General Chat & Info Board

seriously, just start a women's kickboxing federation. (not like an official one—keep it chill, you know?) I know 3 or 4 girls who train with the guys and would kill for some female-only sparring sessions. I’ll definitely be showing up to watch the fights, and I’m pretty sure other people on this forum would too 🙂

Hey... I’m telling you, you need to check this out... Silat

You can find all the details here: www.silat.com

Take care!

Hey,
got a question for you guys. basically, I want to get into some martial arts, but my past choices have been total misses. I played hockey my whole life—then just quit—and tried out Hapkido at a local gym downtown, but honestly? It wasn't my vibe at all. Training Hapkido compared to hockey felt like taking a casual stroll through the park... super underwhelming. Plus, the class dynamic was just weird—it was basically a couple of middle schoolers, me, and this 30-year-old dude who needs an IV drip after running half a lap around the room. When he wasn't available to drill techniques, I was stuck working with those kids. Given my size—I'm 6'3" and about 230 lbs—training with elementary schoolers isn't exactly productive, you know? So, what should I look into instead? I’ve always been leaning towards Judo, but I need something that actually pushes me physically—intense enough to be a workout, but without the risk of coming home missing teeth or with a busted foot. Thanks for bearing with me.

There’s a kickboxing spot located over at the American center in Maksimir. I’m not entirely sure about the current rates—they likely have their own dedicated webpage, so you should probably check there for the specifics. Until recently, they offered sessions over at St. Jude's as well, though they've pivoted from kickboxing to standard boxing there. You get a personal trainer and can work around a schedule that you coordinate directly with them. That said, the pricing is a bit steep $120.

Regarding what you're looking for and those dimensions you mentioned... I honestly think you'd get the most out of wrestling or maybe some BJJ. You should check in with Robin Palmer3, he’s probably the best person to walk you through it all.

Jonathan Johnson67 said:Based on what you're looking for and your build, I’d say wrestling or BJJ would be your best bet. Check in with Robin Palmer3; he’s the guy to talk to about this.

Why are you dragging him into this? Maybe a hockey stick would pair well with a bicycle and some dumbbells... 😬

FD, let us know where you're located and we'll find something for you. It's good for recreation, staying fit, and building confidence.

Drew Martin6 said:Why are you even dragging him into this?

I mean, look at the guy... he’s built for it. Standing 6'3" and pushing 230 lbs... if he’s looking for Judo, he’s definitely more about those throws and leverage than just swinging punches... it makes sense...

Jonathan Johnson67 said:Well, the guy is looking for something pretty intense—he's 6'3" and about 230 lbs. If he’s eyeing Judo, I bet he’d prefer throws and leverage over just trading punches.

Drew Martin6 is messing around here... honestly, any grappling skill fits what you're after—doesn't matter if it's wrestling, BJJ, Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, or Sambo...
John Gonzalez5, all of those would work for you—especially given your build...

Maybe he isn't overweight... maybe he's just built like Jacques

Drew Martin6 said:Perhaps he isn't overweight... maybe he's just Jacques

But his soul is truly good😬 😬

Black wall.
I think the guys are right; whatever you decide to take, it won't be a total bust.

I'm curious about the price of the cheapest hakamas over at Kwon. What’s the damage for a Kendo gi? Also, do they carry those extra wide belts—the OBI? I need one that’s seriously wide. Thanks.

Jerry Thompson said:I’m wondering how much the cheapest hakamas at Kwon cost. Also, what’s the price for a Kendo Gi, and do they carry that really wide belt (OBI)? Like, super wide. Thanks.

We’ve actually touched on Kwon before. Honestly? When it comes to gear for Kendo or Iaido, I’d suggest steering clear for the most part. The prices are sky-high, and even at their best, the quality is just... mediocre. As for the belt, you’re probably looking for a kaku obi—that extra wide one used in Iaido.

For Kendo and Iaido, I’ve had great experiences with a few specific shops:
www.budo-aoi.com
www.tozando.com
www.bogubag.com
www.e-kendo.com
www.e-bogu.com
Just some options for you. If you end up picking somewhere else, you likely won't be making a huge mistake.

crimsonbison10 said:www.ebay.com

Absolute blasphemy!!!!!!!!!!! 😳

😬

wanderingridge said:Blasphemy!!!!!!!!!!! 😳

😬

Epiphany😁

Look, I need an Aikido hakama. And I’m not looking to order this online; I want to walk into a shop, pay cash, and walk out with it in hand. Is there any other local shop besides Kwon? What’s the deal with Kwon—why is everyone saying they're no good? If I try to buy it online, I'll be waiting two months for it to arrive... and I've already been waiting three months just for a shinai from Ekendo.

Jerry Thompson said:I need an aikido hakama. And honestly, I don't want to deal with ordering online—I’d rather just walk into a shop, pay cash, and carry it out. Is there any other shop besides Kwon? What’s the issue with Kwon? (Ordering online takes forever; it'll take two months to arrive... I'm still waiting on a shinai from Amazon after three whole months.)

Don't speak as if you know the whole story. Personally, my shipments have arrived within seven days, sometimes even faster. Sure, the shipping costs were higher. I've written quite a bit about this before, so maybe dig through the archives or check the threads regarding gear purchases (especially online orders).

It’s not that Kwon is chronically terrible; it's more that for the amount of money you're handing them, you could actually snag much higher quality gear elsewhere.
By the way, your gear arrived, so if luck is on your side, expect it next week😁.

Hmm... someone... ( an unknown 😉 ) told us things haven't even gotten started yet. 🙂 If it actually arrived... then fantastic. 😍

Jerry Thompson said:Hmm... someone... (whoever that 😉 was) told us things haven't even gotten moving yet. 🙂 If it actually arrived... then great. 😍

Honestly, I have no clue what those Agatsuovac guys have been up to with the shipping lately. 😬 It’s like trying to track a ghost through a fog bank—you think you see movement, then nothing. Just total chaos.

Please, I need some advice!
Here’s the situation: I want to start training kickboxing—nothing too serious, just something recreational where I can hit some pads and blow off steam. I really need a way to release all this pent-up negative energy. I actually found a kickboxing class at the F45 gym over in Midtown, but when I finally worked up the nerve to call them, they told me the sessions are completely full. Does anyone have any recommendations on where else I could go to train?