What's the best martial arts I could easily learn at my age?

Philippines
November 21, 2007 5:45am CST
I'm 22 and have been interested in studying martial arts since I was kid. My mother wouldn't let me go to classes because she'd say it's a sport best left for the males. Now that I could afford to take classes without my parents approval, which do you suggest I study considering I'm not in shape?
1 person likes this
4 responses
@Postrock (270)
• Italy
21 Nov 07
Hi. Every kind of sport of martial art you would chose to practice is fine, even if you arent very fit as of now. Its not like you will be teached advanced aerial kicks at your first lesson. So dont be afraid even if your not yet in shape. If i had to suggest ONE thing to do that would be Capoeira, it is just so great, fun and it makes you very strong, not to mention it uses every part of your body, so when you will start being good at it all your body muscles will be strong. I started while i had not done any sports in years and frankly my body was terribly weak, now i'm just fine. Also lots of people think that Capoeira is a dance and not a fight, that's wrong, Capoeira is a fight in wich you can chose if hit or not hit your opponent. I highly suggest you try it, it changed my life!
2 people like this
• Philippines
21 Nov 07
Thanks for the response! I heard of Capoeira. It's gaining popularity here in the Philippines. I'll read more into it and try looking for places that offer lessons for Capoeira. Thanks again!
1 person likes this
@Postrock (270)
• Italy
21 Nov 07
my pleasure dianne, i hope you find a class..cya
1 person likes this
@johndur (3052)
• Pasig, Philippines
3 Jan 08
there is a lot of martial arts that you can easily learn like aikido,karate,judo and taekwondo.but i would recommend for a woman is the judo where you dont need much physical strenght to overthrow an opponent instead you use their strenght against them and it is not that tiring and tedious like the other martial arts available and of course you will need a good presence of mind so you can think of anything while in combat.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
4 Jan 08
Thanks for you response johndur! I noticed that you are from the philippines as well; do you know of any judo classes or groups i could join here in manila?
• United States
23 Jan 08
I recommend Combat Hapkido. No fancy kicks, no brute strength needed, no "forms" to learn. You learn techniques that are practical to self-defense and that can be applied to any age group.
@johndur (3052)
• Pasig, Philippines
24 Jan 08
yeah im from the philippines and also from manila.try to look first in your school if they have some martial arts club to offer i have been a member of Mapua judokas in my college years but i dont know if they are still active until now because that was 10 years ago since my last practice with them.im sure you can find opne there is a lot of martial arts school in manila.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
28 Dec 07
T'ai Chi is a soft form that is very good if you aren't in shape. You should go to a variety of Martial Arts Dojos (studios/workout gyms) in your area and decide which one is best for you. I took Shotokan Karate when I was your age. It half killed me because I wasn't in shape and they had 3 hour work-outs from the start. But I took them because it was non-contact Karate in my area. The self-control, must be able to stop one inch from the person in order to work out with the group, that pushed me to practice that. In a real fight, one inch into the person. Always look for a dojo with people who are respectful, if the instructor says "honey" or "baby" to female students or treats them like second class people, find a different instructor. Most places will let you watch a class or two before you join. Talk to some of the students after class. Also what do you naturally like to do? My Mother used to throw bails of hay as a farm girl and because she had muscles, she had a hard body. She would have naturally been good at Judo. I have always been complemented on my kicking and I have big leg muscles, so the style of Karate I chose had 50% lower and 50% upper body workouts. I got to use my legs more than I would in some other styles and yet improve my strength in the upper half of my body, too. Martial Arts are a big commitment. Sometimes just trying short mini-classes in self-defense in different styles is very important to really decide which is best for you. If you like aerobics, there are cardio-martial arts classes. I, too, was not in shape and wanted to do Martial Arts since I was a kid. I hope you find the best fit for you and that you are very happy. Please let us know what you decide. Every style had soog points. Let us know what you decide.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
28 Dec 07
soog was supposed to be strong and good points
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• Philippines
28 Dec 07
Wow... Thanks for the help... I'll definitely keep all that you've said in mind... I just wish i could find classes nearby. I'm trying to get in shape too so I could have more options... Thanks again!
@Foxfire1875 (2010)
5 Feb 08
I would suggest Krav Maga, it is suitable for anybody regardless of fitness and will get you a lot fitter. It is also good for women as very quickly you will learn to defend yourself, after just one class I felt so confident. Another good thing is that Krav was developed from other martial arts so you kinda learn a lot of different martial arts. Since it is 3 months since you started this discussion have you decided yet.