I'm Over 40. Is It Too Late To Begin Martial Arts Workouts?
Martial Arts workouts for men over 40 should have another name: Senior Do, Tae Kwon Old, Kung Old Fool, or Health Care-a-te. When asked in the locker room about my condition, I quip that I am aging faster than I can get in shape.
I found martial arts while in my forties. Random events carried me to the gym of my future instructor, Grandmaster Byung Min Kim.
The first event occurred while I was having dinner with an old friend. He revealed that he had studied martial arts since he was a boy and had earned a black belt in tae kwon do. My son was young at the time, and I considered the benefit for him of studying some form of martial arts. Finally, I met the Master of my future school. I work as a retail real estate broker, and happened to offer a store to Grandmaster Kim. I didn't close that sale, but fortunately he sold me on tae kwon do.
The expectations of an adult male, no matter how old, when they begin martial arts instruction is the same as a child's. You wistfully remember David Caradine, James Bond, Bruce Lee or Napoleon Solo in any of the popular movies and television shows of the 1950's and 60's.
I just wanted to be deadly...and really handsome!
Not long after I started my new mens workout, I visited my doctor because I was certain I was suffering an attack of the appendicitis. He guaranteed me that it was just soreness from all the sit-ups. I was merely out of shape.
Although I exercised regularly in my 20's, after marriage and kids, I put exercise on hold. Now in my forties, I was short of breath. I noticed I couldn't breathe doing recreational exercise like tennis and volleyball and I also noticed that I didn't have the stamina to dance with my wife.
I decided to do something different. Within the same week, I started tae kwon do and piano lessons (middle age is so confusing).
For me, martial arts has been a seed planted in my body. If it has the right surroundings, it can root and grow. If you study martial arts you understand what I mean. If martial arts are new to you, believe me, changes you haven't even considered are coming. And if you are beginning this journey later if life, like I have, I give you this to remember:
Middle Aged = (patience + resolve)-(litheness + hair)
Work for the long run is the best advice I can give you. Listen to the needs of your body, not just your mind. I have witnessed many adults in class with the mindset of a 21 year old. They work too hard, push too far in order to get what used to be simple.
It's the job of the Instructor to motivate the class which includes many ages and skill levels. Your head will be telling you that you can do this, your body on the other hand will need more time. Beware of overachieving goals that can lead to injuries because such injuries could convince you to quit. A self fulfilling prophecy that you were too old to be doing martial arts anyway.
No way!
You cannot comprehend the journey with a single step; you can only comprehend a single step of the journey, so stick with it.
When you feel your instructor is pushing too hard, remember you're an adult and age has its privileges. A good teacher will realize your limits and help you reach your personal best, this is where trust between teacher and student comes from. In lieu of that, trust your inner voice.
I know I'm too old for Rock-n-roll, but I'm definitely too young to give it up.
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About the Author
Before you choose if your too old for martial arts, visit Kalynn Amadio's great martial arts website Taekwondo-Network and learn more about mens workouts in tae kwon do when you're over 40. Keep in mind that, age is only a number.
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by: MasterAlanZuckerman
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