Finding a Martial Arts instructor? - JP Fitness Forums

DKing · 07-02-2006, 07:52 PM

I am curious if any of you guys can give me some advice here. I know very little about martial arts but have been thinking about getting into it more and more lately. I doubt I would ever compete (I don't have the instict to really fight) but training for a while could be fun.

I love strongman but sometimes I need to give my body a break and this would be something new and fun to train for. I am not even sure what type I would do. Some type of MMA would be cool.

What I am looking for is some advice about how to find a place to learn like what to look for, what makes an instructor qualified, what type would be best etc...

Any opinions would be great.

Danny

kuri · 07-02-2006, 11:29 PM

That's cool Danny, I'm sure you'd find it alot of fun.

Are you living in the Twin Cities now?

I know of one very good school in Brooklyn Park: http://www.mmaacombatzone.com/about.htm

One of the guys, Sean Sherk, is a top fighter in the UFC

I trained for a short bit with the Minnesota Kali Group near downtown MPLS: http://www.mnkali.com/

They do a mix of Thai boxing, brazilian jiu-jitsu, jeet kune do (Bruce Lee's art), and Phillipino stick and knife fighting. Pretty eclectic and excellent instructors. They bring in alot of world famous teachers for seminars as well.

If you wanna do MMA I'd suggest looking for guys that have experience in Thai boxing/kickboxing and grappling styles (Brazilian jiu-jitsu/wrestling/judo). The jiu-jitsu guys should be rankied brown or black belt under a reputable jiu-jitsu professor. Thai boxing trainers should have fight experience and certified under a noted school, such as Fairtex Thai Academy or some such system.

Let me know if you find a school and I can check them out for you too.

Good luck!

ko67 · 07-03-2006, 06:22 PM

Not to sure if it will be much of a break, as MMA can be grueling and tough on the body.

Find out if there are any top fighters in your area (kuri already mentioned one), and find out if they have a school.

If this place is close to you I would recommend checking it out.

http://miletich-fight-minn.tripod.com/

DKing · 07-04-2006, 01:27 PM

You guys are awesome! I actually met Sean Sherk at a strongman contest one time but kind of forgot about it.

I will check these places out, my biggest issue is going to be timing, I work really weird hours right now.

Ko - I mean more of a mental break than physical one. Changing up what I am training for just to keep from boredom/burnout. I am guessing that the actual training is going to hurt.

I will keep you guys updated.

Danny

Chris Correia · 07-05-2006, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DKing

You guys are awesome! I actually met Sean Sherk at a strongman contest one time but kind of forgot about it.

I will check these places out, my biggest issue is going to be timing, I work really weird hours right now.

Ko - I mean more of a mental break than physical one. Changing up what I am training for just to keep from boredom/burnout. I am guessing that the actual training is going to hurt.

I will keep you guys updated.

Danny

Danny: Something a bit lighter on the body than mma trainining . . . there is a taekwondo school in St. Cloud that is affiliated with our family of schools. I can't locate the name, but it is affiliated with the Brandt's Association, and the instructor is Mr. Rob ???. Nice guy, and you'll get a neat variety of techniques; they practice the same taekwondo/hapkido curriculum as we do.

David.W · 07-14-2006, 06:12 PM

Bonzai!

Come do something crazy and dynamic.
(#1me on the right)

(#2Me on the left)

(#3me attacking)

Kendo(or kumdo for Chris) is a blast. Its a martial art, but has a competitive side that allows us to practice like a sport, and the U.S is a great place to be for training.

Where,
http://www.kendo-usa.org/statedojolist.htm#MN
and what.
http://www.kendo-world.com/downloads/video/2004 %20Men's/2004%20AJKC%20Semis1. wmv

Anyway I just learned how to post pics so I thought I'd share these while throwing you some ideas Danny!

All the best.
David.W

Chris Correia · 07-18-2006, 04:42 PM

Danny:

The tkd school I PMd you about is connected into our Kumdo system as well. I'm not sure if they instruct there, but I can hook you up with Kumdo instruction if you want.

managemysite · 07-24-2006, 12:12 PM

One way to find out if you school is any good is very simple, if they have young 8 year old black belts than you school sucks and is just about the money. It should take 10 years for a true black belt to "master" the art to some level and that is the whole point of the "black belt" beware of a school full of middle school kids with black belts

jvernacchio · 08-11-2006, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DKing

I am curious if any of you guys can give me some advice here. I know very little about martial arts but have been thinking about getting into it more and more lately. I doubt I would ever compete (I don't have the instict to really fight) but training for a while could be fun.

I love strongman but sometimes I need to give my body a break and this would be something new and fun to train for. I am not even sure what type I would do. Some type of MMA would be cool.

What I am looking for is some advice about how to find a place to learn like what to look for, what makes an instructor qualified, what type would be best etc...

Any opinions would be great.

Danny

Danny it really depends on what your looking for or to get out of the training. MMA can be extremely tough on the body I tore my right groin 2 times in 93 and 94 while training. If your looking to stay in shape just looking to give your body a break from heavy lifting try either Western Boxing or Muy Thai Kickboxing.

Western boxing is a great all around workout, Muy Thai is a bit more brutal on the legs but definitly a great workout as well.

As others have said if you see a heavy emphasis on childrens classes with alot of 13 year old blackbelts running around its what is termed a Mc Dojo. My gym that I worked out had 3 kids that did boxing there were no childrens classes for the Muy Thai or the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu it was all adults.

You should look for instructors that have a solid knowledge of the fighting aspects and that are currently training fighters for competitions wether they are boxing matches, Muy Thai matches, or MMA events. Good trainers will always have a stable of fighters and training partners.

The best thing I could tell you if your looking to do MMA type trainng would be a place that has Muy Thai and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Training in these two fighting styles will round out your entire game and make you a completely better fighter all the way around.