In an effort to not get beaten up I've decided to take up some form of martial art or boxing activity.

My requiremenets are that the location I can train needs to be around the city centre as I have no car and not much time to be catching the bus here, there and everywhere. They also need to be able to accept complete beginner's with the fitness level of an 80 year old asthmatic with heart difficulties and be relativly cheap.

I'm up for anything really: boxing, kickboxing tae kwon do etc. Just needs to fulfill the above requirements...

Cheers guys and girls!

can i presume from the user name that you're a student? Which university are you at.

Both universities have several martial arts clubs, why don't you look into them and give them a go, try a range of them out and you should find one which suits you.

any1 that does martial arts will just recommend whatever style they are doing..

i think ju-jitsu is best for self defence as it deals with more situations you would get in on the streets and how to re-act.


:D but im biased and i'm doing just what i said others would haha

as for clubs appart from the universities as cyclone mentioned. there is a place on london road thats pretty close to town centre.


failing that try this link

http://www.touchsheffield.com/dir/dirsrch.cfm/1253

Originally posted by MTheo
any1 that does martial arts will just recommend whatever style they are doing..

i think ju-jitsu is best for self defence as it deals with more situations you would get in on the streets and how to re-act.


:D but im biased and i'm doing just what i said others would haha

as for clubs appart from the universities as cyclone mentioned. there is a place on london road thats pretty close to town centre.


failing that try this link

http://www.touchsheffield.com/dir/dirsrch.cfm/1253

clearly not true as i avoided mentioning my club or even my style...
some people will realise that their art isn't the right one for everyone.

Sounds like you need a semi-contact class. There are several strains of tae-kwon-do so avoid WTF if you don't fancy being kicked black and blue. TAGB include more hand moves in their style than WTF do, and if I take the sport up again I think it'll be with GTF and Kim Stones coz they do 'tasters' of other styles too, but I think his club is only in Doncaster.

Tai chi is reputedly good for self defence and doesn't include throwing youself about alot!!

Originally posted by Strix

Tai chi is reputedly good for self defence and doesn't include throwing youself about alot!! [/B]

Think it depends what you mean by "throwing yourself about a lot" we try to avoid going to ground but have no aversion to putting someone else there. I think you'll find our freestyle moving step push hands requires you to throw yourself around a fair amount.

But i should say many thanks Strix for the recognition as a martial art.

Anyway choosing a martial art for you depends on at least two things. I think you need to know what you want to do it for(ie self defence, sport, health, confidence, focus) and then you need to know what you like in an art. With this in mind you can looking into an art and judge whether the system has aspects which will keep you satisfied and motivated in the long run.

To be honest the finding out what you like is the really hard bit. You may have to try a few before you find the one for you. Give em a go. Make sure you find a good teacher for each one you try.

Neil

1st
I think Cyclone is Wright in saying both.
>Clearly not true as I avoided mentioning my club or even my style...
>Some people will realise that their art isn't the right one for everyone.
Hi is one of the least biast people I have spoken to on the net. (Well apart from when it comes to Self Defence) never mind that bit private joke He He.

2nd
A little advice DO NOT UNDER ANY CURCUMSTANCES SIGN UP ON A CONTRACT FOR CLASSES.
I have to agree with what n_tomo put.
>To be honest the finding out what you like is the really hard bit. You may have to try a few before you find the one for you. Give em a go. Make sure you find a good teacher for each one you try.


Dave
www.moifa.20m.com

i only became aware recently of people teaching using this contract style.

I'd definitely stay away from it. Ideally you should be able to try at least the first session for free and after that paying per session allows you to be flexible. That said, i've paid in the past for a term at a time at uni as there was a discount available. I'd already been training for several years though, so i wasn't about to change my mind.

Try street techniques.
It's a form of martial arts hich is very effective in the prevention of attacks. You can learn stuff like how to break someones wrists, leg and knock them unconscious without punching them! lol.

Try going into the central library in town. In there you can get print outs of various Sheffield martial arts clubs with their address' and contact no's on (well, they did two or three years ago and I'm pretty sure they still do). Then, as some of the other replies have said, it's just a matter of working your way through them until you find one that suits you. Good luck and keep trying, there's something out there for everyone.

littleidea Do you do Wing Chun by any chance??? if so where and with who??? If you dont mind me asking.

Dave
www.moifa.20m.com

I did Shotokan karate as a child, Tie boxing and Kick boxing as a teenager and Boxing as a teenager/ twenty something.

For close contact such as nightclubs etc... I would definatly go with Boxing. You simply do not have the time to start kicking people when you are being attacked in a crowded place.

A close second comes Tie boxing or 'MuiThai' as it is sometimes referred to. With enough space it can be devastating.

I did not take to Karate really. I think it had something to do with not being able to bash people.

These are only my opinions and as i never stayed in any of them for too long (Boxing was the longest one and that was only 2 years or so in total) i may not be qualified to give proper advice.

My spelling may also be wrong on a few things!

