Should I try karate, kung fu or taekwondo?

[RandySF]

I wan to get into martial art but I am trying to decide which one. Being San Francisco, I have a lot of choices. Which ones have you tried?

[VioletLake]

1. I did some Judo once upon a time.

Had no idea when I chose it that it involved wrestling. Got pretty good at it though.

[yankeepants]

2. try ta-ka-pil-lin-chil

sorry I've been drinking.

[MilesColtrane]

3. What's more important to you?

Getting in shape, or learning practical defense?

[RandySF]

4. Both

Both, plus mental discipline.

[MilesColtrane]

5. For pure practical fighting purposes I would choose Jeet Kune Do.

Otherwise I would pick one of the internal arts, Taijiquan, Baguazhang, or Xingyiquan.

These internal kung fu styles concentrate on breathing, movement, and forms, all related to developing your chi.

If you're more into just wanting to spar and hit somebody, go to a dojo.

[sakabatou]

6. There are very few Jeet Kune Do dojos

Kenpo might be a better bet.

[MilesColtrane]

7. Dr. Zee Lo was a student of Dan Inosanto.

He runs a JKD kwoon in San Fran.

http://www.learningguidenetwork.com/index.cfm?fa=show.school&pid=100532

He's also a certified acupuncturist and is the author of textbook, “Traditional Chinese Acupuncture and Herbology,
for Physicians”.

[sakabatou]

8. Interesting

But I don't think it'd be good for me. Injuries and all.

[MilesColtrane]

9. Tai Chi is very good if you have rusty joints.

Many Tai Chi instructors don't teach the "fighting" aspect of the form, instead focusing on the posture and breathing when doing the forms slowly.

[sakabatou]

10. I'll look into it

[tigereye]

15. but the push-hands and other aspects of the tai chi form have a lot to offer

for defense and reading an opponent, balance, focus, etc.




I myself prefer the "softer" martial arts, but to each his own.

[IDemo]

11. Consider taking a look at Kenpo

One of the best for real world self defense, trademarked by its extremely rapid hand movements.

[taught_me_patience]

12. Shotokan Karate.

Very useful martial art because it focuses on strikes with the fist. It is not that fun and will be quite boring for a long time.

Taekwondo is completely useless in a real fight because it is mostly kicking. It's easy to get hurt with kicks too.

[JeffersonChick]

13. How about aikido?

I've heard great things about it.

[Kaleva]

14. krav maga

[old mark]

16. If you want strength try kung fu or karate..If you want self defense, look elsewhere.

I learned hand to hand fighting in the Army many years ago, and for many decades since then for self defense, I carry a gun...


mark

[HopeHoops]

17. My wife (3rd) and kids (all 2nd) are blackbelts in Tang Soo Do - cool form.

Good mix of physical and mental training with a variety of weapons, breaking and sparring.

[Joe Fields]

18. I studied tang soo do for two years and loved it.

Had a great master. Gave it up when I had shoulder surgery.

[mythology]

19. Capoeira

It's a great workout that increase flexibility and quickness and in the roda after training you really have to think quickly to keep the game flowing and avoid getting hit/injured. While a number of the moves are just for show, there's a lot that's good for self defense as well.

It is sometimes rough on the knees and ankles and there's definitely a steep learning curve when you start out particularly if you have a larger frame or aren't flexible.

[unpossibles]

20. I liked kung fu, and specifically shuai chiao

it's defensive (throws, arm bars, trips, etc) and mostly how to "convince" someone to not fight you as quickly and painless as possible by making them look kind of stupid. Like Judo but less of a sport and more practical, and basically applied Tai Chi. That "brushes the horses mane" move is really "messing up the dude's arm"

I studied Taekwondo and Judo before this one, but liked it the best. And yes I've actually had to use it a couple of times and it did stop the fight faster than just punching someone, which generally makes them want to hit you back. Easily putting them on the ground with their arm stuck in your arms tends to make them give up.

[Lasher]

21. I've tried karate and taekwondo.

Generally speaking, there's not much difference between the two.

[wickerwoman]

22. Everyone I've spoken to said don't do taekwondo.

Other than that, I guess it depends on what you want to do it for. Self-defense? Fitness? Competitive sport?

Tai chi is great for fitness, especially if you're not already in great shape or have health issues.

I did krav maga for about a year and it was great for self-defense.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krav_maga

Competitive? I guess it depends on what style is attractive to you. It probably depends on your body type and would be worth researching which style suits you individually.

Most schools will let you sit in on a class for free. Might be worth trying a few different places before you commit to one.

[OmahaBlueDog]

23. American Kenpo (nt)

[mzteris]

24. Kung fu

if it's a "good school".

Though I guess a lot depends on why you want to take it. Exercise? Mental? Self-defense? Hobby, sport, competition?

Visit several different schools of each style. Visit them more than once on different days, different instructors (if they have them). Talk to people, find how how long they've been there.

Once you've decided which "style" resonates more with you, then visit several different schools of "that style" - because just because they're the same style doesn't mean they're even remotely similar!

Don't believe ANY bs about "black belts" in 60 days or anything of the sort.

DO NOT LET ANYONE PRESSURE YOU INTO SIGNING UP THAT DAY. Here's a hint - do NOT take your credit card or your checkbook with you on your visits. Leave them at home.

In fact, if you can find a school that is NON-CONTRACT - pick that over any "contract school". It means they're probablly doing it because they love what they do, not because it's a "business". (Although just because they have a contract doesn't necessarily make them a "bad school".)

Take any "free classes" offered. Try to negotiate for a "week's worth" or three visits or something like that.

Also - a friend of mine used to go the local parks and "donate a gift" to the teacher - which was never required. Very informal situation. But some very very good teachers - the old Chinese guys who want to pass on their lineage and there purely for the love of it.