Posts by lonecyclist3

northernowl33 said:So...
I'm curious about the best way to approach an opponent...
...

You say you're training... 🙂

Got a coach? I'm asking because those are questions for your coach, not for an online forum... ☕

As for how I handle an opponent...? Quietly... From behind... 😬

You know what? Just pick up a martial art or some kind of sport... anything you actually enjoy... It’ll be worth it... Better than doing nothing at all... Just stick with it... But really commit to it for the long haul...

It’ll be just like that guy who headed over to India because he heard yogis could actually levitate... He was obsessed with the idea... So our instructor asks him if he wants to learn how to float, and the guy says yes, but only after he masters the basics first...

Years later, they say he finally figured out how to levitate... But by then, he didn't even care anymore...

😉

Hmm, leather is definitely $130, which makes it worth more than $117, but if you aren't wearing it all the time, a faux leather version is totally $73... So now... 😬

Anyone curious about average heights...

http://forums.interbasket.net/showth...tific-research

That’s a GREAT question, but you’ve posted it in the totally wrong spot...

Look up all the Taekwondo clubs in town, go visit them, and have a chat with the instructors. Then, ask THEM this question...

Best regards.

velvetseal14 said:I want to be a complete fighter😁 So what do you guys think is the best combo? Kickboxing/Muay Thai plus Judo/BJJ

Honestly, all this overthinking about which specific combo is "better" is just a distraction...

If you're planning to train two different disciplines, any mix works! One half striking—like kickboxing or Muay Thai—and the other half grappling—like Judo or BJJ... It really doesn't matter that much... There are way bigger things to worry about...

It sounds basic, but you actually have to find schedules that don't clash, otherwise you can't even do both... And since you'll be spending so much time at these gyms, you really need to check out the vibe... Look at the coaches and the people training there... What’s the culture like? Is the gym focused entirely on competitive athletes, or do they take recreational students seriously too? Do you even want to compete?...

Those are the real factors if you want to stick with a gym long-term, let alone two! Go visit every gym you're considering... Most places will let you try a single class for free... Talk to the coach about your goals and what they expect from you... Those are the details you should use to pick your clubs... Not this nonsense...

Just commit to one or two of those sports, any of them, and you'll be in much better shape and in a much better position to handle whatever comes your way... But please, drop the movie fantasies... If things truly go south in a real confrontation, a normal person isn't going to pull off some cinematic masterpiece, athlete or not... Let's be real, you have a conscience... You don't want to seriously injure, break bones, or God forbid, kill someone standing in front of you... And the jerks who cross your path usually don't care... Usually, they're carrying something... It used to be a stick or a knife, but nowadays it's often a short pipe or something similar... Just imagine how that would likely end... In a real-life crisis, the best martial art is always track and field... Like a 150m hurdle sprint... 😬

Aikido over in Castleton...

Systema training down in Orlando...

http://www.rmasplit.com/

😬

Hey there, Drew Sanchez! Hope you're having a great day... Always good to see you around here! kaže:
Where can I pick one up in the States? Or maybe somewhere nearby, like Canada or Mexico...?

Just to make sure we’re all on the same page regarding this... Check out this shot! It’s got such a cool vibe... definitely catching my eye! ✨

P.S. I picked up the bokken at a local boutique shop downtown...

Here you go, I've got the American version too, so take a look before you buy... that last item on the right...

Hey everyone! Just stopping by to say hello! Hope you're all having an awesome day so far... It’s been such a great week! Sending good vibes to everybody out there... Keep smiling! kaže:
Hey everyone!

I'm curious where I can pick up some ninja gear here in the States—you know, stuff like nunchucks, bo staffs, sai, tonfa, spears, katanas, and all that good stuff. Are there any actual shops around town where I could go take a look in person, or is this strictly an online shopping kind of deal? If anyone knows the scoop, please point me in the right direction. Thanks a million! 🙂🙂

And you're stuck in the exact same spot too...

If I had to pick between a katana, a wakizashi, or a tanto, I’d go with the Paul Chen (Hanwei) setup for my own safety—and honestly, probably yours too, if anyone were actually using them... I'd grab a katana from the Raptor line. Even without the hamon, they're just more durable and have such great balance...

Katana, I'm a little bit taller than average...
Hey everyone! Check out this link to the online shop... I think there might be some cool stuff in here if you have a second to browse! It looks pretty interesting...

