Im intersted in signing up for a martial arts class for me and my girlfriend. Im not trying to become a character off street fighter, just want some kinda group activity or exersize, and im trying to avoid dancing. In any case, none of the raleigh dojos seem to include pricing information. You guys got any suggestions with prices. we are both state studends and would both be beginners.

2/21/2006 10:39:36 PM

are you looking more for workout or practicality?

2/21/2006 10:50:50 PM

a mix of both, i dont feel like cardio boxing, i want to learn technique and balance, but this isnt some quest to become a 7th dan black belt who breaks cement blocks with my head.

2/21/2006 10:52:26 PM

i was going to create this thread if he didn't. i'm looking for the same thing for myself.

2/21/2006 10:59:24 PM

Along the same lines anyone know any fun Akido places? Fun being the instructor has a sense of humor. Been looking for a while but all I've found were very sketchy places or instructors who enjoy letting you know they are better.

2/21/2006 11:31:57 PM

The NC State dojo gives free lessons. Look them up on campus rec, or clubs or something. There are several night classes available, can't remember all the details. The flyers are around campus.

2/21/2006 11:42:57 PM

if you want practicality look for a wing chun school, prolly the most effective street combat system ever

2/22/2006 9:29:22 AM

I did taekwondo for a while... the place I went wasn't anywhere near campus, so I wouldn't recommend it for students... but i know there are places around here. Usually you get about 3 trial classes & your attire for around $20. Then to continue you usually have to sign a contract... the place that I signed up for was pretty expensive... around $100/mo.... but that was with unlimited access. I went for about 2-4 hours atleast 5 times a week... it's a lot of fun and can really get you into shape.

So depending upon your price range, you could try something like that... or just go to the free karate classes held at carmichael. I know there's atleast one on Wednesday nights... (it's listed in the technician... maybe under the classifieds? i saw it yesterday) There used to be atleast 2 nights of it... so maybe you could look that up. There are all sorts of levels in there each time I've passed the windows to the room where they practice. Maybe this will help... or atleast get you started.

2/22/2006 10:50:22 AM

Quote :

"if you want practicality look for a wing chun school, prolly the most effective street combat system ever"

This is right, but you won't get in shape. It'll condition your connective tissue and give you strong forearms and calves. If you're convinced wing chun gets you in shape, just look at some of the best (who can no doubt kick some ass). A lot of them are way out of shape by most standards. There's a pudgy black dude who's one of the top practicioners of wing chun down near the airport, but CHRIST can he whip my ass.

Wing chun has you covered for most situations, but it's my opinion that MMA (mixed martial arts) is a good way to go unless you're not looking to be a fucking shaolin monk or practice more than 10 hours a week. Do some muay thai and brazilian jiu jitsu if you can find a place around here -- I know a guy that does muay thai in this area, just not sure where.

Also:

I don't suggest tae kwon do, because it'll give you a false sense of security in a street environment. A lot of karate is this way too, but if you're dead set on trying karate try Wada-Ryu. I only say this because I used to spar with a guy from that discipline and the techniques weren't too bad. Karate and tae kwon do tend to be pretty rigid, though.

Muay thai will get you in good shape, and between that and BJJ you should be covered even if somebody tackles you. It's a pretty brutal combination.

NOTE: this is from somebody who practiced wing chun and some BJJ. Never did muay thai personally. Not trying to start a "my style is the best" flame war, especially since I'm not even endorsing the style I practiced. Wing chun isnt for everybody, you can't be a casual practicioner and defend yourself with it.

[Edited on February 22, 2006 at 1:55 PM. Reason : .]

2/22/2006 1:54:25 PM

^humandrive's brother does Muay Thai. I would not recommend it for anyone who wants to casually learn martial arts. It is a strict fighting form that is extremely challenging physically. He comes back with a busted head just about every week.

[Edited on February 22, 2006 at 2:20 PM. Reason : whoops]

2/22/2006 2:20:32 PM

Not saying its casual, but it's not something you spend 3 1/2 hours or more in at any given time.

If you take Wing Chun down by the airport (which I did) consider this:

You have to drive there (20 mins for me, then).
You have to drive back (another 20 mins).
You have to get there 30 mins early to warm up. (I got disciplined one day for showing up 5 mins before class started)
Class is 2 hours long.
You have to catch your breath for 15 minutes before leaving or you can't fucking drive.

