Good Lord, you're seventeen and worried about the energy and flexibility needed in TKD? Sorry that's not helpful, but you did make laugh a little, since I'm an old woman in compairson.
If you like Korean styles, you could also look in to Hapkido. It will have more of the grapeling and throwing techniques that your former style had.
Following on from what rin_666 said (and this applies to kick-boxing as well), do not worry about your physical abilities: these will develop as part of your training. I shied away from kicking arts when I was young, because I am not naturally bendy, but then took up kung fu in my 30s - and am now more flexible than I was in my teens!
Incidentally, if you are after self-defence, traditional kung fu might also be worth considering (investigate different styles and schools). Depending on style and school, there can be less free fighting or competition, but that is partly because some of the techniques are quite effective and designed to do more damage than would be reaseonable in a sporting context. Having said that, there is ususlly an option of competeting in regulated open tournaments, so you can have the best of both worlds.
I recommend trying both clubs out and also researching what the clubs and instructors reputation is like online. In any style there are a huge range of instructors from the most excellent, to the most rubbish and dodgy. I'd base your choice on the club and teacher as much as the style (possibly more). Regarding flexibility, I imagine both will have training systems to help you with that. You should deinitely be using hand wraps and gloves with the kickboxing and this is mainly to protect your hands. All things being equal, I'd lean towards the kickboxing but only if they do a lot of sparring - you should be looking to build towards at least some full contact sparring regardless of which style you choose.
My advice to you is to search outside of those 2 martial arts. You may really enjoy Judo, Aikido, BJJ or Japanese Jujutsu. Then there's Kung Fu, Krav Maga, Systema, Sambo, Karate (WAY different than TKD, in most dojos), Kendo (sword) and MMA. These are all excellent styles of combat sports. If you limit yourself to what's common and popular, you'll really miss out on the whole thing. Plus, Tai Chi has spectacular fighting application when done quickly to an opponent, the sifu simply has to teach you how to use the techniques on another person. :)
Good luck with everything! Also, TKD and MMA are the MOST expensive martial arts to study in the US. With that said, hope you find something worth studying. Ciao for now!
So what did you decide in the end? I'm interested to know how it turned out.
For me finding a club that suits you is at least as important as finding a style that suits you. I train in Taekwondo and Muay Thai. I love Taekwondo because of the many sides it has. Some people like the traditional side more, some like the sports side. If they're competing some love sparring and others love the technical events. But some Taekwondo clubs only train in the sports side or the traditional side, and this wouldn't suit me. I like it all!
And I love Muay Thai because it is so straight forward. There are no belts or gradings, you just turn up and train!
Haha. As it turns out, after I wrote this entry, I took a few classes in Goshin Jujitsu for an extracurricular week we had in my last year of high school. I ended up liking it =) It feels like it's mostly a passive style from the basics my class learned (which definitely suits my personality), but I haven't been able to take it up yet. I might do so next summer or after college.
For now though... Taekwondo it is. I think I'll give it a try and see how it goes before I make up my mind on anything (and besides, the teacher makes or breaks the class, right?). If it doesn't go well, I'll improvise until I can settle and find something else. Thanks for the advice!
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If you like Korean styles, you could also look in to Hapkido. It will have more of the grapeling and throwing techniques that your former style had.
Reply
Incidentally, if you are after self-defence, traditional kung fu might also be worth considering (investigate different styles and schools). Depending on style and school, there can be less free fighting or competition, but that is partly because some of the techniques are quite effective and designed to do more damage than would be reaseonable in a sporting context.
Having said that, there is ususlly an option of competeting in regulated open tournaments, so you can have the best of both worlds.
Reply
Regarding flexibility, I imagine both will have training systems to help you with that.
You should deinitely be using hand wraps and gloves with the kickboxing and this is mainly to protect your hands. All things being equal, I'd lean towards the kickboxing but only if they do a lot of sparring - you should be looking to build towards at least some full contact sparring regardless of which style you choose.
Reply
Good luck with everything! Also, TKD and MMA are the MOST expensive martial arts to study in the US. With that said, hope you find something worth studying. Ciao for now!
Reply
For me finding a club that suits you is at least as important as finding a style that suits you. I train in Taekwondo and Muay Thai. I love Taekwondo because of the many sides it has. Some people like the traditional side more, some like the sports side. If they're competing some love sparring and others love the technical events. But some Taekwondo clubs only train in the sports side or the traditional side, and this wouldn't suit me. I like it all!
And I love Muay Thai because it is so straight forward. There are no belts or gradings, you just turn up and train!
Reply
For now though... Taekwondo it is. I think I'll give it a try and see how it goes before I make up my mind on anything (and besides, the teacher makes or breaks the class, right?). If it doesn't go well, I'll improvise until I can settle and find something else. Thanks for the advice!
Reply
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