Aikido

[mick3ymous3]

Hey all,

I was driving home the other day and drove past the local Aikido dojo, and they're offering classes for beginners.

Anyone with any Aikido experience think its any good for helpin me get into shape? I've just graduated from uni and thinking of joining the RAF, but i'm one of the least fittest people in the world. Those 4 years of sitting infront of a PC has not helped one bit!

I used to do judo when I was a wee lad, but everyone I knew there left and in the end I left aswell. Wish I didn't now!

I've also joined the local gym to help me out as well.

Cheers!

[Lungboy]

I don't think Aikido is a particularly hard work out.

[ProfLiebstrom]

yeh aikido is pretty much entirely locks so not the most physically demanding.

[Munkee]

no it wont get you fit

the gym will tho :E

[Minty]

Best martial art for getting you fit is kickboxing.

[ProfLiebstrom]

or do TAE BO!

tbh when im finished with my ju-jitsu i think i might do capoeira if im fit enough. its the martial art come dancing for those that dont know and involves lots of random flips and stuff but can really be done at any level. i would just prefer to do it when im fitter:P

[Lungboy]

Boxing is better Minty :)

[Minty]

Again, not what I found. Ive done both boxing and kickboxing (admittedly only for about 4 month each) and found myself a lot fitter after kickboxing. You do all the basic training that boxing teaches, but you also give your legs a massive workout which really helps thighs, buttocks and the abs.

[Lungboy]

I think it is widely accepted that top boxers are far and away the fittest bastards going, way above most of the MMA guys.

[Minty]

I wouldnt have said so. Most boxers earn a decent enough wage to train in boxing on a full time basis, whereas a lot of MMA fighters still have a full time job to keep the money coming in (The UFCs Chris "Lights Out" Lyttle is a full time fireman) so the extra training can help.


However, Ive seen quite a few boxers start looking completely knackered half way through a fight and start throwing weak, aimless punches. Not all, but a fair few. In Francois Bothas first MMA match against Remy Bonjasky, it went the 3 rounds, with Remy Bonjasky throwing flying knees and the like all the way through, and looked fresh when the fight came to an end. Botha on the other hand looked like he was going to drop dead of a heart attack. Tyson and Lewis to name another few boxers Ive seen put in tired performances. (Dont ask me to name the specific fights, I cant. Not into boxing that much)

I agree that the same happens with MMA fighters, but you only have to look at people like Tito Ortiz (Hate the c**t but giving him props here) and randy couture who can go for 25 minutes without even breathing heavily. (Ortiz vs Couture for the Light Heavyweight title at UFC 44..... absolute classic) I know for a fact that both train in kickboxing (Randys more of a dirty boxer than a kickboxer, but the same principle applies). Also youve got to bring into the equation, the fact that grappling is a lot more tiring than just punching. AND boxing rounds are much shorter than MMA fights. A UFC round is 5 minutes, and a Pride round is 8 minutes (?)

[Lungboy]

I said top boxers, not heavyweights. Heavyweights are rubbish. Look to the middleweights or slightly lower to see ultimate fitness.

That wasn't Botha's first fight afaik. He got DQ'd in a K1 event for hitting someone on the ground. I think it was the Battle of the Bellagio. Even so, Botha had't beeen competitively boxing for years, so his fitness was dubious at best.

[Eja Cool8]

Aikido is a formidable Art though, from what I've seen.

I don't practice it myself, primarily because the hours I work don't really fit in with any of the classes that are on up here, but it has intrigued me for many years.

If I ever found the time to devote to the sort of proper study & practice that is really required, imo, to fully embrace a Martial Art, I'd probably pick Aikido, but I'd keep up the weights, and the running/rowing/swimming too.

On second thoughts, I'd probably need to win the Lotto and give up work to have that amount of free time on my hands :dozey: