Hello from South Carolina!

[gamecock66]

Hi all. Was surfing tonight for info on KM and came across this forum. There seems to be a lot of good info here that I am looking forward to reading! I would like some advice though on what my goals are and what I can expect or not expect KM to do for me.

I am 42, 6'5" 255lbs (could use to lose about 15-20lbs in my mid section). Years ago I took TKD and also trained some with the Marine detatchment on the ship I was stationed on while in the NAVY. That was over 20 years ago so I don't even pretend to remember any of it. I have been a weight lifter since HS but I am finding that with age and heavy weights ,my joints are starting to complain! I really need to get into something that will give me good cardio, balance, stamina and stregth as I really hate tread mills, elypticals, bikes, etc. They are just so boring and I find myself not sticking with them. KM seems to be something that I would get the benefits I am looking for while challenging my mind, body and spirit.

Here are some of the things I would be interested in hearing opinions about.

• First and fore most am I looking at the right thing with KM based on my expectations above?
• Should I continue weight lifting and if so is it best to reduce the amount of weight I am doing and go for more all over workouts instead of focused workouts on specific body parts per day?
• If I should continue weight lifting, how often? Right now I am 4-5 days a week, a little over an hour a day.
• How many classes of KM per week should I take?
• What questions should I ask when talking to the instructors?
• Recommended supplements for training in KM? I currently use protien shakes and I tend to drink about a half a Monster before my workouts.
• What should I expect to pay for KM training and do most places do memberships for unlimited classes or is there typically a maximum number of clases a person can take per week?

If I decide to move forward with KM training I will probably be training at Ryan Hoover's Karate in Gastonia NC. They offer 2 introductory 45 minute classes for $20. Does anyone here have any experience with them?

Thank you all for your time and advice. I look forward to reading your responses and learning from everyone here.

Thanks
Wade

[mara_jade]

Welcome to the forum!

It really depends on what you want out of KM. Some will do KM only, some do other arts to supplement, etc.

Being athletic is NOT a requirement to do KM. Once you get going, you'll see changes

Oh you'll be challenged alright, in more ways than one. You're gonna feel like a mack truck hit you at first (sorry but I've done this a few times already). Don't worry about where you are with everyone else, its YOUR training. You'll only get out of it what you put into it.

There's not a one size fits all on how KM memberships work. Its really based on location, classes offered, etc. That's definitely one to ask at Ryan's.

Ryan rocks! Hubby and I have had the pleasure of training with him when he's come to town. It sounds like you found a great place to train.

If it were me, go try Ryan's place out. Feel free to ask questions but I wouldn't ponder so much just yet about other training etc, till you get that first question figured out first. We can say great things about KM all day but you have make that choice for yourself

[t-krav]

Go and check out his place and take some classes. I stopped lifting weights 2 years ago and rely on all the body weight exercises, specific x-training classes, and L1-L3 classes to keep me in shape. Of course deadlifting, squatting, and pullups are always a great idea for proper strength. Go take some classes. Only way to know if the bug will bite you.

[ht62092]

I started a little over two weeks ago. I was in good shape strength-wise, and average shape cardiovascularly (I played a lot of basketball, and lifted a lot of weights). I was 6'4 240. I haven't weighed myself since, mostly because I don't care.

Here's my account of the first two weeks. It's really rough, a typical class starts with about a 10 minute warm-up/stretch. By the end of that, I'm sweating (I sweat a lot when working out). Then, we learn some combative, be it kicks, punches, hammerfists, heel strikes, knees, elbows, whatever. You'll get into that when you start. We do some drills where we practice the technique we just learned. Then, after that, we learn some sort of technique that's more of a defense technique. For example, today, we did wrist releases (breaking someones grip when they grab you from the wrist). By the end of class, I'm dripping in sweat, but ultimately feel good. I'm still improving every class, and I know it's a long process. No big changes happen overnight, but I will say you do feel more comfortable should something happen. Even if it's just a matter of conditioning or having more practice throwing punch after punch.

It's a type of workout I couldn't simulate anywhere else. It's a combination of muscular and cardiovascular all at once. You're twisting and torquing your body, working your core. Extending your arms and punching. Driving off your feet. It's a workout, and there's no doubt it will get anyone in better shape than where they are originally. Also, because you are working with one partner, and a lot of the stuff is on your own with the other person holding the bag, you can move sort of at your own pace. If you have to take a break, or slow your punching, your partner will probably push you to keep going, but it's not like you'll be slowing them down too much.

I really hope this helps, and causes you to start, because I enjoy it a lot and highly endorse it. Also, at least at my gym, everyone is as friendly as can be. I can't speak for everywhere, but it's a really low-key environment so you never feel intimidated to ask a question.

[n8swag]

Hey man! I'm from SC Too! Which part do you live in? I'm in gvile!