That's for one night of wing chun.

[Edited on February 22, 2006 at 2:26 PM. Reason : .]

2/22/2006 2:23:50 PM

I wouldn't take any of the advice in the thread unless the person providing it has watched Bloodsport at least 80 times.

PS: Wado-Ryu is superior.

2/22/2006 3:31:35 PM

Quote :

"has watched Bloodsport at least 80 times"

rofl

2/22/2006 3:42:39 PM

Quote :

"PS: Wado-Ryu is superior."

To TKD I guess =/

It doesn't stand up by itself, you need something else. Most serious martial artists in Wado-Ryu also have some aikido and jiujitsu under their belt.

Japanese martial arts are more "build a style", where you need a couple of the traditional styles to create something complete.

2/22/2006 4:49:32 PM

Tae Kwon Do is fun if you find the right place. It's an easy martial art to do and look good in but it's not very effective in real life fighting. Too many kicks. I took it for a few years and can do whirlwind kicks, swirling axe kicks... and such and sure if the kick landed it would hurt like a mother fucker... but chances are the person will dodge and punch you in the nuts.

Aikido is the best close combat I've ever done. I've had a bet for years of $100 if you could hold my arm for 5 seconds you get it. The only person that ever was able to was Bill Bunn, who used to teach aikido at Big Ape Gym (now gone). Don't get me wrong I didn't walk up and brag to an Aikido Teacher he couldn't hold my hand... but I couldn't get away from that guy. It was amazing.

The way they teach you balance and how to make an opponent go off balance is awesome. I'd really like to do it again but I don't want to pay $100/month either. Simple dojo is fine for me with my hectic schedule.

2/22/2006 5:24:16 PM

If you are still a student at NC State, sign up for PE235 with Pollard. Do a search for "PE235" in Study Hall. PM Sonia if you want some detailed info.

[Edited on February 22, 2006 at 6:27 PM. Reason : well neverfuckingmind ... search is down again. Bah!]

2/22/2006 6:26:57 PM

as far as prices go I have my own dojo where I teach Shotokan Karate. It is in Lillington, NC however, so too far for a Raleigh resident to drive just for 2 classes a week. I am from there though so I don't mind going all the time. Anyway, I am sure it is more expensive here in the city but my students pay $60/mo. for two 1.5 hr. classes a week. My dojo is near Campbell U. and Central Carolina Community College and I offer those students the same amount of time for only $45/mo.

good luck finding a good dojo. also, if anyone is interested there is a karate tournament in March in Raleigh sponsored by the AAU that is free to spectators so if you like watching that kind of stuff I think it would worth it to go by. I am taking my beginner students to watch and one of my intermediate students will compete.

2/22/2006 6:39:15 PM

http://brentroad.com/message_topic.aspx?topic=335057 had some decent discussion on PE 235 with Pollard.

Wado is derived from jujitsu (and shotokan karate) so I'm not surprised that Wado practitioners have some under their belts.

One thing to be said for taking PE 235 or the self defense class at NCSU is that you'll get credit for it and won't have to pay separate/additional tuition at a dojo that could be miles away. If you do end up going somewhere else, be wary of any place that wants you to sign a 6 or 12 month contract-- they're banking on you losing interest in 6 weeks. Dojos like Pollard's and smiley's are ideal because the commercial aspect is marginal and they focus on the genuine martial art. Part of what's wrong with commercialized TKD is that passing belt tests just means kicking high and you get no sense of the style because some schools focus only on sparring.

2/22/2006 7:05:18 PM

Quote :

"sign a 6 or 12 month contract-- they're banking on you losing interest in 6 weeks"

wow thats crappy.. never heard of that. but then again, ive never looked into classes. 'cause I'm asian, born with kung fu skills

2/22/2006 7:17:39 PM

yeah a lot of places require a contract. i do not. i really love Karate, its my passion, and most of all I love teaching. I would teach for free but in order to pay for my building I have to charge something. Some people think $60/mo. is too expensive, and I can understand where they are coming from, but I am really dedicated to what i am doing and i take considerable interest in the success of my students. I want them to understand what they are doing, why they do everything a certain way, and what Martial Arts are really about, not just be able to mimick my movements and be able to fight other people. I teach very traditionally and it for me the Art of Martial Arts, connecting your mind and body, and teaching people how to do that, is the greatest aspect of having my own school and so I charge the price that I do to be able to teach.

