View Full Version : Anyone who does Martial Arts, or knows anyone that does? Please read.
Ryudo
02-04-2013, 05:01 AM
Hi,
I'm currently having a dilemma where I could use your guys input. Basically it's like this, I'm 26 years old and I'm sort of overweight, but I've always been interested in Martial Arts.
Lately I find myself wanting to learn MA more again, but I'm afraid of whether someone like me can actually do this.
Do you think it'd be a bad idea to start MA this late? Most expert MA's already start when they're young kids...
Also, wouldn't I just be holding back everyone else in the group if I was to join the group while being in terrible shape, etc?
Could anyone who does MA, or knows anyone that does, please give some input on this matter. I'd greatly appreciate it.
Noctis Caelum
02-04-2013, 05:05 AM
I will say this, its better to start when ur younger but that doesnt mean you cant start later in ur life. Example, I started boxing at 16, stopped when i had kids at 23. Im currently boxing again at 27 and i will be turning 28 in april. So no its not too late, go out whoop some ass and have fun doing it.
Edit: To Make this clear i train, lol. Trying to strengthen my back
CloudStrife7x
02-04-2013, 05:10 AM
i love martial arts and would love to learn the different styles and plan too even though im overweight and starting late, i say go for it, its never too late to start like Red Hulk said :)
thegutta
02-04-2013, 06:40 AM
Is never too late :D
mojobojo
02-04-2013, 07:28 AM
Its never too late to do anything. Life is short, do it.
Emerald Lance
02-04-2013, 09:38 AM
I learned karate, t'ai chi ch'uan, and xingyiquan informally when I was about 7, and continue to practice qigong as a martial philosophy even today (especially in regards to xingyiquan, which is my preferred style). I'm 22 years old, 6' tall, and 240lbs; I'm very overweight, yet I can still defeat the average man with my xingyiquan. The point isn't about when you start or what shape you're in, the point is that you keep up with your training.
It all boils down to what you want to practice. I practice mostly Chinese internal martial arts. Internal martial arts (Chinese "neijia", Japanese "juho") work through mental concentration (specifically the focusing of you inner energies), while external martial arts (Chinese "waijia", Japanese "goho") are more geared towards physically overpowering opponents through force and speed. Another set of words that is often used is "soft" and "hard" martial arts, respectively; an example of a soft style is tai chi, and a hard style is karate or boxing.
If you're hoping to get into the harder martial arts, you will need to start working out more and developing your body to keep up (tearing muscles and breaking bones in order to toughen them). If you're more interested in the softer styles, then you will need to learn how to properly meditate and concentrate in order to hone your senses and to "feel" the world around you so that you can better focus your qi (or, in more scientific terms, learn how to properly manipulate the potential and kinetic energy in and around your body, especially through your feet).
I'm not saying internal martial arts are easier. Both types are difficult and require dedication to training. External martial arts are physically difficult, but internal martial arts are particularly mentally difficult. You need to lose weight if you plan to dedicate yourself to a harder style, but you need to learn to move with grace if you're leaning towards a softer style. The choice is up to you. But there is absolutely no reason you can't start now. A person can start learning at any point in their life, but it's the dedication that's important; don't take up a martial art if you don't fully intend to go all the way with it, otherwise you'll just be wasting your instructor's time, and (more importantly) your own. The biggest mistake you could make is to try to learn martial arts simply because you think it looks cool.
If I can make a suggestion, try looking into tai chi. It's a popular enough style that you shouldn't have any trouble finding a kwoon (Chinese version of "dojo") just about anywhere, and it has an extremely soft form that (once mastered) can be incorporated into your own personal style easily. Too many people make the mistake of jumping right into karate in the hopes that the lessons will help them work out, and that simply isn't the case; in all martial arts the lessons are there simply to teach technique, and harder martial arts like karate require you to work out in your own time or fall behind. Tai chi, on the other hand, will not usually require a practitioner to stay exceptionally fit (though being in shape never hurts).
