Boxing/Kick Boxing/Self Defence

[Trudes]

OK, I've been thinking about fun activities that I could do to get fit and lose some weight, and knowing myself well enough by now, if it's not something I enjoy or find fun, I just won't stick at it. I'm not much of a team sport type of person (not competitive so don't want to let the whole team down) and I really don't want to spend a crap load of money on gym equipment or a gym membership.
So I was thinking that I'd probably enjoy boxing/kick boxing or self defence lessons, something I could have fun doing, not overly expensive and learn something while hopefully getting fit and losing some kilos.
So anybody have any experience with this type of thing, i.e. done classes before and enjoyed or hated it? Do you think it would keep me motivated and help me get fit, i.e. is it fun and good exercise?
Cheers!

[kiwifruit]

What about swimming?
I couldn't swim at all 3 months ago, taught myself in the first month. Its fun, low resistance, low intensity (once you learn to relax and get the breathing sorted) and generally for the win. Do try et!

[sinfull]

Just do eeeet !
Did a bit of kick boxing and loved it, training was great (hard work but great)
A smashed knee put me out for a year and never returned to it !
But how HARD ya wanna get Trudes ?
If ya get addicted to it, you could scare ya man in 12 months ?

[nodrog:Me]

What about swimming?
I couldn't swim at all 3 months ago, taught myself in the first month. Its fun, low resistance, low intensity (once you learn to relax and get the breathing sorted) and generally for the win. Do try et!

yeah but you cant swim your way out of a fight bro.

quick everybody, to the pool, FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT!

[kiwifruit]

yeah but you cant swim your way out of a fight bro.

quick everybody, to the pool, FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT!

why is everybody always pickin on me

[ManDownUnder]

GO TRUDES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

oooo a hot button of mine... self defense... and fitness and all that good stuff.

Does anyone do this in Auckland?

[ManDownUnder]

quick everybody, to the pool, FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT!

Call Mr Whoopme - he'll pound them into submission with Choc Ices!

[Trudes]

What about swimming?
I couldn't swim at all 3 months ago, taught myself in the first month. Its fun, low resistance, low intensity (once you learn to relax and get the breathing sorted) and generally for the win. Do try et!

I love to swim and do try to get to the pool, the only problem I have with it is the pool itself, all those bandaids floating about in the water, piss, snot and my local pool often has "Code brown" that closes the pool for half a day to be "cleaned" (dumping a shit load of chlorine in it is not cleaning it in my opinion!) But a fine idea thanks, maybe I should look at swimming in a different pool, like one that is closed to children!

Just do eeeet !
Did a bit of kick boxing and loved it, training was great (hard work but great)
A smashed knee put me out for a year and never returned to it !
But how HARD ya wanna get Trudes ?
If ya get addicted to it, you could scare ya man in 12 months ?

Sounds cool, thanks. Definitely not looking at taking it up as a "sport" and entering competitions or anything, I'm not competitive, or violent (shut up Kendog), just want to get fit and lose some weight while having some fun and learning something. I also have weak knees, a dodgy hip and a bad back, so would hope that it may strengthen these areas so I have less issues with them.

[nodrog:Me]

Call Mr Whoopme - he'll pound them into submission with Choc Ices!

what are you waffling on about? are you nuts? you choc knob, you would need hundreds and thousands, especially on a sunday.

[Xile]

Go Boxing!
Did French Boxing (same as english arm but you can kick with your legs/feet) for a couple of years: i loved it beacuse i was exhausted by the end of each session, you get muscles everywhere, and its excellent or your heart! One of the most complete sport and i could as well evacuate stress and all that energy in 2 hours. And sometimes, it occurs that you kick some boys'asses quite well (and the look on their faces and their hurted pride is actually pretty funny )

Bad point: teeth protection, bruises on legs and arms, and bleeding nose are not very sexy but ey!

[Trudes]

Go Boxing!
Did French Boxing (same as english arm but you can kick with your legs/feet) for a couple of years: i loved it beacuse i was exhausted by the end of each session, you get muscles everywhere, and its excellent or your heart! One of the most complete sport and i could as well evacuate stress and all that energy in 2 hours. And sometimes, it occurs that you kick some boys'asses quite well (and the look on their faces and their hurted pride is actually pretty funny )

Bad point: teeth protection, bruises on legs and arms, and bleeding nose are not very sexy but ey!

Now that sounds like me! (Not the getting bashed up bit, I bruise easily...) That's what I'm thinking of, boxing that also allows you to kick. Cheers.

The idea of using my legs appeals as I have a soccer background and know that I lose weight easily when I use the major muscles in my legs and bum and think kicking a punching bag (or person) would be better for me than the impact of running etc as all that seems to do is make me "bulk up", not too attractive!
Also from riding my bucket I've noticed that I tend to not open my legs much on the bike, tending more to cling onto the tank with my thighs and find it hard to stick my knee out (knee down action) and thought that doing something that makes me open my legs may help my bucket racing a bit..... just a thought.

[sinfull]

I also have weak knees, a dodgy hip and a bad back, so would hope that it may strengthen these areas so I have less issues with them.

One bit of advice i'd give, is if your gonna wear a knee support, wear it under trackies or summit ! They look like a bullseye to whoever you may be sparring with !
Sounds like with all them ailments, swimmin would be better for ya !
Kick boxing training is prolly 50% full contact !
But no run of the mill dickhead be able to fuck wid ya after like i say 12 months

[slimjim]

Go Boxing!
Did French Boxing (same as english arm but you can kick with your legs/feet) for a couple of years: i loved it beacuse i was exhausted by the end of each session, you get muscles everywhere, and its excellent or your heart! One of the most complete sport and i could as well evacuate stress and all that energy in 2 hours. And sometimes, it occurs that you kick some boys'asses quite well (and the look on their faces and their hurted pride is actually pretty funny )

Bad point: teeth protection, bruises on legs and arms, and bleeding nose are not very sexy but ey!

yes try boxing club's....would say there are a few around your area...and its for all levels of fitness and fun..and ages too...i think you will be surpised just how many women do it too....

[sinfull]

doing something that makes me open my legs may help my bucket racing a bit..... just a thought.

..........

[Trudes]

One bit of advice i'd give, is if your gonna wear a knee support, wear it under trackies or summit ! They look like a bullseye to whoever you may be sparring with !
Sounds like with all them ailments, swimmin would be better for ya !
Kick boxing training is prolly 50% full contact !
But no run of the mill dickhead be able to fuck wid ya after like i say 12 months

I'm willing to give it a go, if I stretch out enough before and after I may be ok. My knees and shit aren't too bad, they just play up occasionally, and I think a lot of that is due to being unfit and chubby! And if anyone kicks me in the knee it may motivate me to be a bit more "aggressive"!!!