Too old for MA?

M

mill9312

Joined
Apr 12, 2005
Messages
2
Hi -
I am new and this is my first post. I will turn 32 in May and have all of a sudden become interested in martial arts ( maybe because I have a wife and kids and I want to feel like I can protect them - plus she is very against firearms). Anyway FMA seems to be a favorite of many - but my question is: Am I too old to start a FMA program. I ask because I know these things take years of training not beacause I think 32 is old. Anyway I know it may seem like a silly question, but feedback will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Clint
 
not a chance-I started at 28. FMA is easier to me over the long term on your body than some other arts.
 
yes its true the the younger you are the better you will comprehend the martial arts because when younger all you do is take in the info....but at your age you can apply it....so your never to old unless you think you are MAs are more then just physical.....Happy MAs to you.... :D :D :D :D :D
 
Many styles of FMA were meant to be learned in a relatively short period of time. These were fighting techniques of humble people who had to work for a living, not a pampered warrior class. Of course there is a difference between learning the basics and mastery, but I don't think there is any age that is too old to start.

Best regards,

Argyll
 
Too old!?! Hell no...At 32, I was in the best shape of my life. At 42, I can still hold my own with the youngsters. I just wish I had the joints of a 32 year old. All my martial arts life, I seem to be one of the oldest in the class. I am easily 10 to 12 years older than most of the people that I train with. Age has little to do with how good you are.

One thing that about aging and marial arts or sports for that matter has to do with injuries. When I get injuried now, it just takes sooo long to heal. Some of my injuries have never healed and I just live with them. Ice and Ibuprofin are now my training companions.

If your heart calls for you to train in the Martial Arts, Got for it..

Good luck,

S.
 
Argyll said:
Many styles of FMA were meant to be learned in a relatively short period of time. These were fighting techniques of humble people who had to work for a living, not a pampered warrior class. Of course there is a difference between learning the basics and mastery, but I don't think there is any age that is too old to start.
Click to expand...

I was going to make exactly the same point. If you come upon a system that "takes years of training", find a better system. Obviously, the more you train, the better you'll become, but you should be able to learn and apply the basics quickly.
 
Thanks for the encouragement. Now I have to see if there is a FMA school in my area. If not is there a reletively quick way to compare and contrast other MA styles?
Clint
 
I'm 48 and started MA training at 44 (cross training in BJJ, judo and kick boxing), and added Eskrima about a year after that. There are no shortcuts, quick fixes, magic bullets or super-secret devastating techniques, just a lot of hard work and dedication. You get out of it what you put in to it. I wouldn't worry about which MA style so much as finding a good school with good instructors and students, and making an honest self-assessment before you start. It's a lifelong journey, the rewards along the way are great!
 
I started in Tang soo do when i was twenty, I started FMA when i was 23, i'm 32 now & the FMA is alot easier on my Body & i Feel i will be able to do it long after i'm done training in Tang soo do...

Your still young!

Peace :D
 
I'm 44 and I'm training. I started when I was 18, but my wife, who is now training with me started about a year ago when she was 43.

In my opinion, the only real age-related difference you need to keep in mind is that us mature folks heal more slowly than the kids do. Start, by all means, but give yourself a chance to get in shape for the activity, and build up to full speed over a month or two, rather than diving in your first class and damaging yourself through inexperience. That said, I've really only noticed this phenomenon the last 5 years or so. At 32, this may not be much of a problem for you.
 
Hello All,

Age is a state of mind! (Well also of Body!!) 32 and you are still young enough to heal quickly, as many of my friends, instructors and students will tell you (i'm 40) and I can continue to push my limits in training all the time. It does take a little longer in the recovery process but it can be done in a consistent manner with a well integrated work out, nutrition and flexibility routine.

Gumagalang
Guro Steve L.

www.Bujinkandojo.net
 
You are never to old to learn to protect yourself or your family. Find a style that fits you, I like Krav Maga. Aggressive and easy to learn, but like any MA you need to find a good school and a teacher. I also started taking a filipino stick and knife fighting class, that for some reason, I find very relaxing after my Krav Class. After spending 1 1/2hrs being brutal with strong, harsh moves, its nice to relax with smooth fluid movements.
 
In the past I've studied Northern Shaolin Wu Shu, Tae Kwon Do, Jeet Kune Do and Kali/Escrima.

Kali (FMA) was the easiest of the four for me to learn. I won't say that you'll master it in a month, but the use of sticks in training really helps to develop a "bio-mechanic" feel you won't get without their use.

The movements learned using the sticks translate well to empty hand movements as with the use of improvised weapons such as rolled up magazines or ball point pens.
 
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