Can Men Over 40 Survive Martial Arts Workouts?

By: Master Alan Zuckerman

When a man over 40 begins martial arts workouts they should have a special name: Kung Old Fool, Tae Kwon Old, Health Care-a-te or Senior Do. If anyone asks about my health I usually reply, "I'm aging too fast to 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.

Your expectation when you practice martial arts as a full grown adult are no different than those of any starry eyed kid. Expectations sculpted by legends like James Bond, Bruce Lee, Napoleon Solo and David Caradine in the television and movies of the 1950's and 60's.

I yearned to be deadly...and great looking!

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.

I had exercised on a regular basis when when I was younger, but after getting married and having kids, I had pushed those regular workouts aside. In my forties now, I was out of breath. I had trouble breathing during recreational volleyball or tennis and I didn't seem to have the stamina to go dancing with my bride.

I made a decision; it was time for something fresh. That week, I began to study tae kwon do and piano (I know, middle age is really 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:

Grown Up = (patience + determination)-(suppleness + hair)

Think long term. That is the best advice that I live by. Listen to your body and not your mind. I have seen too many adults come into class and their minds say their body is 21. They either stretch too far, or kick too hard, or try to achieve what used to be easy.

Teachers will work to motivate everyone in class no matter the age or skill level. Though your head will say, "you can do this" your body will need more time to get there. In the short run, overreaching leads to injuries and those injuries cause you to want to quit, fulfilling the myth that this sport is only for the young.

Nonsense!

You can't understand the journey with one step; you can only understand one step of the journey, 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.

Though I may be too old for Rock N Roll, I'm too young to die.

Article Source: http://www.bigfreearticles.com

About the Author:
Before you choose if your too old for martial arts, visit Kalynn Amadio's great martial arts website Taekwondo-Network and find out more regarding mens workouts in tae kwon do when you're over 40. Remember, age is only a number.

Tags: martial arts, mens workouts, martial arts, tae kwon do, men over 40, exercise over 40, tae kwon do for men, healthy workouts, adult martial arts, adult tae kwon do, taekwondo over 40, fitness goals, begin exercising, sports, exercise

Please Rate this Article

Comments

Share This Article - Quick and Easy Using This Button:

Click the XML Icon Above to Receive Martial Arts Articles Via RSS!

