[evanny]

i didnt read all the posts, but if you want to get fit simply go to the gym - lift some weights. since people who are seriouse about martial arts start them from age of 4 and since you are 23 years old then you wont get any benefits - not in fitness and not in skills. sorry but it is over rated when people start these self defense courses when they are basicly grown ups and think that will benefit them in huge way - well 1 out of a 100 who will train for some 10 years will, but the rest will still probably get beat up by simply a larger guy with more muscle.
i did attend karate courses for 3 years (5 hrs a week) and it was pretty usless - for fitness definetly. if you want to get fit and be able to defend yourself then hit the gym. it worked out form me, dont see why shouldnt for you.