Hello, I'm a complete newbie in Dallas on the search for what and where to train. I'm interested in MA to get me in better shape doing something engaging and useful, and also because I hear it will make me more manly and teach me awesome things to show off at bars to strangers and drunk chicks.
I am checking this over and it is really long so here is the summary:
I've been lurking here for a bit and done some searching, and here are the conclusions I have come to so far:
I'm most interested in Muay Thai and Judo. I understand that BJJ and Boxing are also well loved here and would provide me with the requisite amount of aliveness and activity, but they simply don't interest me as much right now. Perhaps that could change in the future.
I am not currently interested in paying to train both, so for now at least I have to pick.
For Muay Thai it would seem I am pretty damn lucky: after work I can drive 15 min to Saekson Janjira Muay Thai (SMTA), which I visited last week and watched a Friday workout led by a student, Chidi Njokuani, while Saekson was away for a seminar. I was a bit disappointed that I didn't see what would be a typical Tuesday/Thursday workout but visiting ont eh day I'd probably go normally didn't occur to me before I went. It would certainly get me into better shape, and everyone seemed very friendly, helpful and welcoming of beginners. There are apparently also JJ classes there but I don't know who teaches them (forgot to ask.)
Siam Star/NDBJJ is also good according to what I hear, and would only be slightly farther, but would also be more expensive, so if I am going for straight Muay Thai I don't think there would be an advantage to starting there.
For Judo it would seem I am pretty lucky as well. On the way home I drive by SMU, so if the SMU Judo Club practices are good for a beginner like me then that could be great. I have seen good things said about them, but I have not visited a practice yet; I made one attempt but they were out that week, and have just tried to contact Sensei Zwolski for a bit more info (their webpage is a bit out of date) and hope to try again this week.
Other options include the Dallas Judo Club (but it is much further out of the way,) and another listing on the DallasJudo.org website called "North Texas Judokai" which apparently practices in a community center very close to where I work - but I have not contacted North Texas Judokai and am not aware of who the instructor(s) are. There is also the Becerra Judo Club, but it appears to be more youth-oriented and is also a bit far away.
I am aware of Felipe Espinoza's Dallas Jiu-Jitsu (Panamasilver's place) and it is in fact very close to where I live, but while I want aliveness and sparring/randori I am again not so much interested in bjj or MMA/"UFC Style training" so I have sidelined it for now.
I'm 29, and conditioning wise I'm not exactly an assiduous exerciser but good genes and reasonable eating habits serve me well; I do jog or ride a bike a few times a week, and have been getting better about doing pushups, pullups, chinups, and taking the stairs at work (16 floors). I don't plan on any serious weight training but an entry-level barbell is now on the shopping list for 5x5s or at the very least squats and deadlifts.
So here is my introduction. Right now I am thinking I will start with Judo, because it is both cheaper and more convenient, and I want to make sure I will stick with something (as in going frequently enough to justify it) before I start laying the money down for SMTA. I am always paranoid about starting new things, (hence all the research) so any "My first day of ____" that can be thrown at me is appreciated, as well as suggestions or flaws in my thinking so far. I'd also like suggestions for starter's Judo Gi's or Gloves, depending on which way I end up going. In general I will pay a little more for higher quality, but want the best bang for the buck, not top of the line.
Thanks!
I am checking this over and it is really long so here is the summary:
Spoiler:
I've been lurking here for a bit and done some searching, and here are the conclusions I have come to so far:
I'm most interested in Muay Thai and Judo. I understand that BJJ and Boxing are also well loved here and would provide me with the requisite amount of aliveness and activity, but they simply don't interest me as much right now. Perhaps that could change in the future.
I am not currently interested in paying to train both, so for now at least I have to pick.
For Muay Thai it would seem I am pretty damn lucky: after work I can drive 15 min to Saekson Janjira Muay Thai (SMTA), which I visited last week and watched a Friday workout led by a student, Chidi Njokuani, while Saekson was away for a seminar. I was a bit disappointed that I didn't see what would be a typical Tuesday/Thursday workout but visiting ont eh day I'd probably go normally didn't occur to me before I went. It would certainly get me into better shape, and everyone seemed very friendly, helpful and welcoming of beginners. There are apparently also JJ classes there but I don't know who teaches them (forgot to ask.)
Siam Star/NDBJJ is also good according to what I hear, and would only be slightly farther, but would also be more expensive, so if I am going for straight Muay Thai I don't think there would be an advantage to starting there.
For Judo it would seem I am pretty lucky as well. On the way home I drive by SMU, so if the SMU Judo Club practices are good for a beginner like me then that could be great. I have seen good things said about them, but I have not visited a practice yet; I made one attempt but they were out that week, and have just tried to contact Sensei Zwolski for a bit more info (their webpage is a bit out of date) and hope to try again this week.
Other options include the Dallas Judo Club (but it is much further out of the way,) and another listing on the DallasJudo.org website called "North Texas Judokai" which apparently practices in a community center very close to where I work - but I have not contacted North Texas Judokai and am not aware of who the instructor(s) are. There is also the Becerra Judo Club, but it appears to be more youth-oriented and is also a bit far away.
I am aware of Felipe Espinoza's Dallas Jiu-Jitsu (Panamasilver's place) and it is in fact very close to where I live, but while I want aliveness and sparring/randori I am again not so much interested in bjj or MMA/"UFC Style training" so I have sidelined it for now.
I'm 29, and conditioning wise I'm not exactly an assiduous exerciser but good genes and reasonable eating habits serve me well; I do jog or ride a bike a few times a week, and have been getting better about doing pushups, pullups, chinups, and taking the stairs at work (16 floors). I don't plan on any serious weight training but an entry-level barbell is now on the shopping list for 5x5s or at the very least squats and deadlifts.
So here is my introduction. Right now I am thinking I will start with Judo, because it is both cheaper and more convenient, and I want to make sure I will stick with something (as in going frequently enough to justify it) before I start laying the money down for SMTA. I am always paranoid about starting new things, (hence all the research) so any "My first day of ____" that can be thrown at me is appreciated, as well as suggestions or flaws in my thinking so far. I'd also like suggestions for starter's Judo Gi's or Gloves, depending on which way I end up going. In general I will pay a little more for higher quality, but want the best bang for the buck, not top of the line.
Thanks!
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