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Martial Arts Workouts For Men Over 40

By: Master Alan Zuckerman When a man over 40 begins martial arts workouts they should have a special name: Kung Old Fool, Tae Kwon Old, Health Care-a-te or Senior Do. If anyone asks about my health I usually reply, "I'm aging too fast to get in shape."

I discovered taekwondo in my forties. A series of seemingly random circumstances took me to the school of the Grandmaster who would become my teacher, 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 yearned to be deadly...and great 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)

Believe in the long term. Those are words I live by. Always pay attention to what your body is telling you, not just what your mind wants. Too many adults come to their martial arts class believing they are still 21 only to try too hard or stretch too much because it was easy when they were younger.

Instructors motivate an entire class, with a wide range of age and skills. Your mind will tell you that you can still do it, but your body may need a little more time. Short term, overachieving goals in taekwondo lead to injuries and injuries lead to quitting and acquiescing to the myth that you are too old for this sport.

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, see Kalynn Amadio's terrific martial arts website Taekwondo-Network and learn more about mens workouts in tae kwon do when you're over 40. Remember, age is only a number.

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