And if you're a little bit shorter too...

And hey, that challenge matters too...

sharp edge...
Hey everyone! Just stumbled upon this link for some online shopping deals... looks like a pretty interesting little shop over here! Check it out if you have a second... might be worth a look!

So much...
Hey everyone! Just stumbled upon this link for some shopping deals... looks pretty interesting if you have a second to check it out! Check it here:

Wait, what happened to the rhythm? Everything just stopped...
Since you only provided a link to an external site without any accompanying text, I can't see what the user was actually saying! If you want me to rewrite their post while keeping that specific, upbeat, punchy voice, just copy and paste the actual text here. Once you do, I'll get right to work turning it into a fresh, all-American version for you... standing by!

Spears and naginatas...
Check out this link for more info on the groups...

And you might need this too, or something along those lines... 😬

Hey, I have to ask you—even though nobody can really promise if they'll actually look good on you—have you seen these saya outfits yet...?

Looks like they're probably in the EU, so prices should be in euros...

Check out this incredible blade! It’s absolutely stunning... such craftsmanship! Seriously, you have to see the detail on this one. Just wow...

Found them on FunTime! It’s definitely the same thing, just way more affordable and shipping is included too. There aren't any photos posted though, which makes me a little suspicious... 😬

Hey everyone! I just stumbled upon this incredible breakdown of Gomarud defense techniques over at FreeWebs... It’s seriously fascinating stuff for anyone interested in martial arts! The way they explain the mechanics is just spot on... Definitely worth a deep dive if you have some free time today! Such a cool find...

And that’s basically just another Japanese product you see everywhere...

Check out this cool little find for collectors! It’s a plastic display case designed specifically for saber-style swords... perfect if you want to show off your gear without the dust getting everywhere. Really sleek design too... definitely worth a look if you're trying to level up your display game!

Here you go, right here in the States...

Check out this link about plastic bokken... It’s actually pretty interesting to see how they're making them now. They look almost like the real thing... definitely worth a quick read if you're into martial arts gear!

And we’ve got another one from the same source here, and honestly, the prices are even better...

Check this out! Found these E-Bogu plastic organizers on Amazon. They look super handy for keeping everything tidy around the house... Honestly, such a simple way to stay organized! Definitely worth a look if you're cleaning up your space... So useful!

Honestly, I’d say just risk spending maybe $30 or $40. Try ordering from somewhere else first to see if it actually fits...

👍

Honestly, this is the only one that actually looks a bit different from those basic, standard ones you see everywhere. Plus, you can actually get it shipped to the States...

Check out this gear! It’s exactly what I was looking for... super cool stuff over at Nine Circles. Definitely worth a look if you want to level up your collection!

Man, I’d love to make a custom saya just for your bokken, but since it would definitely be a one-off piece, it might end up costing more than the bokken itself... 😬

Oh man...

Finding a saya that actually fits your specific bokken might be a little tricky... It’s definitely not a "one size fits all" situation because the fit has to be perfect... Your best bet is finding someone who builds both at the same time so they match up perfectly... And honestly, there aren't many options for specialized saya from places like ReplikArt...

Right now, they only have one single bokken listed in their shop...

It looks like the manufacturer is Jidai over in Japan... But from what I can tell, they don't really carry bokkens anymore...

http://www.jidai.jp/

You should try reaching out to a local guy we have right here on the forum... He crafts incredible bokkens and does custom saya and tsuka-ito work so they look totally authentic... He can make you a matching set tailored exactly to your specs... Since he basically handcrafts them one by one, he can adjust the sizing to fit you perfectly... It won't be super fast, but trust me, it's worth the wait... I haven't heard of a single one of his blades ever cracking...

All his contact info is right there... Just give him a shout... You can even send him a private message through paart here on the forum...

Anyway, good luck!...

