Learning Martial arts - Is age a constraint?

code_wiz

Guys - i am about to introduce my daughter (5 years old) to Martial arts - Teakwundo, jiu-jitsu, etc. I am crazy about learning it for myself, but never got into it so far. I am running 39 years of age. The master i spoke to (for my daughter) says i can take the classes, since i am keeping well for my age in terms of body fitness - he thinks. I personally have got a lot of will for this, and solid drive to do it. So just wanted to check with you all on this - especially any one who is starting on this at my kind of age - i.e. 39+. What are your thoughts? Is it doable, or would it become a joke at the school? :) Obviously i am not planning to be a professional figther or go into professional tournaments, but definitely want to learn it until i reach a black belt. Has anybody started to learn martial arts at this age? Was it doable. Any pains, lessons learnt etc. for me? :) Thanks.

Johnny J

The short answer is "No - age is not an issue". Granted, I started training martial arts when I was 8, kept on it for around 20 years. Then I stopped for more than 15 years. Now I'm 44 and i've taken it up again. Sure, beeing a computer programmer, I'm now as programmers are most: Out of shape, stiff as a board, overweight etc. But I don't find that a hinder. It'll come back to me, I'm sure. Of course, you haven't had the 20 years of experience I had, but that's ok. Most of that is technique and terminology, and you can learn that quickly if you're serious about it. At 44 I'm not by far the oldest person in my club - and I know older guys training in other clubs as well. I know of a guy who started in his late 40's and became a 3rd degree black belt before he decided to quit around his mid 60's. One thing though: Don't expect you'll become the new Jackie Chan. Most people who have trained all there lives don't have his skills anyway. But there's so much more to martial arts than acrobatics, and you can enjoy that at any age. Good luck, and get going. Don't put it off. If you really want to learn, there's no reason to wait! Don't sit around in your rocking chair in 30 years time and say to yourself: "Damn, I really wished I had learnt martial arts"

Why can't I be applicable like John? - Me, April 2011
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Beidh ceol, caint agus craic againn - Seán Bán Breathnach
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Da mihi sis crustum Etruscum cum omnibus in eo!
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Just because a thing is new don’t mean that it’s better - Will Rogers, September 4, 1932

code_wiz

Really appreciate it, Johnny. That was a very inspiring reply - especially from someone who is a already a martial artist. Thanks. Good to know, its not too late for my age. Certainly by no means i am dreaming to be a jackie chan ;), but will want to train well, and earn a Black belt! I am thinking of going private classes, since the master said i could speed up on the grades quickly by working out and trainning a lot more than general classes, and attend competitions for earning the belts faster. What are you thoughts on the private classes? Thanks.

Johnny J

I've never tried private classes I'm afraid. But I'm positive that your master is right that you'll learn quicker that way. I think as far as that is concerned it's only a matter of money. One thing though: There's a very big difference between the different martial arts as I'm sure you already know. You may find one style that doesn't suit you at all or you could get lucky and wind up in a style that feels comfortable for you right away. IF you find that your style is not for you, don't get discouraged; Just try something else... ;)

Why can't I be applicable like John? - Me, April 2011
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Beidh ceol, caint agus craic againn - Seán Bán Breathnach
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Da mihi sis crustum Etruscum cum omnibus in eo!
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Just because a thing is new don’t mean that it’s better - Will Rogers, September 4, 1932

Johnny J

BTW: We have several other martial artists here at the CP. Roger[^] just passed his black belt test last month. And gathering from his profile, he's not a complete teenager either... ;)

Why can't I be applicable like John? - Me, April 2011
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Beidh ceol, caint agus craic againn - Seán Bán Breathnach
-----
Da mihi sis crustum Etruscum cum omnibus in eo!
-----
Just because a thing is new don’t mean that it’s better - Will Rogers, September 4, 1932

code_wiz

Cool, yes, thanks for that link. I read his post just now :) Awesome achievement! Congrats Roger! Wow, what a day! I am getting lots of inspirations for diving into the "dream of mine" sport/art. Yay!! I am going for it!!!!!! :)

Scott Serl

One of the guys I train with started in his late sixties, and he got his black belt last year at age 76. Even with shoulder and back surgeries (not martial arts related), he kept at it. Right now he is recovering from a knee replacement surgery, but I expect to see him back. I also started in my late thirties or early forties, so I know it is not too late. Scott

Lost User

I think that as with many physical activities, building yourself up is key. I started seeing a phyisio a year ago after long term problems and a personal trainer late last year and am doing well on my own now.

