Martial Arts: Am I too old?

Raz said:
I'm a very short guy and always assumed knowing some fighting/defense techniques would help in case I was ever picked on by tall bullies.

Any advice appreciated, especially on what would be good for a shorty like me.
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Keep well away from them tall bullies.

Richie said:
No you wont.... You HONESTLY think you look 18-20 when you are really 33?
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He actually might, depending on ethnicity etc. Some people of, e.g. East Asian or Indian origin, may be in their early 30s but look like a white dude is his early 20s.
 
Although you're nowhere near to old to start Martial Arts, I'd personally get into some form of shape before attempting it. I trained in Martial Arts for 22 years (Shotokan Karate and Kickboxing) and looking back wished I'd put the effort into the strength and conditioning side of things more early on.

Sure, you'll get fitter by actually doing Martial Arts but as mentioned by Richdog above, you'll set yourself up for repeated and long term injury if you go straight into it without the leg strength and flexibility you need to do even the most basic of kicks properly.

Having had to go through the hassle of two hip arthroscopies and a BHR hip resurface, I'd recommend you stay away from kicking styles until your body is ready.

Don't let that put you off however, they're great fun and a real challenge, they certainly changed my outlook on life and undoubtedly improved my stamina, strength and confidence.
 
MoNkeE said:
Raz is my nick name on virtually every game I play, ever since Aliens vs Predator on Wireplay. You stole my name, I went to create Raz and it said i wasn't allowed.

I hate you.

Deeply and passionately.
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You played AvP on wireplay?! I used to use wireplay years ago!
 
Richdog said:
You don't need a winkey smiley to spot obvious sarcasm. If you do then you're not very bright. ;)
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or a literal thinker who struggles with abstract concepts etc ;)

I'm autistic and my brain just automatically takes everything as "literal" sometimes i get it moments later other times I can't tell a persons true meaning.
I have a normal IQ though.

dave28 said:
Did you not hear about that guy who ran a marathon everyday for a month, he was older than you I think.
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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbi...ga-seven-week-marathon-blisters-blisters.html
Eddie Izzard crosses the finish line in London's Trafalgar Square after completing the equivalent of 43 marathons in 51 days

The transvestite comedian whose epic 1,105-mile journey raised £200,000 for Sport Relief has finally hung up his trainers.
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‘I don’t think what I did was amazing. Anyone can do it.’

That, however, is debatable. Izzard clocked up more than 27 miles – further than a marathon – every day, six days a week, since he set off on July 26.

The man who trained for only five weeks before his Herculean effort found things became much easier once he hit the road.
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Ones own perception of your capability is all you should be questioning. Age is a concept, not a limiting factor. Master martial artists are ancient because of their state of mind. I know of 2 people starting martial arts in their fifties and attaining their shodan one is going on to try for his Nidan soon.
 
You never too old to start martial arts.

I practice Kendo and it's a martial art where anyone at any age can practice. There are people who are in their late 90's who are still training.
 
ShortWarning said:
Absolutely not. Many top athletes and fighters are in their late 30's - early 40's and will probably train into their late 60's!
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they have most likely been training for several decades unlike OP.

he is too old to become a top athlete or fighter, but not too old to do the training.

but his best day's are fading, if he really wanted to be successful in it you have to start young, but he could do it now as a hobby more than competing.
 
Psycho Sonny said:
they have most likely been training for several decades unlike OP.

he is too old to become a top athlete or fighter, but not too old to do the training.

but his best day's are fading, if he really wanted to be successful in it you have to start young, but he could do it now as a hobby more than competing.
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there will be people his skill level he can spar with though.
It's not like he's going to join some martial arts class and get stuck in training with the best people who go there.

most places do classes for all ages and all skill levels and more people than you think only do it to keep fit and active
 
Psycho Sonny said:
they have most likely been training for several decades unlike OP.

he is too old to become a top athlete or fighter, but not too old to do the training.

but his best day's are fading, if he really wanted to be successful in it you have to start young, but he could do it now as a hobby more than competing.
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I never said he could become a top fighter. ;)
 
Psycho Sonny said:
they have most likely been training for several decades unlike OP.

he is too old to become a top athlete or fighter, but not too old to do the training.

but his best day's are fading, if he really wanted to be successful in it you have to start young, but he could do it now as a hobby more than competing.
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Makes me wonder if there are professional athletes who started in their 30s and found success....
 
Psycho Sonny said:
but his best day's are fading, if he really wanted to be successful in it you have to start young, but he could do it now as a hobby more than competing.

he is too old to become a top athlete or fighter, but not too old to do the training.
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Not so. If he quite literally gave up on life and did NOTHING aside from training, day in day out, it would still be possible.

inability to reach elite levels in inexperienced adults has more to do with life commitments than it does genuine physical impossibility
 
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