What Martial art?

I have been researching Martial arts and their styles.


I have decided to learn a style. But as there is so many I thought I would ask the people who study them what art I am most suited to.


I am a big guy (no not fat) but broad shouldered and powerful.


At 5 ft 11 in I am not small but also am not the high kicking type as flexibility is not a strength of mine. I am not in this to "look good" that is the last thing I care about. I want to learn to:


1) Be able to defend myself and my family.


2) To keep fit.


3) To expand my knowledge in life and learn something new.





I would like to learn a style that is fairly easy to learn and with quick results, NO this is not because I am lazy, but because with work, and family to spend time with I could only devote 2-4 hrs per week to training martial arts.





Please I would like to have answers from Genuine people who study martial arts not people who have watched one too many Bruce Lee movies and think they know their stuff.


Thank you in advance.

What Martial art?
Size should not matter, make sure you meet the trainer and talk to him/her. Make sure you can like them, you will learn faster if you can get along with your trainer.





Time..... if you go to training with the intent to learn then the time spent on training will not be wasted (nor your money) you will learn some thing every lesson weather you are aware of it or not....





If you are not having fun whilst training then you that may slow your learning.





Make sure it is a local school that you attend. That will make it easier for you to spend more time with your children. (you may want to see if there is something for the kids there too, that way you can share something with them...)





Other then that I cannot help you.
Reply:Depends on where you life! What is available in your area?


Easy martial arts do not exist. A martial art will take you years to learn. But if you want to learn something quicker then you should start learning a reality based self defense system.


There are many, but where do you live?


Mail me from my profile and I'll help you find something in your area. I am a martial arts teacher, by the way....
Reply:Find a good school, not a good style. The quality and frequency of your training will far outweigh the style you train in.


Tips for a good school:


Never sign a contract.


Never pay for rank testing.


Look for an instructor with direct lineage.


Ask to observe the classes and take a couple for free.


Ask to observe their sparring.


Look for a clean school with respectable people.
Reply:im a karate kai,first with 3 hour a weak you can get to no where as you expect yourself and it would take 3years to get to what you want.the strenght and power and the most important,confidence that kyokoshin karate gives it artists is unique but its hard and you should tolerate lots of hardnesses.this style also keeps you healty and strong,its my proposal because i have seen its effacts on life
Reply:i do freestyle karate and traditional karate and out of those 2 i would say give freestyle karate a go make sure its a good one i di kin bushi ryu golden nights thats a good one but only in south australia if you live in other states or territories of australia try zen do kai they are also in new zealand also if u live in the use give american kempo a go basically cause thats hard to get anywhere else so why not take advantage of your location :) if you are fit maybe try muay thai id love to cross train in that also it looks good
Reply:KRAV MAGA
Reply:check out theschools in your town and go and check them out ask questions about the cost the times they teach each week you will get a good feeling when youfind the right dojo most will let you try a free day to see if you like them there are to many styles to name one
Reply:Mate your the same height and build as me, Ive been involved with kempo for over 20yrs, its about 70% hand / 30% footwork, with most of the kicks waistdown,eg shin/thight strikes, ankles etc but there is abit of theory, .the other thing that comes to mind would be ju jitsu, also great for self defence/ tradition and also effective!
Reply:Well, all martial arts cannot be learnt 'quickly' and need to be mastered over time. There are many fine martial arts and all of them contain certain aspects that are worthwhile and effective. If you are looking to take up a martial art, I recommend that you look for the 'right' teacher, rather than the best style. A good teacher can help you progress as a martial artist and develop as an individual. Trust your own judgement. It will be obvious if a teacher is skilful and willing to share his knowledge.





However, have you considered the following, depending on availability in your area:





Aikido is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba (often referred to by his title 'O Sensei' or 'Great Teacher'). On a purely physical level it is an art involving some throws and joint locks that are derived from Jujitsu and some throws and other techniques derived from Kenjutsu. Aikido focuses not on punching or kicking opponents, but rather on using their own energy to gain control of them or to throw them away from you. It is not a static art, but places great emphasis on motion and the dynamics of movement.





JuJitsu is one of the few genuinely effective and practical martial arts. It emphasises skill over strength and does not rely on any single aspect of combat eg, kicking, like many modern styles, rather the whole spectrum of combat skills are taught, from locks and throws, to striking and ground fighting. While this may sound like a lot to learn JuJitsu is easily accessible and just a few months training will provide you with many invaluable self-defence skills.





Wing Chun is a logical, scientific, yet a simple Chinese Martial system, which was developed for the specific purpose of practical and effective self-defense. It is a martial art known for efficiency and economy of movement created for survival in self-defense, Wing Chun utilises simple and direct, simultaneous attack and defense techniques.





Evasive footwork, direct attacks combined with the scientific understanding of Wing Chun methodology is the reasons Wing Chun is fast becoming the most popular kung fu system in the world.





Emphasising and utilising the natural mechanical alignments of the human body, eliminating the necessity to use strength and size makes Wing Chun suitable for everyone, regardless of size, gender or physique.
Reply:erm vale tudo or jujitsu would be good for you , ive done jujitsu for 7 years now and its mainly grappling and choke hold and stuff so you could use ur strength to an advantage there it involves a small amount of kicking but not too excessive and you can study all the martial arts that aint a problem but you will only truely understand them if ya do them





hope ive been a bit of a help
Reply:Karate is generally easier to learn than Kung Fu. To your body type, I'd suggestion Isshinryu, Gojuryu or Uechiryu. These styles do not emphasize high kicks and are quickly learned, traditional styles.