Join the cool kids - Come fold with us[^]

Amar Chaudhary

I don't feel age is an issue, but you should take care about how your daughter take it - if she is happy, go ahead you will enjoy the company of each other, if this makes her feel embarrassed, you should give it a second thought.

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R Giskard Reventlov

A friend of mine just got his black belt... at 55. He started a few years back and he tell sme that there are people older than him at his club: I doubt that physical age is a barrier.

"If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur." Red Adair. nils illegitimus carborundum me, me, me

Roger Wright

Age is no barrier at all! I started taekwondo and hapkido at 46, and managed to earn a 2nd degree belt in each after 7 years of hard work and great fun. Rather than causing me problems, it cured a few. For one, when I started I'd been experiencing knee pain a weak spells in my legs. After 6 months, my legs were much stronger, and after a year I no longer felt any pain in the knees. Another curious one, which I credit to martial arts, is that a year before starting training, my doctor detected a problem in the left side of my heart. After two years of classes, the problem was no longer detectable. I can't be sure that taekwondo did that, but it's the only change I made in my life during that period, and I don't believe in coincidences. Go for it! :-D

Will Rogers never met me.

Johnny J

So now you can slay trolls again? ;P

Why can't I be applicable like John? - Me, April 2011
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Beidh ceol, caint agus craic againn - Seán Bán Breathnach
-----
Da mihi sis crustum Etruscum cum omnibus in eo!
-----
Just because a thing is new don’t mean that it’s better - Will Rogers, September 4, 1932

Johnny J

Roger Wright wrote:

Rather than causing me problems, it cured a few.

Exactly. I've had two heart surgeries in the last 3 years (remember at age 44 only) - mainly due to my way too long period of inactivity and the accompanying overweight. Now that I've started karate again, I feel so much better - almost like a new person, and my heart is giving me much less problems. That's true - you do martial arts too - not only Roger Allen. I knew I had forgotten a Roger. Seems like there's a lot of Rogering going on in martial arts circles nowaday... :laugh:

Why can't I be applicable like John? - Me, April 2011
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Beidh ceol, caint agus craic againn - Seán Bán Breathnach
-----
Da mihi sis crustum Etruscum cum omnibus in eo!
-----
Just because a thing is new don’t mean that it’s better - Will Rogers, September 4, 1932

Lost User

Got to catch them first!

Join the cool kids - Come fold with us[^]

Johnny J

You can ask DD if he needs help - seems like he's been out on a trollhunt the last month or so... ;)

Why can't I be applicable like John? - Me, April 2011
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Beidh ceol, caint agus craic againn - Seán Bán Breathnach
-----
Da mihi sis crustum Etruscum cum omnibus in eo!
-----
Just because a thing is new don’t mean that it’s better - Will Rogers, September 4, 1932

Roger Wright

Johnny J. wrote:

there's a lot of Rogering going on

Roger, that! :-D

Will Rogers never met me.

Roger Allen

Thanks, it was a good day. Still recovering from the injuries I suffered (which I did not notice on the day). I started when I was 36 at this club and it took me just over 6 years at 3-5 sessions a week to get to 1st Dan. Although I have always been into fitness training and martial arts (various clubs through the years on and off). But this club has a philosophy which really clicks with me. It a non-profit club, all the instructors are unpaid and do it for the love of the style/club. At our club with have poeple who started late in life, several who were 50+. They all do well. I would say go for it, but find a club thats not demanding financially.

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