I Am Considering...

Off Topic
1

giving up grappling for Olympic lifting.

I have been grappling at a gym for almost a year now and it’s been costing me 80 bucks a month for unlimited classes, but I usually end up training 2-3 days a week. It takes 45-60 minutes for me to get there and the associated costs of travel (21 bucks for ten pre-purchased fares) every few weeks. The gym fee will be going up to 100 bucks a month come October when my one year is up.

In addition, I have to put out money for my own supplements (protien, fish oil and multis) and extra foodstuffs. I work P/T and live at home; I make like 500-600 a cheque every two weeks, after taxes. I have to save up for college next September and VISA demands my attention and also my parents wish me to pay some room and board, which is only fair, I suppose.

A gym would cost me 35-45 bucks a month for unlimited use. I would train 3-4 days a week. It would take me 15 minutes to get there. I have always loved lifting and have continued to lift throughout the years, off and on since football at age 16. I was bitten by the iron-bug then and I sometimes regret the fact that I can’t lift more often with all the extra work and training.

However, I enjoy the hell out of grappling and have met some cool people in my time there. My coaches and training partners are top-notch folks. It’s gotten and kept me in fantastic shape. But, I have discovered competing in grappling comps is not what I thought it would be.

I enjoy competeing against myself more than others. I, at this age of 19, may never go to to the Olympics but I can push myself and compete as far as I can. I also hate the practice of cutting weight (10-20 lbs is common) which is very, very common in grappling. Lastly, I hate ringworm and all the wonderful rashes and infections common to the sport.

Bodybuilding is not my speed and powerlifting is not either, much as I respect those who compete in those arenas. Olympic lifting, on the other hand, keeps one in fantastic shape and makes one explosive and powerful.

I have the commitment and discipline to keep training. I have walked through blizzards, went straight from work to grapple, walked through pouring rain and thunderstorms and so on and so forth. I have lost sleep, given up a social life by-and-large, dieted and cut weight, trained through soreness and fatigue all to grapple. I can and will do the same for lifting.

2

Your mind sounds made.

[quote]t3h_Squirr3l wrote:
giving up grappling for Olympic lifting.

I have been grappling at a gym for almost a year now and it’s been costing me 80 bucks a month for unlimited classes, but I usually end up training 2-3 days a week. It takes 45-60 minutes for me to get there and the associated costs of travel (21 bucks for ten pre-purchased fares) every few weeks. The gym fee will be going up to 100 bucks a month come October when my one year is up.

In addition, I have to put out money for my own supplements (protien, fish oil and multis) and extra foodstuffs. I work P/T and live at home; I make like 500-600 a cheque every two weeks, after taxes. I have to save up for college next September and VISA demands my attention and also my parents wish me to pay some room and board, which is only fair, I suppose.

A gym would cost me 35-45 bucks a month for unlimited use. I would train 3-4 days a week. It would take me 15 minutes to get there. I have always loved lifting and have continued to lift throughout the years, off and on since football at age 16. I was bitten by the iron-bug then and I sometimes regret the fact that I can’t lift more often with all the extra work and training.

However, I enjoy the hell out of grappling and have met some cool people in my time there. My coaches and training partners are top-notch folks. It’s gotten and kept me in fantastic shape. But, I have discovered competing in grappling comps is not what I thought it would be.

I enjoy competeing against myself more than others. I, at this age of 19, may never go to to the Olympics but I can push myself and compete as far as I can. I also hate the practice of cutting weight (10-20 lbs is common) which is very, very common in grappling. Lastly, I hate ringworm and all the wonderful rashes and infections common to the sport.

Bodybuilding is not my speed and powerlifting is not either, much as I respect those who compete in those arenas. Olympic lifting, on the other hand, keeps one in fantastic shape and makes one explosive and powerful.

I have the commitment and discipline to keep training. I have walked through blizzards, went straight from work to grapple, walked through pouring rain and thunderstorms and so on and so forth. I have lost sleep, given up a social life by-and-large, dieted and cut weight, trained through soreness and fatigue all to grapple. I can and will do the same for lifting. [/quote]

3

Where is the indecision coming from?

If you stay fit, couldn’t you always jump back into it if it became more convenient and affordable in the future?

4

Both are great sports. Do whatever you’re passionate about and believe you will excel at.

5

I once felt the same way as you. I love to lift heavy weights and find it hard to step away from powerlifting type training to grappling and muay thai. But, I also love the fact that grappling is like chess (I know that’s so cliche). You get to try to out smart an opponent at the same time as using raw power. There’s something great about kicking someone else’s ass that lifting a barbell doesn’t provide.

