Congrats man. As a fellow Old (I'm 45), I'm competing in my first martial arts tournament ever next Saturday. I don't feel ready for it at all, as I've trained martial arts off and on for a long...
Congrats man. As a fellow Old (I'm 45), I'm competing in my first martial arts tournament ever next Saturday. I don't feel ready for it at all, as I've trained martial arts off and on for a long time but the style I'm competing in--Shuai Jiao--is still very new to me, having only properly trained it since late January. Still white belt. I fully expect to get rinsed but it's a bucket list thing for me. I'm okay with it.
I'm not OP, but to answer @monarda as someone who's the same age-ish as OP, yeah, there are definitely physical hurdles. If this makes sense, you can truly do most of the stuff you used to do when you were 25 from a technique level but the stamina and recovery piece of it both fall off. Not to zero, it's just harder. Also easier to get injured, or to be more specific, there are things you can't "walk off" as easily. But it's still fun, I still get a lot out of it, it helps my mental health more than I'd like to admit, and it's still worth doing.
Thanks for the reply. I'm in my mid 50s and have been wanting to take up some sort of martial art, but I've been feeling too old. I've lost a good portion of the weight I put on during covid...
Thanks for the reply. I'm in my mid 50s and have been wanting to take up some sort of martial art, but I've been feeling too old. I've lost a good portion of the weight I put on during covid through CICO and walking, but I'm wanting to to become more active.
So after your replies, I started looking into what's available near me. Not a whole heck of a lot! But there was a place about an hour from me that offers both Kung Fu and Tai Chi that I've left a...
So after your replies, I started looking into what's available near me. Not a whole heck of a lot! But there was a place about an hour from me that offers both Kung Fu and Tai Chi that I've left a voicemail with to learn more about.
I appreciate that you made the post and then answered my question. It gave me the impetus to follow through. Thank you!
I took a free Taekwondo class at a local church for a few years when I was 16 or so, it was great. The workouts were insane and my balance and flexibility were never higher. 10 years later and...
I took a free Taekwondo class at a local church for a few years when I was 16 or so, it was great. The workouts were insane and my balance and flexibility were never higher. 10 years later and I've lost pretty much all of the benefits (I still work out, but its strength training, so its not the same results) but I still remember the kicks! I think I got up to high brown belt before the class shut down, maybe one day I'll go back and relearn it, though I hate the paid class environment because it can feel like they're just passing you up the ranks so you don't quit and stop giving them money.
I don't think you're ever really too old for martial arts (as long as you can be physically active) our teacher was a 60 year old retired navy seal who had a hole in his heart that needed to be pumped of fluid every month and he still was a total badass, kicked harder than a mule.
Congrats man. As a fellow Old (I'm 45), I'm competing in my first martial arts tournament ever next Saturday. I don't feel ready for it at all, as I've trained martial arts off and on for a long time but the style I'm competing in--Shuai Jiao--is still very new to me, having only properly trained it since late January. Still white belt. I fully expect to get rinsed but it's a bucket list thing for me. I'm okay with it.
I'm not OP, but to answer @monarda as someone who's the same age-ish as OP, yeah, there are definitely physical hurdles. If this makes sense, you can truly do most of the stuff you used to do when you were 25 from a technique level but the stamina and recovery piece of it both fall off. Not to zero, it's just harder. Also easier to get injured, or to be more specific, there are things you can't "walk off" as easily. But it's still fun, I still get a lot out of it, it helps my mental health more than I'd like to admit, and it's still worth doing.
Congratulations.
That's super cool!
Did you have physical hurdles to overcome due to your age?
Thanks for the reply. I'm in my mid 50s and have been wanting to take up some sort of martial art, but I've been feeling too old. I've lost a good portion of the weight I put on during covid through CICO and walking, but I'm wanting to to become more active.
Why Taekwondo instead of some other martial art?
So after your replies, I started looking into what's available near me. Not a whole heck of a lot! But there was a place about an hour from me that offers both Kung Fu and Tai Chi that I've left a voicemail with to learn more about.
I appreciate that you made the post and then answered my question. It gave me the impetus to follow through. Thank you!
Congratulations!! I'm happy for you.
Congratulations! Keep up the good work!
I took a free Taekwondo class at a local church for a few years when I was 16 or so, it was great. The workouts were insane and my balance and flexibility were never higher. 10 years later and I've lost pretty much all of the benefits (I still work out, but its strength training, so its not the same results) but I still remember the kicks! I think I got up to high brown belt before the class shut down, maybe one day I'll go back and relearn it, though I hate the paid class environment because it can feel like they're just passing you up the ranks so you don't quit and stop giving them money.
I don't think you're ever really too old for martial arts (as long as you can be physically active) our teacher was a 60 year old retired navy seal who had a hole in his heart that needed to be pumped of fluid every month and he still was a total badass, kicked harder than a mule.
Yay! Proud of you!