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 came to tae kwon do in my forties. A confluence of circumstances brought me to the school of 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!

Shortly after beginning to this new martial arts exercise, I went to my doctor with what I was sure was an appendicitis attack. He assured me that I was just sore, from doing sit ups. I was 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:

Maturity = (patience + perseverance)-(flexibility + 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.

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.

Nonsense!

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

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

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 about mens workouts in tae kwon do when you're over 40. Remember, age is only a number.

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