Anyone here do any martial arts?  Karate, Taekwondo, Krav Maga, BJJ, Judo, boxing or the like?

Ive been contemplating getting into something for self defense and generally get into better shape.  I could really care less about belts and I really dont want to spend 5-10 yrs trying to master an art form,  and get lickins from a straight up "street fighter". I guess tkd, Karate and any of the belt systems are out.  What do you suggest?  I was leaning toward Krav Maga but cant seem to find a school on Maui, and I hear there are different forms of it.  some good, some more of a "make you feel good" but have no real defensive purposes.

EDIT: Im not dogging on the karate/tkd.  I just dont want to have to commit to something for years.  I hate to say it, but, I want results quickly, if possible.  I dont know about here, but, what do PD's/corrections train their officers in terms of controlling subjects one on one?

There's a kickboxing class at UH Manoa that's great. It's two days a week, $5 a class. Intense workout, great striking practice and informal (no belts). You could try looking for a similar studio on Maui. I think kickboxing is great for practical self-defense (striking-wise) but I think you should also consider getting some grappling knowledge. An MMA studio would be good for this because they focus all aspects of the art - striking (usually kickboxing), grappling (BJJ) and strength training/conditioning. Not sure if you're trying to avoid the braddahs but there are some good MMA studios out there that cater to a wide range of students - kids, families, etc.

Might I suggest Filipino Martial Arts.  You train with a stick from the get go.  Easily transitions to knife and empty hand. 

I studied Judo at Manoa Japanese School from hanabudda days till graduating high school. I studied Brazillian Jiujitsu at UH when it first came to Hawaii in 1986. I studied Aikido at the Kaimuki dojo on Waialae Ave after that because my body was getting beaten up over the years and I thought it was the ultimate martial art.

I always practiced marksmanship with rifle and pistol since 1974. I see my Aikido Sensei teaching people handgun self defense with Glocks at Koko Head Pistol Range on a regular basis. Cross training is always a good thing.

Im going to pop my head in and watch a couple of classes.  BJJ/mma, Judo and Hapkido.   

My boy 6 is taking Taekwondo, started a month ago.  I wont tell him, but, the class is really lame, hes having fun and I guess its like a brotherhood with the others. but,  they're handing out belts and stripes like its candy,   none of the kids have a high degree of form, they hardly correct them when they're doing wrong.

I took Taekwondo when I was his age in Waipio gentry.  It was real deal TKD,  your form was perfect or your werent advancing,  the older guys that broke bricks stacked directly on top instead of spacing them apart.  we didnt wear no stinkin shin/forearm guards sparring.

Some Personal feelings and situations.....one of the basic forms of martial arts that ive personally found effective and relative has been Aikido.

I have had the opportunity to "experience" a bunch of different martial arts and one that still "applies" in practical use has been Aikido.

1) The boring repetition forces your body to muscle memory! (Just like Fire Arms Training)
2) Akido's basic philosophy is to avoid and evade confrontation,  (Compared to "What bu I train brah, I going likk you"........)
3) the rolling out of falls has still been applicable in daily living, I trip and I roll out of the fall.....
4) The active disarming and using ones own center of gravity against another is a core of many martial arts.

Now this is just what Ive grown and used personally.  Having a "MMA, Mixed Martial Arts" back ground I think would be the best but I found, that the basics of Akido I have still been able to use today.  Karate was too formal, taught me discipline but I dont think I would use any of them in a real fight.  Judo was fun as Hell, but I dont plan to get that close to someone to try and throw them......dont feel comfortable getting that close I would rather avoid and get away. 

Again, it really depends but even in some of our "Military & Contractor" instruction, they used locks and parries that are similar in Aikido and Judo. So someone finds it effective? =)

anyone Just some thoughts on a specific Marital arts that I would have loved to start off with as a kid instead of learning it on later in life LOL!

-Exactice-

I've always wanted to learn Aikido. My gf's grandpa ran the Aikido dojo on Waialae. He died some few months ago though. Maybe I'll go anyway.

You need to find someone teaching martial arts, not self-defense imo.  There is a *huge* difference.  As the word says, it's an art form -- and the scope of learning is well beyond just self-defense.  Many "arts" take a 2-3 day a week obligation as well.  We are looking at putting together "Self-defense" classes, but I have to work on it and speak with a few instructors.

I've trained since I was 6 years old.

First Boxing then Wrestling then Kick Boxing then Muay Thai then BJJ.

It seems that "fighting" is always changing.

Regardless of what you take I can tell you this. Conditioning wins fights.

I've seen great fighters lose to a well conditioned fighter that doesn't possess the same level of skill.

I'm all for training but keeping your conditioning up is the second best thing you can do to win a fight.

The first thing is to avoid it.

When some di(khead who deserves a beating gets stupid, I generally smile and walk away.

That usually defuses the situation. Occasionally people don't get the message but not very often.

"The man who doesn't fight will never lose a fight" (Keoni 2011) 

Yup Cardio & Conditioning is key.... Trained in Wrestling, Jiu jitsu and Muay Thai as well. There were a few guys Iv'e trained with that had a lot of technique but absolutely no conditioning... This was back in 2000-2003 though...
 I try to run at least 3-4 times a week... I also do a lot of "body lifting" (pull ups & push ups) as well as weightlifting... Oh yeah, I also try to keep the Vienna Sausage & Spam intake to 1 can a meal now... 

Did Judo as a teenager for a year and a half. I still neatly roll out of falls when I'm stupid enough to find myself in one.

Studied Budo Taijutsu for a little while. I like the art and almost liked the dojo I was studying at. I'd study that one again if it were available on my side of the island.

Also did some ghetto street Kendo with a wicked good instructor. It wasn't even remotely traditional Kendo but the exercises we were doing lead to an easy combat mindset - which was the purpose of the instructor. My views of the value of martial arts training beyond the moves themselves was formed as a result.

I've poked at Aikido a bit over the years but never committed to a dojo. There is one down in Hilo that does weapons one day a week and I might sign up there. Just got a car that gets twice the gas mileage as the old truck so it might not be too expensive.

Anyway - just thought I'd bump the ol' martial arts thread since some off topic nitwit brought it up in a pepper spray thread... 

Did Judo as a teenager for a year and a half. I still neatly roll out of falls when I'm stupid enough to find myself in one.

Studied Budo Taijutsu for a little while. I like the art and almost liked the dojo I was studying at. I'd study that one again if it were available on my side of the island.

Also did some ghetto street Kendo with a wicked good instructor. It wasn't even remotely traditional Kendo but the exercises we were doing lead to an easy combat mindset - which was the purpose of the instructor. My views of the value of martial arts training beyond the moves themselves was formed as a result.

I've poked at Aikido a bit over the years but never committed to a dojo. There is one down in Hilo that does weapons one day a week and I might sign up there. Just got a car that gets twice the gas mileage as the old truck so it might not be too expensive.

Anyway - just thought I'd bump the ol' martial arts thread since some off topic nitwit brought it up in a pepper spray thread... 

Hahaha. 

LOL.... While we promote Self Defense for the common person....(i.e. pepper sprays, etc...) We have also been promising (wife and I) to work on other training for self defense....

If extra money permits wanna do a training on the mainland this year.....

***Lets see if i keep this New Years resolution...... Gah!