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I'm Over 40. Is It Too Late To Begin Martial Arts Workouts?

By: Master Alan Zuckerman If you begin martial arts workouts when you are over 40 prepare for the jokes: Tae Kwon Old, Senior Do, Health Care-a-te or Kung Old Fool. When someone asks me in the locker room about getting in shape I joke, "I'm aging so fast, I can't see my shape let alone get in it."

I came to tae kwon do in my forties. A confluence of circumstances brought me to the school of Grandmaster Byung Min Kim.

The first event occurred while I was having dinner with an old friend. He revealed that he had studied martial arts since he was a boy and had earned a black belt in tae kwon do. My son was young at the time, and I considered the benefit for him of studying some form of martial arts. Finally, I met the Master of my future school. I work as a retail real estate broker, and happened to offer a store to Grandmaster Kim. I didn't close that sale, but fortunately he sold me on 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 wanted to be lethal...and good looking!

Not long after I started my new mens workout, I visited my doctor because I was certain I was suffering an attack of the appendicitis. He guaranteed me that it was just soreness from all the sit-ups. I was merely out of shape.

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.

It was time to try something new. That very week saw me starting piano lessons and tae kwon do (don't ask, middle age is very 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:

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.

Forget it!

You can't see the entire road in just one mile; you must understand each mile of the road, and stick to it.

When you feel your instructor is pushing too hard, remember you're an adult and age has its privileges. A good teacher will realize your limits and help you reach your personal best, this is where trust between teacher and student comes from. In lieu of that, trust your inner voice.

Though I may be too old for Rock N Roll, I'm too young to die.

Article Source: http://www.lifeweightloss.com

Before you choose if your too old for martial arts, visit Kalynn Amadio's great martial arts website Taekwondo-Network and find out more about mens workouts in tae kwon do when you're over 40. Remember, age is only a number. Get a totally unique version of this article from our article submission service

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