TKD's Only Please.

[Aw-De-Oh]

Hey all,

I'm not trying to resurrect the 'which Art is the best' conflict, rather, looking for anyone who's done TKD, and can give me some idea of what I'm in for. I'm looking to take it up partially for the cardio/fitness side of it, partially for the Art side of it, and partially because it's an impressive style to me, and I'd love to learn it. What can I expect when I start, given I'll be going there with a serious attitude to learn, not mess about?

I guess it'll be different for everyone, but it'd be good if anyone could tell me what kinda timeframes i'm looking at for being able to throw some impressive kicks, getting the flexibility, etc. Also any other thoughts people have about it.

I do want to learn it partially for the self defense and discipline as well, thought it's not a priority, but I've thought about also taking up something more practical in a streetfighting sense once I've got a base in TKD.

[Griffin]

Very good for fitness. I been doing it for 2 1/2 years and i'm a blue belt now (just red to go then black). you'll find it hard at first physically, unless you're used to that sort of thing, but after a couple of months you'll be right into it.

[Tuga]

Hey there!
Glad to know you're taking up martial arts for fitness training.
I've trained tae kwon do myself, so I'd not be bull****ting you if I said tkd is a great form of training your fitness and your flexibility.
Although people say tkd is good as a self defence art, I find it difficult unless you are experienced in sparring (because its a high kicking art)
But as I was saying expect a lot of flexibility work, leg drills.
If you are not sure about your lesson, go for a look, look at the master, see if he is an a** hole, or if he is proper. Because you dont need to put up with insane whackos!

Go for a month or two, by then Im sure you will know what you want.
If you also want to look into fitness, try muay thai, aka thai boxing... that is the fitness supreme art... especially if it is very traditional

Hope it Helps
:thumbup:

[CrazyR]

you have to find the style that suits you and your body type

tkd has an emphasis on kicks that doesnt appeal to me and that doesn't suit me because i suck at the flexibility required for them

try or watch a few different forms and get a better idea... at the end of the day enjoyment has to be number one otherwise you'll be less likely to stick at it

[Tuga]

Hey Aw-De-Oh,
wondering if you took up TKD or not

[Griffin]

Originally Posted by CrazyR

you have to find the style that suits you and your body type

tkd has an emphasis on kicks that doesnt appeal to me and that doesn't suit me because i suck at the flexibility required for them

try or watch a few different forms and get a better idea... at the end of the day enjoyment has to be number one otherwise you'll be less likely to stick at it

People always go on about TKD just being kicking techniques. It's rubbish, there are far more hand techniques to learn than kicks. Far more.

[Tuga]

One thing is having more techniques in hands then legs, it doesnt mean you emphasize on them though.
See a proper tae kwon do sparring match.
Youll see how they usually stand quite far from eachother (compared to other arts like kungfu/karate), and they usually use kicks rather than hands, because a lot of the time, tae kwon do, is practiced as a sport, and as a sport its easier to get points from it....

[Griffin]

If all you do is kicks you'll be beaten easily.

[Tuga]

...its really pointless to talk to discuss with people that know nothing whatsoever in martial arts... like griffin's post...

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Topic Review (Newest First)
Posted by Griffin - Yesterday at 11:47 PM
If all you do is kicks you'll be beaten easily.

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i didnt say all u do was kick, i say if practiced as a sport, you will emphasize more on kicks, but then if you know, a proper kick will kill a person a lot easier than a punch will

[Griffin]

Originally Posted by Tuga

...its really pointless to talk to discuss with people that know nothing whatsoever in martial arts... like griffin's post...


i didnt say all u do was kick, i say if practiced as a sport, you will emphasize more on kicks, but then if you know, a proper kick will kill a person a lot easier than a punch will

That is true, all I'm saying is too much is made of the kicks in TKD often. Yes they are very important but I dont think that matters, I do ITF TKD and we put just as much emphysis on patterns as we do on sparring. I actually prefer the patterns, and there are far more hand techniques in them than I suppose you use in sparring.

All I'm trying to say is it isnt all kicking, I just get frustrated when people say it is, cos it's not at all.

[Tuga]

And I know it isn't
And ITF aint in the olympics is it? whereas wtf is.
you see where im going :P

[Aw-De-Oh]

Sorry to post then leave it so long guys, been busy.

I haven't taken up TKD yet, but I will be soon. I'm definitely getting there with the fatloss, I'm also going to the chiropractor to fix my sciatica in my lower back. The guy's really into yoga and fitness. I'm really keen to be doing running, lifting, and some sort of stretching (possibly yoga) to cover everything physically, and using TKD as another outlet. I'll get there, I've just got alot on. One goal at a time - first to lose the fat, then to get the muscles going again, then to feel healthy, then to get the sh*t kicked outta me in TKD for a few months till I get a bit better.

I thought it'd come down to a debate about kicks and punches. After seeing the fight in town tonight between a couple of drunks, I don't think there'd be anything in TKD that WOULDN'T have one me that fight, except bowing to the opponent. I'm not too concerned either way, I'd like to learn allround fighting, but all in all, I just wanna learn a martial art.

I'll keep you all posted.

[Tuga]

It all how you apply the martial art you know,
First of all you gotta be confident to apply it in the streets, if you are sh*t scared I bet you'd give them your money and run away, like anyone would, I would never make a stance and start giving mid section punches know what I mean?
It'll all in your dedication and in the application.
If you do a all rounded art I would recommend you trying muay thai (striking art)

Anyways, keep it up with the fatloss :thumbup:

[Griffin]

Tuga I agree, I reckon I'd still get scared if a fight broke out in the street. Self defense is a good thing to learn as well, it's no good knowing all the kicks if you're getting held by someone and cant get free.

[Tuga]

Yeah tkd probably isnt the best art to use in close encounter combat ...