FAQ Post - Updated Version
Do I need to lose weight before I train in Martial Arts?
Many people have either directly or indirectly asked me variations of this. You can start training in Martial Arts at any age and weight is not a factor in if you can Start.
Age is not a factor in starting Martial Arts.
Do I need to get fit before I start training Martial Arts?
Fitness is not a factor in starting Martial Arts training. Just go to the beginner classes.
What Martial Arts should I do?
Go to a few trial classes from different styles and with different groups and pick the one with which you feel the most connected. Compare prices, teachers, students, and cleanliness of the training area.
Make sure there are some more advanced students as this means people have stayed with the organization and progressed in their training or they moved to the area and chose this organization to train. Make sure the organization does not guarantee any level of a belt after a specific period of time-rough estimates are okay but any kind of guarantee sends up red flags that this place is in it for the money since everyone progresses at different rates. Also make sure that their belt system complies with the overall belt system for that Martial Arts style and doesn’t have added levels in between belts (BJJ does have levels in between belts, but not every Martial Art style is like that).
You should do the Martial Arts with which you feel the most connection. Try out the different styles available in your area. Make sure you feel comfortable around the teachers and other students and that the money rates are something that work for you. Make sure the organization is not a McDojo.
If you have any mental/physical limits then speak to the teacher beforehand and quietly sit out if there is something you cannot do.
If you have parents that disapprove because you are a girl or they are worried about it, try ‘gentler’ Martial Arts like Aikido, Women’s self defense, or Tai Chi-they are just as effective but don’t look as scary/aggressive as other styles.
I’m a man/nonbinary/not a woman. Can I still follow you?
Yes, you can follow me regardless of gender.
The Warrior Soul all Women possess.
That’s not what Philia means!
Language evolves, why don’t you?
What Martial Arts do you do?
Capoeira, Kokikai Aikido briefly, and now Tai Chi and I am going to try out Tang Soo Do.
Please read this post. And this one.
How do you motivate yourself/how do I stay motivated?
I set aside time on multiple days during the week to exercise and train. Everyone’s motivation is different, so figure out what motivates you and make that your goal. My motivation is to master different Martial Arts disciplines, because I find most other exercises boring after a while or when I reach a certain physical strength/endurance level, because there is nowhere to go except to add another set or do more reps. In Martial Arts, it’s a learning process because you can do more advanced moves when you master more basic moves or simpler versions of advanced moves in order to be able to do the advanced form of a move or technique.
There is also this video for how to get motivated.
I have limited income but I still want to learn Martial Arts!
Lots of people on my blog have suggested/found success with talking to the Martial Arts instructor about prices. You can also check with any colleges in your area for student clubs that meet to train.
It’s difficult to get to training/I don’t have time to go/how do I learn Martial Arts all by myself with no formal training?
If it’s difficult to get to training you could go less often and practice what you learned in class until you can go to class again. If you want to learn Martial Arts then make the time for it. You can’t learn any Martial Arts without an instructor in the discipline, you will injure yourself, you will “learn” the moves incorrectly as well as bad habits, you won’t get feedback on what you’re doing wrong and what you’re doing well/correctly. Also, read this post. And this one.
I can’t go to the gym for xyz reason! What do I do?
Exercise at home. You can buy weights or resistance bands and do bodyweight exercises, yoga, or aerobic exercises. You can also exercise outside if possible.
I want to start working out! What do I do?
Experiment with different types of exercise to see what you do and don’t like doing. You should also try going to Martial Arts beginner classes to see which ones you like, as those will get you into shape while teaching you valuable self defense and life lessons.
Your muscles burn during exercise because of a build up of lactic acid-during exercise your body uses oxygen to break down glucose for energy. When there is not enough oxygen available your body produces lactate which can be broken down for energy without oxygen-this causes lactic acid. It is best to take a break and focus on breathing when this happens until the burning sensation subsides.
After exercising, it is believed there are microscopic tears in your muscles that cause muscle soreness while they heal. It is best to take rest days to allow these muscles to recover and heal from the exercise.
Why is this submitted post tagged NSFW?
I do not know why the submitter of the post tagged it NSFW. I do not edit the tags of the posts submitted to my blog, the only thing I change about submitted posts is to @ the person that submitted it if they did not do so. I would appreciate it if people would stop antagonizing me and the submitters over it, as in the past the submitters have felt the need to apologize to ME for “causing” the trouble, when really the people who should be apologizing are the ones causing the fuss.
