Self Defense vs. Biking as a class

[pjoa09]

Which one is better?

I thinking Biking is way more conveniently timed because I wont have a Friday class then.

But I would have to wear this biking stuff and get all sweaty riding everywhere then change back to my uniform. My university requires a uniform.


Opinions?

 

[just george]

Can you hold your own in a fight against someone significantly bigger than you?

 

[The Gopher]

As in motorbike, normal bike, trials bike? As for wearing stuff you would probably have to wear stuff for martial arts if its a traditional one. If not though I would prefer martial arts purely because being able to beat up people when needed is helpful.

 

[Pyropyro]

Take the biking class.

I did some taekwondo, and while it can improve your health, IT WILL NOT make you an overnight Bruce Lee and kick asses righteously.

If you're ever accosted by criminals, the best strategy is to still run away (or avoid areas that have a high crime rate altogether). These guys won't fight fair and will use weapons and other people to stack the odds against you. No amount of fighting skill can beat that.

By the way, you'll going to smell bad on either activity anyways.

 

[The Gopher]

Well yeah he isn't going to be the best biker in the world over night either :P

 

[Pyropyro]

Well yeah he isn't going to be the best biker in the world over night either :P

If he fails in a biking race then he might just get a concussion or broken bones at worst. If he fails in a real life self-defense incident then he might get killed or go to jail.

 

[Inappropriate Behavior]

Which one is better?

I thinking Biking is way more conveniently timed because I wont have a Friday class then.

But I would have to wear this biking stuff and get all sweaty riding everywhere then change back to my uniform. My university requires a uniform.


Opinions?

Do you have to wear this uniform when you don't have class?

As to your question: It's obvious you know which you prefer. Do that.

 

[Cherry Cola]

Yeah but riding a bike a bit better is a lot more useful than fighting a slight bit better

 

[The Gopher]

If he fails in a biking race then he might just get a concussion or broken bones at worst. If he fails in a real life self-defense incident then he might get killed or go to jail.

Well he would run away from a real life self defense incident! Then if that was impossible he might have a slight chance in a fight. The logic isn't really there. Personally he could try the flip a coin trick. Apparently when you flip a coin you work out what you want via what you want it to land on.

 

[SpaceYeti]

I did some taekwondo, and while it can improve your health, IT WILL NOT make you an overnight Bruce Lee and kick asses righteously.

I'm curious what belt you made it to and which organization you went through.

If you're ever accosted by criminals, the best strategy is to still run away (or avoid areas that have a high crime rate altogether). These guys won't fight fair and will use weapons and other people to stack the odds against you. No amount of fighting skill can beat that.

Not entirely true. I agree with your main point, but that doesn't mean the situations where knowing how to fight don't exist, either. Biking really isn't a skill so much as a workout. I mean, unless it's BMX and they're learning tricks and shit, but just riding a bike doesn't have any skill involved. You can either keep your balance or you can't. Martial arts on the other hand can be very useful, potentially life saving even. If, of course, you find yourself in a situation where it must be used. Those classes can give you just as good a work-out, too.

Basically; I'd rather develop a skill if I'm paying for it.

 

[just george]

Yeah but riding a bike a bit better is a lot more useful than fighting a slight bit better

I don't get the impression that the bike class he is talking about is the kind where your final exam is where they take the training wheels off.

Imo if you don't know how to fight at all, then learning where the main attacks come from, and how to cover up properly, is critical info for a college age guy.

I've seen a few clueless guys walk into a fight with their chest puffed out and invisible loaves of bread under their arms, thinking that their opponent only ever punches with the right, and that the only punch is a strange, slow motion windmill kind of action like in the movies. Didn't go so well for them.

 

[just george]

I'm curious what belt you made it to and which organization you went through.

Doesn't matter. TK only really works when you get really, really good, or combine it with another style imo.

 

[Cognisant]

I say self defence, learn blocking techniques and the reflexes to use them, it's simple physics that it's a lot easier to dodge, block or deflect an incoming attack than it is to successfully hit a specific spot with worthwhile force on a moving opponent.

 

[Pyropyro]

Well he would run away from a real life self defense incident! Then if that was impossible he might have a slight chance in a fight. The logic isn't really there. Personally he could try the flip a coin trick. Apparently when you flip a coin you work out what you want via what you want it to land on.