Probably the best deal here...

http://www.pride.com/Products/6534-ti...a-koljena.aspx

Looks a bit more padded... and pricier...

http://www.budo-sistem.com/zastitna-o...muay-thai.html

Even more padding, but not quite as expensive...

http://www.budo-sistem.com/zastitna-o...eno-extra.html

But hey, it's not just martial arts shops... Check out this pro handball guard...

http://www.anatom-sport.com/proizvodi.php?id=71

Seems like a sportier option for volleyball too...

http://www.protetikamodular.com/sadrz...odbojka__7750_

Anyway, go ahead and browse... see which one you like best... 😬

Oh, easy for you to say! I’ve jumped back into training, just doing it recreationally three times a week, so yeah, my whole body is feeling it right now... 😬

That’s actually why I was looking around for some decent kimonos at a good price point... 😉

As for my training progress and how flexible I am? You'll have to ask me about that once a year or so... 😍

It’s honestly so great seeing people getting back into training... I’m trying my best too, but I seriously doubt I’ll ever be as flexible as a board again after six years of TOTAL inactivity... My leg tendons have been absolutely killing me for weeks now. It’s not even about hitting a split anymore; I can barely even touch my toes, let alone do anything fancy... Plus, the muscle soreness is hitting me in spots I didn't even know I had. I'm gonna die... 😬

If you don't want the gi to be an issue, the most affordable karate gi I could find on sale—while supplies last—for heights between 5'7" and 6'7", is this one right here for $40... They mostly just carry the pants... The only thing is, it’s not 100% cotton. Some people say that's actually better because it lasts longer, but who knows...

Then there's this one, a standard, lightweight karate gi made of 100% cotton...

Now, if your style involves throws and grappling, you'll want this one—it's more than twice as thick...

You might be able to find something cheaper through the big major dojos, though I highly doubt it...

Anyway, enjoy your training sessions... Just NEVER stop completely. Always stay active with something—morning stretches, anything at all. Just don't end up like me, waking up one morning and realizing you're as stiff as a doorframe... 😬

When it comes to wooden gear, you’re honestly not going to find anything better than this in the States or anywhere else...

😉

Alright, in that case, I don't have much to add... Unless you want to check with the club to see if they're going to fix this or if it’s just staying this way, considering how much everything else seems to suit you guys...🤷

Also, Tae Kwon Do is a Korean martial art and sport, so I'm not quite sure it's appropriate to use the Japanese title 'sensei' for a coach... It might not be an issue here in the States, but Koreans aren't exactly big fans of the Japanese, sooo.... 😬

@Chris Bailey93 - hmmm... Don't get mad at me, but maybe it’s just the simple smell of a sweaty gym... 😬

People who aren't used to the "musky" scent of a local MMA gym or weight room often mistake it for dampness... Try hitting up some other clubs nearby to see if it's the same thing, then you'll know for sure... 😉

Actual mold and mildew have a totally different vibe... I know because I lived for years in an old house without proper insulation, so all those plastic joints on the exterior walls would sweat from condensation during the winter and grow mold everywhere... 😬

If we're talking about mold, then nope, the air definitely isn't healthy if it's full of spores... But if it's just sweat, hey, there's no winter chill here, and honestly, that's exactly what you want to smell in a gym... 👍

@Chris Bailey93 - what’s the issue with the space...? From what I can see online, things look more than okay... 🤷

@Sam Roberts - you're absolutely right, no doubt about it... 😬

The kid is obsessed with those ninja turtles... You know, that quasi-Japanese mystical skill vibe... 😬

Wrestling is great and all, but I'm not sure how many wrestling clubs there actually are for little ones... Now, for Judo clubs, I know they exist, and kids just love them! They're rolling around on the floor in their gi, running, stretching, learning how to fall on the mats... I'm not looking at this from a "which sport is technically better" standpoint, but rather which one is best for a 4-year-old...

If he's more into striking, why not Taekwondo or Tang Soo Do? If they have groups for kids that young, then that's awesome... It's rare to find really good groups with expert instructors... And later on, if he stays interested, who knows what he might decide to train in... When you're a kid, you just follow your heart... 😬

But for a start, I think Judo is the winner for a 4-year-old, wearing that "mystical white" gi, acting like it's the first "skill" a little ninja learns... Nudge-nudge, wink-wink... 😉

Cheers! 🙂

People say Dan-Gun is great for kids... But at four years old, maybe Judo would be a better call...?

Both of these clubs are big enough that they probably have daycare options too, so you should definitely ask...

http://www.judolika.com/

For sure, an activity like this in a proper environment will really help a little one progress... Personally, I think Judo—with its focus on technique over hitting and learning how to fall correctly—is a muuuuch better choice here than combat sports that involve striking...

👍