PS. The last gym i went to was The Don Valley Sporting Acadamy. It is just behind Don valley stadium in a working mens club. It is a 4or5 minuite walk from the tram stop at the technology park.

like a lot of people have said go and have a look,Decide what you want to train for, I.E self defence, sport, keep fit, talk to the Instructor, watch a class, then try it, infact try a few classes dont sign a contract, also you may have to travel to find a good class, just because a class is two minutes away from you, wont make it any better than one that is bus or tram ride away. at one time i was traveling 100 miles to train but that was one on one.Infact i have been known to travel to the USA just to train LOL. when you find what you like its worth making the effort.
Good luck in your search.

Mark

Originally posted by vidster
For close contact such as nightclubs etc... I would definatly go with Boxing. You simply do not have the time to start kicking people when you are being attacked in a crowded place.

A close second comes Tie boxing or 'MuiThai' as it is sometimes referred to. With enough space it can be devastating.


Thai boxing (Muay Thai) would actually be much more effective in close contact than Western boxing. Boxing is all on the back foot and the aim is to dodge punches. Thai boxing is all on the front foot, with just as much hand work as boxing, but also with elbows (I'm talking close contact weapons, not including the feet/shins).

And I've done both. Kickboxing I wouldn't even put in the same league as the 2! It's much more of a "self defense" sport, rather than a "combat" sport.

Hi GazB

Getting off the subject of what class and how to pick a club for a moment.

Just a quick question and I don’t mean this in a bad way as I have mentioned before that I wouldn’t want to get into a fight with a Thai boxing (Muay Thai) and I have the utmost respect for there training both in self defence and the ring. But isn’t Thai boxing becoming more of a sport these days or is that just what is put across in the Magazines??? I only know of a couple of places in the Uk that deal with the Self-defence side more than they do the Ring Side. I would be interested in seeing some Traditional Muay Thai Self Defence how is it different from the Ringside of things???

Once more I don’t mean any disrespect from this.


Dave
www.moifa.20m.com

Hi Dave, good guess. I train under Sifu William Lai. He used to teach at the Chinese community centre on London Rd, but he's just moved away from Sheffield.

Originally posted by GazB
Thai boxing (Muay Thai) would actually be much more effective in close contact than Western boxing. Boxing is all on the back foot and the aim is to dodge punches. Thai boxing is all on the front foot, with just as much hand work as boxing, but also with elbows (I'm talking close contact weapons, not including the feet/shins).

And I've done both. Kickboxing I wouldn't even put in the same league as the 2! It's much more of a "self defence" sport, rather than a "combat" sport.

The weight is on the back foot initially. However any decent boxer is able to switch weight from front to back foot or vice versa immediately, this is what makes their punches devastating with both hands. Boxing styles are tailored to peoples build. I speak as a veteran with of over 90 competitive amateur bouts. My own style with me been shorter than many opponents was relentless inside work with punishing attacks consisting of short hooks/uppercuts mixing attack to both head and body.

Check out www.krav-maga.org.uk or there is a Krav-maga class starting at The Source at Meadowhall Way Sheffield on 7th January 7-8..30pm . The tram stops right outside. First lesson free.

DaveB
youre totally wrong
kickboxing IS a combat sport, then again it depends on who ahs taught you kickboxing?
Was it taught by an actual kickboxer?
or some karate or kung fu guy trying to make a quick buck on the back of kickboxing???

In reply to your questions student sheff:
1. Near City Centre???

Wellington Street Boxing gym (near me local, the devonshire cat &corporation nightclub)
thats in the city centre!!!
(also means a quick pint after kickboxing :P LOL)

2. combat sport?
Kickboxing if taught properly is a combat sport for example we use a boxing gym facilites.Weve got a boxing ring , punch bags, loads of pads and stuff.
And if your good enough they even let you do sparring in the ring and the trainer holds pads for you to correct your guard and your boxing combos and stuff.
And whats most fun is he puts on this belly pad and lets you kick him !

Oh and DaveB , they enter full contact figths (well some of the lads do, i dont , im not hard/brave/stupid/ugly enough :P)

Originally posted by Freddylee
DaveB
youre totally wrong
kickboxing IS a combat sport, then again it depends on who ahs taught you kickboxing?
Was it taught by an actual kickboxer?
or some karate or kung fu guy trying to make a quick buck on the back of kickboxing???

In reply to your questions student sheff:
1. Near City Centre???

Wellington Street Boxing gym (near me local, the devonshire cat &corporation nightclub)
thats in the city centre!!!
(also means a quick pint after kickboxing :P LOL)

2. combat sport?
Kickboxing if taught properly is a combat sport for example we use a boxing gym facilites.Weve got a boxing ring , punch bags, loads of pads and stuff.
And if your good enough they even let you do sparring in the ring and the trainer holds pads for you to correct your guard and your boxing combos and stuff.
And whats most fun is he puts on this belly pad and lets you kick him !

