What to start with 4 years of college coming up

[obsessed]

I'm going to be a freshman in college this upcoming fall, and will have 4 years to finally do what I"ve always wanted to do: martial arts.

Basically I've never had time/dojo and now since I'm away from home, can finally start my obsession.

HOwever, I don't know which art to choose. There are a couple dojos near my school that offer MMA classes and Muay Thai, as well as numerous Jujitsu, karate, judo, etc. that I could attend.

BAsically I want the most logical for the street, as to say "efficient". I dont' have any problems with anyone, but if I learn something I'd want it to be for self-defense, rather than combat sporting.

I've heard MMA is good, but so is MT. If I can sport in them, that'd be great (sparring and such), but that's not the main goal. I need something that will work, and I can practice and really get good at over the next 4 years (but not limited to that time). What would you guys recommend?

Thanks,

obsessed

[obsessed]

Oh, and one other thing. It seems that high calibre power martial arts (MMA, boxing, kickboxing) need an extreme amount of work (physical work) to keep you up and going. Does this mean you will loose your touch if you don't work out consistently every day?

I'm saying this from a technique perspective. What's the advantage of doing soemthing like Muay Thai over ninjitsu, which I could spend an enormous amount of time on anyway, and not have to weight train? I could be 100 times weaker than any boxer, but have the movement and skills down to destroy any opponent.

[Little Apple]

For versitlity and efectiveness go with mixed. You could spend all your time on a 20 year art like Aikido, and in 20 years you will be able to "destroy any opponent" (Unless you've absorbed the philosophy behind it by then, in which case you won't want to destroy them. But anyway) MMA will give you striking, and ground work and all kinds of good stuff, and if you want to be an effective martial artist that's what I would suggest. Not to mention many MMA gyms include MT, so no loss.

The only reasons to do only one art, instead of whatever you can, are Time, Money, Interest (say you just like Tie Chichuan, and don't care about other stuff), and Goals (like if your goal is to be a prize fighter in MT, why take BBJ?) If you've got the time, intrest, and money to emerse yourself in the martial arts, and your goal is to be effective, not to compeat, I'd say go mixed.

Was that too long winded?

[jubaji]

NO, you can't avoid hard work

I could be 100 times weaker than any boxer, but have the movement and skills down to destroy any opponent.

..................... LOL!

That's pretty funny, kid!

[Garland]

..................... LOL!

That's pretty funny, kid!

it could be true if you know how to REALLY use a machete.

[Little Apple]

lol, I have to say, you guys almost never give newbies a break.

Ignore the teasing my good young man, except to translate it as "Expecting to beat everyone with ninjitsu and no working out is not realistic." And I forgot to say: No, you don't have to work out everyday. Most martial artists are in the gym 3 days a week, but obviously if you do work out everyday you'll reap the rewards. (though I recomend taking at least one day off to recoup)

[m_calingo]

HOwever, I don't know which art to choose. There are a couple dojos near my school that offer MMA classes and Muay Thai, as well as numerous Jujitsu, karate, judo, etc. that I could attend.

BAsically I want the most logical for the street, as to say "efficient". I dont' have any problems with anyone, but if I learn something I'd want it to be for self-defense, rather than combat sporting.

Does your school offer any martial arts classes? A lot of time some phys ed course is required each quarter or semester as condition for graduation. If so, you might kill two birds with one stone, so to speak...

However, if you're interested in martial arts for da street, I'd recommend a balanced blend of JKD, MT, BJJ and Kali. Jeet Kune Do (JKD) was Bruce Lee's martial art, and in it's own way was the original mixed martial art, incorporating elements of wing chung kung fu, western boxing and western fencing.

It's not very strong in wrestling or grappling, but that's why BJJ is added into the mix, to cover the ground game if the fight goes to the ground.

MT training helps to toughen and condition the fighter.

Kali, one of the Filipino Martial Arts, trains one to be capable in self-defense whether with a stick, knife, or empty handed.

This may seem like a full plate, but you did say you had four years, right?

Seriously, there are martial arts schools that have combined curriculums with all of the above, if you can find them. Otherwise, I'd suggest you just drop by the various ones in the area, ask to sit in, and get a measure of the teacher, and the students, and see if that's what you'd like to do for the next few years.

If you are interested in practical self defense, I suggest you avoid any school that places a lot of emphasis in teaching forms (katas) or has little eight year old black belts running around. I might get flamed for this, but IMO, any real value in forms doesn't become apparent until many, many years of study, and I feel it's just a hell of a lot better practicing with a live human being instead of punching and kicking thin air. No disrespect to the kids (hey, we all were, once) but the SD techniques one teaches the little ones aren't necessarily the same taught to adults. Schools that have 8 year old black belts seem to focus more on katas and winning six foot tall trophies rather than teaching you what will keep you alive on the street, IMO.

Some schools require you sign up for a minimum one year contract--I'd personally avoid that unless you really feel that's where you want to be for that period of time. Just remember that things can change, and if you can't attend or decide you want to go to a different school after you've signed the contract, there won't be anything you can do about it--you'll still be legally obligated to pay the balance for the remainder of the contract period.

[evilgenius]

Sounds like you're assuming a skill vs. strength trade-off and a "learning curve" that's flat at the top for skill intensive "arts". Any skill deteriorates with lack of practice and use--particularly those dependent on muscle memory and quick reflexes. You may lose conditioning quicker than technique, but technique fails if the physical instrument isn't "sharp enough" to perform and it takes constant work to keep the edge functional. There's no "efficiency" to be found here. Most gyms will let you try a class or two to see how you like it--and don't underestimate your college phys ed program's opportunities. Pick what you enjoy and the efficiency, confidence, skill, strength, etc. will come of their own accord.