Posts by Sam Roberts

cosmictiger90 said:I'm thinking it might be a bit much for me—MT training is pretty intense as it is, and if I try hitting BJJ twice a week on top of that, I don't know if I'll be able to keep up. Plus, I'm not really sure how grueling the BJJ sessions actually are?

Sparring is always intense. Depends on the gym, though...

cosmictiger90 said:I’ve been hitting the Muay Thai mats for about three months now, and I’m starting to get the itch to pick up some grappling—specifically Jiu Jitsu. There’s a gym right in my neighborhood that does BJJ, so it would be super convenient, but I’m wondering if that’s actually a smart move? Should I stick to the striking side for another 6 to 12 months to really nail the fundamentals before I start mixing in the ground game?

Just jump in. It won't make any difference in 6 months...
As long as your body can handle it and you actually have the drive to do both.
Which club is it?*

bluemason3 said:In that case, MMA could actually be a solid choice. You should go check it out, but from what I’ve gathered, unlike some traditional martial arts, they don't ignore physical conditioning, which is definitely a big
.
I’m not sure what anyone could find fault with any of those activities 😁. I was at the soccer match 😁.
Honestly, it doesn't matter much; the kid will just pick whatever he likes eventually. From my perspective, having a good coach and a quality gym matters more than the specific style at this age, if you ask me 🤔.

I just don't get why she prefers judo over boxing. If you train recreationally and aren't taking full contact to the head every single day, it’s probably the safest option on this list—not counting soccer, of course. At my age (45), I stick to striking mostly to minimize injuries, which tend to be worse in grappling arts. In striking, you risk getting hit in the head, but if you avoid that, there isn't much else. You might catch a broken nose or a jaw, or very rarely a rib, but usually without permanent damage. It's much more likely to happen in football, and I'd guess hockey too. Grapplers, on the other hand, often end up with chronic issues in their joints, necks, spines, or hips
.

What kind of "science" are we talking about for a five-year-old?
Just sign him up for something and get him moving.
It would definitely be better to pick something heavy on motor skills, like judo, wrestling, or gymnastics. This is the window where the body develops coordination. After 12, it gets a lot harder...

Grapplers and chronic illnesses? Any athlete can deal with that if they don't give their body time to recover. Sometimes someone has shoulder issues, but they've probably just been competing for years. Like I said, every sport carries risks...

Gregory Robinson22 said:da 🙂

Just Google it, man... 😁

Check out this site:

Check out this Wing Chun spot: http://www.wingchun.com/

Checking out this site for EBMAS... looks like they're an association focused on managing and promoting martial arts here in the States. They seem pretty set on elevating the standards for various disciplines through training and community building. A bit dry, but the mission is clear...

Check out this Wing Chun school based out of West Coast territory... looks like a solid spot for training.

Of course...

Wing Chun club in East Chicago... 098 / 166 4 661... krunoslav.bagadur@gmail.com

Wing Chun or...?

George Edwards72 said:My seven-year-old is obsessed with training in martial arts, but all he ever hears about is Karate 😂. I thought he’d lose interest once the novelty wore off, but he’s sticking to his guns... I have a feeling I know why, but he won't say anything besides "I just want to do it."
Now, what should I enroll him in that actually provides useful self-defense skills without being overly aggressive? Also, if anyone has recommendations for a good Kickboxing club in downtown or the greater Los Angeles area, I'm all ears. Thanks.

If you want something realistic, go with Judo or wrestling. Most clubs have kids' groups.

Karate, Taekwondo, and that stuff—they teach you how to fight (not really), but they’re good for discipline and burning off energy.

Boxing or MMA is definitely too early for him. He's got plenty of time.

Got two gyms I'd recommend:

1.) BJJ Arrow - 4ALLGYM - brown belt
2.) BJJ GAMBLERS - Trnje - black belt

Jack Hernandez48 said:Hey there, since I’m heading out to the US for some business in a city like St. Louis, I was hoping someone might point me toward a decent wrestling or BJJ club. I’ve never actually stepped onto a mat before, so I’m looking to give it a shot, thanks.

Here's my take

Thai boxing

you kidding me?

you've got these close

You missed the train if you think you’re gonna make money at this. As a hobbyist, though, you can hit up pretty much any club in the city...
Which neighborhood are you in?

Not sure about karate, but Krav Maga definitely has groups like that on the East Side. You can find decent Aikido over by the Fairgrounds or on Savoy Street.

I'd probably skip karate altogether...😁

Roger Gracie split by BJJ

Nah, the one at the state fair is the way to go...

Kimberly Turner83 said:Hey everyone, I have a quick question about American Top Team. Does anyone here have some first-hand experience with them? I’m wondering what the training sessions are actually like—is there real substance to what you learn there, or is the gym mostly just great marketing? Thanks in advance!

From what I've heard, Mercep runs a solid conditioning program. Everything else is pretty mid...

aikido - iwama ryu is the only way. but if you're only hitting the mat once a week, it's gonna take forever to actually use it...
Inner peace... you can find it with any workout. Especially if it just completely drains you...

Trust me, you’re better off working with someone advanced. They actually know their stuff, they won't hurt you, and you might actually learn something... Guerrilla is more of a Spartan-style gym—basic setup so you don't get overwhelmed, but the guys are solid. There are other clubs too, just depends on how much you feel like driving—maybe check out some spots in the suburbs or near downtown... all of them are decent.

I think judo is definitely more competition-focused. In BJJ, people will help you if you want to compete, but for most folks, it's pretty much just recreational...

Karen Garcia5 said:Hey everyone, quick question.

Any recommendations for a boxing or kickboxing gym on the East Side? Maybe around Brooklyn or Queens. I’ve let myself go a bit, so I figured it’s time to get moving again.

The main thing for me is that they don't waste time during class. I'm talking about those sessions where you spend 40 minutes warming up and another 30 just shadowboxing. I don't care if the sparring is light or heavy; honestly, I don't mind taking a few hits to the face if it means getting actual work in.

I have a couple of years under my belt with Wing Chun and some Krav Maga, but I’ll show up as a total beginner without any ego. Also, just a heads up: I'm a 27-year-old veteran at 220 pounds.😁

Yeah, you're 27. Old man... 😁
Don't tell them you trained Wing Chun or Krav Maga... those clubs won't take you seriously if you do... 😁

Read the post above...

George Miller2 said:So, I’m 30 years old, standing about 5'10" and weighing roughly 187 lbs. I’m looking to pick up some kind of martial art or combat sport, mostly just to burn off some calories and get my energy levels back up... I’ve been checking out BJJ and MMA, but honestly, they look a bit overwhelming. Trying to memorize all those complex submissions and technical maneuvers at my age might be a bit much to handle... I’m also not really feeling the Muay Thai or kickboxing vibe because I’m definitely not the most flexible guy, and I highly doubt I’ll ever be able to pull off a full split 😁

I was leaning toward some recreational boxing instead; it feels like the most practical way to go. I was wondering if anyone could recommend a solid boxing gym in the area. I’m living over in the Maksimir neighborhood, but since I have a car, I’m happy to drive anywhere in the city...

Ideally, I'd love to find a place that keeps sessions going through the summer too, as I’m pretty eager to get started as soon as possible.
If you need any more details from me, just let me know.

It’s never too late for BJJ. There are people of all ages, and it's what I'd suggest.

For boxing, there's a spot over by the old industrial district, I think it's Omega. For Muay Thai, check out that gym near the tennis courts—Trenk Gym and another one nearby.
There's also this

Alliance - Midtown, Guerilla - Downtown, Gamblers - West Side