Need Advice on Which Art to Choose

[Jackyl]

Hey guys, I have been looking for a good reality combat / self defense, hand to hand / CQC, no nonsense type of training for myself (23 6' 2" 220lbs.) and my girlfriend of 8 years (21 5' 3" 130 lbs.)

I want to do it mostly for fun / fitness, but also to become a force to recon with. ;) Locally I have found a few "good" options and have been doing my homework on them, however I have been getting mixed answers. I'm hoping you guys can help.

Here is what I have narrowed it down to in my area:
Note: Click on the art for a link to my local provider. Jeff Ford's Muay Thai site is down.

- Jet Kune Do and Jan Fan Gang Fu (http://www.4erasjkd.8k.com/)

- Krav Maga (http://www.kravmagakc.com/)

- Muay Thai (http://www.jefffordkickboxing.com)

I guess Jeff Ford is from, and teaches Muay Thai in my area (Kansas City). So that is definately a plus I'm guessing???

Any advice would be great guys...right now I'm leaning toward Krav Maga, as it seems to be fairly inexpensive and no contracts, while the JKD requires contracts and costs quite a bit more. I really haven't looked into the Muay Thai yet. Thanks guys!!!

[Pacificshore]

Since you have started to look into a couple of the systems you've listed, I will assume you know what they offer. My suggestion is to talk to the instructor, students, etc. for some feedback. Observe the classes and then try some of them out to see what is comfortable to the both of you.

Try not to base it solely on price because like that old saying goes, "you get what you pay for". As far as the contract thing, I will agree I never liked those things.

Good luck, and hope you find what's best fits both your needs:)

[dom]

you need to find an art that is right for you. ha so well you say there are so many arts out there well first off you need an art that fill you mentally spirtualy and phisicaly every art is built for difrent types of bodies if you want it for true street fighting type of self defence due to your size and weight forget mui tai i say you need to go with brazilian jujitsu your girl freid shou go with kung fu du to her size ok but don't ever restrict your self to one form always keep an open mind watch thee other arts and the older peole perform ther lies the tru art of self defence any true martial artist knows this look at buce lee or chuck norris noone whom is famous or a good fighter restrics them self to one form.

[mild7]

well, everyone will have different opinions, myself included.

best thing is to check out the schools themselves.

Personally, I'd recommend the Muay Thai. IMHO, it really gives the most bang for buck when it comes to striking. Being your size, 6'2, I would say you would be pretty effective with it. Train hard!

The dilemma, to me, is going to be your girlfriend. I don't think she would be too comfortable with Muay Thai. And it would be pointless for her to do 'aerobic' muay thai as well, you have to get in the ring and bash the other guy to become good.

My opinion on Krav Maga; depends very much on the school. Quite frankly I'd rather just do Muay Thai and crosstrain in Brazilian jiujitsu for the grappling element. But that is me. I have the same opinion on JKD.

So the simple solution in your case, given the arts you are interested in I would say go with the Muay Thai, go slow with your girlfriend, build up her confidence first in Muay Thai, who knows, she may become quite tough and good at it.

[Sc0tsg1t]

I have to agree with Pacificshore as the most important thing about the martial art class you do (and your subsequent 'prowess' at self-defence) is whether or not you enjoy the class. No matter how effect a style is in certain situations, if you don't like it you won't stick at it. If you don't stick at it you won't get any better at it. Which ever one appeals to you and your girlfriend most (and remember you actually may prefer different styles) have fun. As Tai Chi and Aikido people say, Go Play.

I wish you both all the best in what you finally choose to study.

[Jackyl]

Thanks guys. I took Muay Thai with Jeff Ford for 4 months of hard training. My body needed a break and I have a lot of stuff going on right now so we stopped going about 3 weeks ago, and have joined the local gym for aerobic stuff. My girlfriend ended up doing a lot of aerobic stuff and some aerobic boxing. She lost 3 dress sizes and I lost almost 20 lbs!!! Thanks guys!!!

-AR

[Sc0tsg1t]

Well kids, it seems the moral of this story is that if you follow your heart and enjoy the journey then eventually you'll arrive at your destination.

Buckle up, start the engine and pass the pick-and-mix please.

Thank you for watching and goodnight.