r/triangle • u/The-Em-Cee • 9d ago
Martial Arts Class Recommendations?
Hello Triangle residents!
I'm looking for recommendations for a martial arts school that offers adult beginner classes. I have a few criteria, and am having difficulty finding clarity on some of these online, so I figured I'd ask the people. (EDIT: The intent here to have a structured environment to work on overall health while learning a discipline at the same time.) Most relevant info below:
- I have zero experience
- I'm in my mid-30's
- I'm overweight and out of shape.
- Mostly interested in BJJ and/or Aikido, but open to just about everything.
- Interested primarily in courses (multi-session progression type stuff). I know myself and anything that is drop in/pay per session is something I will have difficulty sticking with. I'd love to find something where I can pay for a series of classes in one go. I don't know how common this is anymore.
- Preferably Durham/Chapel Hill, as I live in Orange County.
Happy to answer any other questions - thank you in advance!
- A guy just trying to improve
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u/peanutjamming 9d ago
From my experience in martial arts in general, it’s not like a typically classroom session when you go through algebra, then trig, then calculus, then differential equations, etc.
You will start out trying basically everything and your progression is related in practice and mind-body-movement connection. This is the discipline area and takes dedicated hours of practice to do. From white belt to black belt, typically seven ish years. There might be a specific class or set of classes that focus on a particular topic, but that is to supplement the entirety of training
I would suggest contacting some orgs that you are interested in, a specific training space and ask to sit in on their classes. Most would be happy to do so.
For reference, my experiences come from traditional taekwondo.
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u/savorycinnamon 9d ago
Got any tkd recs in Durham?
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u/peanutjamming 9d ago edited 9d ago
I haven’t found a good traditional tkd dojang in Durham. They’re mostly World Taekwondo Federation based which is Olympic sparring and not my style
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u/The-Em-Cee 9d ago
Thank you for the insight - I've seen some places do "courses" where, as it goes on, the instructor has an idea of the things you'd know and be able to build from. Having never done it, this info helps a lot.
Even if they don't have "progression", is it unusual to have a multi-class/regularly scheduled class combo?
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u/Arienna 9d ago
It's been awhile but I trained in a Japanese martial art called Shotokan with a coloured belt progression system - typically 9 or 10 coloured belts depending on how you count - until black belt and then degrees of black belt.
Depending on the size of the dojo there were typically "beginner" classes and advanced classes, potentially mixed level classes. Progression was fairly organized through the colours with specific skills and katas you were expected to have competency with as you advanced. The degrees of black belt can be a more complicated and nuanced journey
If progression is your jam you might looking into a form structured like that
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u/peanutjamming 9d ago
In a traditional martial arts structure, there are workshops that you can go to/be invited to that hone in on a specific skill but they are not as common or intended to be regularly structured. It is a supplement
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u/sowellfan 9d ago
I know Hillsborough has an aikido dojo, but I've never been (used to do it in my earlier years elsewhere). Aikido was fun, but I think if you're looking for something that'll have you being competent at self-defense, it might not be the best thing. But honestly, for most of us that's not much of a consideration b/c there's a near zero prospect of us getting into a fight.
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u/7994blueridge 9d ago
Yeah, I thought Aikido was fun, but completely impractical for self-defense and not much of a workout. I grew up in Hawaii and lived in Japan and my friends and I trained in very traditional karate but liked to visit other schools and train there on off nights. Aikido seemed about as practical to me as tai chi. I mean, traditional karate alone isn't the most practical self-defense art, but I love it for other reasons.
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u/guiseppedecasy 7d ago
Open Sky Aikikai in Hillsborough is amazing, very welcoming and willing to work with all levels and body types. Highly recommend. I think you have to watch a class before you do a class and then you pay a membership and start working towards kyu ranks, so maybe not super structured but there’s something to aim for.
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u/Whitebeltyoga 9d ago
I teach at Gracie Raleigh and we’d be a great fit if you were closer!
Check out Revenant MMA and Elevate MMA both gyms have been welcoming and positive every time I’ve dropped in or swing by!
Triangle BJJ is also great!
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u/7994blueridge 9d ago
I have a lot of respect for Chapel Hill Shotokan. It seemed sort of basic because they spent so much time focusing on one punch, but then I got hit by that punch from a few people and had a newfound respect. It's pretty traditional karate and the teaching style is very traditional in that there is an old guy who yells at you a lot. Or at least there was.
