What is a good martial arts to get involved in if you are to fat to do the kicks in Tae Kwon Do?

Question

I like Tae kwon do but my legs just don't reach. I play football and Im in good shape but not for Tae kwon do. What other fighting style would be good for a large framed person?

Yes I did aikido for a couple years and it was good but there are no schools where I live.

Answer 1

Your oppurtunities for martial arts are still very open. Based on your brief description, you can take almost any other art form that does not require high kicking. Judo, Aikido, Karate, Kenpo, Escrima, Krav Maga, Tai Chi,Jeet Kune Do, etc.

Answer 2

You might consider judo. It would be more suited to a large frame. Also Sho-rin-ru Karate might be good. There is some kicking involved, but not the above the head kicks of Tae kwon do and it involves a lot of punching techniques. Akido is another form which might work well with larger size.

Answer 3

Grappling styles might work for you if you don't wish to kick. I would personally suggest jujutsu (Because Japanese styles teach fighting on all ranges, with the majority of time spent on grappling), as it is great for one-on-one in the streets. (Not to say it is better, but it is great for one-on-one combat)

There's a few kicking arts that you don't have to kick high in necessarilly, but you have to search disciplines and more importantly the certain schools. Tae Kwon Do isn't 100% high flying spinning kicks either: That's just a component of the style.

I would advise you take Tae Kwon Do or another high/mixed height striking art to get in tune with that range (And your build makes it harder: It doesn't impede from kicking, but it might make it harder to be a good kicker, which isn't the best fighting range by itself anyway :p), but hey....
Other suggestions: Boxing, certain styles of kung fu that are almost completely based on softness/mix and little to no kicking (Wing Chun is a good example), certain styles of Karate, and more.

It's really not the style, but you should look for a good school. Who knows? They may accomodate for you, and even if you do pick a high kicking style: You aren't guaranteed to get thinner, but your fitness level will go up, and that includes flexibility. Call local schools, and get in touch with the teachers: You're bound to find someone that will take you under their wing.

Good luck.

Answer 4

Judo and Aikido are perfect for large individuals. The techniques involved require a stable base so your heavy weight and bulk will help a lot. Just look at two of the best known proponents of Judo and Aikido, "Judo" Gene Lebell and Steven Seagal are pretty heavy and fat, but can still effectively throw their weight and other people around. Besides, you could always take up Sumo westling : P

Answer 5

My recommendation for you would be Hapkido. Hapkido is a Korean Martial Art and my Instructor is grandmaster Seo, In Sun of the World KIDO Federation.
With Hapkido, you don't kick high and you don't do the sporting aspect such as TKD does.
If you need more help contact me from my web site at:
http://www.sungjado.org

Dr. George Petrotta, 8th Dan Hapkido

Answer 6

Tai-Chi will definitely improve your flexibility and quite likely your football playing just as an added benefit. But as a fighting style, I do not think it will move you.

For a more active martial art, in addition to the Tai-Chi you can study Kung Fu. These Chinese arts teach us to be much more flexible than we know ourselves to be. They are not hard martial arts, they are soft styles. Might be a perfect balance for you.

Answer 7

Judo.

A lot of ex-football players go into Judo like Rhadi Ferguson who went to the Olympics in Greece.

Answer 8

Hap Kia Do it is a good fightingstyle for all sizes it is more intense than TKD but is a lot of fun

Answer 9

Tai Chi

Answer 10

im like obese. very overweight, but my kicks do fine O_O u could do some stretching everyday for 20mins.