Self Defense value of Kung Fu?

[marcwagz]

I finally found a martial arts dojo that looks good and I plan on starting training there soon. They train multiple arts and have all inclusive so you can learn whatever you want. I plan on training Muay Thai 2 hours a week and Brazillian Jiu Jitsu 2 hours a week but additionally I have the option to train Kung Fu for 2-4 hours a week as well.

I have absolutely no interest in training fighting for competition purposes, its really just a hobby and I want to get in better shape and be able to defend myself.

That said I do think sparring is important which is why I need to take Muay Thai for stand up.

Kung fu however just seems more fun.
1. The uniform is way cooler
2. They get to use weapons
3. I think the discipline training would really help me as well

So I would really like to learn it, in fact learning some type of sword/staff fighting has always been a life goal of mine.
What I need to ask though is will learning all the animal forms and such confuse me to the point where it negatively impacts my Muay Thai performances?

 

[Formless]

It's pretty unlikely that you'll learn how to fight with weapons, but you're more likely to learn forms.

 

[nomilkforsanta]

If you want to learn how to use old fashion weapons take Fencing (sword/knife), Kali (stick/knife) or Kendo (sword).

If you want to learn how to use modern day weapons go to a place likehttp://www.internationaltactical.com/courses.html or a real Krav Maga school.

 

[ChachiKiller]

this place is going to be very combat sport oriented so you might not get a balanced answer. Do what you have an interest in learning and you will be better at it. Don't let others tell you what to learn. Most people never get in fights but most MT/combat people have nagging injuries that last a lifetime.

Based on the training, kung-fu will make you a better athlete. I will catch crap for that but the jumping, agility, speed, flipping and balance work will serve you more in life. Most MT clubs do not develop those attributes. It is better while young to be able to explore movement and develop all aspects of your physicality. You have that as a base then you can add fighting skills and you will be a bad man. No. Weapons training will not hurt your fighting skills other than taking time from one to give to the other.

You will also get self-discipling from MT because if you do not learn and focus on improving, you will get flushed out at some point.

 

[DonS**]

If you are starting out, I'd probably focus on the BJJ as much as possible (with due respect to the standup forum). I'd try to build a very solid grappling base, and BJJ takes longer to learn then standup.

 

[mingsy**]

kung fu is a cool martial art, you really have to take classes in it. Its a good choice animal forms and weapons are awesome. If i had the time I will learn it too.

 

[nomilkforsanta]

this place is going to be very combat sport oriented so you might not get a balanced answer. Do what you have an interest in learning and you will be better at it. Don't let others tell you what to learn. Most people never get in fights but most MT/combat people have nagging injuries that last a lifetime.

Based on the training, kung-fu will make you a better athlete. I will catch crap for that but the jumping, agility, speed, flipping and balance work will serve you more in life. Most MT clubs do not develop those attributes. It is better while young to be able to explore movement and develop all aspects of your physicality. You have that as a base then you can add fighting skills and you will be a bad man. No. Weapons training will not hurt your fighting skills other than taking time from one to give to the other.

You will also get self-discipling from MT because if you do not learn and focus on improving, you will get flushed out at some point.

I would rather do Olympic Lifting and Gymnastics to improve jumping, agility, speed, flipping, and balance.

 

[Deathmonkey]

So I would really like to learn it, in fact learning some type of sword/staff fighting has always been a life goal of mine.
What I need to ask though is will learning all the animal forms and such confuse me to the point where it negatively impacts my Muay Thai performances?

Then go learn it. Don't listen to these blokes, they're going to tell you all you need is Thai boxing or wrestling or BJJ, but that's not true. There is no such thing as the best art or best fighting system, it's all opinionated. Learning multiple martial arts is going to make you a more well rounded martial artist. Focusing on only 1 art your entire training career will get you good at one facet, but leave you weak in other areas.

If you want to learn something never let anyone tell you that you shouldn't or you can't. There is a ton of wonderful information in the world and we live very short lives, consume as much as you can.