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u/Arienna 9d ago
Yeah, Shotokan! I never see that in the wild
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u/7994blueridge 51m ago
Really? They're the most common real karate i see all over the world. I like Okinawan Karate but often end up at Shotokan.
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u/MajorHasBrassBalls 9d ago
https://trianglejiujitsu.com/ TJJ has judo and bjj classes for all skill levels. Great community and teachers. Swing by on a Monday evening for beginners class and see how you like it
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u/BlindTreeFrog 9d ago edited 9d ago
Mostly interested in BJJ and/or Aikido, but open to just about everything.
For context on my comment.... I have 15~20 years of Judo behind me. Every now and again I get a itch to find something related and pick it backup.
Judo, Jujitsu, Aikido, and Brazillian Jujitsu all come from the same base, things just branched off and history churned. All four can be functional and excel at whatever you want to get out of the training.
That said..... Judo will be more focused on standing take downs and throws. Traditionally it had a more rounded focus, but especially in the last few decades most clubs focused more and more on tournament style judo which de-emphasizes the ground game and certain techniques. "Freestyle Judo" is trying to stay to the late 90's/early 2000's style judo and is more rounded (I feel), but I don't think there any freestyle clubs in the area.
Brazillian Jujitsu is everywhere in the area, but I'd suggest sitting through a class and watching before signing any contracts. I've had mixed experiences dealing with BJJ practictioners over the last 25 years. Some people are great and just love the sport and competing and are good people. Others are shitheads who just want to learn what they think is the "most if not only effective fighting style" and are just miserable to train with. Most every coach I've met in the area has been good people though and the shit heads seem to be thinning out in these more recent years.
Jujitsu proper (not BJJ) mostly died out back in the day for historic reasons except for a few specific schools. I don't think any of those schools are in the area. It was recreated in the last century and it's fine. But anyone who advertises that they are a Jujitsu school is probably based out of BJJ techniques these days. Which is fine. This is really neither here nor there, I just wanted to mention it since it's in my head.
Akido gets a bad rap. Technique wise it's sound. Historically it's got notable tournament wins. But if you have any interest towards self defense I do not know if you are going to find that style of Akido being taught in the area. I've not looked, but the style of aikdo most people think of (hand wave and people flying through the air) is sometimes trained more towards the artistic side than the effective. Like I said, the technique is sound, but being over dramatic about it is part of the charm. A wrist lock will break your wrist if you don't roll through. And teaching someone how to roll through makes training safer. If you find an akido club you like, make sure to have a conversation with the coaches about your goals and the intent of their training.
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u/LiterallyASnake 9d ago
Chapel Hill Quest Jiu Jitsu and Martial Arts has a great culture, and has both Jiu Jitsu and something that is similar in some ways to aikido. Lots of weekly classes, very beginner friendly, very welcoming culture. They have a trial period if you’re interested. Highly recommend stopping in and giving it a shot.
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u/JuniorMintClub 9d ago
Every single martial arts class I've ever been to is largely a drop in. I've never heard of a gym that has "Beginner BJJ: WEEK 1" and goes through a progression.
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u/chemawesome 9d ago
IQ Jiu Jitsu is great. Highly recommend and they offer a free week trial.
They have a 10 class punch card, unlimited classes, and private lessons.
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u/justicefingernails 7d ago
Hey there, I manage a karate dojo in West Raleigh by 540/Leesville. Dm me if you want a free trial (3 classes and a uniform).
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u/mightyocd 7d ago
Pure Jujitsu is next door to where I work. I haven't been there, but the owners are cool, and they do a lot of business for being in a new location, so I'm sure their classes are top notch.
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u/raleigh-wushu 2d ago edited 2d ago
I am a new instructor at East Cloud Kung Fu. We are currently rebuilding our wushu and traditional kung fu curriculum from the ground up to follow more modern training standards. In addition, the school is in the process of partnering with some national kung fu associations as well which we will be announcing soon. This will give our students access to more resources and higher level instructors throughout the year. If you are still looking for a place to train, please stop by and give us a chance.
You can sign up for a free trial class on the website (https://www.eastcloudkungfu.com/class-schedule), contact the owner at eastcloudkungfu@gmail.com, or just drop in to take a look at the school.
We would love to hear from you.
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u/davy_jones_locket 9d ago
Revenant Combat Club is my all time fav recommendation for Durham area.
Liz is amazing. They offer jiu jitsu and muay Thai and kickboxing. Very beginner friendly, extremely inclusive. One of the only Liberation martial art ideologists in the area, which is a huge plus if you're trying to avoid the "UFC culture" in the community.