Is it possible to teach yourself martial arts? (no trainer)

[Capitalizt]

I don't have the $$$ for classes but would like to learn a real fighting style. Is this possible?

Or should I just get a heavy punching back and get used to kicking the crap out of it?

 

[casualbb]

Hmm.

You at least need someone to do it with so that you can try out everything with each other, against resistance, and try to at least feel the best way to execute everything.

A teacher would eliminate the whole trial and error aspect and just reinforce the right technique from the get-go.

So, as chris rock says about single mothers raising children, "you could DO it. But that doesn't mean it's TO BE DONE."

 

[Sy Ali]

I don't have the $$$ for classes but would like to learn a real fighting style. Is this possible?

No. That's my first reaction. It's not totally correct through, so I'll elaborate on my position.

Unless you have a good background in other martial arts, you have little to build on. You would be making lots of mistakes because of innocent assumptions, and these mistakes may well be avoided entirely by using a teacher. casualbb made a good point on that.

You wouldn't be learning a "real" fighting style even if you could emulate all the forms you ever saw. Again, you'd have to be a natural or be building on a good body of knowledge to be any good.

Still, there is great value in training on your own, and lots of very capable people train on their own.. although most of them either train in their own time to supplement their existing in-class training or already have a background of experience with the same art to work with.

And yet there are people who study exclusively with videos! (Yes, they exist) These are quite dedicated people, some of whom don't have a background in martial arts. It's still possible to improve yourself on your own time. I'd say the biggest help for self-training would be to have a friend train with you. Even in the absence of a teacher, it's very useful to have feedback and motivation from your friend.

Or should I just get a heavy punching back and get used to kicking the crap out of it?

If you're lucky that'll teach you to kick the crap out of a punching bag. If you're not lucky you'll have poor form and will be learning bad habits. Although there is certainly lots of value in training with objects, people are not much like punching bags. For one they don't tend to stand there for you to hit them.

Still, a punching bag would be good for practicing punching properly.. but only if you already knew how. I used to think that knowing how to punch was obvious, but it's really not. e.g. learning boxing isn't about learning to punch a heavybag.

--

All that having been said, there's value in picking up a tape or two and trying stuff out. I'd say that general calisthenics would be the one thing you could do very well on your own. Getting in shape is a big deal, and one which you can learn without a teacher if you try hard (and train safe).

However I maintain that you've got little connection to the real thing training on your own.. unless you have a background to build on.

 

[Capitalizt]

Thank you for the replies guys.

 

[Jacob Creutzfeldt]

Are you training alone? Sparring in real space and time against a resisting opponent is mandatory. How are you measuring progression if you do not have an experienced observer aka a coach? You will also probably teach yourself tons of technical mistakes.

 

[shamrock11]

Not to mention having a partner/trainer also helps with timing and judgement you need to develope in martial arts

 

[theoak01]

with a partner you could become a freestyle fighter.but not proficient in a art.

Im now training with a few buddies one who was north american pancration champ and the other canadian pancration champ,and I am learning the different style they knows from them through sparring etc,one is a stand uyp guy,the other a grappler so its well rounded training and ive already tapped them both out after a fews weeks(I do have ma background however)

so yes it can be done but good luck getting lucky like I have and finding two great teachers.

btw they are only training with me cuz the gym got shut down,and pancration= baby ufc

 

[Snypr]

Pat Miletich(Google him if you haven't heard the name before)said in an interview that when he first started his training camp, all they did was watch videos(Bas Rutten tapes, I think), and practice the moves they saw. He's got a good record and his camp and fighting system are well respected. I'm sure as things grew, they did more than watch tapes, but it was a start.
Also, I was given advice that if I was going to train by myself at some time, to set up a camera and record it. Then it would be easier to spot mistakes and such, like dropping my hand after throwing a punch, etc.

 

[BOSSDAWG]

Just because u don't have money does not mean u can't still take martial arts at a school. Have you ever considered talking to instructors about financing your school costs by other means like cleaning the school, running errands,cutting thier lawns, and any other means that are creative. All they could say is no but what if someone said yes. Another suggestion is taking up boxing which is free at local gyms.

 

[shamrock11]

good point boss. I never paid for any of my martial arts training. I helped with the school, opened it taught their warmed up classes, went to all tournaments and helped with upgrades.