Is it Safe?

Ben Moskowitz · 03-27-2008, 08:45 AM

While watching the NCAA wrestling finals, I was thinking that wrestling/MMA/BJJ/karate/boxing/whatever would be a killer way to develop some anaerobic conditioning and GPP. I mean, besides hard farm work, brawling basically is GPP.

My only concern is I don't want a subluxed shoulder, broken arm, destroyed kneecap, or bruised and bloody face.

So... we know weightlifting and gymnastics are the safest sports of them all and develop killer power, strengh, and most of the other skills.

What's the safest fighting style to develop the other "half" of conditioning?

John Alston · 03-27-2008, 09:18 AM

Is it beyond the rules of this modest forum to call someone a pussy for asking what the safest form of fighting is? Even if it's in good spirit?

Mike ODonnell · 03-27-2008, 09:32 AM

shadow boxing....or street fighting with pre-schoolers...although that could get ugly if they gang up on you...better test this out first...
http://www.justsayhi.com/bb/fight5

Allen Yeh · 03-27-2008, 09:40 AM

Nike beat me to it.

Just do it.

James Evans · 03-27-2008, 10:20 AM

Cowardice.

Regular street cowardice or the extreme version.

Just run like fuck anytime you even think something is about to kick off.

The extreme version has you questioning people's sexuality first. Preferably in a bar full of bikers, steelworkers or marines on leave.

Anton Emery · 03-27-2008, 10:29 AM

You might want to check out brazillian juijitsu or submission wrestling. I have been doing it for several years and have strained my shoulder a bit, but thats it, knock on wood. Most of the stuff is fairly safe because people are not trying to intentionally take your limbs off in practice. Injuries usually occur when someone lands wrong on a limb, or something accidentally gets twisted the wrong way. If you are training at a good school there should be any jerks there who want to drop you on your head when you try an armbar from the bottom. If you are not doing strikes you dont have to worry so much about a broken nose, messed up hands, etc. Wrestling full on with someone who has 50+ pounds on you is a pretty hard workout.

Anton

Kevin Perry · 03-27-2008, 11:03 AM

hmmm depends honestly on how hard you go at it.

Any martial art can be safe if you pay attention to technique and practice plenty. There is bound to be injury at some point though, Especially in BJJ. I messed up my shoulder and elbow in BJJ last summer. But if your persistent and pay attention and try not to reenact walker texas ranger then you'll be fine. I recommend a good BJJ school or Aikido class if money is of no concern. Even Kempo is pretty good.

Eric Kerr · 03-27-2008, 11:06 AM

I'd actually consider high school / collegiant style wrestling to be pretty safe as far as risk of injury is of concern with two conditions 1) The stronger you are the less likely you will get injured 2) The better shape you are in the less likely you will be to get injured.

Also you need to look at the movements you are doing in the activity and make sure you are doing that little bit extra in areas where you take the most abuse.

For instance in wrestling, I think some extra shoulder work (pre-hab, strengthening, mobility...not hypermobility) are in order.

Olympic lifting should be great for wrestling. Which is squatting, lifting, pulling, and somewhat more rarely pushing.

The hard part about wrestling in the US, is finding people to do it with after highschool. There aren't many adult clubs here like there are in some of the European, Slavic nations and those tend to focus more on freestyle and greco, which are potentially a little more iffy as far as safety is concerned due to the focus on throwing.

Garrett Smith · 03-27-2008, 11:24 AM

Maybe Gittit or the Wolfman could comment on the suitability of Capoeira for your desires?

Blauer's Combat Calisthenics (there was a CFJ article on the basics of them) might be good for what you're looking for as well.

John Alston · 03-27-2008, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Kerr

I'd actually consider high school / collegiant style wrestling to be pretty safe as far as risk of injury is of concern with two conditions 1) The stronger you are the less likely you will get injured 2) The better shape you are in the less likely you will be to get injured.

Also you need to look at the movements you are doing in the activity and make sure you are doing that little bit extra in areas where you take the most abuse.

For instance in wrestling, I think some extra shoulder work (pre-hab, strengthening, mobility...not hypermobility) are in order.

Olympic lifting should be great for wrestling. Which is squatting, lifting, pulling, and somewhat more rarely pushing.

The hard part about wrestling in the US, is finding people to do it with after highschool. There aren't many adult clubs here like there are in some of the European, Slavic nations and those tend to focus more on freestyle and greco, which are potentially a little more iffy as far as safety is concerned due to the focus on throwing.

Yeah, freesyle, folkstyle, Grecco-Roman, all that, how does one get into it as an adult? Searching on the internet for adult wrestling brings up some undesireable results.
Anyone know anywhere in NY?