Martial Arts Workouts For Men Over 40
If you begin martial arts workouts when you are over 40 prepare for the jokes: Tae Kwon Old, Senior Do, Health Care-a-te or Kung Old Fool. When someone asks me in the locker room about getting in shape I joke, "I'm aging so fast, I can't see my shape let alone get in it."
I found martial arts while in my forties. Random events carried me to the gym of my future instructor, Grandmaster Byung Min Kim.
When I was out with an old friend at dinner, I found out he studied tae kwon do and was a black belt. He had studied since he was a kid, off and on. At the time, my son was young and I believed he could benefit from a good martial arts school. Then I happened to meet my future Master. I broker retail real estate and had actually offered a store front to Grandmaster Kim. I didn't make that sale, but he sold me on the value of 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!
Soon after beginning my new martial arts workouts, I had to go see my general practitioner because I just knew I was experiencing an appendicitis attack. The doctor assured me that it was just soreness from all the sit ups. I was only out of condition.
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).
Tae kwon do has been a seed planted inside me. When I give it what it needs to grow, it takes root. If you have started this journey, you know what I'm saying. But if tae kwon do is new to you, I guarantee you that great changes are coming. Should you be starting later in life, like I did, I want to give you this equation:
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.
Forget it!
You can't see the entire road in just one mile; you must understand each mile of the road, and stick to it.
The next time an instructor pushes you too hard, remember that you are an adult. Age has its privilege. A great master will understand your limits and push you accordingly, that is where trust is built. Short of that; listen to your inner master.
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 terrific martial arts website Taekwondo-Network and find out 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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