General Chat & Info Board

DSJJ incorporates Arnis—whether you call it Eskrima or Kali, it’s all part of the same discipline—into their training sessions, and Urban does the same. I also heard a rumor that there’s an Arnis instructor out in Metkovici—apparently someone who moved back from Germany and is running classes, though I’m not entirely sure which specific style they teach—but as far as I know, those are pretty much the only options for picking up the art here in America... at least based on what I've gathered so far.

Hey there. Looking for some Kung Fu spots in the US. Where’s the best school to train? Need info, links, whatever. Thanks.

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...

Brandon Price6 said: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...

Which part of the city are you in?
I don't think Escrima would be quite what you're after. It doesn't really tick all those boxes at once...

- There's Ninjutsu—footwork, ground fighting, weapons (knives, swords, various sticks, chain weapons...). The ground work is different, not your typical "wrestling." There aren't competitions, and it isn't treated as an "organized sport."
- Israeli military systems: Krav Maga and Dennis Survival Jiu-Jitsu (DSJJ). For "civilians," the focus is heavily on effective self-defense; they aim for realism, and the training is relatively demanding. The main interest is striking on foot, along with basic takedowns with or without weapons, though they cover other things too. DSJJ also has specific competitions that are very similar to ancient Pankration. These groups tend to fill up fast, so there's often no room left. There's a Krav Maga seminar coming up soon—check the bulletin board if you want to come take a look. I believe the topic is female self-defense. DSJJ is similar. Some clubs have full gyms attached, or they incorporate kettlebell work...
- MMA (Mixed Martial Arts). This provides an excellent foundation for fighting UNARMED, regardless of your position. They practice boxing, Muay Thai, kickboxing, wrestling, Judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu... It’s a legitimate sport. Very well organized. How intense it gets depends entirely 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 them...

bluehawk36 said:Hey there. Looking for some Kung Fu spots in the US. Where’s the best school to train? Need info, links, whatever. Thanks.

"Kung Fu" doesn't actually mean anything specific☕ Under that label, we're talking about hundreds of different Chinese styles. In town, you've got Wing Chun, Tai Chi, Bagua(!?). There used to be a Kung Fu club run by the late Jovica Glogovac out in Karlovac, and then in the city, there's the Safira school. What specifically drew you to these styles? Or did you just watch a few Bruce Lee, Jet Li, or Chow Yun-fat movies and decide you wanted to be like them?...

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?

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?

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...

Hey there!
I wanted to pick your brain about where to find Tai Chi Chuan in the city—is there a specific website I should check out? Also, if you have any good reading material on the different styles, I’d love to dive into that just to get a better grasp of what we're talking about and how they actually differ. I'm genuinely curious. And regarding that Sapphire school, what kind of style do they teach, and are they actually considered one of the decent places around here?

Looking for some quick insights if anyone can help.🙂

To the person who originally asked this, you might want to scroll back through the last few pages of this thread; I'm pretty sure Tai Chi Chuan came up in the conversation before...
As for the Sapphire school, they tend to be quite secretive, and there isn't much public info out there. From what I've gathered, my impressions aren't exactly glowing, so I think I'll just hold my tongue on that one for now...😁

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...😉

The KM seminar happened a few weeks back

@Brandon Price6

Better to just go watch them all train first, then decide... hehehe

I don't see a post from brane2 in this thread yet. If they just joined or if you're waiting for them to weigh in, I'm ready to jump in once they do! kaže:
Do weight classes based on height? For example, if someone is around 5'9" to 5'11" and weighs about 200 lbs, can they compete in that bracket if their technique is specifically dialed in to handle taller opponents?

Can someone break down the pros and cons of being a shorter fighter versus a taller one? Honestly, my height is the only thing making me hesitate about getting into this.

It’s not about how high you climb—it’s about how much weight you can carry.

The heavy hitters in the MT division definitely have the edge, but there are always outliers. For me, our number one fighter has to be Emil Zoraj. If I remember correctly, he’s about 5'10", and man, that guy is an absolute beast. Just a total animal in there.

If you're sitting at about 198 pounds and 5'11", you’re definitely going to run into those fighters who stand 6'3" or even taller. I mean, sure, you'll face shorter guys too, but that's just how it goes.

If you aren't willing to fight, then you just don't give a damn.

Brandon Price6 said: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.

