Okay, I have been thinking more and more about joining up into a MA lately, and I was looking to get some different opinions. The main goals would be self defense and fitness, in that order. I refuse to go anywhere near TKD or any of those point sparring BS schools. If I will be putting in lots of hours, the results need to be pretty good.

So far I have located one Brazilian Jiu Jitsu school nearby. BJJ looks pretty interesting and effective, especially seeing as I have no grappling experience or training. It is pretty expensive, $140 a month. The plus side is that the instructor is nationally recognized and a BB under Carlos Gracie Jr. So that is one choice.

Well... there aint much else to be honest. There is one kickboxing place that looks more like a little cardio workout-type deal. There are more "Karate" schools than you can shake a stick at. Slim pickings....

So what do you guys and gals think? I have a heavy bag at home, and I do know the finer points of boxing. I am still trying to learn kickboxing- mainly the knees and elbows. Should I dish the big bucks for BJJ or stick to training at home?

TKD is great for fitness and flexibility, but not so much for real self defence.

If there were a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu school anywhere nearby me I'd be falling over myself to get to it. 140 does seem expensive; how many does that let you go to a month?

Whatever martial arts you choose the most important thing is the instructor. They don't have to be well known but it's best if they have some pedigree.

Okay, I have been thinking more and more about joining up into a MA lately, and I was looking to get some different opinions. The main goals would be self defense and fitness, in that order. I refuse to go anywhere near TKD or any of those point sparring BS schools. If I will be putting in lots of hours, the results need to be pretty good.

So far I have located one Brazilian Jiu Jitsu school nearby. BJJ looks pretty interesting and effective, especially seeing as I have no grappling experience or training. It is pretty expensive, $140 a month. The plus side is that the instructor is nationally recognized and a BB under Carlos Gracie Jr. So that is one choice.

Well... there aint much else to be honest. There is one kickboxing place that looks more like a little cardio workout-type deal. There are more "Karate" schools than you can shake a stick at. Slim pickings....

So what do you guys and gals think? I have a heavy bag at home, and I do know the finer points of boxing. I am still trying to learn kickboxing- mainly the knees and elbows. Should I dish the big bucks for BJJ or stick to training at home?

If you can afford it, I believe I'd go for the Gracie JuJitsu. Over 85% of all fights end up on the ground. It's always good to be able to defend yourself in all areas (ground and standing).

I belong to a dojo that specialize in reality based training. This training covers all ranges of hand to hand combat and incorporates the following styles: Mui Thai, Gracie (Brazilllian) Jujitsu, Krav Maga (Israeli Ground Fighting), Haganaugh, Kali and Progressive Kenpo-Jitsu. Since you also have an interest in Mui Thai you may want to search for a school that offers a more "complete" curriculum such as the one that I've described above. However, since you already know how to box, if you are mainly interested in grappling then you can't go wrong with Gracie Jujitsu.

Depending on where you located the $140 price isn't terrible. That's about what I pay at our dojo. For that price we are able to train (4-5) days per week.

A friend of mine has been mentoring me in Tang Soo Do and Silat for the past 6 or 7 months. I would recommend either one! TSD is sort of like Tae Kwan Do though, to be fair. Silat is a rather artsy indonesian form but it's more directed toward destroying your opponent in 5 seconds, without the need for a spar or go to the ground (at least what I'm being taught). Hence you cant really bag train it. I'm wanting to get into muay thai to make use of my punching bag as well but it's not offered anywhere near me. Anyways, I would keep looking. Sometimes there are groups that just meet at parks that offer cheaper instruction, try asking around perhaps.

Regardless, if you get a good instructor you will absolutley love it! You'll wonder why you hadn't started sooner, I promise. :nod: