I realize this may not fit into this category, but I figured it was the best sub-forum to post this in.
I'm a college student and my school offers martial arts classes in the Physical Education department. I'm registering for Fall classes next week and I'm curious to hear your opinions on this. I really wanted to take Judo, but it's not offered this Fall, so here are my options: either Karate (I believe it is Shotokan) or Aikido.
Now, I'm 6' 3" around 240 lbs. I know Aikido is similar (in some aspects) to Judo, but I'm looking for something that is a sport or at the very least something I could use to defend myself and I've heard that it takes several years to be able to defend myself.
So, what would you recommend (and if possible, could you explain why)?
Personaly i would take Shotokan its a good martial art and if or when you take Judo the Karate movements will help to learn Judo techniques easier.
Plus learning Shotokan Karate you will learn to be aggressive and for Judo alot of people arent that aggressive and in comps some people cant stand up to so much aggression.
Also if you want to start Judo start increasing your strength alot, if you are using more than needed strength for a throw then you are doing it wrong and most throws dont require much strength but having good strength means you can use it in comps and Randori etc. to put pressure on them and put them into positions to throw them easier.
It depends on what you want to learn. Aikido isn't going to be a Judo class, because the takedowns are different, and so are the submissions that you learn. Some of the principles are the same, but the techniques are different.
Karate is always interesting and, if your not really in shape, it will definitely do that for you. It is probably a good place to start if you are looking at a potential career in MMA, or at least having a few fights.
It depends on what you want to learn. Aikido isn't going to be a Judo class, because the takedowns are different, and so are the submissions that you learn. Some of the principles are the same, but the techniques are different.
Karate is always interesting and, if your not really in shape, it will definitely do that for you. It is probably a good place to start if you are looking at a potential career in MMA, or at least having a few fights.
I might want to fight in some amateur MMA fights down the road, but what I really want is something to be able to defend myself if attacked.
I was thinking about doing the Karate because since I'm tall (like I said, 6' 3") and have long limbs, striking seems like it would fit my body type easily. I am out of shape though (but I'm working on it).
you should go with the shotokan for the reasons mentioned above and because while it wont really teach you to effectively defend yourself on the street it will teach you some movements and the aggression that will help you to learn how. Once judo is available you should take it for sure.
btw what college do you go to? My college offers all the same ones and i think the scheduling is the saem (judo not being next fall).
__________________ Favorite Fighters
Anderson Silva (MW)
Randy Couture (HW)
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson (LHW)
Roger Huerta (LW)
Karo Parisyan (WW)
you should go with the shotokan for the reasons mentioned above and because while it wont really teach you to effectively defend yourself on the street it will teach you some movements and the aggression that will help you to learn how. Once judo is available you should take it for sure.
btw what college do you go to? My college offers all the same ones and i think the scheduling is the saem (judo not being next fall).
I think that I'm going to take Shotokan Karate on Monday nights. The thing I don't like is that it is only 1 time a week, so it won't be the best training, but it's a start and a way for me to get into better shape for when they offer Judo (or if I decide to go to an actual dojo).
@Spartan42: I attend Northern Illinois University.
I've done both, and trained Aikido quite a bit (3-5 times per week for 4 years), and I'd say you should do shotokan karate. Aikido might have some benefits if you did it intensely, but once a week is useless. Shotokan karate isn't very practical, but it is good for learning how to snap your punches and put your body into into your punches. You can start to learn some basic kicking techniques. Unlike Aikido, you can practice a bit on your own, so you can improve a bit even with training only once a week.
I forgot, there is also a Shotokan Karate club, which I'd have to pay for but I don't know how much it is. It meets 2 or 3 times a week. There is also a TaeKwonDo/Hapkido club too. Although, there is a fee for that too (and I don't know how much it is). I did a few weeks of Hapkido at a community college but had to quit because my plantar fasciitis made it incredibly hard to do anything. But I've been working out since I've come to my current school (since August of '06) and my feet feel tons better so I think I'm ready to take an art, without the pain in my feet. I might do TKD (they don't offer a gym class of it) in the spring (by joining the club) if Shotokan Karate goes according to plan.
Is Shotokan a good gateway to Kyokushin? I'd like to do Kyokushin eventually (no place trains it by my school) and was wondering if Shotokan would be a good gateway into it (I would imagine so since they are both Karate, but they may be different focuses). I also hope they offer Judo in spring of '08 too.
Choice between 2 arts; Which would you choose?
Linear Mode