Running away or avoiding the fight altogether is still the wisest choice. The problem about self-defense classes is that it gets into your head sometimes and you'll try to fight because it'll hurt your martial art's "pride" or their "alpha" status. It is indeed illogical but Hollywood and kungfu films have molded us to believe that knowing martial arts = kick ass. Heck, some mentors would actively encourage that in their students.

Hopefully the OP will find a mentor that knows the risks of violence if he chooses to go to self-defense classes.

 

[just george]

Running away or avoiding the fight altogether is still the wisest choice. The problem about self-defense classes is that it gets into your head sometimes and you'll try to fight because it'll hurt your martial art's "pride" or their "alpha" status. It is indeed illogical but Hollywood and kungfu films have molded us to believe that knowing martial arts = kick ass. Heck, some mentors would actively encourage that in their students.

Hopefully the OP will find a mentor that knows the risks of violence if he chooses to go to self-defense classes.

I have never seen a teacher that encourages fighting outside the ring. Few will encourage fighters to even fight in the ring - either the student wants to of their own accord, or they don't.

I have never seen anyone fight to stand up for their art - ever.

And the first thing you learn in class is that everyone alive kicks more ass than you.

Too many kung fu movies for you, dude

 

[Pyropyro]

I'm curious what belt you made it to and which organization you went through.

High Red (three steps before Black), no idea about the organization though. It was just a small club but the coach was accredited by the Philippine Taekwondo Association

Not entirely true. I agree with your main point, but that doesn't mean the situations where knowing how to fight don't exist, either. Biking really isn't a skill so much as a workout. I mean, unless it's BMX and they're learning tricks and shit, but just riding a bike doesn't have any skill involved. You can either keep your balance or you can't. Martial arts on the other hand can be very useful, potentially life saving even. If, of course, you find yourself in a situation where it must be used. Those classes can give you just as good a work-out, too.

Basically; I'd rather develop a skill if I'm paying for it.

You have a point about having martial skills as a life saver but most gyms offer what is actually a sport (kicks are not practical in a real life fight no matter how fancy they are). If the OP wishes to get a good martial art then he should pick something that you guys at the military use.

 

[Pyropyro]

I have never seen a teacher that encourages fighting outside the ring. Few will encourage fighters to even fight in the ring - either the student wants to of their own accord, or they don't.

I have never seen anyone fight to stand up for their art - ever.

And the first thing you learn in class is that everyone alive kicks more ass than you.

Too many kung fu movies for you, dude

Nah, there's never a shortage of insecure males. Glad that you have good teachers back there.

It's odd that teachers don't encourage regular spars. I think we spar once or twice a month, with proper gear of course.

 

[just george]

Nah, there's never a shortage of insecure males. Glad that you have good teachers back there.

It's odd that teachers don't encourage regular spars. I think we spar once or twice a month, with proper gear of course.

Guys will fight for their own petty reasons, like women, or who said what to whom - but not for the honor of the club or any of that once upon a time in china retardedness.

Sparring is part of training, which you should do frequently. I meant that they don't push anyone into getting into the ring for an actual match.

The only guy I know who pushes people into the ring is a guy who runs a gym strictly to farm fighters to put into fight nights that he organizes. I wouldn't call him a trainer, though - more like a wannabe gangster who happened to train when he was younger, and got into the business because his family has too much money for him to ever be hungry for anything sensible.

 

[Perfectly Normal Beast]

Pick biking - ANYTHING is worth it for friday off.

And you can practise how to wield a bike in self-defense with a bit of your extra free time.

 

[pjoa09]

It's just bicycle to ride around for long distances and annoy drivers. I am sorry a little biased.

The lesson for self defense would've been Muay Thai and I have a bit of an physical anger management problem so I always thought there is my ventilation duct for stress.

I have been attacked a couple of times at school. Would've been nice to have it end with them on the floor instead of me.

Seems class is cancelled though. No one showed up.

 

[Pyropyro]

It's just bicycle to ride around for long distances and annoy drivers. I am sorry a little biased.

The lesson for self defense would've been Muay Thai and I have a bit of an physical anger management problem so I always thought there is my ventilation duct for stress.

