Posts by Brandon Price6

hiddensailor14 said:It’s Mixed Martial Arts—you know, the whole ultimate fighting thing...
-> It involves everything from strikes with hands and feet to wrestling in the clinch and grappling on the ground; takedowns, throws, joint locks, and chokes. You don't wear a gi or a kimono.
Some gyms have women training, though they aren't as common. I'm not sure why Robin Palmer3 felt the need to modestly mention San Shou, which practically nobody does around here, while completely forgetting to mention his own gym out in the suburbs... 😁
If you're closer to the downtown area, there's a club over there too, run by briskjackal5 and Ethan Hayes6.
There are others, too.

Why does it feel like he just wrote the exact same thing ten different times? 😕
I'd suggest flipping through the last few pages of this thread; I'm pretty sure this has already come up... 😉

hiddensailor14, where exactly in Trešnjevka is that located? Do you happen to have a link I could check out?

Robin Palmer3 said:I was looking for San Shou—because she wanted something involving actual contact, you know, like a real fight where people are actually landing strikes with hands and feet—and turns out, San Shou is exactly what she was after.
Brandon Price6, there were plenty of women at the club earlier—but they’ve all vanished now. Apparently, they find a guy they like and head out immediately—typical.😁You’re welcome to swing by whenever you feel like it—we’re over in Brooklyn—so if you're up for the trip, just let me know.

Robin Palmer3, Dubrava feels a little far for me... is there anything similar closer to the downtown area? I'd also love to find a place with a larger training hall, so we aren't all packed in there like sardines.

hiddensailor14 said:And why not suggest MMA instead?🤷

So, what exactly is MMA? If you're looking for a breakdown, it basically stands for Mixed Martial Arts. Unlike boxing, where it's just hands, or wrestling, where it's all about the takedown, MMA is a blend of everything. You’ve got striking—think Muay Thai or kickboxing—mixed with grappling techniques like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and wrestling. It’s essentially athletes using whatever tool works best in that moment to win the fight. As for where you can catch the action, you don't have to look too far. In the States, the big names are the UFC, which is usually on ESPN, or Bellator, which often airs on platforms like Paramount+. There are also smaller regional promotions if you want to see the rising stars before they hit the big stage. And yes, absolutely—there are women in the sport. In fact, some of the most technical and intense fights in recent years have featured female fighters. The talent level in the women's divisions is incredibly high, and they have their own championship belts and massive fanbases. It's definitely not just a "men's sport" anymore; the skill gap is closing, and the competition is fierce across the board.

Is there anyone else hanging out in this thread?

Hey there,
I was wondering about a few things:
- Is there a martial art out there that actually combines direct contact—you know, like wrestling—with actual hand and foot strikes? I’m looking for something that isn't just mindlessly swinging at thin air or repeating the same flashy moves over and over... basically, I want to show up to training feeling genuinely motivated.
- Are there gyms that offer sessions three times a week?
- Can I find a facility that’s actually spacious? I really don't want to be packed into a room where everyone is squeezed together like sardines, barely having a meter of breathing room between them.
- And is it possible to find instructors who are well-organized and actually maintain some level of discipline?
- Also, are there women involved?🙂 To be honest, I'm not really interested in being in a space that's exclusively men.

hiddensailor14 said:

I was thinking about that conversation from earlier today, and it’s funny how certain topics just seem to loop back around no matter how much you try to pivot... It feels like we’re all circling the same drain, just waiting for someone to notice the water is rising. I spent most of the afternoon staring at the skyline near downtown Chicago, wondering if anyone else feels that same sense of quiet displacement when the city finally settles down for the night. It’s a strange thing, isn't it? To be surrounded by millions of people and yet feel like you're operating on a completely different frequency than everyone else... maybe it's just me, though... kaže:
I'm looking around the Trešnjevka area—though I don't mind branching out a bit wider than that since I've got a car...
I’d honestly love it if there were more women showing up to these training sessions too... just so I wouldn't feel quite so out of place...

Three times a week would probably work for me, provided we’re talking evening hours... that's when I'm actually free...

I was up on the second floor for a bit of table tennis the other day when I happened to wander down to the ground floor at the Savi Mladost community center. It looked like they were running some judo sessions at the time, so I stuck around to watch for a moment. Honestly, it seemed pretty impressive... there were women training as well, and the instructor was top-notch. Really serious, organized, and professional... maybe something along those lines?

