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silverstar1025
Guest
I want some opinions. How old is too old to start martial arts? Do you have to be a teenager or even younger?
My wife started at 30 and my kids all started at 5. I started as a boxer at 8. I've seen plenty of 30 somethings starting up with no problems.
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silverstar1025
Guest
Thanks! I just don't want to look silly! I am sure I can handle it as I am in good shape so not too worried. I just wonder how good I can really get at my age? Not sure if it's possible. I am not old, but not a youngin either. I have a friend wanting me to join with her and am on the fence about it. We get a free month so I guess I could try it out and see if I like it.
Go for it... I did not even notice that you were a woman. The training will give you good flexibility, conditioning, and basic self defense. Not to mention that it's fun!
PM me if you have any questions and I'll forward them to my wife.
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PM me if you have any questions and I'll forward them to my wife.
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I've seen pics of an 80 year old Brazilian Jiu-jitsu blue belt. He probably started at the tender age of 78. I used to grapple with a guy who started Brazilian Jiu-jitsu at 49. It didn't seem to hinder his advancement as we got our blue belts in roughly the same amount of time.
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silverstar1025
Guest
Thanks guys!! I may give it a shot. I figure if nothing else I may not be the "best" with all the young kids and my daughters kicking my ass, but at least I will learn to take care of myself if I ever get in bad situations in the city.
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silverstar1025
Guest
jaybois said:
I am female
I am 27 will be 28 in April.
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silverstar1025
Guest
jaybois said:We aint dogs girl we can learn new tricks.
Thanks! We will see how it goes I guess!
heavy_duty
New member
I have seen many people start at 40.
I have 2 students over 60 and they sure didnt start as teens
I have 2 students over 60 and they sure didnt start as teens
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silverstar1025
Guest
heavy_duty said:I have seen many people start at 40.
I have 2 students over 60 and they sure didnt start as teens
Good to know. I guess I just want to make sure I can still be good at it at my age. I have always been competitive and athletic growing up, so I know that I won't be happy if I can't be good doing it
I feel in good shape now so not too worried about it. Of course my oldest daughter really wants me to join she thinks it would be cool to have mom doing it too. Of course she will be a black belt WAY before Mom.SofaGeorge
New member
27 is a baby. I've seen people start in their 50s and 60s.
Remember... you aren't trying to win a gold medal in the Olympics. You are trying to gain coordination, better health, and some self defense skills.
I clearly remember one guy who started in the "kids" class I was in back in 1972. He was 54 years old. 4 years later he tested for his black belt.
We kids loved him because in the pee wee class he was just one of the guys... only with gray hair.
Remember... you aren't trying to win a gold medal in the Olympics. You are trying to gain coordination, better health, and some self defense skills.
I clearly remember one guy who started in the "kids" class I was in back in 1972. He was 54 years old. 4 years later he tested for his black belt.
We kids loved him because in the pee wee class he was just one of the guys... only with gray hair.
silverstar1025 said:I am female
You are in your athletic prime years for combat sports.
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silverstar1025
Guest
Jacob Creutzfeldt said:
Thanks all! I think you have convinced me now
I personally knew a gentleman who started his martial career at the age of 45...and by the time he passed at 68, he was one of the most respected older aikidoist in this country. even recognized by the Japanese, well....sort of. He was born in Hawaii, and as such was kinda an outsider by the more geographically attached portion of his ethnic group. But i even had an opportunity or two to study under him, and he was a gentleman who needed to be revered.
Skinny Ninja
New member
^you probably wont get in shape with aikido. you'll learn how to break some fingers and thats about it.
Can you get good at your age? It depends how much of a physical requirement the martial art demands.
TKD will require flexibility and speed and at your age will definately help you get in shape, but I doubt you'll ever look as good as the younger ones.
BJJ on the other hand there is a focus on learning you use your brain more than your physical attributes. You could definately get good at BJJ.
Can you get good at your age? It depends how much of a physical requirement the martial art demands.
TKD will require flexibility and speed and at your age will definately help you get in shape, but I doubt you'll ever look as good as the younger ones.
