Good Toronto area MA schools? Peel Region preferably?
Original Poster: dannymac99
Forum: Recommended Schools
Posted On: 12-08-2006, 18:51
Orginal Post: dannymac99: Does anybody know of any good martial arts schools in the Greater Toronto Area, preferably something out towards the west end like Brampton or Mississauga? I have looked at a place called Kombat Arts in Mississauga but my concern with that is that you can't just pay for lessons you have to get a full membership at the club and it is very, very expensive. Any place where I could go for classes about 2 times per week and train? I haven't picked any martial art in particular so any type that you know of a place for I may be interested in thank you very much!
Post: bamboo:
I suggest to PM BLACKPANTA, he is in missisauga and gets amazing training. Well worth looking into.
-bamboo>
Post: BLACK PANTA:
Kombat Arts is a pretty good school, however as you've seen, they're pretty pricey. I live in Mississauga, however I got all the way to Scarborough for excellent training. I assume you live in Mississauga.>
Post: BLACK PANTA:
I know you said any art really, but what are you more leaning towards?>
Post: dannymac99:
[quote=BLACK PANTA I know you said any art really, but what are you more leaning towards?[/quote
The truth is I'm quite a newb with repect to this kind of thing. I have a very limited knowledge of martial arts and what would be best. I'm looking for something mainly out of interest because I think it would be something fun to learn, for the exercise, and I guess as well for self defence were such a need ever to arise. I'm not really looking to get into this in a huge way ie. training like 6 times a week and becoming a competitive fighter.
I have known guys from work and school who have trained and the main ones you always hear about seem to be Brazil Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai boxing. But I don't really have anything in mind which interests me above any other from my limited knowledge. I live in Brampton now if that helps.
So basically, I have a pretty open mind when it comes to this, the main criteria I guess are a place that I can go for lessons a couple nights per week, something not super expensive preferably, my goals are mostly health and fitness and sheer interest with maybe a consideration for something that might be somewhat practical too in a self defence situation. I'm pretty busy I work and go to university so I'm just looking for a place that offers classes in the evenings and doesn't require a huge time commitment.
Any info that can help you I'm happy to give you. If you could suggest any places you know to have a good reputation and a certain art that might suit my needs I would be super appreciative.
thanks, Dan>
Post: bamboo:
University eh?
You should see if they have a judo club at the school (most do), it will be ALOT cheaper since your enrolled.
Judo is fantastic for fitness, the training methods are top notch and you can use it for real life self defense.
No matter anyone says, you throw a man on concrete, he will be getting up REALLY slowly if not at all.
-bamboo>
Post: dannymac99:
[quote=bamboo University eh?
You should see if they have a judo club at the school (most do), it will be ALOT cheaper since your enrolled.
Judo is fantastic for fitness, the training methods are top notch and you can use it for real life self defense.
No matter anyone says, you throw a man on concrete, he will be getting up REALLY slowly if not at all.
-bamboo[/quote
Well now that you mention it, I have found that there are quite a few more judo schools really close to where I live than the more popular MMA things like BJJ or Muay Thai. However, I was always under the impression from most people telling me that judo was pretty "Fancy" and unpractical, something you'd train in to go in the olympics rather than actually use in a real life situation. But again I assume that's a pretty ignorant view of it since I don't know too much, I'm doing some reading up right now on Judo to learn some more. From what I know judo is mostly about throws and takedowns?
If judo is something you would reccomend that seems great because while in my area the MMA gyms seem few and far between, there are half a dozen different judo clubs within a reasonable distance according to Judo Ontario's website. Unfortunately I go to a smaller campus and I looked and I don't see any martial arts clubs, but as long as the price is within reason money isn't an issue.>
Post: samurai6string:
BJJ is actually derived from Judo. If you are interested in making the transition to MMA type arts or BJJ later, the time you spend in Judo will pay dividends big time.>
Post: bamboo:
Some of the best profesional fighters in the world have a more than passing judo background, including olympic judo.
Judo is cheap, VERY PRACTICAL and does incorporate a ground game that is more than sufficient to handle the average person.
People that tell you its all fancy moves are nothing short of full of shit.
Now, are judoka better submission specialists than a BJJ man, imho- not a chance unless all they do is newaza. But like I said, if your in a real self defense situation, throwing a man onto the hard ground can be devestating.
-bamboo>
Post: zefff:
Judo is awesome! The concept is brilliant for emptyhand self defence if you analyse it.
I actually wanted to practice Judo over BJJ when I was looking for another class but the prospect of 7 days a week classes with two black belts, one brown and loads of purples was too tempting.>
Post: BLACK PANTA:
What ever you do....DO NOT GO TO KEIKO RYU DO JIU JITSU. It's the school on Queen, near 410. DO NOT.>
Post: bamboo:
Quote: KEIKO RYU DO JIU JITSU
practice style jiujitsu?>
Post: zefff:
HAW HAW HAW! oh yeah BTW, if anyone doubts Judo being applicable to MMA then they should reallly check the Karo Parisian highlight vid on the homepage. Takedowns to dominant postion 101!!!>
Post: BLACK PANTA:
[quote=bamboo
Quote: KEIKO RYU DO JIU JITSU
practice style jiujitsu?[/quote
practice style way jiujitsu....as you can tell, it's not a very good place to be.>
Post: dannymac99:
Do you guys have any tips for telling whether or not a Judo school is a good one or not?
