Richmond martial arts recommendations

[misawa]

I'm looking for a martial art or some manner of self defense to take up and help turn some of this flab in to something a little more... useful. The only experience I actually have is about 6 months worth of aikido, and that was 10 years ago. Before relocating to VA I had a co-worker that was trying to get me in to Krav, another buddy extolling the virtues of kenpo, and several folks that took Judo/karate/boxing.

The only real holdup for me is I travel quite a bit and it's random - sometimes just Monday and Tuesday, other times all week, etc. So flexibility (meaning days/times) would be the biggest key.

I live out beyond the Short Pump area but work - meaning I have a desk - close to the 64/95 merge on the north end.

I'm open to just about any suggestions you folks might have.

[j1mmyd]

My son and I did Jeet Kune Do (JKD) for many years and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was MMA before the term MMA existed and incorporates the most useful techniques of many other styles. I found the exposure to these other styles useful when encountering those (usually pretending to be those) and it helped me decide which were worth pursuing independently.

My ground skills were already solid from wrestling in high school. Jr & I both took some supplemental Isshin Ryu. I took some Aikido and he went on to study American Shotokan directly under Rick "The Legend" Lenchus in NYC, which came in handy as a white kind in Brooklyn's FDR high school. http://www.cliffordmeth.com/richardlenchusthelegend.htm

Never been a fan of "belt mills" or any style that awards a black belt to a 60 pound kid.

Sadly, I destroyed a knee at JKD practicing jumping side kicks and will probably be pursuing nothing more aggressive than Aikido from here on out. Never took any Krav or Systema, but both seem practical.

[ProShooter]

We use Martial Arts World, West End....nice place.

[rpmcmurphy]

I second Martial Arts World. We use the new Ashland facility. Flexible schedules and very reasonably priced.

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