Is it ever too late to study a martial art? If not, which is best to start with?
Blazen Elite asked:
I’m a 27 year old with an average frame. I wanted to know if it was too late for me to study a martial art… I find it a bit unmotivating at this time, since I’d probably be uncomfortable to potentially learn (and spar) alongside teenagers and younger adults. Anyone have a recommendation, or should I consider boxing as a way to stay fit?
Allison
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I’m a 27 year old with an average frame. I wanted to know if it was too late for me to study a martial art… I find it a bit unmotivating at this time, since I’d probably be uncomfortable to potentially learn (and spar) alongside teenagers and younger adults. Anyone have a recommendation, or should I consider boxing as a way to stay fit?
Allison
April 2nd, 2010 at 12:06 am
Juan
If your planning to go pro in boxing then it’s also too late for you. But if you’re just in it for the fitness aspect then it’s the perfect sport to get into. Although most martial arts schools don’t have an age limit in accepting students, some martial arts styles are best learned when started at a younger age. It doesn’t mean you can’t learn it, just that it’ll be harder for you to get started and you need to be really motivated to take it up, old age does come with some physical disadvantages, especially in the flexibility and stretching department. So Wushu, Tae Kwon Do and Capoeira for example would be a bit difficult to adjust to if you never had any background in martial arts or in physical activities that involve balance and flexibility. But there are some martial arts that you can start at your age without any problem whatsoever. Boxing and Kickboxing for example or Jujitsu, Judo and Aikido or even Karate. But I have to agree, the easiest and most readily available would have to be boxing. Like I said, it all depends on how motivated you really are to start martial arts training. If physical fitness is your only motivation,then you’re better off taking up athletic sports like basketball or weightlifting. But if you really want to learn how to defend yourself then you need to choose what martial art you believe will fit you best.
April 3rd, 2010 at 10:58 pm
Katelyn
only a fool doesnt practice martial arts because of age. im 17 and i train in my kung fu class with people around 33. my master started when he was 35, one lower level master started when he was 40, the other at 38. There are 2 kids of 15 and 2 who are black belt, and an other whos 14. Im a white sash but i beat my yellow sash partner evrytime we compete.
Age doesnt matter at all, what matters is how hard your work, the kids who got there early and are black belts doesnt even care about martial arts anymore, just because i have more emotionall content i can beat them anyday. Dont let something as stupid as age stop you from your dreams, and if people do tell you that, its because they love to see people with potential fail, because they are themselves losers. Matter fact, black belts ur age are better because theyr level of focus to their martial art keeps growing, unlike these stupid little kids
April 4th, 2010 at 8:30 am
Wyatt
Personally Ive always been a fan of Karate just because its mostly 50% upper body and 50% lower body. Tae Kwon do is nice but its really mostly kicks which you may or may not like.
I Studied Kenpo and shotokan karate. I liked Kenpo better. It was less sparing oriented. The shotokan place I went to was too hard core, the instructor was crazy.
I wouldnt really get into judo or aikido if your not into joint pain. People say with those your spend your first year on your back(after being thrown that is!)
but if you can take it, its cool.
April 6th, 2010 at 5:18 pm
Taylor
No, not too late. In my TKD class (true that I’m one of the youngest) there are a lot of older people—a lot older than 27. You would be able to keep up find, and even if you aren’t then the older ones sit out for a few of the things we do. Of course, it will be harder when you just start.
I hope you enjoy martial arts!
April 9th, 2010 at 2:19 pm
Kimberly
I started at 29, did 5 years in a kung fu school, left when it became obvious I wasn’t learning to fight, and started BJJ at age 35.
Just go train, you’ll be glad you did.
Boxing is a legitimate martial art, by the way, don’t feel it has to involve wearing pyjamas.
April 10th, 2010 at 3:15 am
Liam
It’s never too late to start. The best one to start with is the one you like the most. Pull out the phone book, call up some local schools, set up a time to go in and watch the class, some schools even offer a free lesson, or free week of training. Try them all, and only then pick which one works best for you.
April 11th, 2010 at 7:37 pm
Vanessa
Most people in aikido are after 30, so you might be too young, but it shouldn’t stop you. Karate seems to be more attractive for younger people. I guess, you should start from the art which you want to learn.
Your age doesn’t matter much, but your motivation seems to be not very strong, so that could become a problem. Martial art training is often lifestyle-changing, requires some time and effort.
April 15th, 2010 at 6:36 am
Riley
no i dont think your to old…my uncle is a karate master and mastering in two other belts now and hes in his 40′s his name is Paul Snider and he has a web site you can check out it has snapdragon in its address but i cant remember the whole thing…if i find it ill post it for you
April 18th, 2010 at 8:34 am
Grace
No,I started at 44,still training four years later.We have many students older than me.You need to find what style/school
is right for you.
April 20th, 2010 at 6:47 pm
Savannah
No, it’s never too late to start studying a martial art. The one to start with is up to you: check out schools in your area(or try a rec center/YMCA). Talk to the instructors. Then pick the one you feel most comfortable with.
April 23rd, 2010 at 3:10 am
Michael
I started Tae Kwon Do at age 44. While there comes a point when your body won’t hold up, 27 is plenty young. Find a good school in your area don’t worry about what it is called. Remember EVERYONE starts out as a beginner. We all remember what it is like. There is no reason to feel uncomfortable.
April 23rd, 2010 at 5:01 pm
Julian
Great question and I have to say it is never too late to improve yourself. I received my first black belt at age 36 and I just recently started training and competing in BJJ (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu). I’m 37 now and love competing with the younger guys on my team.
BJJ changed my life. I lost 50lbs and got back down to a 32 waste. I’m in as good a shape as I was at age 19. All but a few of the guys in my gym are younger than me but we have a couple of 50 year olds that do quite well as well.
Find an art you love and get involved. Anything worth doing will take time to get good at. When approaching a martial art take time to find an art that meets your needs. Personally I train in Kung Fu San Soo (I also teach our children’s class) And I also train and compete in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as KFSS is not a sport. And I personally wanted to compete in submission grappling.
Get to know the art and school where you want to train. Speak to the instructor and find out how they were trained. Visit a couple of classes and talk to other students get to know who they are and why they train. Find out if you like the instructor and the school as well. You will be spending a lot of time and money there so find one that meets your needs.
Get in to it! Martial Arts are great and you will learn all kinds of things about yourself through training and potnetially competing.
You’re still young so enjoy!
Good luck.
KK
April 26th, 2010 at 9:30 am
Jayden
Never too late! I’m in the International TaeKwonDo Alliance and I know lots of people who have started TKD recently and been over the age of 30. I didn’t start until I was 18. The ITA is really good about letting you train at your own pace, and chances are that you will definitely NOT be the oldest on in class. (My Instructor did not start until he was 30 and now he’s a Certified Instructor and a 4th degree.) Also, frame size/body type/physical fitness level is not an issue in these classes. Everyone is welcome.
April 28th, 2010 at 6:12 pm
Angelina
I thought I started late at 15, but I was wrong. there are a lot of older beginners in taekwondo, and yes, some even older than you. Taekwondo, though usually is a very physically demanding sport, also requires a lot of values, especially discipline, like almost all sports do.
It’s also advisable that you start stretching about a week before you start, because, yes we do a lot of straining exercises and stretching to reach desired form. Our bodies, as younger people are a bit more subtle, so it’s easier for us. But I think, for people your age, it will be advisable to get your body used to it first.