Taekwondo

BTW25

Hi everyone, I was thinking about starting Taekwondo. The YMCA by me has taekwondo that meets twice a week. I know that I'm going to have to combine it with other form of exercise and diet. I have about 80 pounds I need to lose. I already have a YMCA membership and they have an indoor walking track and swim classes that I just started doing and I was combing with taekwondo is a good start

RealWorldStrengthLLC

It depends on what you want to do with it. Are you looking for a martial art for the discipline? Or for exercise? Or to really learn how to fight?

My brother has his second don black belt in taekwondo - he recently started taking some kickboxing classes and says that the kickboxing is a much better workout, much more intense, feels much more like real fighting etc. That said, his kicking is superb due to the taekwondo - his footwork and hands, not so much.

If you want to use it as a workout or for fighting, I thibk boxing/kickboxing are much better. If you want to learn a martial art, go right ahead.

MikePTY

Sure, go for it! Martial arts training is not only a great workout, but it can build confidence, discipline, and self-esteem, while also teaching you how to defend yourself.

claireychn074

Tkd is a great sport, and the rate of exertion will really depend on your teacher. I absolutely loved it and miss it - I was fit, strong and v flexible when training. And it’s an awesome way to learn self defence!

middlehaitch

TKD is great, (both my son and grandson do it and compete) and if you are interested in it I would encourage you to follow through and do it.

However, you say you have just started the swimming, walking the track may be new too, if you are new to working out I would say to take it slow. Don’t jump into doing everything.

Working out alternate days to start with is good. It prevents you from burn out and injuries.

Once you are comfortable with the swimming and walking add in the TKD.

Your calorie deficit is what you need to lose weight, not too much exercise too soon.

As you add exercise to your routine, do be sure to eat back the appropriate amount of calories. That is the way MFP is set up, and to get a good workout you need to fuel it.

Cheers, h.

AnnPT77

That's a good plan. The best form of exercise is one you enjoy so much you'd do it even if it weren't good for you.

if Taekwondo turns out to be that for you, great!

The one thing I'd say is that any complicated new activity tends to be difficult/awkward feeling at first, no matter what it is. I'd encourage you to commit to several classes (a whole multi-week session if that's how your Y works), before you decide it's not for you. It's very normal to feel like everyone in the class is kind of better at at, and like you're behind . . . but all of them were new once, and remember how that felt (even if they don't say so), so don't let that worry you. Stick with it for a while, then decide!

Almost anything that's super easy at first gets really boring fast. Something that's going to be fun and challenging over the long term tends to be a bit confusing right at first. Hang in there!

Martial arts can be very fun!

fishgutzy

I used to train in Tang Soo Do, until 3 doctors told me I had to stop.
Outside of class I would go through all the forms without stopping. More than 10 by the time I made 1st dan.
That got my heart rate up to 120. Got a good sweat on.
Holding a proper horse stance or leaning stance for 60 at a time is great too. My quads burn doing that. I fan still do those things. Just can't do the impact stuff.