BJJ on the other hand there is a focus on learning you use your brain more than your physical attributes. You could definately get good at BJJ.
rubberneck
New member
That made me laugh out loud!!!!!!silverstar1025 said:
Djimbe
New member
Just make sure that the school you're going to is training you for real FIGHTS , and not to look pretty , or do Co-Ordinated Routines . Most schools that sell themselves to women are unfortunately setting you up for a BIG fall in the case that you ever actually meet a REAL attacker , especially a Male. I have been in MA circles a A LONG time and the biggest issue is with female "Black Belts" that cannot fathom what to do about a full grown man throwing an Overhand Right to their faces with full Intent and Commitment . Or that think that Kicking a bloke in the jewels is a solution to ANYTHING . The type of training that goes "Well when a Guy does THIS , you do THAT ..." is usually going to get you KILLED . You're going to THINK you can fight when you cant , and thats NOT a good thing . UNfortunately you have to take some Lumps to learn to Train . IF youre a BodyBuilder youre probably already tough enough aplenty , but most women are conditioned to TOTALLY freeze when they get hit . Its not that bad . And you HAVE to go to a place where you get USED to getting hit to learn what to do about it . Its really that simple . If you dont duck/block/trap/guard/whatever - YOU GET HIT (Kicked/thrown/choked ... you get the Idea) ! Its IMPORTANT . You have to learn to get past it , otherwise youre wasting your time . AND your money .
Does the School have a link or a Website ? Perhaps we can look at it to see if there are warning signs that its a poor training environment ?
Good MA schools are like good Gyms . Thay arent Cardio Centres that are all shiny and charge lots . Theyre usually Chalkdust and Mats and Hard Work that pays iuts dividends when the rubber meets the road .
There are MANY paths up the Mountain , and some ARE more Female Friendly than others , but usually the ones that SELL themselves as such are just scams , really .
Be safe , and good luck on your Martial Journey .
Does the School have a link or a Website ? Perhaps we can look at it to see if there are warning signs that its a poor training environment ?
Good MA schools are like good Gyms . Thay arent Cardio Centres that are all shiny and charge lots . Theyre usually Chalkdust and Mats and Hard Work that pays iuts dividends when the rubber meets the road .
There are MANY paths up the Mountain , and some ARE more Female Friendly than others , but usually the ones that SELL themselves as such are just scams , really .
Be safe , and good luck on your Martial Journey .
Djimbe
New member
Martial Arts is a LONG term investment of your money , your time , and your EFFORT , And , unfortunately , just like most of the shitty fitness Infomercials out there , the things that look most convincing to the initiate or novice practitioner are usually BULLSHIT . The things that Impress you most your first year are the things you end up tearing up laughing at 10-15 years later . Stay away from "Back Belt Clubs" , pretty much MOST "Karate" schools that arent one of the "big Four" Karate systems , "Women's Self Defense" courses (these should be called "How To Get Robbed/Raped 101") and ANY place that tells you to SHOUT at your opponent as a part of your "technique" .
Oh , and dont fall for the Popularity of "MMA" training these days . Most of THAT just gets women's asses kicked as well . MMA , like Boxing , is a SPORT . Its geared tward OLYMPIC LEVEL ATHLETES fighting in a protected environment against someone their OWN SIZE . These Techniques WILL NOT WORK againstr someone 200 lbs larger than you . Boxing is the same . Both are GEREAT Workouts , but will get your ass kicked at a serious size disadvantage . In fact , the entire Industry is geared tward making ppl FEEL they can fight without imparting any real SKILLS to the practitioner . The systems that DO this are often shunned as being "Too Hard" or "Taking too long" or "Wasting time not Sparring" . Sparring is a tool for ppl that have DEVELOPED SKILLS , and is NOT to be done the first day . Hell , in old school boxing gym it would be up to THREE YEARS before you were Sparring . That does NOT mean that you werent training .
MA training is about CHANGING YOURSELF INTO THAT WICH YOU CURRENTLY ARE NOT . Its NOT about Learning "tricks" to "defend yourself" its about learning to MASTER the human body to WIN FIGHTS . The fact is that when youre attacked you arent IN a "Self Defence" . youre in a FIGHT , sister ! and the guy isnt going to throw some stupid Hug from behind , or grab your Wrist , hes prob going to throw an Overhand Right ad your ass . Can you take it ? Can you Duck it ? can you fight AFTER you have had yoru bell rung FOR REAL ? probably not right now , but a REAL school will get you there , WITHOUT hitting you in the skull the first day .
In the end you CANT go by "Style" , you have to go to the best school YOU CAN GET TO . That being said , there really are schools you would be better off not training at at all . And sometimes you may have to go with a style you have never even heard of , and youll find you love it !