Similar to judo... I'm still trying to wrap my head around this whole concept of "with kimonos"... It’s one of those things that sounds perfectly simple when you first hear it, but once you actually start looking into the nuances of how they’re worn or the specific styles involved, things get complicated fast. There’s an entire world of etiquette and tradition there that most people just gloss over... but I suppose that's where the real interest lies, isn't it? It really comes down to whether you’re looking at Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or what most people call "traditional" Japanese Ju-Jitsu...
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu doesn't really deal with striking, and you don't see much throwing compared to what they do in Judo, but it definitely holds its own as one of those combat sports where the ground game is incredibly sophisticated...
It looks like you might have cut off there, or maybe you're just testing the waters... I wasn't quite sure what you were getting at with that fragment... Everything... It’s basically Judo, just with some added striking thrown in there. And I think some of those clubs even incorporate training with various cold weapons too—I completely forgot to mention that alongside the Ninjutsu bit in my previous post...
Something like that... Without the kimono... So, we’re talking about grappling versus that more modern style of ground fighting. There aren't any strikes involved here. If you're looking at MMA, though, that's a different beast entirely—you've got the grappling, the clinch work, the takedowns, and all the striking mixed in...

I was thinking about that conversation from earlier, and it really got me stuck on how much we tend to overcomplicate things when the answer is usually right in front of us. It’s funny, isn't it? We spend all this energy building these massive, complex mental frameworks, trying to account for every single variable, only to realize we missed the most obvious detail because we were too busy looking at the map instead of the road... kaže:
Sorry, I wasn't actually asking you anything... I was talking to hiddensailor14...

I don't need all the fluff or the endless back-and-forth chatter. I just want what I came for, and then I’ll get it done...

🤣
Are we being a little provocative? Maybe just a touch...
Hey, referee, just wanted to mention that you're basically one of the head coaches over at the local soccer club...😉
If you decide to go the grappling route, you’re making a solid choice. For all the specifics regarding wrestling, MMA, or grappling, you really can't beat the folks on this forum. Specifically, referee and Robin Palmer3 are probably your best bets for getting some first-hand info and expert insight...

What if you just took a week off to scout things out? You could drop by a different gym every single day for a week and really get a feel for the vibe. I don't mean just standing around in the lobby watching people sweat, either—actually get on the mats, work through a session, and see how their coaching style sits with you. Most places won't even charge you for a trial class... it might be worth the effort just to make an informed choice before you commit...😉

Thanks for all the input, everyone. I'm going to take some time to sit with all these suggestions, weigh my options, and figure out the best way to move forward. We'll see how it all shakes out... cheers.🙂

Ethan Hayes6 said:

Brandon Price6 says—honestly, who even cares? Just another day in this mess. kaže:
...
...
So, I was upstairs in the gym for some ping pong—total accident—but ended up drifting down to the ground floor at the local YMCA where they were running judo sessions. Honestly? It actually looked pretty solid... had women training too, and the instructor was top-tier—super serious, organized, and totally pro. Maybe something like that?

???
Did it even cross your mind—maybe that’s actually what you’re looking for?
...and a woman... and an okay coach... and a decent gym... and serious sports!!!!
Or what—you want me to beg for attention?

Sorry, but I wasn't actually asking you; I was talking to morbidangel...

I don't need anyone to talk me into anything. When I want something, I just go out and do it...

Which part of the city are you in?
I don't think Escrima would really be your thing. It doesn't quite cover everything you're looking for.

- There's Ninjutsu—standing combat, ground work, weapons (knives, swords, various sticks, chain weapons...). The ground fighting is different; it isn't your typical "wrestling." There aren't competitions, and it isn't an "organized sport."
- Israeli military systems: Krav Maga and Defense Survival Jiu-Jitsu (Hissardut). For "civilians," the main focus is effective self-defense; they aim for maximum realism, and the training sessions can be pretty demanding. While standing combat and basic throws (with or without weapons) are the main draw, they do other things too. DSJJ actually has specific competitions that are very similar to ancient Pankration. Classes are often full, though, so there might not be space. There's a Krav Maga seminar coming up soon—check the Bulletin Board if you want to go take a look. I think the topic is women's self-defense. DSJJ is similar. Some clubs have their own gyms or do extra work with kettlebells.
- MMA (Mixed Martial Arts). This provides an excellent foundation for unarmed combat, regardless of your position. They practice boxing, Muay Thai, kickboxing, wrestling, Judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu... It’s a true sport. Very well organized. How intense it gets really depends on how much you put into it. There are competitions, and most clubs include gym facilities.
- Others (certain Kung Fu styles, Aikido, Shorinji Kempo...) I wouldn't really recommend those.

hiddensailor14;23451207 said:Which part of the city are you in?
I don't think Escrima would really be your thing. It doesn't quite cover everything you're looking for.

