Why dont more people learn martial arts?

ninerbuff

I seem to be (according to my instructors) a natural at them.

Classic soft sell technique. Kinda like a sales person at a dress shop saying "that looks really good on you."

A.C.E. Certified Personal & Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

_Bob_

Now being fit and confident is more important than knowing any type of self defense. If you study victimology, most victims are chosen due to their outward appearance and body language. Even if you're a female, 5'1" and 90lbs, if you carry yourself well you're less likely to be attacked than a 5'10", 200lb, male who looks sloppy and unconfident. Criminals pick on the easiest prey, and if you look like easy prey, you'll be attacked. Now will that prevent all attacks? No, because your lifestyle plays a large part. If you hang out in an urban area at 2:00am on a regular basis, go to bars, clubs, or a soccer game in a foreign country, you're putting yourself more at risk of an attack.

This is 100% true.

But I have to say I've become a lot *more* fit and confident since I started Aikido. Does it mean it's directly applicable? Probably not. But I carry myself better, my confidence and awareness are all better, and my fat% is a lot lower.

this makes sense, I've never thought of it that way but the time I got jumped I looked like a homeless guy. I had an old over sized hoodie with sewn up rips on it, and a pair of old jeans. those poor little gang bangers didn't know what they were getting themselves into.

glittermouse

I seem to be (according to my instructors) a natural at them.

Classic soft sell technique. Kinda like a sales person at a dress shop saying "that looks really good on you."

A.C.E. Certified Personal & Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

bwahahahaaa. Probably true in most cases. I wasn't paying the instructors and they weren't offering or trying to push lessons or classes. And just like a clerk in a clothing store, I know when something looks good on me and when something looks good on me.

arleylange

Cost and time. The places around here charge $100+ a month. And the only time I have to work out is early morning, and maybe at some point during the day when my older children are at school. Evenings are the only times there are classes, and that does not work for me at all.

That said, in the past i have studied judo, shotokan karate, kung fu, krav maga, tae kwon do, and if it counts at all, kickboxing. Loved it, miss it, not a good time in my life to continue.