cost is up to the place you go to
find a school in a style you enjoy with a good instructor. the instructor makes all the difference
edit:>
styles don't mix children with adults or levels instructors do, and when you spar you are match close to someone your age. not a child
instructors determine how a class is set up, how much sparing the class does, what kind of sparing the class does and so forth.
styles dictate tactics, techniques, philosophy, footwork, breathing patterns, and so forth
Your motivations sound similar to mine when I started martial arts. I was 32 when I started a year and a half ago and was mostly looking for a hobby that incorporates exercise.
As others have said, the style is less important than the individual school/instructor. However, it sounds like you probably want to look for a karate or taekwondo school.
Make a short list of schools and visit/observe a class. A good school will let you take 1-2 free classes before asking you to commit.
When I chose my school I made a 6-month commitment and promised myself I'd stay dedicated for that long no matter how it worked out. For me that meant a minimum of two classes a week, no excuses. I mention this because I have since seen many new people start, show up once a week, and never fully commit themselves. These people never advance past white belt. But if you put in the effort, the personal rewards are well worth it.
Shop the school and instructor as much as you shop for a style. That's why finding a good place that you are comfortable with and offers what you want will take time. You may not find one at all and have to even settle for something less but you won't know that till you pretty well exhaust your search for a school in you area. That being said I would never recommend that an adult join a place that lumps adults together with children in the beginning. I separated those two groups from the beginning in my schools and classes because children learn differently than adults. The way you teach a child will not usually push or motivate an adult and if you cater to adults then children will find it too difficult to learn in a lot of cases, especially in the beginning if included with adults.
As for the ground fighting and grappling aspects I think you need to sit down and examine why that is. Those skills are important in a person being able to defend themselves and with the advent of MMA many stand up styles, schools, and instructors now incorporate some of those aspects in training for their students also. To me if you find a good school with high standards, that offers what you are looking for and an instructor that you are comfortable with then you are in some ways pretty lucky and might have to settle for some other aspects being required like those of ground fighting and grappling as well.
So shop around and plan on taking several months just to find a place that you might want to consider enrolling at. It will take you that long to find one and make the best choice for yourself if you live near or in a major metropolitan area. The pay-off for taking that long is at the end when you start training at such a place rather than finding out that you made a mistake and wasted your time and money spent in training already at a place you are not happy with.
Try going with:
Taekwondo
Karate
Kenpo (Kempo) Karate
Isshinryu Karate
All of these martial arts among others work with fighting standing up (If you know what I mean) verses Judo which works with ground work and grappling.
Look up these styles and find dojos or schools near you. Then go for a trial class on whichever style interests you the most. Good Luck and have fun training!
Answering you EDIT question: The school that I go to (I do Tae Kwon Do) splits classes into children and Teens/Adults. I go to the Teens/Adults class, so whenever I spar, I am versing kids closer to my age.
PS- I might be wrong, but I think that Brazilian Jiu Jutsu (BJJ) works with grappling/ground work.
Kokoro gave you a great answer, and is correct. Also, read this:
When you decide to begin training in martial art you have some questions you have to answer for yourself. Are you looking for a sport to play, an art to dedicate a lifetime to, or a quick fix method of self defence? Some combination of that perhaps? Most of us are, or were all three at times. Where do your priorities lie? You must first decide martial art , or fighting sport. The two are worlds apart, although they overlap in several areas, their mindset, and intent are opposite. You have to know also what is available to you. If you have Uechi-Ryu, and Bak Mei in your area, wanting to do TKD would not help you. Of the available options you must decide which one(s) interest you. Then you have to decide (take your time, it's important) which available instruction is the one for you. You can change or quit if you don't like it, but better to stay with the program right through (providing the program is a good one) for the best training. Style-hopping has in my experience cost many a martial artist their potential, so choose wisely, nobody here can tell you what to do for you. So do your homework well. Talk to instructors and students, watch classes, take 'free introductory' classes, make your decision. One more thing, good luck
1. That's bull, they will not let you spar against an 8 year old.
2. I would rather avoid Taekwondo in America or Canada, it is filled with McDojos(Scam). Literally. There's one right next to my house and I see kids running in with black belts.
3. You might as well not give up. Because that thought will come to you really fast.
4. Any martial arts will work as self defense but never McDojos. I would take Boxing for Cardio and fat burning. Since it is going to be mad on day 1.
I highly recommend Wushu. It is especially useful for flexibility and overall health as well as endurance and can keep you in overall shape better than most others in both the short and long run. Though it is not often used in combat it can easily be applied for it though the emphasis is not on fighting. This Martial art has one of the largest library of stretching and strengthening techniques and I highly recommend it for people looking for a Martial Art to help their life and not their fists. Trust me for a person who's looking for the heath benefits of Martial Arts this is one of the best to learn. Tai chi is also very helpful for people looking to keep themselves healthy, but as you're still young and able to run(:P) Wushu seems to be the best for you.
Look at:
Karate
TaeKwonDo
Tai Chi
go to various dojos in your area and see what they offer. See if they will let you participate in a class or two before you decide. Only you can decide what is best for you.
Heya,
So basically I’m an adult – 29 year old female. I’m looking to start martial arts. Truth – I don’t plan on being a martial arts master or compete in competitions. I’m also NOT taking on martial arts to defend myself on the streets (hopefully I never have to). I did manage at some point in my life to take up 8 weeks of Hapkido (which I really enjoyed) until my infinite time schedule conflict in college. Now I’ve graduated and am working
My reasoning (s) –
1- Well I’ve always loved it as a kid (even though I never officially took it up… weird I know) – couldn’t afford it younger and my parents discouraged their only female daughter to join in such a “violent” sport. Average pricing of martial arts is like $100++ a month – but believe me I had to save every penny for college
2- More important reason: I want to be fit/in shape, healthy, disciplined, improve my endurance/stretch-ability (terrible at stretching my back) and just have a hobby.
Now one thing I have I’m not too fond of… grappling/rolling on the ground. Scares me.
THANKS!!!
