[MuMuGuy]

Originally Posted by vince89

Yes but its well documented that people of all shapes and sizes have changed their physique through exercise and proper nutrition, your body type is not really relevant if you are willing to put in the hard work to get in shape.

Anyway, I would suggest you spend a month losing a bit of weight and getting your cardio/conditioning up. I think the martial arts are hard enough to learn as it is, being out of shape is only going to slow your progress. We occassionally get out of shape people coming to Judo and they only take part in 10-15 minutes of a 2 hour session because they gas almost instantly. Waste of their time and money, they paid mat fees and were barely on the mats.

Try out all different kinds of martial arts if you have the luxury of choice. Judo seems to be where the big guys go as I stated earlier, but you may enjoy striking so I would recommend Muay Thai or Boxing.

If you want to compete and a tough workout, go for the Combat/Ring Sports - if its legit, you'll train hard and there will be a good competitive atmosphere that will drive you to get better. Stay away from the McDojo Traditional bullshit places where you spend more time bowing and hearing the instructors voice than actually training.

OK, thanks for all that info. You definitely have a point about "hanging in there" as far as classes go. I know I tried a BJJ place that opened up near my university right before I graduated and I was exhausted about half an hour into the class. I've loved MAs since I was a kid but never got to really study since I was constantly moving due to having both parents in the military. Thankfully, I'm not so hard up that I'll go to someplace with obvious red flags such as lardass black belts and stuff.

I apologize if I got defensive or was being a jackass in my 2nd post.

[seamusfish]

I think your best option is to take whatever martial art you're going to enjoy, and then learn what aspects of that martial art work for your body type.
for example, I'm tall and lanky, and it gives me great roundhouse kicks, and jabs in the standup, and easier body triangles, and triangle chokes when I'm on the ground.

or better still, learn what's hard for your build and practice that

[brainaches]

Originally Posted by Standard

Just train what you want, this isn't rocket science. People of any shape can compete in any MA without question, it's your style thats going to be dependent on your body type not what discipline "you" can take part in.

+1

i'm naturally an endomorph(formerly 5'6", 260lbs). started in thai boxing, and train my ass off to walk at 170-180(somehow a bit over 5'7"ish now.)

only thing is, when i take too much time off and lax a bit too much on the diet, the pounds pack on FAST. took two months off due to injury/vacation, found myself a little over 190.

[indigoluxe]

6'4" and 160lbs

Muay Thai?

[Graver]

Originally Posted by indigoluxe

6'4" and 160lbs

Muay Thai?

I would just box with a build like that, assuming you have proportionately long arms...if you developed a good jab you would be a tough guy to face.

Thats just my opinion though, I spar (muay thai) with a guy with a similar build and i just wail on his bird legs with kicks all day...i suppose some kickboxers have learned to use their height to their advantage, such as semmy schilt, but im not so sure height is that great of an advantage in muay thai.

[gamebreaker]

whichever u like..just keep on it and dont give up..not only will u get better at it but your bound to get in better shape