probably all there is around where i live (Atlanta, Georgia)

Answer 1

A good well rounded style would be freestyle Karate.You will learn stand up,ground,grappling and weapons.What a lot of people don't understand is that freestyle Karate is about practical street defence not who can kick the highest or punch a pad the hardest.It's definitely not a sport martial art like TKD or BJJ.The motto of my style is the best of everything in progression.Basically that means we don't care where the technique comes from we improve it and integrate it into our style while still maintaining tradition as do most freestyle Karate's.
The hardest thing is finding a good experienced instructor.I would recommend Bushi Kai or Zen Do Kai, but if your not in Australia or New Zealand you may have some difficulty finding some one who teaches these styles.These styles also usually have separate classes available to everyone in Muay Thai and BJJ/Submission/Shoot wrestling.If you can't find one of these i would suggest Kempo or Enshin or another freestyle Karate.
http://www.zendokai.com.au/countries2/USA/index.htm

Answer 2

Seriously?

Atlanta is a hotbed of the south as far as Martial Arts, that and S. Florida.

You have a wide array of arts to chose from. Honestly it doesn't matter if it is a small place, or a great big one. You can get quality out of any place that has a good instructor.

However the larger places have better facilities, more training equipment and can afford to bring in bigger names to teach.

This is a long read, but a great guide for checking out a new school.

http://www.bullshido.com/articles/finding-a-good-martial-arts-school.html

I trained at a small dojo for Judo, just inside a shopping complex. We produced 2 Olympians, and 13 National Champions. Our Sensei is highly respected in the US for Judo. It just so happened we were a small place.

So don't discount the size of a place or it's location. Look at the instructor, the students, and find a place that fits your budget and gives you a good feeling about being a part of. Because that is what matters, is how you feel about the place.

Look for arts/schools that train with aliveness and resistance, and you will find an exciting world out there.

http://www.straightblastgym.com/aliveness101.html

Hell the MMA scene in Atlanta is one of the best on the East Coast, with some high quality teams and clubs up there. It all depends on what you want to get into and what you are interested in taking.

Follow that guide above and also don't be afraid to try out a few places. Get the place that is closest and most convenient, as well as best bang for your buck. In Atlanta it should be extremely easy to find good quality Martial Arts. Find the instructor and place that suits you, and don't focus a whole lot on what style or what art. Anything that does alive training and fits into the guides above will be a good quality place for you.

Good luck man, you are in a great city for Martial Arts. Feel free to message me about any specifics, I am in N. Florida and have a lot of contacts up there.

Answer 3

You don't say what it is that you are interested in or the reasons why you want to take martial arts but I would start with that in mind. Go to the various schools and check out their programs and observe a class or two and talk to the instructors and students. Also don't rule out the parks and recreation programs or YMCA as you can find some very good instructors and programs there also. As you visit and observe these different places keep in mind your reasons for wanting to take martial arts. If the program and instructor don't fit in with those reasons then I would put them further down on my list for consideration in joining. Keep in mind that some will try to get you to join anyways so shop around and be prepared to say no to that sales pitch or yearly special that is about to end if you sign up today.

Sometimes people don't always know what they are looking for so if that is the case then I would look for a place that has short term or no contract arrangements that offers a well rounded program in physical conditioning, self-defense, and the art that they teach. That way if you discover that you want to change to something else you are not locked into some long term contract. Many good schools and instructors have their schools located in shopping centers for convenience and high traffic flow. Not all of them are bad by any means-some are quite good but may not be a good fit for you and your reasons for wanting to take martial arts.

Things to consider are schedule of classes, how the instructor relates to his students, are students motivated and do they exhibit good skills and training. Do the students seem happy with the quality of the instruction they are getting and do the classes and programs being offered appeal to your reasons for wanting to take martial arts.

Answer 4

I would suggest sitting in on some classes at the studios of your choice, and perhaps even talking to the head instructors. This way you'll see how the training is handled, and what the instructors' backgrounds are. Sometimes the "hole in the wall" type places are the best, you never know until you actually investigate.

Answer 5

The best fundamental for your martial arts career is Judo. Get a few years of Judo under your belt before going off into another discipline.

For me, I got out of Karate and devoted myself full-time to Judo and Jiu-Jitusu for over 30+ years. You might go another route, but you'll always find Judo useful to enhance your other martials arts knowledge.

Answer 6

The quality of instruction depends on the instructor, not where they teach. I teach in a church, but the quality of instruction is better than several of my "established" competitors (or so I'm told by some of the students from those schools - I'm not sure I agree because I've never seen their operation).

The 'quality' of the degree you will earn depends on their credentials, so that should be very high on your list of criteria when 'interviewing' potential schools.

Answer 7

Most of those small places are run and taught by 2nd degree and up black belts. Just check them out. It's an awesome thing to get into.

Answer 8

Here are some places that look interesting to me in Atlanta...
http://www.atlantaokinawankarate.com/atlanta_martial_arts.htm
http://www.atlantaryukyukempo.com/main.php
http://www.atlantakarateschool.com/class.htm
http://www.lywc.com/
http://www.eagleclawatl.com/new/Contact/

This should give you a few places to look at.

Answer 9

i think the question is do you want to do sports? or a martial discipline? Also, do you want an instructor, or a teacher? Also, are you ready to take pain, or not?

Answer 10

vietnam is famous of martial arts