Getting Started with Training

I'm 15 and really want to start training some kind of martial art. I originally thought about trying Krav Maga, but apparently I have to be at least 16 first—so that's a bummer. Now I'm looking for some advice from those of you who are already training: which martial art would be the best to learn for long-term use—maybe for something like joining the military later on?

It really depends on your preferences—whether you're more into ground work or striking...

EDIT:
Starting out with some Jiu-Jitsu might not be a bad idea, since most fights end up on the ground anyway (unless you get knocked out by that first punch😁)

steeldrifter13 said:I'm 15 years old and I want to start training a martial art. At first, I thought about doing Krav Maga, but you have to be 16. Now I'm looking for advice from those of you who train: what is the best martial art to learn if I want to use it later in life (for example, in the military or something similar)?

If you want something relatively straightforward but highly effective, my top recommendation would be Muay Thai.

Muay Thai indeed. Maybe wait another year before you even think about touching Krav Maga. It really just depends on what Larry Hayes said you were looking for.

If you're in New York City:
Swing by Brooklyn for some UFC training (I think there are two other clubs in the area).
Check out some Muay Thai over on Broadway or somewhere similar.
Or, if you want to jump straight in, look into signing up for Jiu-Jitsu at 55 Broadway once September starts.
; )

steeldrifter13 said:I'm 15 years old and I want to start training a martial art. At first, I thought about doing Krav Maga, but you have to be 16. Now I'm looking for advice from those of you who train: what's the best martial art to learn if I want to use it later in life (for example, in the military or something similar)?

Picking a martial art just for the sake of fighting—if that’s how you want to put it—is like picking a car just to drag race it down the highway...

It's a tricky question because everyone is going to give you a different answer (usually based on the idea that "every man thinks his own horse is the fastest"). My advice: visit different gyms, watch their sessions, and even try out a few classes. If it clicks, it's for you. If it doesn't (even if the style is hyped up as being hyper-effective), move on.

Peter Myers29 said:Picking a martial art just for the sake of fighting—if that’s how you want to put it—is kind of like buying a car just to tear up the streets...

This is a tricky question—mostly because everyone’s going to give you their own biased take, right? It’s that classic "every coach thinks they’re the best" situation. My advice—if you want my two cents—is to just go from gym to gym. Show up, watch a few sessions, and maybe even jump in for a class or two if they'll let you. If the vibe clicks, stay. If it doesn't—even if people say the technique is supposedly "world-class" or whatever—just move on.

I’m actually looking to pick up some martial arts training—mostly because I’ve got my sights set on a military academy, and honestly, a little extra conditioning wouldn't hurt!

steeldrifter13 said:I'm actually looking to pick up some martial arts training since I'm planning on heading to West Point, and a bit of extra conditioning wouldn't hurt...

You’ve got that barracks over by Times Square and some solid boxing gyms nearby. As far as military prep goes, you might want to look into Krav Maga or check out that club where they teach Jujigatame—Dennis's place does survival stuff, which is basically just that Israeli BV style...

steeldrifter13 said:I’m actually looking to pick up a martial art because I'm planning on heading to West Point. A bit of extra conditioning won't hurt either.

So, boxing or wrestling. Maybe both.🙂

I forgot to mention, and it looks like placidbison20 is staying quiet on this one...
There’s also what you might call the Navy SEALs crowd; the instructor there is an ex-Alpha operative, a real special forces guy. They do everything from hand-to-hand combat to training with blades and firearms. It's a club where they even practice Ninjutsu—you can find more details at www.bujinkan.us
I think they have an age limit, but hey, there's no harm in knowing...

Aside from the BV stuff, are you absolutely sure about joining the military? It isn't exactly how they portray it on TV...
We actually have quite a few career soldiers in this group. maximiliancervantes (or something like that, placidbison20, feel free to correct me) is in Recon; bujin is Military Police, currently stationed over in Afghanistan...
Just ask...

hiddensailor14 said:I forgot to mention this, and since placidbison20 is staying quiet...
There is also the so-called Navy SEALs training. The instructor is an ex-Alpha operative, a real special forces guy. They cover hand-to-hand combat and knife or blade work. If you want details on the club where they practice Ninjutsu, check out www.bujinkan.hr
. I believe there might be an age limit. But knowing this shouldn't hurt you.

Besides BV, are you absolutely certain about joining the military? It isn't exactly what you see on TV...
We have plenty of professional soldiers here. maximiliancervantes (or something like that, placidbison20, please correct me if I'm wrong) is in reconnaissance; bujin is Military Police, currently deployed in Afghanistan...
Just ask...

I'm not bringing up the Navy SEALs because they don't hold regular training sessions. It works more like a seminar series, which makes it better as a supplement to a steady training program.
If the young man has any questions regarding our military, there are more than enough competent people right here to give him answers.

Last I heard, the official martial art they teach in the military is Taekwondo.
That’s actually not quite right, unfortunately—likely just because of certain people's interests.
I’m guessing the unofficial standard is more along the lines of boxing, judo, and jiu-jitsu?

Honestly, just check out some local gyms and see what sticks;
boxing or Muay Thai.
judo, wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, or submission grappling (which is really a mix of everything).
All of those combined: MMA.
There are "traditional" jiu-jitsu schools out there, but I don't know much about their specific training quality—maybe Alpha?
Regardless, my first recommendation would be Muay Thai, MMA, or Krav Maga/Dennis Survival Jiu-Jitsu (starting in September).🙂

steeldrifter13 said:I’m actually looking to pick up some martial arts since I'm aiming for West Point, and I could definitely use the extra conditioning.

That changes the context entirely. In that case, you'd benefit most from something practical like Krav Maga, Jiu-Jitsu, or even Ninjutsu. My advice? Spend this next year focusing heavily on your conditioning—specifically endurance rather than just raw strength. Once you turn 16, head straight to the nearest Krav Maga gym.

hiddensailor14 said:bujin is military police,

Hmm... 🤔 I don't think so. If I recall correctly, he's in communications or something similar... 🤔

hiddensailor14 said:currently in Afghanistan...

The man is back home...

When you say military academy, are we talking about civilian-military training—like those ROTC programs?

As for conditioning, I’d suggest boxing. It builds decent functional strength in your arms and everything else.

Well, there you have it—I've laid out just about every skill and sport available to you. Now, I suppose it's up to you to make a choice.

Peter Myers29 said:That changes things entirely... You'd be better off looking into stuff like Krav Maga or Jiu-Jitsu. My advice? Spend this next year working on your conditioning—focus more on endurance than pure strength. Once you hit 16, just head straight to the nearest Krav Maga gym.

Agreed

It all boils down to what kind of vibe you’re looking for and what actually clicks with you... you can't really know if it's your thing until you roll up your sleeves and give it a shot...

so which clubs did you play for?

you gonna show up this fall and claim you're still 16?

better get some training in and work on your cardio until then...