Will TKD add anything valuable to my arsenal?

**jjc** · Posted On: 6/24/2012 1:40am

I'm a wrestler (free/folk and greco-roman) and I train in boxing. I am looking to add an art that will expand my striking knowledge. I want so badly to train real muay thai, but there are no legit schools in my city. I did find a legit olympic style taekwondo school, and I am considering joining to gain knowledge of kicking.

Your opinion?

**Tameshiwhaty?** · Posted On: 6/24/2012 1:47am

Originally Posted by jjc

I'm a wrestler (free/folk and greco-roman) and I train in boxing. I am looking to add an art that will expand my striking knowledge. I want so badly to train real muay thai, but there are no legit schools in my city. I did find a legit olympic style taekwondo school, and I am considering joining to gain knowledge of kicking.

Your opinion?

From what I have sen something a lot of guys get out of TKD Speed a good watch them fight in London I swear some of them float, they're very quick and like to throw a lot of kick combos. In terms of hands they don't focus on it but of course my experience with TKD is seeing it on the national stage, Olympics, and my nephew.

**jedtex88** · Posted On: 6/24/2012 2:10am

Tae Kwon Do should improve your kicks. Whether you get anything out of it or not will be based on your school. If I were you I'd try to find a good dojang that spars often, and not just for points. They will probably appreciate your wrestling and boxing as it will give them a chance to try something new. Although as boxer it might be a little rough not striking for the face when you first start out.

**Azatdawn** · Posted On: 6/24/2012 9:48am

Originally Posted by jjc

I'm a wrestler (free/folk and greco-roman) and I train in boxing. I am looking to add an art that will expand my striking knowledge. I want so badly to train real muay thai, but there are no legit schools in my city. I did find a legit olympic style taekwondo school, and I am considering joining to gain knowledge of kicking.

Your opinion?

What does real Muay Thai/ a legit MT school mean (in your eyes, obviously)?

**Urbanassassin** · Posted On: 6/24/2012 1:38pm

As someone whos trained pretty extensively in the art, it really depends on what type of school you go to. Mine had a pretty even balance between hands and feet, while others may focus solely on feet. Some like mine had sparring every day, while others may focus a lot more on generate technique and power. However, if you wanna improve on your ability to fight, I wouldn't really recommend Olympic style.

But regardless of which style you train in, TKD will give you speed and footwork, balance, flexibility, and some powerful kicks that you can throw from anywhere ( whereas most people have to attack from their back leg, TKD can teach you to exhibit the same amount of power with your front leg kick for example ). Contrary to popular belief, if you are in a non competition school, it also trains your hands in a similar fashion that karate does ( TKD spawned from karate ). So you will learn more moves to add to your arsenal, such as elbows, hammer fists, backfists, etc. as well as Knees and maybe some sweeps ( some TKD schools teach sweeps )

**mike321** · Posted On: 6/24/2012 2:44pm

Don't know what level you are at with wrestling and boxing, but if you are reasonably competent with both you have a strong base to start mma training. They will add the tools you are missing: kicks, submissions. Depends of course on availability.

**lordbd** · Posted On: 6/24/2012 2:47pm

I do MT now but used to do TKD back in the day. It has made it hard for me to get used to throwing a Thai Kick and it makes it tough for me to keep a more square stance. The benefits though: 1) I've kept some flexibility 2) I have a strong pushkick 3) I'm like the best person in my gym at the spinning back-kick. My back quick is pretty sweet, and thats all thanks to TKD!

**searcher66071** · Posted On: 6/24/2012 8:57pm

Since there are no "legit" MT schools in your area, do you have any Kyokushin, Ashihara or Enshin schools around your town? These would serve you much better. I just had an WTF/Olympic TKD school open up in my town and they produce less than quality students(they have 2 other schools in their chain). I don't feel you will get as much from it as you could from a different style. I guess you may get to spend a bunch of money and get locked into a contract, but that is TYPICALLY all you will get. JMHO.

**It is Fake** · Posted On: 6/24/2012 10:36pm

Originally Posted by Azatdawn

What does real Muay Thai/ a legit MT school mean (in your eyes, obviously)?

Seconded.

**Rene "Zendokan" Gysenbergs** · Posted On: 6/25/2012 8:33am

Short Answer: NO!
Long Answer: You will learn some bad habits (side stance) in posture that will take "forever" to get rid off.

Look for these type of schools:
- Knockdown Karate: Kyokushin, Ashihara, Seidokaikan, Enshin and Shidokan
- kickboxing: Japanese, International ruleset, American
- Shootboxing, SanDa/SanShou, DRAKA Kickboxing
- Full-Contact
- La Boxe Française-Savate
- STX Kickboxing (Savate-Thai Crossover Kickboxing)
- Daido Juku, ARB (Russian army hand 2 hand fighting).
- Muay Thai, Dutch-style Muay Thai, Khun Khemer, pradal Serey, Yaw Yan.

Hopefully there's at least one school in your area that practise one of the above styles.