 

[DrDoom]

I did Shuai-Chiao Kung Fu for about 11 years or so and I think it really helped me out when I started doing Muay Thai. When I was younger I went to Kung Fu on Mon and Wed and MT on Tues, Thurs and Sat and I felt like I was learning a lot in both that was beneficial to the opposite.
In Kung Fu I learned a lot about discipline because if you were getting in trouble at school or were getting failing grades you paid for it by doing wall sits, push ups, sit up and running until the end of class. My family was good friends with the sensei so he didn't take it easy on me and it made me mentally strong because he always pushed me hard and made sure I wasn't half assing it because if I did I was going to be getting my ass kicked.
I would say go for it man, it cant hurt to try something new and I believe any kind of martial arts training is better than nothing!

 

[mjw1]

Then try it out but "cool uniforms" should not be a reason to take one art over another IMHO

 

[AutoFire]

The person asked about self defense value in the thread. If you want to do self defense, that use an art that addresses that first and foremost. Thats the key. If you want to be good at something go directly at it and develop those skills. Of course learning bjj, wrestling, thai or other stand ups even boxing, weapons is part of it too an dcan help with skill development, discipine, etc. Weapons training is a good way to start as one person pointed out because in modern society that is part of self defense. Something like kung fu has self defense in it but you are driving at it from the long way around doing forms, drills and stuff that might have little or nothing to do with realistic self defense and might actually be giving you bad habits and bad responses that might get you killed or hurt in a real fight.

 

[stinkoman]

You need to be more specific Kung fu is a generic term there are many diffrent styles that can very greatly.

But if you want to do it go for it and have fun.

 

[ChachiKiller]

I would rather do Olympic Lifting and Gymnastics to improve jumping, agility, speed, flipping, and balance.

okay but what do those have to do with his situation.

My kid is a purple belt under Narcyz Lateki a 7th degree kung-fu instructor and "one of the top 100 most influential kung-fu people on the planet - a recent award". I watch his class multiple times a week. These people are fast, agile, flexible, and are learning a martial art all the while. At some point, olympic lifters will stop and gymnastic people (competitive) retire in their 20s. Meanwhile, kung-fu training continues through life. How would an 18 year old take gymnastics? My kids took it and there are no clases for adults. I asked because a couple of places because I always try to do different things and they don't because there is no market.

More importantly, how many fights do most people actually get into? Why the hell is everything about fighting? Learning to fight rooted in fear is a problem. It increases the fear. Why do people NEED to be good fighters? What is that all about? Most people will not amount to a piss hole in the snow with fighting but they will most certainly inhabit their body and learn to be very athletic. There is a place for TMAs and this is it. Everyone needs a couple of out techniques. You throw it and it lands then you run. Avoid getting into fights by living above the fray. Be cool and don't let things hurt your ego and there is very little reason.

If a person is fast and trains their hands and feet. Even if they don't do san shou they can learn to apply that stuff to improve their chances. Also, kung-fu works partner drills from usually orange belt and higher. They use joint locks, counters and stuff common to self-defense. Relax.

If the kid likes outfits and swords then cool. Who cares. Do what you like and follow your instincts.

 

[DonS**]

Then go learn it. Don't listen to these blokes, they're going to tell you all you need is Thai boxing or wrestling or BJJ, but that's not true. There is no such thing as the best art or best fighting system, it's all opinionated. Learning multiple martial arts is going to make you a more well rounded martial artist. Focusing on only 1 art your entire training career will get you good at one facet, but leave you weak in other areas.

If you want to learn something never let anyone tell you that you shouldn't or you can't. There is a ton of wonderful information in the world and we live very short lives, consume as much as you can.

It isn't just opinion. The Gracies proved that with UFC.

Granted, no single MA is perfect, a superb grappler can be beat by someone who has the right mix of grappling and striking.

But to pretend it is all opinion is wrong.

Again, I'd suggest a focus on the BJJ at first, and later put more emphysis in the MT or KF. I'd also tend to be more skeptical of the KF, but that's not to say it doesn't have value. In the end it is what you want, and at some point you may decide to quit the BJJ and MT and continue on with KF and that's fine.