Honestly, your best bet is to just go down to a club and talk to the referees directly.😁 😉

They train MMA (that's the stuff Mirko Cro Cop used to do)🤣 over in a local neighborhood gym called the City Athletics Club.

You could totally drop those 65 pounds there.

As for whether they take "older ladies"...🤷

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.🙂

Brandon Price6 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. 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.

If you're interested in Kyokushin, we're over in the Trevo district on Kucherova. There are plenty of women/girls (including a few beginners now), so if you want more info, just shoot me a DM.🙂

I put my question in this thread right here, so I figured I wouldn't bother copying and pasting it into two different places...
Just reply to this thread or the one I started earlier, whichever works better for you.
Thanks in advance...

Alright, since nobody’s really said anything yet, I’ll just drop this here and hope for the best:
So, I train MMA and I'm starting to get into more sparring, which means I probably need a mouthguard.
My orthodontist says they can't make me one because my teeth are constantly shifting, so I'd basically be needing a new one all the time. But I was looking online and saw all these different mouthguards for people with braces ranging from $10 enough to maybe $67...
I did a little digging, and it seems like plenty of people wear those specific orthodontic mouthguards without any issues.
Has anyone dealt with this before? I could use some help here.
I'm not sure if I should just listen to my orthodontist or if I should take matters into my own hands and buy one of those specialized guards at my own risk. Any advice would be appreciated, please... it's kind of urgent.

Listen to your orthodontist.
I mean, how are you even supposed to train in combat sports while wearing braces? My orthodontist straight up told me to forget about trying to combine those two things...

electricbison3 said:Listen to your orthodontist.
I mean, how are you even supposed to train in combat sports while wearing braces? My orthodontist straight up told me to forget about trying to combine those two things...

I mean, I’m not the only one. I’ve asked around and plenty of people wear braces and still train MMA.
It was probably just your specific orthodontist telling you that, maybe so you don't have to deal with any extra headaches.👍

give it a shot and see

Joint,
I have to admit, they don't teach us about this specific issue in school—and I'm in my fifth year of dental school. We cover "classic" mouthguards, sure, but nothing regarding protection specifically for orthodontic patients. Your question actually prompted me to dig through some literature and search online, but I couldn't find a single professional article or expert advice on the topic, which was honestly surprising. On the other hand, I did find info suggesting that orthodontists abroad handle custom guards for their patients without any trouble; so, your orthodontist isn't right about this.
Of course, that approach is expensive because you have to remove the braces and take a precise impression of the jaw to create a high-quality, fully custom guard. That’s why manufacturers offer guards specifically designed for braces at much lower price points.

I'll list two examples that caught my eye as potentially better options amidst a sea of plastic junk. I can't find any reliable verification of their quality, so I can't recommend them with total certainty—you'll have to use your own judgment:

1. http://www.shockdoctor.com/product/d...outhguard.aspx
In my opinion, these kinds of prefabricated models are the worst. They simply won't fit every jaw or every type of orthodontic appliance. I assume their retention is non-existent and they provide the lowest level of protection.

2. http://www.oc-j.com/mar06/mouthguard.htm
These seem higher quality to me. They work on the "boil and bite" principle (hot water, soften, then mouth) and adapt somewhat to your situation if you shape them correctly. This requires fitting them properly over the teeth before biting down to ensure there's enough material and even pressure. Don't bite down like a maniac, or you'll make them too thin. That rule applies to standard "boil and bite" guards as well.

I called a colleague who has been in orthodontics for 20 years. She mentioned she has plenty of young patients involved in Tae Kwon Do, basketball, and football who wear braces and mouthguards. They usually pick them up at a place like Dick's Sporting Goods; I'll get the exact store name and address tomorrow and let you know.
Supposedly, they're very satisfied with them. I suspect they might be similar to the ones in the second link because they are "remoldable." This means once you feel they aren't fitting quite right anymore, you can just heat them up and reshape them in your mouth. You can't do that with standard "boil and bite" guards meant for regular teeth.

Finally, start practicing nasal breathing. 🙂
Avoid direct hits as much as possible and warn your partners, regardless of whether you're wearing a guard. Your teeth are constantly shifting due to the braces, which means they are somewhat more vulnerable, and it's not ideal to subject them to extra trauma. Plus, braces can easily pop off while you're eating, let alone from a hit... and getting them glued back on isn't cheap. 😉

Best!