So yeah. Make sure it's something that you not only have the time to commit to, but are also willing to put in that time for. My advice would be to start with tai chi first, and then branch out from there later. Good luck!
shadekor
02-04-2013, 09:39 AM
you need to go for it !!
lewyp1
02-04-2013, 11:10 AM
Never too late, i've seen 40 year olds start kickboxing at the gym I used to go to before I had to quit
Ryudo
02-23-2013, 03:42 PM
Actually had my first Taekwondo class today. It was intense and explosive, and it really wore me out, but I had a lot of fun.
I wonder though, I notice a lot of beginners were obviously at a young age, I myself am 26. There were a few people around my age too, but take tournaments for example, do they pit you against a 12yo as a 26yo for example when fighting in tournaments?
lewyp1
02-23-2013, 06:42 PM
Actually had my first Taekwondo class today. It was intense and explosive, and it really wore me out, but I had a lot of fun.
I wonder though, I notice a lot of beginners were obviously at a young age, I myself am 26. There were a few people around my age too, but take tournaments for example, do they pit you against a 12yo as a 26yo for example when fighting in tournaments?
Nah they wouldn't do that, you'd be fighting other adults
Ryudo
02-24-2013, 01:32 PM
Nah they wouldn't do that, you'd be fighting other adults
Ahh ok cool.
Also I totally messed up my glutes in my left leg.... hurts like hell.
Its never to late to start... I started at a young age, but we had some people that was over 20.. They will place you in the right class then you will work you're way up.. I finished MA at age of 28 I was a 9 degree black belt.. I was working on my Red/black belt when I stopped which the highest belt you can get in most MA class.... Sooooo no go try it you will have so much fun and learn new things.
smurfsniper
02-25-2013, 05:49 PM
It is never to late to what you want to do. Patrick Stewart is around 70 and he is skiing, Ed o'neill(Al Bundy) just got his black belt in BJJ a few years back. It all about doing what you love, and if you want to do Martial Arts go for it. You can also try a Mixed Martial arts school, where they teach an assortment of arts, just not say Karate school, Jiu-Jitsu school, they offer a little of everything. I seen people who got into MMA at 28, and they were fighting at age 33(not saying you want to do this). I say go for it, because regret is a potent emotion, that can have a lasting impact on life. Go and have fun while doing it.
Before you join any one school, watch how the students react to each other. Do they gossip about others, do they show a certain disrespect to the teacher when he is not looking, are they friendly, do they encourage each other in times of need. These are all very important, and should be the first thing on your mind before anything else.
If you like the atmosphere, talk to the teacher. Tell him your doubts, and worries, and humbly ask if you can sit in on one of his Novice classes before you sign up. This is the important part. This will give you a chance to evaluate the teacher. Is the teacher Lax in his methods? Does he pay enough attention to each student, and not the top prospects? How does he handle disobedience? Will the teacher resort to shaming first?
Ryudo
02-27-2013, 02:55 AM
Had my second class now. I'm so out of shape rofl, I'm having trouble keeping up, but I'm not gonna give up.
My left leg is still in pain near the gluteus or whatever, so I'll have to rest it again to be ready for the next class.
Going to officially sign up with the school on thursday, and hopefully get my outfit then as well (Or next week maybe?)
mavymcmavmav
04-06-2013, 06:01 AM
Im a professional MMA fighter and a brown belt in brazilian jiu jitsu. It is NEVER too late to start. Dont compare yourself to others. Strive to beat your OWN personal bests, nothing else.
ecsofgold
04-06-2013, 06:13 AM
I am also thinking about doing MMA or BJJ. One thing that scares me is the dedication to martial arts. I don't want to do something and in the long run I would just quit because I didn't like it or I realized that it wasn't for me. Think about it first and then commit yourself into doing it. But like everybody here I think you should do it.
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