I have been attacked a couple of times at school. Would've been nice to have it end with them on the floor instead of me.

Seems class is cancelled though. No one showed up.

Well that's kind of sad.

If that class practiced the art more like in their native Thailand then it might be worthwhile.

Just remember that the best self-defense organ is still the brain.

 

[just george]

Sounds like you have motivation enough to seek training despite coursework.

Muay thai is good because it is already a fairly mixed style, which means that you become combat effective very quickly (unlike, say, kung fu, where you punch the air for 3 years and get beaten up in your first real world brawl). The only other traditional type I would suggest is something like Hap ki do. Just make sure to tell your instructors that you are there to learn technique, and to spar, not to exercise by running in circles.

I get really annoyed when they try to turn martial arts classes into giant tai bo sessions.

 

[BigApplePi]

If you're ever accosted by criminals, the best strategy is to still run away (or avoid areas that have a high crime rate altogether). These guys won't fight fair and will use weapons and other people to stack the odds against you. No amount of fighting skill can beat that.

An honorable novice criminal eventually learns some will fight back. On gaining experience it therefore makes sense for a criminal to preempt by using unfair tactics. After all, a criminal by definition goes outside the boundaries.

 

[Latte]

A shame the class was canceled.

When you get beyond the initial stages, self-defense practice becomes more than merely a physcal workout and a potentially practical tool outside of class time.

The neurological health benefits gained from pushing the muscle command infrastructure, your spatial working memory and processing speed as well as other more generally applicable brain resources automatically recruited into your efforts yield a basket of cognitive fruits far more diverse than biking could.

 

[pjoa09]

Sounds like you have motivation enough to seek training despite coursework.

Muay thai is good because it is already a fairly mixed style, which means that you become combat effective very quickly (unlike, say, kung fu, where you punch the air for 3 years and get beaten up in your first real world brawl). The only other traditional type I would suggest is something like Hap ki do. Just make sure to tell your instructors that you are there to learn technique, and to spar, not to exercise by running in circles.

I get really annoyed when they try to turn martial arts classes into giant tai bo sessions.

Well we need some PE credits in my university in order to graduate I am just trying to fill my space up with whatever I find interesting.

 

[just george]

Well we need some PE credits in my university in order to graduate I am just trying to fill my space up with whatever I find interesting.

Can you speak to your course coordinator to see if there are any classes run in the community that might be given equal weight?

I mean, they had to recruit the instructor from somewhere - why not go straight to his gym/dojo instead?

Plus, if you trained a couple nights a week or whatever after regular classes, that would solve your friday problem, yes?

 

[pjoa09]

Can you speak to your course coordinator to see if there are any classes run in the community that might be given equal weight?

I mean, they had to recruit the instructor from somewhere - why not go straight to his gym/dojo instead?

Plus, if you trained a couple nights a week or whatever after regular classes, that would solve your friday problem, yes?

Well I doubt it and they actually have a Sports Science faculty so they aren't exactly recruiting people.

Well there weren't many classes so it was just a whoa free credit for kicking and punching stuff moment.

 

[crippli]

The word cuts deeper then the sword. So I don't have much belief in 'self defence training'. Go biking, and get a permit to carry a gun. I prefer to bring a knife myself when public. But I really like the electric stun guns.

 

[SpaceYeti]

You have a point about having martial skills as a life saver but most gyms offer what is actually a sport (kicks are not practical in a real life fight no matter how fancy they are). If the OP wishes to get a good martial art then he should pick something that you guys at the military use.

Actually, kicks can be quite useful in a real life fight, but the useful ones tend not to look very fancy and situations kicks are useful in tend to be uncommon. Also, yes, the Tae Kwon Do they teach us in the Army is specifically "Combat Focused Tae Kwon Do", where the point is more to hurt/disable your enemy until a friend shows up with a gun, and basically the same with Combatives. It's just one is more focused on what you do while you're standing and the other is more focused on what you do when you're wrestling. Also, things have already gone horribly wrong by the time you need to use this stuff. If I can shoot a dude from 300 meters away with my personal firearm (not even factoring in the truck mounted and crew served weapons), why am I wrestling him?