Oh and DaveB , they enter full contact figths (well some of the lads do, i dont , im not hard/brave/stupid/ugly enough :P)

Excuse me for asking Freddy, but you've recommended this particular kickboxing club a few times now, yet, according to the website, what is taught there is actually a blend of martial arts (despite the 'kickboxing' name). so are you advocating kickboxing in its (shall we say) 'pure' form, or rather the specific blend and club to which you refer?

in answer to your question Anvil
how many fo sheffields kickboxing clubs compete in full contact kickboxing?
and im talking proper full contact bouts not those patehtic excuses of figths that are only staged between different branches of the same club (mentioning no association)

the guys at the sheffield kickboxing club on the website compete in both Full contact (american kicboxing)= long pants and boots , kicks above belt
as well as in thaiboxing (in shorts without boots)

If you doubt wether or not what we do is proper kickboxing , then why dont you come and see for yourself?

Originally posted by Freddylee

how many fo sheffields kickboxing clubs compete in full contact kickboxing?


Full contact kickboxing... as in, tap each other on the forehead (wearing headguard) then legging it to claim a point? Think I'd prefer boxercise :hihi: (Just pulling your leg).

To the original poster:
Obviously I'm gunna say Wicker Camp doing Muay Thai would be the best, but I'm biased :)

I've also had good feedback from people about JKD at Source, Meadowhall with jay_kd from the forum, as well as Lau Gar Kung Fu with Adrian Abdulla.

GazB

Gaz B
tapping someone on the forehead is SEMI contact point fighting Nothing at all to do with kickboxing
Even though a lot of clubs sell that semi contact point fighting "tag playing " rubbish as "kickboxing"

Really though wicker camp is THE best for Muay thai.
But as for Full contact kickboxing Gaz B :
Full contact involves using ALL boxing punches to face and body (most full contact matches are without headguard unless its in the amateur tournament )
as well as full powered kicks to body and head. There is no reason why a thai boxer should not be able to compete in kickboxing full contact fights.
Personally i rate Jay-Kd at the source i have trained there in the past.
Lau Gar , i have reserved judgment on simply because of the "tapping them on the headguard then legging it to claim a point " stuff
LOL
But then again different strokes for different folks
Again id prefer boxercise to point/touch/tag sparring

Originally posted by Freddylee
in answer to your question Anvil
how many fo sheffields kickboxing clubs compete in full contact kickboxing?
and im talking proper full contact bouts not those patehtic excuses of figths that are only staged between different branches of the same club (mentioning no association)

the guys at the sheffield kickboxing club on the website compete in both Full contact (american kicboxing)= long pants and boots , kicks above belt
as well as in thaiboxing (in shorts without boots)

If you doubt wether or not what we do is proper kickboxing , then why dont you come and see for yourself?

Freddy

i have no idea how many of Sheffield's kickboxing clubs compete in full kickboxing, how many are there?

i don't doubt the ability of anyone at the club, indeed i'm aware of the chief instructors ability as we have a mutual acquaintance, however it does say on the website that they teach a blend of boxing, muay thai, jui-jitsu and tkd, which, having witnessed some kickboxing fights at concorde sport centre, would have been a lot more appealing to myself. are you saying that this is not the case and it is 'pure' (for a want of a better word) kickboxing that is taught, or is the website correct and it is indeed the blend specified?

1. mutual aqcuaintance? so you know someone who knows Farhad ? I know he holds a title in some sort of full contact kickboxing i.e. one that allows kicks to the legs and i know that he beat a thaiboxer for it.
2. Concorde Sports centre EMA tournament is a bad joke and little or nothing to do with Full Contact kickboxing. The EMA tournament is all on mats i.e. not in a ring, there is no rounds everything is done in 1 min and 30 secs (which to me shows no test of stamina) .
Full Contact Fights are 3 rounds of 2 minutes in a boxing ring just like in a thaiboxing show.
I have no idea why tournaments like what you mentioend have the cheek to call themselves anything to do with kickboxing.

3. what is taught :
Well Farhad is a kickboxer and he is always quick to point this out . But since he ahs also trained in Taekwondo and we have also had a fair few Taekwondo black belts grace us with their prescence, hes very quick to "steal" certain tricks off them. As for Muay Thai there has always been a heavy Muay Thai influence on the club , but that would be due to Andy Marlow passing a lot on to Farhad.Also due to Farhads links with Sandy Holt (www.thaiboxing.co.uk).
The Ju jitsu element i.e. the ground grappling is always down to A guy we have called Sajad whos only a little fella but he cant half grapple! In fact, on monday we concentrated mainly on Groundwork and how to escape from someone trying to take you down! Obviously Farhad took a back seat and let sajad do all the work :P

4. Pure full contact kickboxing
A large portion of the time is spent on Bagwork (boxing style) padwork on the thaipads and focus mitts oh yeha and then theres those focus mitts which him and milad (the younger trainer) hit you back with!!! You dont keep your guard up you get smacked theyre kinda like a focus mitt with a boxing glove all in one.
Oh yeah and then theres sparring. You can either do light sparring with the less experienced people or Full power sparring against the fighters (obviously you dont get me sparring with full contact figthers im too pretty for that ****!)

Pop in and have a look mate