Martial art for fat beginner with minor heart issues

[Midwayman]

Iaido if you can find it. (check buddist temples, and japanese cultural centers if you don't see if advertised) Very calm, all kata.

 

[snoopy7548]

Echoing some of the other comments, it'll probably be beneficial to get in shape (or somewhat of shape) first before starting martial arts. At the least, without being in shape and having the proper flexibility, you could seriously injure yourself.

 

[BarkingGhostar]

why not just get on a treadmill or elliptical?

I was gonna suggest a handgun instead of martial arts. A lot less energy to pull the trigger in that time of need and is easier on the heart, too.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I think Tai Chi is famous for being low impact/safe for elderly or out of shape folks ... though it's not really "martial" ...

I once saw a Tai Chi master mop the floor with a 7th degree black belt karate instructor.

 

[BurnItDwn]

I once saw a Tai Chi master mop the floor with a 7th degree black belt karate instructor.

Perhaps I was mistaken in saying Tai Chi is not truly martial.
A smarter thing would be to have said: What the Chinese Government currently promotes as being Tai Chi is not really martial.

 

[highland145]

Perhaps I was mistaken in saying Tai Chi is not truly martial.
A smarter thing would be to have said: What the Chinese Government currently promotes as being Tai Chi is not really martial.

He was a Tai Chi master but he also was a 14th level black belt.

 

[HutchinsonJC]

Hey OP,

It's been mentioned here, but I want to emphasize it: Diet is more important than any physical activity you're going to choose to put yourself through.

Something not yet said that I want to emphasize: You're going to gain muscle mass from the physical activity that you choose to do. The number on the scale might go down a few pounds, and then hold steady. Do NOT let this be a de-motivational period in your life. The number on the scale is only reflecting the weight that steps upon it with no ability to discern your muscle mass from fat mass. Your physical activity will stimulate your body to put on muscle... and we all know muscle weighs more than fat!

Good Luck!

 

[Midwayman]

FWIW take measurements with a tape. You'll still see those changes even if the scale stalls for a bit.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Perhaps I was mistaken in saying Tai Chi is not truly martial.
A smarter thing would be to have said: What the Chinese Government currently promotes as being Tai Chi is not really martial.

NO you were right, and I do not care what he has seen. I have trained with many practitioners of tai chi, and other mystical kung fu power styles. When they come in the gyms and dojos I have trained in, looking to test themselves, their art, our arts, or just to cross train, it is always the same outcome. They get handled by the better strikers and grapplers in the place. Often by opponents who are significantly smaller and lighter than they are.

And there is MUCH more than my anecdotal evidence to support the assertion. The Gracies and Faddas were proving that in Brazil more than 70 years ago. Catch wrestlers were doing it here in north america. TImes are a changing since almost everyone trains multiple system early on now. But combat sports history is unkind to the systems in question. A system like BJJ can make the average practitioner a formidable opponent with just 2-3 years of training hard. The same cannot be said for krotty, TKD, gung fu, or any of the other traditional arts I have been around the last 35 years+.

As to the gun remark- read the thread first, it was not about self defense.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Echoing some of the other comments, it'll probably be beneficial to get in shape (or somewhat of shape) first before starting martial arts. At the least, without being in shape and having the proper flexibility, you could seriously injure yourself.

LOL what the heck Snoopy? Any qualified martial arts instructor's curriculum is designed to take a complete n00b off the street, with zero athletic ability, and coach them to that conditioning and flexibility they so sorely lack. We do not expect you to walk in the dojo and keep up with the class. One of the experienced members will be hanging with you, and guiding you through. Often an ichi kyu or lower dan rank that needs the experience for promotions.


And for the OP and those reading that are interested in the topic - When you walk in you are not even a white belt, you have no rank. We teach you the dojo kun - http://www.shotokankarate.ca/dojo kun.htm and some other basics like tying your belt, properly wearing your gi, dojo etiquette, and some basics/kihon before awarding you any rank. And no we do not juice you for a fee every time either. Only certain rank testing has a fee. But the money grab is definitely a your mileage will vary proposition. Do your research before joining up any place, and take advantage of the free class/classes first to see if it is a good fit.

 

[BarneyBunch]

Title basically says it all-37 year old fatty, get winded easily and don't want my heart to explode(but willing to push myself within reason) . Primary goal is self betterment and structure, I don't really need it for self protection

My father-in-law really enjoys martial arts and feels a lot better when he does it. One problem that he talks about though is life getting in the way to where he doesn't have enough time to make it to the dojo (or wherever he specifically goes for his martial arts training) so he just puts it off for another day. There might be times where it'll be a month or two before he actually gets back into it.

If you are consistent with your martial arts training schedule then you should be good to do just the martial arts training, but if you find that you need something more convenient then I'd probably incorporate some running into your fitness goals. Over time you won't get winded as easily and I would assume that running could help with your martial arts training, but I honestly wouldn't know for sure since I don't personally do martial arts.