Am I too old to start Martial Arts?

When you go online, you’ll see ripped men hitting pads, fit women in jiu-jitsu gear throwing people. It all looks fast-paced, high energy.

And you might think: “Am I too old for this?”

The answer is no. You just need to be smart about it.

The answer

First, understand what martial arts actually does, assess your personal situation, and then adjust accordingly.

You don’t need to be young, and you don’t need to be in perfect shape. What matters more is your attitude, your expectations, and your willingness to build gradually.

The general benefits of martial arts as you age

The obvious answer is fitness.

But it goes further than that. You stay mentally sharp by learning a new skill and applying techniques under pressure.

• combat loneliness by building real connections
• improve mental health by overcoming yourself
• reduce the risk of chronic disease by building muscle and losing fat

How to prepare

Martial arts is good for you, but it does place stress on the body.

We don’t want you breaking down unnecessarily, so it makes sense to prepare properly.

General strength & conditioning

General strength and conditioning will do wonders. If you’re interested, we’ve got a few options:

• Women-only fitness with Kiley
• Functional fitness with Willem
• Active men’s group every Saturday

Training on your own

It is also definitely possible to prepare at home. If this is your preferred way of doing things, here is what I would recommend:

• dragging and pushing sleds
• carrying and lifting sandbags or balls
• swinging kettlebells, maces, or clubs
• animal flow, pilates, or yoga
• some form of hanging

What martial art should you choose?

You can start any martial art at any age, but some are better suited for people who are just starting out.

Aikido

Aikido is a good starting point. It focuses on movement rather than fighting.

You’ll be falling, being thrown, and dealing with joint locks. It can take a little bit of time to get used to, but overall it is very manageable.

Karate

Karate would be next. It involves more fitness and a bit of fighting, with faster-paced movement.

The main challenges here are general conditioning and getting comfortable with contact.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Then jiu-jitsu. A ground-based martial art that is excellent for muscular endurance.

Early challenges usually show up as stiffness and fatigue. If you learn to slow things down, choose the right training partner, and train at your own pace, you’ll be fine.

Kickboxing

Last is kickboxing. Fast-paced, challenging, but also very rewarding.

It helps to have a base level of fitness and some familiarity with striking before jumping in.

More info on our Martial Arts classes and the initial challenges, can be found via here

Takeaway message

Forget age for a second and think about your body and mind.

What do you think happens if you remove all challenge from your life? That’s right — you grow old. You stop moving, and you slowly start to back out of life.

Look, we’re all going to die one day. So why not actually live until then? Why not make yourself useful, and explore every nook and cranny of your mind and body?

Why not turn yourself into an example for others?

See you there. Peace ✌️

Strong body & Stable mind

Willem van Zanten