Read More Articles From - Home | Sports | Martial arts

Why Self Defense and Martial Arts are so Mental-00-535 By: Al Landry - Any martial arts instructor can teach you the basic techniques of self defense fairly quickly. After all, these techniques are simple and straight forward. It isn't as crazy as the stuff you see in the movies. It isn't about jumping in the air and doing a 360 degree turn and kicking someone four times before you land. It is as easy as reaching out and poking someone in the eye. The techniques are the easy part. The difficult part of learning self defense is in your mind. It's about understanding that your body is yours. It doesn't belong to anyone else. Understanding that defending yourself by doing whatever is necessary is the key.
Tags: sports, martial arts, martial arts, self defense, martial arts world, karate, kung fu
Forms of Martial Arts By: David H Urmann - Martial Arts come in different forms and they are not only confined to Kung-fu or Taekwondo, which is popularized a lot in television and the movies. You would be surprised to know that certain forms of fighting are also called martial arts. To learn and practice martial arts, one should be well equipped with the proper supplies. Martial arts have different origins. The term “Martial” is derived from the Roman god of war named “Mars”. Martial Arts simply mean “the art of war”. Although most people think that martial arts only came from the Asian cultures, it is also found in America and Europe.
Tags: sports, martial arts, martial arts, practice martial arts, martial arts techniques, styles of martial arts, form of martial art
The Catch Wrestling Approach By: Abigail Child - The art of Catch Wrestling is slowly, but surely rising back from the grave. While there aren't many fighters that use Catch Wrestling as their ground game (with the exception of Josh Barnett, and Kazushi Sakuraba among others) many are starting to incorporate techniques into their regimen. What makes it different from other styles like BJJ or Judo? All three have their share of similarities, but what makes Catch Wrestling far different from the more known systems is the philosophy, and approach. While Brazilian Jiu-jitsu focuses on "position over submission", Catch on the other hand goes more on "submission over position.
Tags: sports, martial arts, catch wrestling, grappling, submission, bjj, brazilian jujitsu
Martial Arts Schools - The Secret To Choosing The Right One By: Patrick Consing - Westchester New York has plenty of martial arts schools. NYC is famous for the diversity of cultures and it is evident in everything around as one can satisfy there cravings from one block to another. Now the availability of so many choices can make it overwhelming to choose the right martial arts school for you so make sure you really know what you'd like to achieve before you begin to look. Martial arts is a lifelong study and there are steps to achieve your goals. Going out to find the right school requires the same dedication.
Tags: martial arts, martial arts, self defense, physical health-wellness, health-wellness-fitness, exercise, health
Why You Need to Know How to Fight: It's Not a Choice, It's a Responsibility By: Matthew McKernan - Most people try to live their lives without violence or having to fight someone. This is a noble pursuit and if you're able to avoid violence you should always try to do so, but that doesn't mean to abandon the idea of learning to protect yourself. In fact, failure to do so will put you and your loved ones at risk. On average you deal with rational and calm people. When conflict arises, the majority of the time you can always workout your differences, but what do you do when you're not dealing with the average person or just an average person who has reached a point where they ‘don't care' anymore.
Tags: martial arts, martial arts, self defense, martial arts training, self defense training, teach martial arts, teach self defense
Hey 1950 Called... They Want Their Martial Art Back! By: Matthew McKernan - Most people know me as President of The Self Defense Company providing practical simple, easy to learn self defense training programs. But I am also a life long grappler both on the collegiate and international level. It seems that grappling has found its way back into the good graces of the martial arts community. Since 1990 the UFC, Brazilian Jujitsu and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has found its place to the main stage. Now every wrestler willing to get punched and choke has another means to make their skills pay off. So with all this latest and greatest "trends" in the martial arts, why am I still practicing Judo?
Tags: martial arts, martial arts, self defense, martial arts training, self defense training, teach martial arts, teach self defense
Charlie Nelson and His Little Red Book of Self Defense By: Matthew McKernan - Today it seems like there's a martial arts school on every block and many of them are of dubious quality. Most of the students are children, and they're taught some form of combat sport. Some schools offer self defense training or promise a good workout, but few teach real combat martial arts. There was a time though when people did learn the practical skills they needed to survive a real street fight. Among the few instructors who truly understood combat martial arts and self defense was Charlie Nelson who took what he learned during World War II, and used it prepare the average citizen for hand to hand combat.
Tags: martial arts, martial arts, self defense, martial arts training, self defense training, teach martial arts, teach self defense
Which Is The 'Deadliest' Style of Martial Arts? By: Matthew McKernan - It seems you can't get into a discussion about martial arts without someone claiming that the style they practice is the best. Of course this isn't possible, because at least someone else in the group either practices the best martial arts style or knows someone who does. If you go online you will find thousands of opinions on the subject. Each person claims they can prove that their style is the best. Like religion, martial arts practitioners defend their style vehemently and aggressively. This can be pretty confusing especially if you don't know anything about the martial arts.
Tags: martial arts, martial arts, self defense, martial arts training, self defense training, teach martial arts, teach self defense
An Astounding Art - Tae kwon do By: Kalynn Amadio - Does the word art bring mortal combat to mind? A guess would be, no. Martial arts are not only hard. They have an internal part, the softer part that develops roots in philosophical ideals often unknown to non martial artists. The fact that martial arts have two sides is an important reason why instructing children in the martial arts is a great idea. Sometimes parents are mistaken and believe that allowing their kids to study martial arts will cause them to become aggressive, picking fights. In actuality, just the opposite is true. Fundamental martial arts training has a core that has a very different outcome than a parent might suspect.
Tags: martial arts, tae kwon do, martial arts, kids martial arts, youth instruction, self confidence, building self esteem
I'm Over 40. Is It Too Late To Begin Martial Arts Workouts? By: Master Alan Zuckerman - 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 discovered taekwondo in my forties. A series of seemingly random circumstances took me to the school of the Grandmaster who would become my teacher, 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.
Tags: martial arts, mens workouts, martial arts, tae kwon do, men over 40, exercise over 40, tae kwon do for men