 

[neomage2021]

I finally found a martial arts dojo that looks good and I plan on starting training there soon. They train multiple arts and have all inclusive so you can learn whatever you want. I plan on training Muay Thai 2 hours a week and Brazillian Jiu Jitsu 2 hours a week but additionally I have the option to train Kung Fu for 2-4 hours a week as well.

I have absolutely no interest in training fighting for competition purposes, its really just a hobby and I want to get in better shape and be able to defend myself.

That said I do think sparring is important which is why I need to take Muay Thai for stand up.

Kung fu however just seems more fun.
1. The uniform is way cooler
2. They get to use weapons
3. I think the discipline training would really help me as well

So I would really like to learn it, in fact learning some type of sword/staff fighting has always been a life goal of mine.
What I need to ask though is will learning all the animal forms and such confuse me to the point where it negatively impacts my Muay Thai performances?

As long as you prioritze the importance it shouldnt mess with your muay thai much. If you think Kung Fu is fun go for it. I really don't think it will negatively affect you in other styles.

 

[SAAMAG]

It isn't just opinion. The Gracies proved that with UFC.

Granted, no single MA is perfect, a superb grappler can be beat by someone who has the right mix of grappling and striking.

But to pretend it is all opinion is wrong.

Again, I'd suggest a focus on the BJJ at first, and later put more emphysis in the MT or KF. I'd also tend to be more skeptical of the KF, but that's not to say it doesn't have value. In the end it is what you want, and at some point you may decide to quit the BJJ and MT and continue on with KF and that's fine.

What the first UFC's proved was that people who have no knowledge of newaza will not be able to defend against it. It also proved that individuals with no competition experience or proper conditioning will be likely to excel without competition geared training regimens.

That's why today you can have standup fighters succeed--because they have a working knowledge of what to look for and they practice TDD.

 

[devante]

okay but what do those have to do with his situation.

My kid is a purple belt under Narcyz Lateki a 7th degree kung-fu instructor and "one of the top 100 most influential kung-fu people on the planet - a recent award". I watch his class multiple times a week. These people are fast, agile, flexible, and are learning a martial art all the while. At some point, olympic lifters will stop and gymnastic people (competitive) retire in their 20s. Meanwhile, kung-fu training continues through life. How would an 18 year old take gymnastics? My kids took it and there are no clases for adults. I asked because a couple of places because I always try to do different things and they don't because there is no market.

More importantly, how many fights do most people actually get into? Why the hell is everything about fighting? Learning to fight rooted in fear is a problem. It increases the fear. Why do people NEED to be good fighters? What is that all about? Most people will not amount to a piss hole in the snow with fighting but they will most certainly inhabit their body and learn to be very athletic. There is a place for TMAs and this is it. Everyone needs a couple of out techniques. You throw it and it lands then you run. Avoid getting into fights by living above the fray. Be cool and don't let things hurt your ego and there is very little reason.

If a person is fast and trains their hands and feet. Even if they don't do san shou they can learn to apply that stuff to improve their chances. Also, kung-fu works partner drills from usually orange belt and higher. They use joint locks, counters and stuff common to self-defense. Relax.

If the kid likes outfits and swords then cool. Who cares. Do what you like and follow your instincts.

amazing post as always, man it sucks when you disappear from the board.

 

[ChachiKiller]

amazing post as always, man it sucks when you disappear from the board.

Hi Devante, I pop in every once in a while. I see your posts and threads. Prob is getting into a debate with teens. There are some good people on here lately.

 

[barnowl]

As some one that does MT and Kung-fu. they don't really interfere as long as the KF style has strong power striking system in it. MT and many of the Tiger style KF's complement each other well. Only thing to remember is they use different approaches to the same goal and which to use in which class.

Counter to what some else said, depending on the school you do really learn to fight with the weapons.

 

[Hotora86]

In short:
- if you want to do martial arts as a hobby, just for fun and fitness then go ahead and do whatever is more fun to you - which seems to be Kung Fu from the sound of your post
- if you want to learn how to fight and defend yourself UNDER PRESSURE and against RESISTING OPPONENTS just do the full-contact sports - Muay Thai is a great choice
- you can train multiple arts if you have the time and money. I don't think the forms will confuse you. In fact, cross-training can help gain a better understanding of both arts.

Good luck!