Hello.  I really would like to begin a martial arts, but I am not sure what.  What I am posting for, is that I was wondering if there was particularly anything that I could start getting ready for (exercises, etc.).  What I am looking for in martial arts is to get to be in better muscular shape, and have a bit more endurance then I do now! Also, any tips on a kind of martial arts would be greatly appreciated.  I am a 14 yr. old girl, 5'5 , and 135 lbs.  Please answer!  Anything would be greatly appreciated.                                        Sincerely,                                            Julianna

Hello.  I really would like to begin a martial arts, but I am not sure what.  What I am posting for, is that I was wondering if there was particularly anything that I could start getting ready for (exercises, etc.).  What I am looking for in martial arts is to get to be in better muscular shape, and have a bit more endurance then I do now! A martial arts course once a week won't get you in shape.  It might give you incentive to get into shape so you can do the course, but by itself it won't do anything for your fitness. If you can't manage more than once a week, then you won't get results and you'll drop it.  So make that commitment now. If you want it as a form of fun and motivating exercise, then plan to do it at least 3 times a week, and choose something that does a lot of hard work.  Kickboxing would be the obvious choice.   Zebee

Hello.  I really would like to begin a martial arts, but I am not sure what.  What I am posting for, is that I was wondering if there was particularly anything that I could start getting ready for (exercises, etc.).  What I am looking for in martial arts is to get to be in better muscular shape, and have a bit more endurance then I do now! Also, any tips on a kind of martial arts would be greatly appreciated. I am a 14 yr. old girl, 5'5 , and 135 lbs.  Please answer!  Anything would be greatly appreciated.                                       Sincerely,                                           Julianna         20 - 30 minutes of aerobic exercise daily is best.         1-day/week of INTENSE martial art training will only leave you sore.         However, IF the class meets only 1-day per week, AND you practice DAILY, this will get you in shape since you are exercising daily.         To prepare for martial arts training, aerobic exercises are good. ALWAYS take time to STRETCH before and after exercising to avoid muscle-pulls and such. 20 - 30 minutes a day to TOLERANCE.         IMHO... (REMOVE NoSPAM. from REPLY address to reply) (This email scanned by Norton Anti-Virus and Certified VIRUS FREE!) Michael J. Reeves, AA, ASc E-Mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Hello.  I really would like to begin a martial arts, but I am not sure what.  What I am posting for, is that I was wondering if there was particularly anything that I could start getting ready for (exercises, etc.).  What I am looking for in martial arts is to get to be in better muscular shape, and have a bit more endurance then I do now! A martial arts course once a week won't get you in shape.  It might give you incentive to get into shape so you can do the course, but by itself it won't do anything for your fitness. If you can't manage more than once a week, then you won't get results and you'll drop it.  So make that commitment now. If you want it as a form of fun and motivating exercise, then plan to do it at least 3 times a week, and choose something that does a lot of hard work.  Kickboxing would be the obvious choice.   Zebee I'd add that beginning to stretch, properly, now would be a good addition to any future sport you might take up. Boxing is a good choice too.  Their conditioning work is second to none.

Hello.  I really would like to begin a martial arts, but I am not sure what.  What I am posting for, is that I was wondering if there was particularly anything that I could start getting ready for (exercises, etc.).  What I am looking for in martial arts is to get to be in better muscular shape, and have a bit more endurance then I do now! Also, any tips on a kind of martial arts would be greatly appreciated.  I am a 14 yr. old girl, 5'5 , and 135 lbs.  Please answer!  Anything would be greatly appreciated. Sure.  Take Yoga.  The gals in the yoga classes I took were all in much better shape, generally speaking, than most of the people in my marital arts classes.  It's a myth that yoga is for wimps, it's as hard as you want to make it.  Really committed yogis can perform rather impressive feats of strength and balance. If by lucky chance you happen to be in Seattle I recommend http://www.eightlimbsyoga.com .  If those locations aren't convenient to you, I'd recommend talking to them about other schools.

Kickboxing would be the obvious choice. *The* obvious choice?  Surely you jest.  For a new student, particularly a 14 year old girl, the most important consideration is that you find a teacher that you like and have good feelings about.  Shop the teacher and the school, not the _style_.  If you have older friends who know martial arts and can help you make the decision, get their help.  If not, at least drag your parents with you when you shop schools.  I started martial arts when I was 14, and I remember my Dad liking the instructor at the school I picked (Phil Every of Karate International in Winston-Salem, NC if anyone cares. No relation BTW.)  In hindsight we picked well, although after the first 3 years it was not the place for me to keep going. If you stay with martial arts for a very long time, you may find yourself as the kind of person who sticks with one _style_ forever and ever.  Or you may find yourself trying every _style_ out there at some point.  The point is, your first school is not a life committment, you are not stuck with it.  So the _style_ is not nearly as important as whether you like the teacher, the students, and the training.