Hate the Gym - now what?

[Laura]

Hi,

I'm a petite lady into Wing Tsun/JKD. I love what I do but my parents are always after me to join a gym. When we lived in a house, it was easy to exercise on the treadmill as we weren't dealing with the same problems of condo life. People hear us on the treadmill so now it's going to be sold (still new too...)

Anyway, I looked into Judo at Pedro's Gym (MA residents may know of the school) which is supposed to be great but the cost was a tad bit expensive (let's leave it at that) and no way I could afford it. (I'm fortunate to have the martial art teachers I've got which allow for either drop in classes or charge little.) Next week I'll be looking into Tae Kwon Do because there's a small school down the street from my condo. They have hours that fit my schedule so I thought, why not? I don't know if I can afford them either but it's worth a shot to check it out, and no, I've never studied. I'm 38, not flexiable, and have a navel ring.... They won't give out price information over the phone so that's a tip off, but they do allow drop in classes, which is what I wanted to do in the first place since I'm not big in Karate. I just want something that will force me to move and give me a workout but be close to home as my schedule is tight. Any thoughts?

P.S. Should mention that I've been considering Northern Praying Mantis which isn't far from my home - not as close as the TKD but far. I like the Chinese styles but my main goal is excerise and not sure I could afford the Praying Mantis. I do recall they don't allow drop in classes.

[IPON]

Hi,

I'm a petite lady and I just want something that will force me to move and give me a workout

No problem Laura I am your man with an hourly rate J/K



Seriously, I don't know your Finances or if your are still at home but I can tell you TKD and judo will give you a workout, TKD maybe easier since you are used to standup (you do/did sudy WC/JKD correct). Regarding costs of dojo/dojang I have seen ranges from $50-120 permonth with and avg of $75. Depending on the gym it my be less per moth and you may find some summer specials especially at non-chain gyms Although lucile roberts always is fairly inexpensive. But there are plenty of body weight exercises that can be done at home and jogging/running/speedwalking is free. So the issue as you stated is motivation, the problem is nothing can force you to do something you are unwilling to do. You don't have to exercise, you have to want to exercise and gain the benefits of exercise.

[Garland]

So the issue as you stated is motivation, the problem is nothing can force you to do something you are unwilling to do.

Ahem...You ever listen the the dead kennedy's? There's a song called "holliday in cambodia" you need to hear.

[IPON]

OK you got me I didn't hear the song but I read the lyrics, I think I understand if the point was about motivation....you damn right i would get motivated

[Tom Yum]

No problem Laura I am your man with an hourly rate J/K.

This is the woman's part of the forum here. If you want them to learn, you're gonna have to refrain from saying stuff like that.

-----

Laura if you're mainly looking for excercise and some self-defense, taekwondo could be your best option. Mantis would be good too.

Judo is a little more physically closer in personal distance and is like wrestling; great for self-defense and physically demanding but it won't tone you like tae kwon do or mantis.

Once you decide, let us know and keep us updated.

[Laura]

Thanks for all the replies. Money's tight at the moment so whatever I do will have to wait until at least September/October. Nothing stopping me from observing a class though. Thanks again.

[bigred389]

You might also want to consider a Muay Thai gym if you can find one around you. A good number of them also offer supplemental classes in arts like boxing, FMA, and MMA/BJJ.

But regularly attending Muay Thai is a GREAT way to get toned.

[treelizard]

crossfit.com, i'm tellin' ya! it's free! you can go to brandxmartialarts for the scaled-down version of their workouts.

[Laura]

I did the Muay Thai route once and the instructor was rather anti female. Personally the appeal of Tae Kwon Do is that it's five minutes from my house. If it were Muay Thai, I would still be interested because it's close by. With gas jumping up, I need to find something close to home.

[Tom Yum]

I did the Muay Thai route once and the instructor was rather anti female. Personally the appeal of Tae Kwon Do is that it's five minutes from my house. If it were Muay Thai, I would still be interested because it's close by. With gas jumping up, I need to find something close to home.

Alot of muaythai coaches have a staple of male fighters and may tend to them more than a female student whose just trying to learn. When a lot of guys are getting together for fight training, its not going to be the same environment as a group class with male/female students.

Good luck with your training!

[IPON]

This is the woman's part of the forum here. If you want them to learn, you're gonna have to refrain from saying stuff like that.

uh huh, Tom I am not sure if you are serious or joking so I will not respond to this statement

[Ahsen]

Laura what do you think of Kick boxing or BJJ

can find these classes in your area.