Cross training - Karate and Tae Kwon Do?

I have been considering starting to train Shotokan Karate as well as continuing to train Tae Kwon Do (1st Dan Black Belt). I think it would be beneficial to be proficient in a different style as I love Martial Arts, but others have told me it would not be. I am not a beginner and practiced Karate for 7 years at a younger age. Has anybody else cross trained with these two styles or what is you're opinion of this? Many Thanks

 

First art was Shotokan. Current art is TKD. Through in a year of Shaolin kung fu, several combat self defense classes, and you have my pedigree. Depending on the school you atttend I believe you will find karate a good addition. More linear and direct then TKD. Power vs finesse and movement. Conservation of energy vs constant energy output. That has been my experience anyway.

 

I'd tend to think that you'd be better off training in something a bit more different. Karate and taekwondo are basically variations on the same theme. They teach roughly similar material in somewhat different ways. Surely you'll also find it a bit annoying starting as a beginner in a similar art? I suspect, when they're trying to teach you an overhead block, you'll be thinking "this is wrong - I already know how to do an overhead block and we do it differently!".

If you're really looking for a different style, I'd look at jiu jutsu or aikido or judo - something really different.

 

I've done a bit of once-in-a-while training in Shotokan and found that it was a very good experience for me. With the styles being similar (and sharing some background), it was fun to compare forms, work the line drills and pad work, and do some sparring. I think both styles are close enough that sampling the "other one" now and then can be a good thing.

If you are thinking of doing more formal "cross training" in a supplemental art, I'd look at an area where TKD or Shotokan may not be as strong, e.g., in grappling. Cross training a stand-up style like TKD or Shotokan with a grappling style (wrestling, BJJ, Judo) would provide much more "new" ideas and chances to expand your skills.

Regardless, the more time you get with people from other styles, the better.

 

Aren't tkd and shotokan pretty much the same thing? Perhaps im thinking of tang soo do. Either way both arts are very similar. You should try something completely different. A sport system would be worth a try, it would give you good experience handling an aggressive opponent. Bjj, muay Thai, judo, or even mma would be good options.

 

Follow your bliss. You could say that karate and taekwondo cover a lot of the same real estate. And choose a style accordingly. But I've recently come to this conclusion: So what? I studied BJJ for a little bit (until medical issues interceded), but came to the realization that, while ground fighting is a HUGE gap in my training background, I simply don't enjoy grappling that much.

So the question is, "why do you want to crosstrain?" If it's to prepare yourself for a specific format, then see what the format demands and then analyze your own preparedness.

If it's for personal enrichment, think about what you'd actually enjoy. I studied taekwondo for 5 years and Shotokan for a scant 6 months (college class). Sure there are some similarities between the two. Particularly the taekwondo I was doing in the mid 80s. But there are differences as well. And if you enjoy investigating small nuances and the differences those can make, you'll likely have the time of your life. If you're more likely to encounter those small differences and think "well, that's stupid; I like the way WE do it better," then you're better off choosing something that's further from your current experience.

There's no pat answer. It really just depends on you and what you're hoping to experience.

 

I probably should have mentioned I do MMA as-well (TKD/Hapkido) I don't enjoy it as much though. I think the reason why I want to go back to Shotokan is I spent so many years (7) of my childhood practicing it. Yes there are a lot of similarities between the two but I think that might make it more enjoyable. I'll keep you posted when I begin training Karate again! Thank you for all your suggestions and opinions, much appreciated.

 

doubt you'd have problems, there's a lot of comparisons between karate and tkd for a reason. I never trained in either for long but a lot of core mechanics were quite similar from what memory serves, though the focus was different.

Cross training can be challenging but if you make it work you can reap a lot of rewards. I'm finding my current cross training is definitely helping me (though Im in a big mix myself: I'm studying with guys in Blackpool who mixed Hung Ga, Escrima, Krav and TKD into their curriculum, whilst with a Lama, Bagua and Splashing Hands instructor in Bury. Then theres Shuai Jiao for grappling. I also casually enjoy capoiera, and while it's taught more from the game aspects than fighting its damn good fun and it's helped me fill in the tumbling, breakfalling and fitness in other areas.

Just go for it and have fun. You might find later you want to specialise into one more than the other, and thats fine too.

Let us know how it works out and good luck

 

errr..TKD/Hapkido is NOT the same as MMA by any stretch

 

I would disagree with that, mixed martial arts in a literal sense is training in two or more martial arts, which when you mix TKD and Hapkido is exactly that. But then if you limit your understanding of what MMA is to what you see in the UFC etc then its understandable why you would view it as not being MMA in your view.

 

It's a description of a ruleset that has fast become a martial art and I doubt was ever used to describe mixtures of arts before Its current use
I'd go as far as saying that using the term and delivering something that doesn't perform in a cage is false representation

 

MMA is a very specific thing and the term refers to a ruleset within a competitive environment.

the term MMA to mean "I train in multiple disciplines" was NEVER in use prior to the advent of the UFC and it is intellectually dishonest to claim otherwise

You can do a hybrid system, you can train in several disciplines and you can be eclectic - but none of those are MMA

 

It was always cross training? Hybrid is I guess where it's a bit of this and that?

 

Cross training is equally valid as a term - missed that one!

Hyrbid is exactly that - JKD resembles a hybrid at time, but that is not entirely accurate either. Most arts are hybrid to a greater or lesser degree, depending on cross pollenation. Typically the mix is between two disciplines that match (Wrestling & BJJ are the majority share of CSW for example)

 

To the O/p
Do what you want? From a martial arts point of view judo will go great but do what makes you happy that was judo. Google it

 

Really this again ... hasn't this been done to death on a dozen other threads already?

MMA is a term for the sport and the type of fighting used within its rule sets.

Hybrid styles are distinct styles that are built from cross training/combining other styles.

Cross training is learning multiple styles simultaneously.

An MMA game can be built up from cross training or a hybrid style but cross training/hybrid martial arts are not MMA unless specifically designed for that style of competition and actually used in it. Using the term MMA outside of that definition is using it incorrectly.

 

Now breathe

 

But how can I breathe when some one is wrong on the Internet !!!!

 

It's how people make money. Unless somebody nails it down it's fair game. Sad but true

 

I never said it was, I was simply stating that mixed martial arts is taking different elements of martial arts and combining them together, so combining TKD and hapkido is technically mixed martial arts as its mixing two arts together. Back in the day it was referred to eclectic martial arts, I remember a Tukido instructor saying that it meant taking the best bits from other martial arts and mixing them together.