Sounds like you’ve made up your mind already though. It all comes down to your personality and what you like more, no one can really tell you which is the better sport. Would you rather compete against yourself or someone else? My opinion is grappling provides both but that’s just me.

As far as giving it up and coming back later as Vroom suggested, you probably already know how much dedication it takes to get really good and that would be a lot of time wasted if it’s what you really want.

6

Dude you’re only 19. You make it sound like you’re 98 and have one more year of life left. Take a lay-off if you must but plan on returning even more motivated.

7

You said you’re paying for unlimited sessions, so would they let you pay for a set amount of sessions, or just each one individually?

That way you could still go to a few classes a month while you train for Olympic lifting and it won’t be so expensive.

8

[quote]E-man wrote:
Dude you’re only 19. You make it sound like you’re 98 and have one more year of life left. Take a lay-off if you must but plan on returning even more motivated.[/quote]

*gasp
Procrastination!

9

I think at some point I will come back. Just for now, my mind is made-up to stop. Part of me will miss the grappling and I am sure of my returning to it when it becomes affordable and convinient again. On re-reading my post, it does seem like I will die next year or something. Much of that post is just me listing the pro’s and con’s of my decision.

Perhaps I will find a Judo class at a local YMCA or perhaps a local club where submissions are taught. I am pretty sure I will with the emergence of MMA into the mainstream there will be something. I plan to go to college and usually there are Judo or BJJ clubs in colleges.

My indecision comes from my love of lifting and my love of grappling both. I can’t fathom giving up either for a long time. I used to not lift, just calisthenics and such. I grew to miss the iron. In future, I will find a way to balance these things.

10

[quote]t3h_Squirr3l wrote:
giving up grappling for Olympic lifting.

I have been grappling at a gym for almost a year now and it’s been costing me 80 bucks a month for unlimited classes, but I usually end up training 2-3 days a week. It takes 45-60 minutes for me to get there and the associated costs of travel (21 bucks for ten pre-purchased fares) every few weeks. The gym fee will be going up to 100 bucks a month come October when my one year is up.

In addition, I have to put out money for my own supplements (protien, fish oil and multis) and extra foodstuffs. I work P/T and live at home; I make like 500-600 a cheque every two weeks, after taxes. I have to save up for college next September and VISA demands my attention and also my parents wish me to pay some room and board, which is only fair, I suppose.

A gym would cost me 35-45 bucks a month for unlimited use. I would train 3-4 days a week. It would take me 15 minutes to get there. I have always loved lifting and have continued to lift throughout the years, off and on since football at age 16. I was bitten by the iron-bug then and I sometimes regret the fact that I can’t lift more often with all the extra work and training.

However, I enjoy the hell out of grappling and have met some cool people in my time there. My coaches and training partners are top-notch folks. It’s gotten and kept me in fantastic shape. But, I have discovered competing in grappling comps is not what I thought it would be.

I enjoy competeing against myself more than others. I, at this age of 19, may never go to to the Olympics but I can push myself and compete as far as I can. I also hate the practice of cutting weight (10-20 lbs is common) which is very, very common in grappling. Lastly, I hate ringworm and all the wonderful rashes and infections common to the sport.

Bodybuilding is not my speed and powerlifting is not either, much as I respect those who compete in those arenas. Olympic lifting, on the other hand, keeps one in fantastic shape and makes one explosive and powerful.

I have the commitment and discipline to keep training. I have walked through blizzards, went straight from work to grapple, walked through pouring rain and thunderstorms and so on and so forth. I have lost sleep, given up a social life by-and-large, dieted and cut weight, trained through soreness and fatigue all to grapple. I can and will do the same for lifting. [/quote]

I know guys who work make only 1300 dollars(140,000yen) after taxes and pension, that pay rent, utilities, groceries, cook for themselves, transportation, and get to the gym for training(grappling and stand-up) and compete at the pro level or amateur(who are going pro).

Considering Tokyo is usually the most expensive city in the world. That the average income is over 3500 dollars a month.
Just don’t buy luxury items. Only protein.

11

[quote]otoko wrote:
t3h_Squirr3l wrote:
giving up grappling for Olympic lifting.

I have been grappling at a gym for almost a year now and it’s been costing me 80 bucks a month for unlimited classes, but I usually end up training 2-3 days a week. It takes 45-60 minutes for me to get there and the associated costs of travel (21 bucks for ten pre-purchased fares) every few weeks. The gym fee will be going up to 100 bucks a month come October when my one year is up.

