Your never to old to learn martial arts?

**Bobby** · 01-04-2006, 12:13

People say ur never to old to learn martial arts is that true? Im 22 now ive i left it to late to start learning.

**Yang Wei Xin** · 01-04-2006, 12:15

at my school we have a 60 year old man who started when he was 45, he is now a sifu. when he started he was overweight and had a heart condition, both of those problems have been alleviated, and he can do things that ive seen 20 year olds fail at.

**TheOmega** · 01-04-2006, 12:17

I would agree. You are never to old to bring martial art into your life. Though it is a silly thing to ask with you being only 22 years old. I say, find an art that interests you, and get out there and learn it.... now! You'll be happy you did.

**Bobby** · 01-04-2006, 12:19

I have asthma im worried that training will knock the wind out of me. No other problems besides that. I see alot of advantages if learning martial art and so little not to do it the pros outweigh the cons.

**TheOmega** · 01-04-2006, 12:23

Concerning asthma, I had it as well when I was younger. Before I started my full training -at about 10 years- I had trouble running for extended periods of time, and general cardiovasciular activity. Though after my training kicked in full gear and I began T'ai Chi training in the Chen family -called Pao Chuan- my asthma subsided. With the respritory issues I would reccomend starting with any form of T'ai Chi though you may find the Yi branch particularly enlightening. It will help allieviate ailments and generate overall wellness, and give you a great precept to build upon for Gung Fu, or whichever art you undertake. But my opinion is to always take a form of T'ai Chi in conjuction with any art.

**Bobby** · 01-04-2006, 12:32

I was thinking of taking up Jujutsu seems like a very affective form of self defence. Found a local school npt far from where i live gonna check it out soon. Also teach judo and Budo Taijutsu - Ninjutsu so there more than one style i can take up if i choose to do so ill see how it goes. I did shotokan back in 1998 so im not totally inexperienced.

**TheOmega** · 01-04-2006, 12:38

Great! I hope everything goes well for you. Make sure you chime back to tell us how your training is going.

**Bengel** · 01-04-2006, 13:12

Originally Posted by Bobby

People say ur never to old to learn martial arts is that true? Im 22 now ive i left it to late to start learning.

We have a man of 74 years of age in our jiu-jitsu club. He graded for his 2nd dan at the same time as I did (2004). He also plays tennis. Last year he started kick-boxing.

I wouldn't worry too much as long as you listen to your body and listen to the advice of your doctor if you have asthma.

**TroyRoget** · 01-04-2006, 13:58

While I agree that it's never too late to start martial arts, I think that there should be some sort of age division for classes. My school has a number of people over 60 who are new to martial arts, and while they are able to keep up with learning most of the techniques in the class, but when it comes to physical conditioning, they really hold us back. The better teachers at my school divide up the class and run two separate workouts tailored to the needs of the two groups, but some of the teachers just make everyone do the less strenuous workout. This means that some of us young folks who could be doing sets of 100 pushups end up being told to do a total of 100 pushups in sets of 20. Not cool.

**seidogirl** · 01-04-2006, 15:10

I just started karate this year at the age of 39, but I've been athletic all my life so I'm not having any trouble with karate. Last year I took a tai chi class so that was my intro into MA I liked tai chi a lot but couldn't find anyone in my area who teaches the real thing. It's mainly geared towards the elderly around here.

Anyway, in my karate class I am not the oldest person by far. There are people in their 50's and up who are beginners. I think it's very inspiring. I have noticed though that when there are classes made up mostly of men, the workouts are harder. If it's mostly women, they're easier. Hmmm...

The bottom line is...you are never too old to start MA.

**DragonMind** · 01-04-2006, 16:12

Originally Posted by TroyRoget

This means that some of us young folks who could be doing sets of 100 pushups end up being told to do a total of 100 pushups in sets of 20. Not cool.

And what stops you from doing more than 20 in a set?

**TroyRoget** · 01-04-2006, 19:32

Originally Posted by DragonMind

And what stops you from doing more than 20 in a set?

Well, if I am doing more, I'll be finishing my set long after the rest of the class has started doing something else.

**DragonMind** · 01-04-2006, 19:59

Originally Posted by TroyRoget

Well, if I am doing more, I'll be finishing my set long after the rest of the class has started doing something else.

Do them faster...

**Masterfinger** · 01-05-2006, 07:16

I agree, you're never too old to start training. I have a 53 yr old student, and he's doing very well. My buddy who teaches American Kenpo, has a 65 yr old student who recently earned his Black Belt, and this was AFTER he had open heart surgery!

**ezzthetic** · 01-05-2006, 08:18

Originally Posted by Bengel

We have a man of 74 years of age in our jiu-jitsu club. He graded for his 2nd dan at the same time as I did (2004). He also plays tennis. Last year he started kick-boxing.

I wouldn't worry too much as long as you listen to your body and listen to the advice of your doctor if you have asthma.

That's some guy!

**TroyRoget** · 01-05-2006, 15:58

Originally Posted by DragonMind

Do them faster...

While I doubt I could get in 100 pushups in the time that everybody else is doing 20, I could probably do 30. That's a good idea.

**DragonMind** · 01-06-2006, 12:17

Originally Posted by TroyRoget

While I doubt I could get in 100 pushups in the time that everybody else is doing 20, I could probably do 30. That's a good idea.

Another alternative is to make your 20 more difficult, e.g. fingertip, one-handed, single foot support, on a decline, etc.

**KayJay** · 01-06-2006, 19:01

Originally Posted by seidogirl

I just started karate this year at the age of 39, but I've been athletic all my life so I'm not having any trouble with karate. Last year I took a tai chi class so that was my intro into MA I liked tai chi a lot but couldn't find anyone in my area who teaches the real thing. It's mainly geared towards the elderly around here.

Anyway, in my karate class I am not the oldest person by far. There are people in their 50's and up who are beginners. I think it's very inspiring. I have noticed though that when there are classes made up mostly of men, the workouts are harder. If it's mostly women, they're easier. Hmmm...

The bottom line is...you are never too old to start MA.

Glad to hear from you Polly! I also started Aikido when I was 39 and, like you, have always been athletic. Unfortunately that doesn't always help.

The three females in my class are not only the oldest but the beginners. We may take a bit longer to catch on and to throw each other (a little more wary of injuries), but we do most of what the guys do, and at times train with them.
So, Bobby if you think you're too old, then I guess I'm way beyond hope.

Jump right in, it's for all ages!!

**John Lucas** · 01-06-2006, 22:52

Originally Posted by DragonMind

Another alternative is to make your 20 more difficult, e.g. fingertip, one-handed, single foot support, on a decline, etc.

Yeah try them Cat Style (That's just what I heard them called, on your fingertips, with your but up in the air, put your nose down, then make your back flat and go back up.) A couple sets of those in 20 should definitely tire you out. They take a little longer to complete too so you will be pushing yourself to keep up.