Newbie help pls

[Saggitarius]

Hey everyone, im new to this forum and also to martial arts.
Can anyone recommend a martial arts for begginners. I have read past posts and they say it depends what you want. Im looking for more mental development. Me and my friend were planning on taking up boxing because it is nearest to us, is that a good idea?

Also i heard that age matters. I am currently 16.

[Chazz]

If you like the mental part go into a Chinese style. Tae Kwon Do and shotokan is a good style for begginners to start.

If you like to just use your arms and you think that you could have good foot work then yeah boxing would be great for you.

[Saggitarius]

Yeah i like to use my arms more, but i would want to use my legs as well. Boxing is great and all, but does it have a mental aspect to it?

[Saz]

All arts have some mental aspect, it depends what you mean by it? What kinda of mental aspect are you looking for?

[Saggitarius]

Heh to be quite honest, im not EXACTLY sure what i mean by that. But i want something that would not only require physical strength but mental strength as well. Such as being able to predict your opponents and counter. In boxing, it seems to me, that the only thing that matters is how powerful you are, (mike tyson.)

[Saz]

I don't know a great deal about boxing, but I think it may have what you are looking for. To do boxing, you'll need to be able to take a punch, and be mentally strong. And while power is important, its not all there is. Being able to block and counter will make you a better boxer than someone who can just punch hard.

What else is in your area?

[Saggitarius]

Thanks for the help k-girl. There is only boxing and karate in my area.

[Chazz]

Thats not always the case. Look at Oscar De La Hoya. Not all that big not the hardest hitter but he gets the job done. Boxing has a lot of mental in it. You have to have your mind set that you will be hit in the head and body many many time. You may even be knocked out. You have to know how to see his pinch coming so you can get out of the way of it and block it. You have to know how to set him up so you can knock him out. So there are a lot of mental aspects in boxing

[Saz]

Saggitarius, what style of karate specifically?

[Saggitarius]

I dont really know, i just saw it on the way home.

[Joe karate]

Look in the yellow pages, I'm sure there are a few martial arts in your area that you don't even know about.

[Bon]

Mental devlopment? Get yourself doing some hard maths :D

[Chinesericeboy]

haha mental devolpement? and beating each other in the head will sure do u lots of good! join boxing! *sarcasm*

[Joe karate]

Well Chinesericeboy, have you ever tried it. Boxing teaches you to take and give a punch as well as lots of evasion, so you don't have to get hit.

Don't diss boxing. Boxing is great to learn how to use the hands and avoid a punch.

Why do you not like it.