In addition, I have to put out money for my own supplements (protien, fish oil and multis) and extra foodstuffs. I work P/T and live at home; I make like 500-600 a cheque every two weeks, after taxes. I have to save up for college next September and VISA demands my attention and also my parents wish me to pay some room and board, which is only fair, I suppose.

A gym would cost me 35-45 bucks a month for unlimited use. I would train 3-4 days a week. It would take me 15 minutes to get there. I have always loved lifting and have continued to lift throughout the years, off and on since football at age 16. I was bitten by the iron-bug then and I sometimes regret the fact that I can’t lift more often with all the extra work and training.

However, I enjoy the hell out of grappling and have met some cool people in my time there. My coaches and training partners are top-notch folks. It’s gotten and kept me in fantastic shape. But, I have discovered competing in grappling comps is not what I thought it would be.

I enjoy competeing against myself more than others. I, at this age of 19, may never go to to the Olympics but I can push myself and compete as far as I can. I also hate the practice of cutting weight (10-20 lbs is common) which is very, very common in grappling. Lastly, I hate ringworm and all the wonderful rashes and infections common to the sport.

Bodybuilding is not my speed and powerlifting is not either, much as I respect those who compete in those arenas. Olympic lifting, on the other hand, keeps one in fantastic shape and makes one explosive and powerful.

I have the commitment and discipline to keep training. I have walked through blizzards, went straight from work to grapple, walked through pouring rain and thunderstorms and so on and so forth. I have lost sleep, given up a social life by-and-large, dieted and cut weight, trained through soreness and fatigue all to grapple. I can and will do the same for lifting.

I know guys who work make only 1300 dollars(140,000yen) after taxes and pension, that pay rent, utilities, groceries, cook for themselves, transportation, and get to the gym for training(grappling and stand-up) and compete at the pro level or amateur(who are going pro).

Considering Tokyo is usually the most expensive city in the world. That the average income is over 3500 dollars a month.
Just don’t buy luxury items. Only protein.[/quote]

Not to nitpick, but this year they slipped. Oslo took first place asmost expensive city…

12

[quote]nickels wrote:
otoko wrote:
t3h_Squirr3l wrote:
giving up grappling for Olympic lifting.

I have been grappling at a gym for almost a year now and it’s been costing me 80 bucks a month for unlimited classes, but I usually end up training 2-3 days a week. It takes 45-60 minutes for me to get there and the associated costs of travel (21 bucks for ten pre-purchased fares) every few weeks. The gym fee will be going up to 100 bucks a month come October when my one year is up.

In addition, I have to put out money for my own supplements (protien, fish oil and multis) and extra foodstuffs. I work P/T and live at home; I make like 500-600 a cheque every two weeks, after taxes. I have to save up for college next September and VISA demands my attention and also my parents wish me to pay some room and board, which is only fair, I suppose.

A gym would cost me 35-45 bucks a month for unlimited use. I would train 3-4 days a week. It would take me 15 minutes to get there. I have always loved lifting and have continued to lift throughout the years, off and on since football at age 16. I was bitten by the iron-bug then and I sometimes regret the fact that I can’t lift more often with all the extra work and training.

However, I enjoy the hell out of grappling and have met some cool people in my time there. My coaches and training partners are top-notch folks. It’s gotten and kept me in fantastic shape. But, I have discovered competing in grappling comps is not what I thought it would be.

I enjoy competeing against myself more than others. I, at this age of 19, may never go to to the Olympics but I can push myself and compete as far as I can. I also hate the practice of cutting weight (10-20 lbs is common) which is very, very common in grappling. Lastly, I hate ringworm and all the wonderful rashes and infections common to the sport.

Bodybuilding is not my speed and powerlifting is not either, much as I respect those who compete in those arenas. Olympic lifting, on the other hand, keeps one in fantastic shape and makes one explosive and powerful.

I have the commitment and discipline to keep training. I have walked through blizzards, went straight from work to grapple, walked through pouring rain and thunderstorms and so on and so forth. I have lost sleep, given up a social life by-and-large, dieted and cut weight, trained through soreness and fatigue all to grapple. I can and will do the same for lifting.

I know guys who work make only 1300 dollars(140,000yen) after taxes and pension, that pay rent, utilities, groceries, cook for themselves, transportation, and get to the gym for training(grappling and stand-up) and compete at the pro level or amateur(who are going pro).

Considering Tokyo is usually the most expensive city in the world. That the average income is over 3500 dollars a month.
Just don’t buy luxury items. Only protein.

Not to nitpick, but this year they slipped. Oslo took first place asmost expensive city…
[/quote]

No Problem. We are usually in the top three anually.