- There's Ninjutsu—standing combat, ground work, weapons (knives, swords, various sticks, chain weapons...). The ground fighting is different; it isn't your typical "wrestling." There aren't competitions, and it isn't an "organized sport." - Israeli military systems: Krav Maga and Defense Survival Jiu-Jitsu (Hissardut). For "civilians," the main focus is effective self-defense; they aim for maximum realism, and the training sessions can be pretty demanding. Standing combat is the main interest, along with basic throws using or without weapons, but they do other things too. DSJJ actually has specific competitions that are very similar to ancient Pankration. Classes are often full, though, so there might not be space. There's a Krav Maga seminar coming up soon—check the Bulletin Board if you want to go take a look. I think the topic is women's self-defense. DSJJ is similar. Some clubs have their only gyms or do extra work with kettlebells.
- MMA (Mixed Martial Arts). This provides an excellent foundation for unarmed combat, regardless of your position. They practice boxing, Muay Thai, kickboxing, wrestling, Judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu... It’s a true sport. Very well organized. How intense it gets really depends on how much you put into it. There are competitions, and most clubs include gym facilities.
- Others (certain Kung Fu styles, Aikido, Shorinji Kempo...) I wouldn't really recommend those.

The Midtown area, but I can go a bit wider than that; I have a car.
Also, I'd really prefer if there were women at the training sessions so I don't feel out of place...

Three times a week would be ideal, and it definitely has to be in the evenings.

One time I was in a hall on the upper floor for table tennis and ended up accidentally dropping down to the ground floor in a neighborhood near the waterfront where I think they were doing Judo training. I watched for a little bit and it seemed pretty good... there were women there, and the instructor was great... serious, organized, and professional... maybe something like that?

Metković is just a bit too much of a trek for me, so I was wondering if anyone could point me toward a solid club in the Chicago area? I'm looking for somewhere that runs quality training sessions and is actually welcoming and suitable for women, too...

Back in the day, I spent a little bit of time practicing karate. After our sessions, we’d usually wind down with some yoga or stretching exercises to help us relax, and honestly, it was such a great way to finish things up...

I've been thinking about wrestling lately, and it seems pretty interesting, though I imagine it's absolutely exhausting. Hand-to-hand striking feels fine too, and I've always had a curiosity about martial arts that incorporate weapons... is there actually something out there that brings all of those elements together?

Hey everyone,
I'm looking to get into some kind of martial art.
I’m not really interested in the typical "fitness" stuff—you know, things like aerobics or basic gym workouts. I need something with actual action, something with grit and a bit of an adrenaline rush.

The most important thing for me is that the discipline is well-organized, serious, and runs professionally.
I say that because I’ve been quite active in sports before, and in my experience, if there isn't a solid structure in place, the sport itself usually lacks substance.

Just to give you a little context, I'm 30 years old and living in a big city like Chicago. I'm also carrying about 65 pounds of extra weight right now—though, honestly, I don't look it.😁...so, ideally, I'm looking for programs that are welcoming to older women.

Also, if someone has already asked this exact question, please forgive me; I haven't had the chance to read through the entire thread yet.

Does anyone have some advice they could share?

placidfox55 said:Not sure who's doing the drowning here.
Show me a reference. 🙂 😎

Well, I’m living proof that this actually happens to people.

It hit me in my pelvic area and on the sole of my left foot...

I managed to clear up the issue downstairs pretty quickly, but this spot on my foot? It hasn't budged in almost three years!! I tried using Plymicol and nothing worked... now I'm trying Canesten, so we'll see how that goes... if anyone has better advice, please speak up... I am honestly so sick and tired of these fungi!!!!!

James Baker29 said:Thanks for the heads-up! 👍🙏

Hmm... Now I'm overthinking these varieties. The guide says mixing different types is the way to go...

Anyone here actually planted specific ones yet?
Just curious, based on what you've actually grown—what’s the winning combo? (Obviously depends on the soil type or whatever)...

Tnx!

Hi there,
we just bought a farm near Springfield and we're planning on planting walnuts. I'd love to connect so we can swap some tips and experiences regarding walnut trees and future plantings since we're pretty close by... feel free to email me at:

I removed the email address; please send a PM to Brandon Price6 instead.