Training is about the Environment , and about hte connection you make with the Instructor as WELL as about Realism . Fake ppl train Fake and get beaten up . Reall ppl get REAL conditioning , and REAL SKILLS .
In fact , ANY school that you walk into that makes you think " I could do that" you should PROBABLY walk right out of . You SHOULD look around and say - that shit is CRAZY ! I could NEVER do that ! The Instructor couldnt do it at first either you know . It took work , dedication , and TRAINING . Thats why its a CLASS . MA should NOT "Feel Natural" you should NOT "Go with whats good for your Body" or any of that HOGWASH ! Martial Science is JUST THAT , Science , the right Levers , Angles and ways to Stand , Twist , throw and generate force over planes of motion . You wouldnt listen to a Personal trainer that told you you could SQUAT any way you liked , why would you go to a school that told you to punch "the way that feels natural" ?
Post me your Zipcode and Ill see if there are any great Instructors/Schools in your area (this IS possible , oh yes !) and DONT go to a place thats giving away a free month of training . Your story REEKS of these guys being a McDojo , but please post a Link to the school's website (Im SURE they have one) and well look at it .
http://www.bullshido.com/articles/finding-a-good-martial-arts-school-5.html
(DONT get involved with the Racist/Eliteist assholes on this site . They think if you dont do MMA you MUST be wrong - there are PLENTY of good non-MMA schools out there - its just a good Article)
Oh , and dont fall for the Popularity of "MMA" training these days . Most of THAT just gets women's asses kicked as well . MMA , like Boxing , is a SPORT . Its geared tward OLYMPIC LEVEL ATHLETES fighting in a protected environment against someone their OWN SIZE . These Techniques WILL NOT WORK againstr someone 200 lbs larger than you . Boxing is the same . Both are GEREAT Workouts , but will get your ass kicked at a serious size disadvantage . In fact , the entire Industry is geared tward making ppl FEEL they can fight without imparting any real SKILLS to the practitioner . The systems that DO this are often shunned as being "Too Hard" or "Taking too long" or "Wasting time not Sparring" . Sparring is a tool for ppl that have DEVELOPED SKILLS , and is NOT to be done the first day . Hell , in old school boxing gym it would be up to THREE YEARS before you were Sparring . That does NOT mean that you werent training .
MA training is about CHANGING YOURSELF INTO THAT WICH YOU CURRENTLY ARE NOT . Its NOT about Learning "tricks" to "defend yourself" its about learning to MASTER the human body to WIN FIGHTS . The fact is that when youre attacked you arent IN a "Self Defence" . youre in a FIGHT , sister ! and the guy isnt going to throw some stupid Hug from behind , or grab your Wrist , hes prob going to throw an Overhand Right ad your ass . Can you take it ? Can you Duck it ? can you fight AFTER you have had yoru bell rung FOR REAL ? probably not right now , but a REAL school will get you there , WITHOUT hitting you in the skull the first day .
In the end you CANT go by "Style" , you have to go to the best school YOU CAN GET TO . That being said , there really are schools you would be better off not training at at all . And sometimes you may have to go with a style you have never even heard of , and youll find you love it !
Training is about the Environment , and about hte connection you make with the Instructor as WELL as about Realism . Fake ppl train Fake and get beaten up . Reall ppl get REAL conditioning , and REAL SKILLS .
In fact , ANY school that you walk into that makes you think " I could do that" you should PROBABLY walk right out of . You SHOULD look around and say - that shit is CRAZY ! I could NEVER do that ! The Instructor couldnt do it at first either you know . It took work , dedication , and TRAINING . Thats why its a CLASS . MA should NOT "Feel Natural" you should NOT "Go with whats good for your Body" or any of that HOGWASH ! Martial Science is JUST THAT , Science , the right Levers , Angles and ways to Stand , Twist , throw and generate force over planes of motion . You wouldnt listen to a Personal trainer that told you you could SQUAT any way you liked , why would you go to a school that told you to punch "the way that feels natural" ?
Post me your Zipcode and Ill see if there are any great Instructors/Schools in your area (this IS possible , oh yes !) and DONT go to a place thats giving away a free month of training . Your story REEKS of these guys being a McDojo , but please post a Link to the school's website (Im SURE they have one) and well look at it .
http://www.bullshido.com/articles/finding-a-good-martial-arts-school-5.html
(DONT get involved with the Racist/Eliteist assholes on this site . They think if you dont do MMA you MUST be wrong - there are PLENTY of good non-MMA schools out there - its just a good Article)
