Deelishus_Weenie said:
Sounds like you're coming at it from the same angle I did. You're a (self confessed and proud!) skinny guy, so 'get in shape' means 'gain muscle' rather than 'lose body fat'. If you've not done a lot of hardcore physical exercise before, I'd recommend starting on taichi and chikung.

The slow movements will give you ample opportunity to become aware of exactly what your body can and cant do, and will build up the small muscles for a nice sort of overall fitness. It's really easy to wind up holding your back the wrong way, or tensing up muscles you aren't actually using. I'm not, like, trying to hang crap on you... but if you were sedentary like I was before I started on karate (and subsequently tore a muscle in my groin), you might not have a good idea of the 'best' way to move your body around. Like learning to walk again after a stroke... sort of.

Hit the nail on the head. I'll start chikung and go from there. Do I have to quit smoking to be an effective martial artist?

Er... of course, if you read my profile you'll see I'm a lunatic taichi fanboy, so it's not like you should just follow all (or any of) my advice. I would recommend some kind of free-flowing sport too, like skateboarding, parkour, rockclimbing etc. That way you won't get too tied down to technique and wind up doing yourself an injurious disservice by, like, overworking certain bits.

Yeah and krav maga is awesome city. Both it and taichi will totally appeal to your aversion to gimmicks.

BlackHive

Philadelphia, PA

January 2004

JUN 12, 2005 11:14 AM

SirPsychoSexy said:

That reminds me of THIS.

Deelishus_Weenie

Australia

June 2005

JUN 12, 2005 03:18 PM

Uhm... I had one cigar in my life, and I'm a pretty crappy martial artist, so it might even work the other way.

Depends on how much you smoke, re how much of a gain you'd get from giving up. I always tell people to give up smoking, though. It'd certainly help for the some of the faster chikung - it's not like it's all just calisthenics and anaerobic stuff. urr.. but you don't, you know, HAVE to.

Slander

Dayton, OH

May 2004

JUN 12, 2005 08:58 PM

Before you look into any martial art, I'd suggest you just build yourself an exercise program to increase your stamina and to build muscle. This will assist you greatly in the actual martial art you choose. You can take just about any martial art and it will give you conditioning. Some are more intensive on conditioning than others. If you are interested in Tai-Chi, I'd suggest developing a decent kung-fu basis beforehand, if you wish to be serious about the art, or gain any serious benefit from it.

If you're looking at martial arts to be a pleasant diversion and nothing more, pretty much anything that doesn't cost too much will fit your bill.

But if you want it to be a serious pursuit, you're really gonna want to get into shape beforehand. You don't have to, obviously, but it will most certainly benefit you when you hear knees popping and gasping all around you.

Are you a college student? If so, you may find on campus clubs or classes. Sometimes, you may find that the folks teaching martial arts classes for credit or in campus clubs also have off-campus classes, which may be easier on the pocketbook than established schools.

Every art has its strengths and weaknesses, so any recommendation I'd make might be biased. But if forced, i'd suggest boxing or perhaps kickboxing.

imagoldfish

Chicago, IL

April 2003

JUN 12, 2005 09:15 PM

fellacutie said:
I want to learn how not to be the guy passed out in the middle of the bar on too many drugs to count as all my job prospects, love interests, and friends vaporize in slow motion in utter disgust/contempt.

It sounds like you're looking for AA/rehab, not martial arts. But maybe kickboxing is a good place to start developing respect for your body/self. It sounds like you're looking to change your lifestyle - getting in shape is one way of doing that, but taking kickboxing lessons isn't necessarily going to keep you from passing out in the bar - deciding not to pass out in the middle of the bar and sticking to that decision is.

Oracle

Courtenay, BC

September 2003

JUN 12, 2005 09:26 PM

i am a boxer....if done right you will get in serious shape fast...take boxing not boxercise or some crap...REAL BOXING

xmoonpiex

Glendale, CA

November 2002

JUN 14, 2005 10:01 PM

Muay thai.

I literally only say that because it is my style. I lost like 3 inches off my waist in 2 months working out 3-4 times a week. It's all power and a totally out of control workout.

Of course, it maybe doesn't neccesarily always stress the philosophy or whatever. This may be because my Kru doesn't really speak english very well..

And I am a testament that it won't keep you from vomiting in the middle of a club and then threatening to elbow some asshole outside in the face...but I'm in way killer shape and feel like the king of the world.

Don't waste your time with American style kickboxing. Muay thai has boxing, knee strikes, elbows, the strongest kick you find period, coupled with killer defense.

Muay Thai is Damage. It'll make you a monster.

(It should also be coupled with serious meditation. I think that seems to be what you're looking for. I just tend to smoke out after practice...)

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I wanna get in shape FAST!!!!

fellacutie

Portland, OR

July 2003

JUN 12, 2005 09:36 AM