Kozushi
Level 7 Valued Member
It seems that some kettelbellers are also interested in Martial Arts. I've been at a few of them for about 30 years, and I figure I'll write down a few thoughts to help others making a choice:
Judo
Generally inexpensive
Balances wresting on your feet and wrestling on the ground
Includes chokes and armlocks, but ground holds also win
BJJ
Usually very expensive
Almost 100% wrestling on the ground
(In my experience) training emphasizes wrestling with your back on the ground
Includes chokes and joint locks (usually armbars) but holding positions count for points
Kendo
Usually inexpensive
2 Handed sword fighting
Emphasizes cutting movements to top of head, right wrist, right side of trunk
Fencing
Usually very expensive
1 Handed sword fighting
Emphasizes thrusting attacks to the chest (except Sabre which is cutting to the top of the head)
Karate
Inexpensive, normally
A "dirty boxing" system emphasizing mixing grabbing and hitting
NOT a kickboxing art - it's a 50-50 grabbing and striking art
Something special about it is that you can do it 100% alone and it's still satisfying
Boxing and MMA - great stuff of course, but getting hit repeatedly in the head can't be healthy, sorry. I don't think all those years of getting hit in the head hard was good for me.
Judo and BJJ are very similar. What I think I've noticed is that the BJJ guys will progress twice as fast at wrestling on the ground, particularly when lying on their backs, but can't do anything else, hehehe, and not that that's a bad thing at all of course! Some judo clubs don't train enough on the ground and that's a weakness in judo pedagogy.
Kendo and boxing are similar due to the foot and hand work.
Kendo and Fencing are not similar (other than Sabre) because your body is held in a very different position which changes EVERYTHING! They are virtually identical in concept but the 2h vs 1h nature of the activities renders them very different in practice!
S&S made an insanely huge difference for me in judo and BJJ, and also a big difference for me in kendo.
Judo
Generally inexpensive
Balances wresting on your feet and wrestling on the ground
Includes chokes and armlocks, but ground holds also win
BJJ
Usually very expensive
Almost 100% wrestling on the ground
(In my experience) training emphasizes wrestling with your back on the ground
Includes chokes and joint locks (usually armbars) but holding positions count for points
Kendo
Usually inexpensive
2 Handed sword fighting
Emphasizes cutting movements to top of head, right wrist, right side of trunk
Fencing
Usually very expensive
1 Handed sword fighting
Emphasizes thrusting attacks to the chest (except Sabre which is cutting to the top of the head)
Karate
Inexpensive, normally
A "dirty boxing" system emphasizing mixing grabbing and hitting
NOT a kickboxing art - it's a 50-50 grabbing and striking art
Something special about it is that you can do it 100% alone and it's still satisfying
Boxing and MMA - great stuff of course, but getting hit repeatedly in the head can't be healthy, sorry. I don't think all those years of getting hit in the head hard was good for me.
Judo and BJJ are very similar. What I think I've noticed is that the BJJ guys will progress twice as fast at wrestling on the ground, particularly when lying on their backs, but can't do anything else, hehehe, and not that that's a bad thing at all of course! Some judo clubs don't train enough on the ground and that's a weakness in judo pedagogy.
Kendo and boxing are similar due to the foot and hand work.
Kendo and Fencing are not similar (other than Sabre) because your body is held in a very different position which changes EVERYTHING! They are virtually identical in concept but the 2h vs 1h nature of the activities renders them very different in practice!
S&S made an insanely huge difference for me in judo and BJJ, and also a big difference for me in kendo.