I would avoid anyone who has a black belt in Muay Thai kickboxingI would avoid anyone that referred to themselves as Master, full stop
which martial art... help
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Is it common place in Muay Thai to refer to yourself as Master?
Sry guys for the delay responding
I have near me these martial arts:
Aikido
Taekwond
Jiu jitsu
Boxing
MMA
KaratƩ Goju Ryu
Krav Maga
thx alot guys
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ShortBridge
3rd Black Belt
Well, I still think the best answer still depends on a lot more than just your height and weight, but let me suggest a few things, all with a lot of caaveats, since we don't know anything about the quality or tone of any of those specific schools.
Boxing is likely to be a very good workout for you if your primary objective is fitness and some usable skills at the bus stop or whatever. Many good boxing gyms have technical fitness programs now for people not aspiring to compete and this might be a good choice for you. However, if you want to compete in boxing, short and heavy is really not a good combination. Your weight will position you against really fit people of the same weight, probably with longer arms. But, if it's training you're after, I wouldn't let that stop you.
(again with a lot of assumptions)
MMA will also be very physical and could be that amazing workout you're looking for to get into shape. It also will expose you to a lot of different tactics and techniques, more quickly than classical style like Goju Ryu is likely do. You may or may not find it to be a friendly and supportive environment for someone starting out and trying to get into shape. It depends on things that I can't possibly know, you'd need to visit.
Jiu Jitsu is a good workout and could be pretty practical. Judo was a good suggestion that someone made earlier, some of the reasons they made that suggestion may also apply to Jiu Jitsu. It is VERY different in every way from most other things on that list. You're going to have to visit it and a contrasting number of the others to know whether it appeals to you or not.
Krav Maga can be a really effective way to train. In my observation is that there is a vast inconstancy among Krav Maga schools, you'd need to visit and find out what they are doing and whether it appeals to you. I can't make any other generalizations that you couldn't come to on your own by reading up and watching some videos, but they're all somewhat irrelevant, because you have an opportunity to visit and observe THAT particular club, which is all that really matters to you.
I don't want to talk trash about any style, I think most all of them are right for someone. That said, I generally wouldn't suggest Tae Kwon Do for someone self described as short and heavy. It's best for athletic and flexible people with long legs (for what my opinion is worth).
Aikido is very different than the other things on this list. They tend to be very supportive environments meant for anyone and everyone and that might be comfortable to you. It is a system that isn't primary focused on training up fighters quickly. I'm careful not to say "wouldn't work in a real fight" and I don't want to you to read that into it, nor do I want to invite that debate, but it's not why they exist and it's a long term endeavor to pursue competence in Aikido. I find it really appeals to a few personality types, including people with an interest in technical subjects like engineering and math and music. There are a lot of angle and vectors and it is fun and fascinating. It also appeals to people who want martial arts training, but do not consider themselves violent people. It is absolutely the right choice for some people, can't say if you're one or not. Visit, observe and talk with the sensei. It's probably not going to whip you into shape, but it will get you moving and might center you around some good habits that do lead to some positive changes.
Goju Ryu is a classical Okinawan karate system. A friend of mine is a respected teacher and I'm happy to ask him for you if they have a body type, I suspect he'll say no. Much harder (stronger) than Aikido and the training is different though they come from similar parts of the world are share some cultural commonality. It too is a multi-year/lifetime endeavor and has to be something you love. I've trained with my friend and his teacher and students a bit. It's not for me, but I would not want to get in the way of their fists or feet. Like Aikido, training won't be tailored to you or focused on immediate practicality, but that's not the same as saying it doesn't work. It's just a different and longer term approach. Visit, observe and ask questions. I kind of doubt it's going to be fitness oriented, but they do train hard and it might be good step for you.
With all of these schools, but especially the classical styles, your training and your relationship starts with how you approach them and how you engage in your visit or dialogue. This isn't like buying a car or renting an apartment. Show them deference and respect and decide later how you really feel. You never know who you are starting a lifetime relationship with. You only have one chance to get off on the right foot.
There's a saying "when the student is ready, the teacher will appear".
Good luck, I hope something I said helps.
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ballen0351
Sr. Grandmaster
Goju Ryu everyone knows it's the best ever...Just kidding I love Goju but the best bet is make time to stop by a few or all of them if you have time. See how the school runs, talk to the teachers see if you get along better with one vs another. Try a few classes out see how the other students interact. If we suggest 1 style and you show up and the teachs just a jerk then you won't enjoy your time there. A lot of picking a class or style is where you fit in
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Spinedoc
Brown Belt
I would agree with ShortBridges interpretation with the exception of Aikido not getting you in shape. It will, but it will be slower. Once you advance, depending on how you workout, you can really get quite a workout in. I often end drenched in sweat, and feeling exhausted...but I tend to practice hard.
ShortBridge
3rd Black Belt
I'm sure that I dismissively mis-characterized a lot of things in my run down. My ignorance, not intended disrespect.
We train pretty hard, too hard for a lot of people and frankly harder than I think is productive sometimes. But honestly it's never really gotten me INTO shape. I've lost 22 pounds since the end of October, but it was through diet and exercise away from my club. The stuff I do there certainly helps and for people trying to get into shape and/or lose weight; movement helps, consistency helps, standing at your desk can help, I'm told. To lose significant weight and build muscle tone, for me anyways, requires diet and very consistent high calorie burning actives coupled with some strength training.
You're more likely to get that in a ring sports oriented style than a classical style...I opine. But, it comes back to, visit the clubs and see what they do. Much more valuable than my generalizations.
We train pretty hard, too hard for a lot of people and frankly harder than I think is productive sometimes. But honestly it's never really gotten me INTO shape. I've lost 22 pounds since the end of October, but it was through diet and exercise away from my club. The stuff I do there certainly helps and for people trying to get into shape and/or lose weight; movement helps, consistency helps, standing at your desk can help, I'm told. To lose significant weight and build muscle tone, for me anyways, requires diet and very consistent high calorie burning actives coupled with some strength training.
You're more likely to get that in a ring sports oriented style than a classical style...I opine. But, it comes back to, visit the clubs and see what they do. Much more valuable than my generalizations.
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drop bear
Sr. Grandmaster
I would put that as an element to ignore rather than avoid. There are legitimate schools do have belt systems.
drop bear
Sr. Grandmaster
Kru. Is generally the title they use. And yes you can get them from dodgy sources.
Just to add to this...kruu is the Thai word for teacher. There is another term, ajarn, that refers to "higher" level teachers such as high school/college and is more akin to the word "professor". Most Thai schools that I've seen stick to kruu.