On one website I saw it said that in their program for the first two years of training students will just practice exercises designed to build strength, stamina, and coordination and then later actual techniques will be introduced.. Is this the normal fare for this kind of thing? I mean I don't want to sound like the trigger happy guy just looking to get right into the violent stuff but I'd honestly like to get into the actual techniques and principles of the art a lot sooner than that.
I mean I'm already in pretty good shape, I was in the military for 3 years and my training right now seems pretty decent I run several times per week, I lift weights at the gym 3x weekly etc. etc. I'm not trying to sound cocky and feel free to cut me down if I'm getting ahead of myself, but the idea of spending two years just getting exercises under my belt is kinda discouraging.
So is a long period of mere conditioning normal for most martial arts or should a good school work on that stuff as well as delve into techniques reletively quickly?
Judo seems pretty cool actually I've done some reading and I'm excited to try it, but my problem right now seems to be what criteria one should look for in picking a school? There seems to be about 5 or 6 within a reasonable distance of me but choosing one over the others with what I know now seems like mere guesswork.
Really appreciate your advice guys.>
Post: BLACK PANTA:
1. always go with your gut. What you feel about the place is very important
2. don't fall for "specials" and contracts
3. Ask for lineage, and then come here to verify or bust
4. See if they give free lessons to new commers take advantage of them
I wouldn't also just focus on Judo, it's an art where if you don't like it on the get go, you definately will not stay. Don't mean to scare you away from it btw. But as bamboo said check with the Uni. They may have a Judo program.
You can check out Quoc Wai Kung Fu in mississauga. Very good school. They teach Hung Ga, and Choy Li Fut. Two very good styles of Kung Fu. However Kung Fu is also an art like Judo, you really have to click with it at first to stick.
The best advice is don't rush, take some time, visit different school, and different arts. MOST will give you a few free lessons. You may love the first art you take and you may just use it as a path to something else. My personal martial art journey was filled with pot holes, but now, thank God it's smooth pavement. (not to give the impression that it's easy, just enjoyable).
Oh and one more thing, stay away from ANY school run and supported by the CMAC, Canadian Martial Arts Council.>
Post: samurai6string:
no matter what kind of school it is, you should be learning technique from almost the get go. I could understand in the Judo school if they wanted you to learn ukemi (Breakfalling) for maybe the first week or so, but waiting two years is ridiculus. I started jujutsu at age 12 in an adult class, and was learning to kick, punch, breakfall, and throw within the first couple of days.
Also, stay away from any place that doesn't allow students to spar against each other.>
Post: BLACK PANTA:
[quote=samurai6string no matter what kind of school it is, you should be learning technique from almost the get go. I could understand in the Judo school if they wanted you to learn ukemi (Breakfalling) for maybe the first week or so, but waiting two years is ridiculus. I started jujutsu at age 12 in an adult class, and was learning to kick, punch, breakfall, and throw within the first couple of days.
Also, stay away from any place that doesn't allow students to spar against each other.[/quote
Yeah my buddy studied at a judo school, where they took 4 months to perfect breakfalling. That's all they did. The senior students practiced their throws by using the juniors. They charged $85/mth.>
Post: samurai6string:
:?>
Post: dannymac99:
Actually>
Post: bamboo:
Best of luck! :)>
Post: zefff:
Rent a gi?....eewwww! :P Once a week doesnt sound too hot, especially when it'll be a new class full of newbies but its worth checking out and if you show apptitude who knows what might happen. Good luck!>
Post: dannymac99:
[quote=zefff Rent a gi?....eewwww! :P Once a week doesnt sound too hot, especially when it'll be a new class full of newbies but its worth checking out and if you show apptitude who knows what might happen. Good luck![/quote
hahah well it's a long term rental, not like you grab one off the rack at the class each time lol. I'm sure it won't be an elite class but I think it'll be decent for getting started. Honestly, I'm not looking to train 5 nights a week to become a super martial arts master. At this point in my life I wouldn't be able to do anything more than maybe a couple nights a week maximum, I don't have a ton of time to devote. I think this ought to be good if for nothing else than to help me figure out of it's something I really have an interest for or not you know?>
Post: bamboo:
Danny- Buy a gi.
Do not "rent" a freaking gi. You will sweat your ass off and wearing someone elses worn gi is nothing short of disgusting.
Frankly, I'm shocked that this is even offered. I've been in many a dojo from many different arts and the rule has ALWAYS been- You don't use other peoples' practice gear, especially cloths.
A gi is like underwear (seriously). Would you rent underwear?
-bamboo>
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