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 found martial arts while in my forties. Random events carried me to the gym of my future instructor, 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.

When you practice tae kwon do as a fully formed adult, you don't necessarily have different expectations than when you start as a child. Expectations formed by Bruce Lee, David Caradine, James Bond, Napoleon Solo and all the TV shows and movies of the 1950's, and 60's.

I just wanted to be deadly…and really handsome!

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.

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).

Tae kwon do has been a seed planted inside me. When I give it what it needs to grow, it takes root. If you have started this journey, you know what I'm saying. But if tae kwon do is new to you, I guarantee you that great changes are coming. Should you be starting later in life, like I did, I want to give you this equation:

Middle Aged = (patience + resolve)-(litheness + 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.

No way!

You cannot comprehend the journey with a single step; you can only comprehend a single step of the journey, so stick with it.

If a teacher is asking too much just remember, you're an adult student and age has its advantages. A good master will see your limitations and teach you in view of that which is where you build trust. And shy of that, trust your inner master.

I know I'm too old for Rock-n-roll, but I'm definitely too young to give it up.

About the Author:

Before you choose if your too old for martial arts, visit Kalynn Amadio's terrific martial arts website Taekwondo-Network and learn more about mens workouts in tae kwon do when you're over 40. Keep in mind that, age is only a number.