People I know that do not live near Lillington have asked for my advice about looking for a dojo of their own. I really think that being involved in any Martial Art, whether it be Shotokan such as myself, Tae Kwon Do, Judo, Akido, anything, that the trick is finding a place where you really love going to class. Things that affect that are instructors that are too agressive when you come by to check the place out, who want you to sign papers before they answer any of your questions and are just waiting for a check. IMO anywhere should allow you to spectate for free. I enjoy having people come by and observe my classes. i do not want them to be a distraction of course, but I want to promote the benefits of Martial Arts on a whole, and even if they are not, for whatever reason, able to be a student of mine at that moment, hopefully they will see my classes and be interested enough to one day begin Martial Arts somewhere. I also do not agree with schools whose main goal is winning tournaments. I love to compete. I grew up going to karate tournaments all the time and I think they are a lot of fun. Tournaments are sport karate however and that should not IMO be the focus of any school. I encourage my students to compete if they would like to and I help them train for tournaments but it is not a requirement. The same thing goes for board breaking or free sparing. I know how to do both. I teach both. They are for fun. They are not requirements and i would never force anyone who is uncomfortable with that to do that.

Finally, I think that good schools really care about their students. you shouldn't feel like another person in another matching uniform. You are unique and your talents and abilities in Martial Arts will be different than anyone elses and those should be promoted while your weakeness are also improved upon. It really makes me sad to see schools where it is almost a factory like atmosphere where students are pumped in and out the door, handed belts, and sent on their way. To truly appreciate the gift of Martial Arts your skills should be honed and your abilities should be tested so that you can reach every goal possible and that takes a school that is really concerned with your goals to achieve.

I know that was long and probably boring but like I said, it is my passion. I wish you the best of luck and I hope that Martial Arts will be as good to you as they have been to me.

2/22/2006 11:59:30 PM

I teach Tae Kwon Do at Master Lee's. He has locations in Cary, Holly Springs, and Garner, and it seems like what you are interested in. It's a good thing to do together, and it's nothing extreme, just good exercise/fun. We do have contracts but you can also go just paying month to month as long as you want. Here's the website: http://www.nctkd.com

It's a little pricey but that includes unlimited classes every month (we're open 6 days a week), and we have great instructors and it's a great environment to work in. You start off with two free intro classes to try it out before you have to make any decisions. I think most places do something of this sort so you should go try a few to find what you guys really like.

[Edited on February 23, 2006 at 7:57 AM. Reason : .]

2/23/2006 7:54:24 AM

This isnt about self defense, i dont plan on getting jumped, If i ever feel that way ill get a gun not take karate classes, this is just for fun. if anybody seriously wants to get you there going to use a guy anyway, and your fist means jack shit.

mstkd,

How much is it per month oince the free trial is over or intro offer. I want flat rates, not comparasions of which style is better in street combat scenarious.

[Edited on February 23, 2006 at 10:58 AM. Reason : dd]

2/23/2006 10:53:57 AM

It's a little pricey, $90-$120/month depending on the contract length. ($120 is for month-month, $90 for a 3-year contract). That includes unlimited classes though and the second "family member" (your gf) gets a 10% discount. We also offer Hap Ki Do for no extra charge (except buying the uniform) so if you have an interest in trying that as well it won't cost you any extra.

2/23/2006 11:57:50 AM

Christ are there any places under 80 bux a month month to month in raleigh, im not signing some crazy contract, and im going to have to pay for 2 people. I plan on checking out the free one at state, and am willing to drive 15-20 mintes (i live off glenwood), dancing lessons would be cheaper.

2/23/2006 12:47:34 PM

just rent old school kung fu movies (where you can actually see some of the form) and copy

thats how all us asian kids learned it when we were little

2/23/2006 12:51:23 PM

There's a new Capoeira instructor in Raleigh (there's one in the main page of TWW, but it costs $45/month, 1 class/week). The flier doesn't mention the price, but I can get the phone number for you. I did Capoeira about 10 years ago. It requires a lot of exercise and I think this would be good if you are looking for exercise. Women that practice it for more than 1 or 2 years get veeeery hot.
Kung Fu is also a good option. A lot of movements, good for your equilibrium...and it requires at least the same amount of hard work Capoeira does.

