I've been toying with the idea of trying martial arts for a number of years. Unfortunately during most of that time I've had a bad back on and off, and a few issues with my knees. A few years back I had a prolapsed disc, however apart from the odd niggle, that is pretty much okay now. A short while after that I have a little trouble with my knees. That has been diagnosed as weak quads and glutes, Which I am working on strengthening. It's not something I've ever had much exposure to not really any of my friends or family have done it, so I don't know a lot about the differences. I want something that isn't going to stress my back too hard, but at the same time strengthening it. Beyond that I am looking for general fitness, I am certainly not the most flexible person at the moment! I am 35 years old and probably under average fitness, though not overweight. I would also like it to have practical uses though, as I am think that would help keep my motivation, if I saw that there was a tangible reason. I normally like to try things which are little difference. There is one form of martial art which has always been in the back of my mind ever since I used to talk about it with a friend from Germany about it a few years ago, she did Kali. She made it sound quite exciting and so I've always wanted to give that a try, however I'm not sure how it's suited to my body's limitations. Also I am in the UK, near Nottingham so hopefully whatever is suggested will be available in this country. I look forward to hearing your suggestions and recommendations. David
Since you're having back and knee problems I'd recommend tai chi (one of the few occasions where you'll ever see me do that). It will help with strengthening your knees and back gradually while increasing flexibility step by step.
Riding (correctly that is) is strengthening to the back and not a strain on the knee (perhaps except when mounting). While not a Martial art much practiced, there are people studying HEMA from horseback, and probably similar groups doing asian /middle east riding martial arts as well. If you want to do more traditional MA, I'd go for tai-chi or chi gong, as that isn't too stressful for either back and knee, and focuses on stance more than actual fighting.
I have a bad back and knees due to poor strength and flexibility. I started doing escrima / kali / arnis about 6 months ago and have had no major problems. For a couple of weeks my knee was sore, so I just skipped the moves where I had to drop low and my instructor gave me some alternatives that weren't as extreme. But I could do all the other stuff ok. If anything, the moving etc has helped me and kept me a bit looser. But of course, maybe your problems are more severe than mine. Kali is ace though...people talk about it being practical, lots of stuff to learn...and so on....but for me, whether it's stick, knife or empty hands, it's just so much fun!!!! You have a few choices in the Notts area: http://www.bckeai.co.uk/page15.html There is a Filipino Martial Arts board on MAP, maybe the experts can point you in the right direction regarding a club to train in.
how about karate? I do shotokan partly because its good for me where I have scoliosis in my back. You might endup on the floor only a couple times because we do do sweeps but not enough even worth talking about.
All the other stuff may be good as far as martial arts go guys but the tai chi will really help with rehabilitating the knees and back.
For the suggestions of Escrima try Kickfit in Nottingham. ESKRIMA KALI ARNIS Mon: 7.00pm to 8.00pm Mon: 8.00pm to 9.00pm (Sport Eskrima stick fighting) Wed: 7.00pm to 8.00pm Sat: 2.00pm to 3.00pm 28-32 Carrington Street Nottingham NG1 7FG Telephone: 0115 9242240 Mobile phone: 07831 777 816
Thank you for all the suggestions. I will look into Tai Chi. Is there anything in particular to look for when looking for that? As some of the Tai Chi type classes I've seen just look like keep fit classes. Is there a particular type of Tai Chi I should look for? Absolutely, the less I do the worse it gets. I will get in touch with the kickfit Kali place in Nottingham and ask about going along. I have some reading to do on all of them before going to look at some. Though it's a shame I can't find something more local to Hucknall. Although I don't want to pick purely based on what is within 2-3 miles, I also don't want to have to travel lots every time too.
Not really a martial art, but I'll throw Fencing in. I did it for some time and it's an amazing competitive sport. The back is kept straight and there isn't much stress put into it, as far as I remember.
There is a good Kickboxing club in Hucknall (yes I'm biased but I think it is pretty good). St George's Kickboxing. You could always pop in one night and speak to the instructor and see if he can help you out. He's pretty good at looking out for people with injuries (I've had my fair share) and getting them back into fighting shape. They have weights, cycles, etc there too so it's good if you want to do a light workout. There's also another instructor there who pops in from time to time and does some Muay Thai/MMA techniques with some of us if you're interested in that (though it is primarily a Kickboxing gym). It's £3 a night and if you train twice a week you get Friday nights for free. Opening times are 7pm-8pm Monday - Thursday, 6pm-7pm Friday. Ask for Shaun. Might not be ideal for you but it's local, a good club, good member attitude, and worth at least having a look at and having a chat iwth the instructor.
if you want it for the martial aspect as well then Chen style is usually pretty good. Barring that just find a good fitness tai chi class and do that until your knees and back are somewhat better, you've learned the forms, THEN start doing something like Kali. You don't want to mess with your knees and your back as I'm sure you know. Strengthen them with the tai chi first... Then you can move on if you want.
Kali is hardly strenuous. My Instructor often describes it as similiar to Tai Chi, because the moves are slow and circular, and you can derive many things from them.
True but for the knees and back the deliberate slowness, one legged balancing, and certain weight changes will help with gently strengthening. I love Kali and I understand what you mean but I think as far as rehabbing first he should pick up the tai chi for a bit.
I have had some back issues in the past, and I found that when I built up core strength my back was better. As I have seen regularly recommended on MAP, often the instructor and their style is more important that the style of MA you choose.
Besides escrima/kali/FMA, Wing Chun is another martial art in which you'll be up on your feet in a high stance all the time. Not a lot of flashy kicking either. Both those things probably mean ease on the knees.
I wouldn't recommend any art (TC included) that has deep stances for someone who has knee or back problems. With these types of arts there is a good chance that you'll run into an instructor that will insist that sitting in horse stance for long periods is a healthy practice. It is not for most people. I'd recommend that you take up boxing or Mauy thai. Though no matter what art you do make sure to advise your coach about your condition.
As much as i love wing chun I wouldn't recommend it for someone with knee problems. Yee gee kim yeung ma is not nice on the knees at first because most people do it wrong when they're just starting. You can do tai chi without going so deep at first. You get lower as the legs get stronger.
