Discussion What martial arts have you guys done?

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Had my second lesson tonight and managed to save my puking until after the lesson. That's an improvement!
 
The Unforgiven said:
I did BJJ for three years and was close to a blue belt as well. In my last year I had too much going on and found it difficult to commit which in the end resulted in training stopping. Prior to that, I had done Karate for one year and Muay Thai kickboxing for four years.

I'm looking into Judo now, as I've always wanted to learn it. Now that my kids are all Primary School aged, I'll be looking to get them into something. Jui-Jitsu or Judo would be my choices.
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It only took me three years, but I finally decided to get into Judo. I had planned to join a local club in early 2020, however, when Covid hit, it put and end to that. I ended up joining early this year and I've been attending on average one class per week, where I've just recently progressed to yellow belt.

My first class was interesting. We concentrated on ne waza (ground techniques) for the whole night. I had not declared my BJJ background prior to commencing, so for all intents and purposes, they all assumed I was a complete novice.

I was put up against a blue belt. Thankfully we started from a kneeling position, where I instinctively pulled guard. The dude I was up agaist looked a bit surprised as that's not something anyone would normally default to in Judo. Going to one's back isn't the done thing.

After pulling guard, I was waiting for an opportunity to transition to mount. The guy I was up against kept his right knee firmly against me whilst lifting his left leg up. At that moment I hooked my right foot under the back of his knee, put my left foot on his grounded knee and pivoted my hip before kicking out his right knee and rolling him over.

I seamlessly transitioned to the mount position and managed to get a kimura after he gave me his arm trying to defend the choke I had on him using his lapel. He tapped quickly and then paused while he sat up and said, "this isn't your first rodeo, is it!?" 😂

Having come close to obtaining a blue belt in BJJ has helped me immensely with some aspects of learning Judo, whilst in other aspects it has hindered me. Sure, as a white belt (and now yellow belt) I was tapping out blue belts more often than not, and even the odd brown belt whilst grappling. However, my inclination to pull guard, or to shoot for a single/double leg takedown (which is now banned in Judo) has made it hard for me to transition into learning the throws.

In my first stand up bout I shot straight in for a single-leg takedown. I was happy with how I executed it and got him straight to the ground. The instructor promptly yelled "mate" (wait) before telling me that it's a banned take down. After standing up again, I felt very vulnerable not being able to do what I instinctively would do. I literally stood there holding the other dude's gi, trying not to get thrown and not knowing what else to do.

My thoughts after six months? I've certainly gotten better at break-falls. We did cover them in BJJ, albeit not to this level. Also, another incredibly challenging aspect I've found to learning throws, is my inclination to stand in my natural orthodox stance when most of Judo's throws require starting from southpaw. This is where Muay Thai has made it hard to transition to Judo, too.

As an almost 37-year-old, the body also feels it a bit more than when I was a lithe, rubbery teenager. Repeatedly hitting the deck after being thrown certainly takes its toll. I'm usually too banged up to attend class twice a week, but when I do, I usually feel it. Judo is a lot more brutal than BJJ.

However, after six months I feel that things are finally starting to fall into place for me. I'm not quite as rigid when engaging in stand up, and I'm just starting to feel comfortable with some of the throws. I've kind of got the hang of the uki-goshi and o-goshi hip throws, but one throw which really seems to come naturally to me now is morote seoi nage.

Over all it's been so good to get back into martial arts after a 16 year absence, even if I'm constantly sore. I'm loving Judo and hoping to go far with it. Although the prospect of competitions seems daunting, and the tales of injuries I've heard from some of the veterans... intimidating! 🙈
 
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Been having fun at BJJ. Still occasionally puking after class lol, but it's almost rewarding. Like, I know I'm puking because I worked my arse off.

Still getting smashed of course, but every now and then I'll reverse a good position or tap a guy even newer than me. The tiny wins are do great to notice.
 
