Sadly there are no shortage of myths and misconceptions when it comes to training in Martial Arts or Combat Systems. Here is a short list of Eleven that you will come across, or may have already come across in your own journey!
(11), “You must train in the most popular style”. – Most Martial arts and Combat Systems all have their time in the sun with popularity in the media and the community. We have all seen the rise and fall of different Martial Arts / Combat systems and governing bodies thereof. What is guaranteed is that what is popular today will likely not be popular later on. Basing your choice on simply what is popular in Hollywood or the media is a good way to set yourself up fail.
(10), “X and X Martial Art will make you a better person”. – Generally untrue, an idiot that trains in martial arts will simply remain an idiot. The techniques will do little to change a person, it is on you to change your own attitude. The founder of Aikido stated openly that Aikido is not the way, but may well lead you to the way. Martial Arts can thus be a step on the way to reaching that goal of self-improvement, but are usually not the whole box and dice if that is your goal.
(9), “Martial Arts are Spiritual and Religious”. – It is true that some Chinese Martial Arts were practiced by Shaolin Monks and it is true that the Martial Art of Aikido has some philosophical content as well as the general techniques. Yet in modern Martial Arts / Combat Systems there is no connection at all with any religious or spiritual content unless people deliberately try and make it so. Many Sensei’s / Instructors come from all manner of backgrounds be they religious, agnostic, atheist or otherwise. Much like politics or your choice of football team, it is has no bearing on what you get taught when you train.
(8), “Martial Arts are for Males”. – Entirely untrue, no shortage of females train in martial arts as well as people that are transgender. Your gender is no guide on what you can and can’t train in. Some of the hardest Krav Maga practitioners are women that serve in the IDF.
(7), “Well., well you couldn’t do that in a real fight”. – Don’t mistake viewing compliance in martial arts training as a suggestion that it has to be practiced the same way on the ever elusive ‘street’. Here is a tip, most if not all Martial Arts and Combat Systems have various techniques where compliance in training is used for the simple reason that if your training partner does not comply then they will come pretty quickly off the mat in massive amounts of pain with a broken arm-shoulder-collarbone or wrist. Few insurance companies are willing to insure training centre’s where serious injuries routinely occur because of the content of the training.
(6), “X style is more effective than X style”.- A quick look over the internet will soon see no shortage of people foaming at the mouth and boasting about how one Combat System or Martial Art is superior to another. More often than not these people have never even actually trained in the style they are waxing on about.. A martial art such as Taekwondo can often bear the brunt of this, likely because of the sheer number of McDojo’s in the Taekwondo system, yet at the same time no shortage of MMA fights have been ended via knockout by a well-placed Taekwondo style kick to the head from a serious practitioner.
(5), “A Coloured Belt is indicative of increased ability”. – Sadly not a very true indicator at all. No shortage of White Belts can hand you your coloured belt on a plate in a sparring match if you want to go that way. Despite the image of a black belt, many people that train never grade at all and several systems simply don’t use the belt system. Don’t make the mistake of simply assuming that a White Belt is a novice practitioner as a chap I knew in BJJ did when he went to show off to his friends sparring with a white belt only to discover his partner was a seriously hard Judoka who did not see things the same way as he did and ended up looking like a clown.
(4), “You have to be co-ordinated and flexible to train in Martial Arts”. – Sadly this impression can be given by the McDojo movement who ensure that their ‘katas’ have as much gymnastics component as possible for public demonstrations in order to advertise the club to new members. In terms of Co-ordination here is the thing, you will be taught hundreds of different techniques over the journey. Some will click with you and some wont. It is not necessary for everyone to do a flying shoulder height roundhouse kick to be proficient at martial arts. Any decent Sensei or Instructor will quickly recognise the different capacities of students and work with them not against them. Flexibility and Co-ordination comes with the hours you are willing to put into practicing what you are being taught. If it really matters to you, simply add some Tai Chi or Yoga to your training routines.
(3), “it’s best to start out in a traditional style”. – All traditional styles were modern styles at one time or another and there can be strong differences between schools of the same styles, pre WW2 there were 33 separate styles of Jujitsu for example and various modern jujitsu schools take lineage from several of them. Your style should have the capacity to evolve as needed, rest assured the founders of it did not intend for it to remain locked into techniques that could not be evolved to meet different challenges. Start your journey wherever you please, just take the attitude that it is also okay to change to something else if it becomes necessary to do so.
(2), “Strength training makes you slow”. – Because the champions of MMA, Boxing and Judo never strength train… Hardly, hit any MMA, Boxing or Judo Centre where they train at the top level and there is strength training equipment galore. The reverse is more often the case, if you want to become seriously good at your chosen Martial Art or Combat System put in the hours and train, and at the same time be prepared to get out of bed and hit the gym for strength training and physical conditioning before work as a part of your overall training program.
(1), “I am too old to train”.- As you get older you make the shocking realization that age is simply a number and it Is no indicator of physical fitness nor capacity. Many people in their 40’s are far physically fitter and stronger than they were in their 20’s. You can choose to put limits on what you can and cannot do, or you can embrace life with everything that it has to offer. No shortage of people have begun training in their 60’s and beyond and including in Martial Arts like Karate replete with all the kicking and striking sets. This battle is in your mind, not your body.
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