I always come back to this article when I get it into my head that I want to start doing martial arts again. Been a bit but I'm glad the thread isn't locked!

You should get into it. There are so many different forms. Even if only as a weight loss or self confidence thing. Or so you can take Tinder pictures that make women think you can defend yourself or them from things.

@BangoSkank Do you practice one? I've been thinking about taking up Karate again (I used to take it when I was little but didn't stick with it) but I'm not exactly made of money at the moment.

I don't currently practice one, just moved to a town that barely has a gym.

I took a karate class for a little bit and then this MMA place that did different kinds of kickboxing for a good while.

Muay Thai was my favorite but any kind of kickboxing is good for confidence, cardio, and sort of general getting into good shape stuff. Karate is great too. Karate is probably better if you have mobility issues or joint issues or need to start slower / feel self conscious about getting started.

Boxing can be great too. Learning to punch right is a lot of fun and doing it in a group is a great way to burn calories and get better coordination.

If money is an issue and you have a space to exercise I'll happily shill P90X and you won't even end up in my downstream (that's a pyramid scheme joke)

The self conscious thing is definitely the second bit of that equation keeping me from going for any of these. Closest I got recently was one of those work-out boxing classes but never made it to the class (unrelated to self conscious, just couldn't find parking in time).

I might try boxing since it seems like you could probably practice it from home to some degree.

Any thing like that is a lot a lot better in person. Particularly if you want to get better at it in addition to just getting in better shape. A lot of stuff is about form. It helps a lot to have someone around to tell you what you're doing wrong. Often it's little things like switching your hips or pivoting on a back foot.

If there is a community college near you maybe try signing up for a karate class...if it's cheap. They often have a lot more variance in regard to age and shape and all of that. I took one once and it had folks from about 18 into their 40s and was taught by a 50+ one eyed fat man.

They tend to be supportive too. Much like with anyone at a gym who isn't a complete douchelord they tend to appreciate that everyone starts somewhere. Plus you don't have to wear super tight spandex that clings desperately to your every curve like a woman my age to the notion that she can still seduce current Hollywood heart throb if she could just meet him. You can wear track pants or sweatpants or whatever.

I always come back to this article when I get it into my head that I want to start doing martial arts again. Been a bit but I'm glad the thread isn't locked!

Thanks dude. I hope you find it helps!