• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

1st karate class today

A

apac

Diamond Member
My university offers a 5 week class for $20 that starts today, but since this is the first time I've ever taken a karate class I'm a total noob.

How do classes like these work, where there are probably a wide range of skill levels? Multiple trainers that split the group?

I'll be renting a Gi uniform from the rec center (they allow daily rentals for free to members) but I realized that that probably doesn't include the belt. I was under the impression that everyone "starts" at a white belt. Is this something I'll receive in the class?

edit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enshin_Karate

update:

Ok, ok, so maybe we didn't learn any special attacks yet. But I was happy to find that 3 of the other 6 people there were also white-belted newbies. As lots of people said, it started out by just punching air and using basic routines in front of a mirror. After a bit of that and stretching, intros, etc we paired up and got to kick each other! Ok, maybe they had the kickee use padded armguards to absorb them, but even roundhouse kicking a dude with pads is tons of fun.

So that was entertaining, but the last half of the session was spent learning the basics of a combo, which was pretty awesome. Without explaining it very well you pull your opponent off balance, knee them in the chest and kick them in the head. Now that was fun! Granted the experts that were switching off as "target dummy" were much more skilled than us newbies, and I'm sure they had a hundred counters to it, but once you get past the awkward "I put my hands where?" stage it almost feels like it could work...maybe...hey at least we got to kick people 😀.

All in all, with 9 more 1.5 hours sessions to go I'd say that's $22 well spent.

edit: I was suprised that they didn't have us do those kata dance-like moves I did in a karate class as a kid. Maybe cause it's hosted at a college they know we like to hit each other more?
 
you should receive it. but you have to pay for it. (i paid around $15 per belt).

I got my white when i purchased my uniform. so renting might be diffrent.
 
From what I understand you will spend a great deal of time painting fences, sanding floors, and waxing cars. Enjoy!
 
Originally posted by: Kev
From what I understand you will spend a great deal of time painting fences, sanding floors, and waxing cars. Enjoy!
Click to expand...

😀 lets hope so, Johnny learned to kick ass in just under 2 hours!
 
everyone starts at white and ends at black. of course, you should be wearing cup for sparring courses.

i got my first degree black belt in chung do kwan at 11 then i left for tae kwon do and my grandmaster let me to make a transition without starting over at white belt. i got my 2nd degree black belt at 14. quit at 15 years old to concentrate on basketball. it would be nice if i continue that way. 🙂

black belt = expensive than all color belts due to name on the belt, certificate and membership to some karate organization i forget the name (it starts with k.)

edit: i loved my old days, beating sh!t out of everyone all the way to first place in tournaments (of course, in age category.)
 
You should be working one on one with someone for a week or two until you grasp all of the basic kick/punch routines of a white belt. After that you should be paired up with other white belts to practice kicks and punches.

It shouldn't be hard the first couple of weeks but it will get harder if it is a full contact style. You can wear a cup or not, depends on if you can get used to it. I never wore one unless I was fighting in a tournament.
 
Originally posted by: Juno
everyone starts at white and ends at black. of course, you should be wearing cup for sparring courses.

i got my first degree black belt in chung do kwan at 11 then i left for tae kwon do and my grandmaster let me to make a transition without starting over at white belt. i got my 2nd degree black belt at 14. quit at 15 years old to concentrate on basketball. it would be nice if i continue that way. 🙂

black belt = expensive than all color belts due to name on the belt, certificate and membership to some karate organization i forget the name (it starts with k.)

edit: i loved my old days, beating sh!t out of everyone all the way to first place in tournaments (of course, in age category.)
Click to expand...

What? Don't tell me you trained at a Tae Kwon Do "Karate" school...
 
It depends... this class sounds more like the one that I had at college and it's more of an "informal" class. Don't get me wrong, you'll still be bowing, showing your signs of respect, repeating the code, etc... but what I mean, is that it may not be as grandiose as you expect. I know when I took mine for a bit, sometimes the white belts would just sit out while the higher belts might practice some katta or "sparring" (... the sparring is more like the situational fighting where you practice a move or a counter, but it's still called sparring).

You probably will have to buy the belt, I know I received mine with my gi. You also have to pay for tests to receive higher belts (fairly cheap and the lower ones are fairly easy to get.. just gotta remember the katta mainly).

Essentially the way your class works will depend on the sensei and how many other instructors he may have. It also depends on how many higher level students he has as well.
 
It all depends on your school and the way its taught. I've always been given my belts (white at the start) and usually have to pay for testing (belt is included). I'd recommend a cup, even if you are not sparring. A lot of times you will work out with a partner, and new people usually have very little control, and your much more likely to get kicked in the junk by a white belt then a high level. There have been plenty of times I've been really glad to have protection. Better to have it and not use it than to not have it and wish you did...
 