2/23/2006 1:38:46 PM

capoeira is awesome for balance (on hands and feet ), flexibility, smoothness, and loosening up :thumbsup:

2/23/2006 1:43:09 PM

NCSU club sports has

Aikido

Quote :

"The Aikido club provides instruction based on the traditional Japanese martial art principle of non-resistance. The club emphasizes circular movement techniques to unbalance the assailant and disrupt the power of a head-on attack. This year, the club plans on scheduling a seminar during the spring semester to provide additional instructional opportunities. The club is for both males & females and is open to all, beginners and advanced. To join the club e-mail the club contact for more info. Practices: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7pm-9pm on Court 11 in Carmichael Gym Club Contact: Alan Rogers, alrogers@ncsu.edu Website: http://www.ncsu.edu/stud_orgs/aikido/"

Judo

Quote :

" The goal of the Judo Club is to develop mind and body by learning the traditional martial art and olympic sport of Judo. The Judo Club practices the terminology, culture, and philosophy of Judo, as well as to developing the stamina and technique that will improve fighting skills and allow members to compete in regional and national tournaments. The Judo Club is open to all students and faculty, and all levels of experience are welcome. Practice: Mondays and Thursdays 6-8pm on Court 10 in Carmichael Gym Club Contact: Andrew Gilreath, magilrea@ncsu.edu Website: http://www.ncsu.edu/stud_orgs/judo "

and Tae Kwon Do

Quote :

" The Tae Kwon Do club was formed in the fall of 1987 and quickly became one of the most popular martial arts groups on campus. The club offers both instructional sessions as well as advanced training to males & females. Instruction emphasizes proper execution of self-defense skills while recognizing the five tenets of Tae Kwon Do: Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self Control, & Indomitable Spirit. The club boasts a rich history at NC State with many club alumni going forth to reach black belt status and beyond. Free to all NC State students, as well as faculty & staff with gym membership. To join e-mail the club contact for more info. Practice: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:15-9:00pm in CG 1211 Club Contact: Devdutta Warhadpande, dswarhad@unity.ncsu.edu Website: http://www.ncsu.edu/stud_orgs/tae_kwon_do/"

I'm pretty sure these are free exept for maybe club dues. I see Tae Kwon Do practicing in the gym a lot. Can't give any advice on which one to pick, but you can try to contact the people in charge of the clubs to learn more.

2/23/2006 1:51:30 PM

hrmm i would like to do this too.. but $100/mo is more than its worth to me at the moment. i pretty much jsut want to do it w/ my gf so we can kick each other's ass while we watch UFC on TV.

id like something with exercise, contact, and not that crap in karate where you just dance around by yourself to some routine for 20minutes. i pretty much want to learn how to fight MMA style in a fun environment and not have black eyes every day..

2/23/2006 4:01:56 PM

how bout you give me 50 bucks and your g.friend can watch me kick your ass?

j/k

I was reccomended this place, but haven't gone as of yet.

http://www.4kickbox.com/

2/23/2006 4:07:15 PM

^ah, $70/month for thai boxing is looking better. hrmmm

2/23/2006 4:13:51 PM

Quote :

"if you want practicality look for a wing chun school, prolly the most effective street combat system ever"

^I studied wing-chung 1-on-1 with a guy for six months last year... He taught in an old-school way though. He also made me do nothing but yoga for over a month so I could condition my whole body and breathing technique before I started doing anything that even resembled combatives. I enjoyed it though - I used to get some NASTY bruises from that stuff. Luckily he also makes dit-dat-jao (sp?) the old-school way too, so it was rare that I got bruises that lasted more than a day.

I know there are two martial arts places on wake forest road, right after it splits off capital. One teaches the style that Steven Seagal uses, judo, and something else. The one next door is all about straight ass-beating. It may be Muay Thai, Gracie, or Brazilian - I don't know.

Last thing: I took PE235 with Pollard on campus. It pretty much gets you to about where you need to be for your first belt test. I trained with him at his dojo in Hillsborough for a year and got my orange belt. If not for joining the military, I woulda stayed there - good school, good training, got in good shape. I will contend, however, that someone studying wing chung for just as long as someone studying karate will thrash the guy who studied karate.

[Edited on February 23, 2006 at 4:23 PM. Reason : .]

[Edited on February 23, 2006 at 4:24 PM. Reason : .]

2/23/2006 4:18:39 PM