Also, what a great mood reset. Went into tonight's class shitty and stressed about work, and came out feeling like a new bloke.
 
100% excerise is good for mental health.

Had a few medical issues lately which has stopped me from doing my regular 5-10k runs, and MH def isn't where it should be.
 
phantom13 said:
Im positive there is something to be said for the therapuetic benefits of combat sport training (not to mention the discipline).
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It’s a great mindfulness exercise. When you spend round after round with bigger, stronger people trying to choke you you’re 100% focussed on fighting back and at the end of it, it’s an hour you’ve spend without thinking about work, bills, relationships etc.
I’ve had plenty of days when I had to drag myself up the stairs at the start of class but felt like I could leap tall buildings by the end of it.
 
Ryz said:
100% excerise is good for mental health.

Had a few medical issues lately which has stopped me from doing my regular 5-10k runs, and MH def isn't where it should be.
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I’m in the same boat. I’ve always been a long distance runner and did bjj and muay Thai for a few years. Had to give up the martial arts side a few years back due to some medical issues.
My 12 year old son just got his yellow belt in junior bjj and started kickboxing this year too so I now I live vicariously through him. Martial arts has been great for him. He tried football for a few seasons but not being a very confident kid struggled to get involved. He has a real crack when it comes to martial arts though and has his first tournament in a couple of months
 
Wrestle my kids. Chuck em over the couch. Hold 3 of them down at once and hit em with the power tickle. I’m kind of a big deal. At least until they get too big. Then I’m tapping for sure.
 
Boxing in Perth from when I was 13 at Tommy Greenwood’s gym in Maddington. Left there in 92.

Restarted training again in 2000 & went to Malcolm Sue Kung Fu in Perth for 4 years.

Tried some Muay Thai after that but was more career focused by then so it never took off. Plus I got my arse kicked in the Muay Thai gym.
 

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the_interloper said:
Joined a new gym a few months ago, they want me to come down for sparring, oh * ha ha
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Sparring is the best, defs do it, if you can get your cardio to work during a sparring session you can pretty well do anything in life.

Don’t be afraid to ask your sparring partner to go half pace/impact, waaaaaaaay better off saying it up front.
 
phantom13 said:
Sparring is the best, defs do it, if you can get your cardio to work during a sparring session you can pretty well do anything in life.

Don’t be afraid to ask your sparring partner to go half pace/impact, waaaaaaaay better off saying it up front.
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Yeah bloody oath, I'll make sure I tell em I haven't done it much.

Bit upset at the trainer saying "yeah there are plenty of other old blokes happy to have a crack", I'm middle aged ffs ha ha
 
the_interloper said:
Yeah bloody oath, I'll make sure I tell em I haven't done it much.

Bit upset at the trainer saying "yeah there are plenty of other old blokes happy to have a crack", I'm middle aged ffs ha ha
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It might be more mindset, i started my proper sparring stuff at gyms (not just footy club boxing) at like 22 and there is alot of ego about it, i never said anything about blokes going hard cause i didnt want to look soft. As a 35 year old now id be much happier to say "actually nah, lets go open hand thanks"
 
phantom13 said:
It might be more mindset, i started my proper sparring stuff at gyms (not just footy club boxing) at like 22 and there is alot of ego about it, i never said anything about blokes going hard cause i didnt want to look soft. As a 35 year old now id be much happier to say "actually nah, lets go open hand thanks"
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That was on my mind to be honest, but * it I'm 41 with a kid and a career, I"m not about to start getting into gym wars. They're pretty rough and ready at this gym so not sure what they'll say but all good, they seem like good people and I'm sure they'll know what I am.
 
the_interloper said:
That was on my mind to be honest, but * it I'm 41 with a kid and a career, I"m not about to start getting into gym wars. They're pretty rough and ready at this gym so not sure what they'll say but all good, they seem like good people and I'm sure they'll know what I am.
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Famous last words at every bjj gym.

"Let's just go light..........."
 
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