Can Men Over 40 Survive Martial Arts Workouts?
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 came to tae kwon do in my forties. A confluence of circumstances brought me to the school of Grandmaster Byung Min Kim.
First, I was out to dinner with an old friend whom, I discovered, was a black belt in tae kwon do. He had been practicing, on and off, since he was a child. Also, I had a young son who I thought would benefit from a martial arts program. Finally, I had a chance meeting with my future Master. I am a retail real estate broker, and I had the good fortune of offering a store to Grandmaster Kim. I didn't sell him, but luckily he sold me.
Your expectation when you practice martial arts as a full grown adult are no different than those of any starry eyed kid. Expectations sculpted by legends like James Bond, Bruce Lee, Napoleon Solo and David Caradine in the television 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 had been an avid exerciser in my 20's, I had pushed off that regular routine after getting married and having children. But now in my forties, I couldn't breath during simple recreational tennis or volleyball. The simplest workout found me out of breath. I no longer had the endurance 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:
Grown Up = (patience + determination)-(suppleness + hair)
Work for the long run is the best advice I can give you. Listen to the needs of your body, not just your mind. I have witnessed many adults in class with the mindset of a 21 year old. They work too hard, push too far in order to get what used to be simple.
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.
Nonsense!
You cannot comprehend the journey with a single step; you can only comprehend a single step of the journey, so 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.
Before you choose if your too old for martial arts, see Kalynn Amadio's great martial arts website http://www.taekwondo-network.com/ Taekwondo-Network and find out more about http://www.taekwondo-network.com/mens-workouts.html mens workouts in tae kwon do when you're over 40. Keep in mind that, age is only a number.
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