Originally posted by: jhayx7
Originally posted by: Juno
everyone starts at white and ends at black. of course, you should be wearing cup for sparring courses.

i got my first degree black belt in chung do kwan at 11 then i left for tae kwon do and my grandmaster let me to make a transition without starting over at white belt. i got my 2nd degree black belt at 14. quit at 15 years old to concentrate on basketball. it would be nice if i continue that way. 🙂

black belt = expensive than all color belts due to name on the belt, certificate and membership to some karate organization i forget the name (it starts with k.)

edit: i loved my old days, beating sh!t out of everyone all the way to first place in tournaments (of course, in age category.)
Click to expand...

What? Don't tell me you trained at a Tae Kwon Do "Karate" school...
Click to expand...

yes i was trained but that was almost a decade ago when i quit. 🙁

edit: did some research, the organization was called kukkiwon but now it's world taekwondo federation.
 
You will get a white belt...this is the basic part of the uniform plus it keeps your gi closed. Warm up,dont overdue it and stretch. Ive trained for about 7 years in karate and its a great workout.
 
My understanding is that karate is not the best art for actual fighting, unless you are fighting in tournaments. I guess any martial art is better than none for self protection though. But it is a great way to stay in shape and have fun. Plus it gives you discipline and respect.
 
What you will do: practice karate form, punching air. Do not expect any real contact with anything. Basically a dance class. Enjoy.
 
Originally posted by: TheNinja
My understanding is that karate is not the best art for actual fighting, unless you are fighting in tournaments. I guess any martial art is better than none for self protection though. But it is a great way to stay in shape and have fun. Plus it gives you discipline and respect.
Click to expand...

Well, all they're offering this summer is Karate, Kung Fu and Kendo. I pretty much just picked between the first two. edit: mostly picked the first because it started later in the evening, which gives me more time to get home from work.
 
Originally posted by: TheNinja
My understanding is that karate is not the best art for actual fighting, unless you are fighting in tournaments. I guess any martial art is better than none for self protection though. But it is a great way to stay in shape and have fun. Plus it gives you discipline and respect.
Click to expand...

Lot of people these ays say grappling arts are superior because '90% of street fights end up on the ground' or some rubbish. News flash - it only ends up on the ground if you fail to quickly incapacitate your opponent, which is what a striking art will enable you to do.
 
It's good for health, basically like aerobics. Run around do some kicks/punches, learn some new dance moves. Not too bad.
 
Originally posted by: lyssword
What you will do: practice karate form, punching air. Do not expect any real contact with anything. Basically a dance class. Enjoy.
Click to expand...

Oh you have experience do you? I've never heard of a club which does no sparring and enters no competitions...
 
Originally posted by: lyssword
It's good for health, basically like aerobics. Run around do some kicks/punches, learn some new dance moves. Not too bad.
Click to expand...

You vs. karate champ?
 
Originally posted by: Atheus
Originally posted by: TheNinja
My understanding is that karate is not the best art for actual fighting, unless you are fighting in tournaments. I guess any martial art is better than none for self protection though. But it is a great way to stay in shape and have fun. Plus it gives you discipline and respect.
Click to expand...

Lot of people these ays say grappling arts are superior because '90% of street fights end up on the ground' or some rubbish. News flash - it only ends up on the ground if you fail to quickly incapacitate your opponent, which is what a striking art will enable you to do.
Click to expand...

I'm not knocking striking arts and I think a person who is good at karate could avoid it going to the ground. I wouldn't want to be on the ground in any fight even if I was a stud grappler b/c you'll get cut up by the pavement or his buddy with stomp your face in. That being said, I'd just pick something like kickboxing or more direct. Karate in general is more fancy kicks and all about forms, not necessarily the simplest best way to take someone out. That being said, Karate would be fun and you will stay in great shape doing it.

 
Originally posted by: lyssword
What you will do: practice karate form, punching air. Do not expect any real contact with anything. Basically a dance class. Enjoy.
Click to expand...

sure maybe the white belts.

but anything higher should be sparing and encouraged to compete in tournaments.
 
Originally posted by: waggy
Originally posted by: lyssword
What you will do: practice karate form, punching air. Do not expect any real contact with anything. Basically a dance class. Enjoy.
Click to expand...

sure maybe the white belts.

but anything higher should be sparing and encouraged to compete in tournaments.
Click to expand...

Dude, don't tell me you seriously think that they would let noobies with 1 week training to enter tournaments. I can't even begin to think how many lawsuits they would get.
 
Originally posted by: lyssword
Originally posted by: waggy
Originally posted by: lyssword
What you will do: practice karate form, punching air. Do not expect any real contact with anything. Basically a dance class. Enjoy.
Click to expand...

sure maybe the white belts.

but anything higher should be sparing and encouraged to compete in tournaments.
Click to expand...

Dude, don't tell me you seriously think that they would let noobies with 1 week training to enter tournaments. I can't even begin to think how many lawsuits they would get.
Click to expand...

Methinks you misunderstood him. He meant white belts end up punching the sky and whatnot, while more advanced belts should compete in tourneys.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top