Are basic martial arts easy to learn? Is 21 too old to start?

Question

I'm referring to the defense style. I have always wanted to learn to defend myself without a weapon. I have never studied any of it but my dad was good when he was young. What do you think? Are there any suggestions for a specific type?

Answer 1

You are not too old, I was 38 when I started. Check out some of the dojos in your area, talk to some of the students, the senseis, watch a few classes. Everyone will tell you that whatever style that they are studying is the best. By doing a little research, you will be able to see which you think you will be comfortable with. Two bits of advice, never sign a contract saying that you will pay regardless of whether you go to class or not (some places do this), and if a school tells you that you will get your black belt in 3 years or less, run. Rank should be awarded on ability, not on the calendar. Good luck.

Answer 2

I think you should take tae kwon do. It will teach you many useful techniques to defend yourself but also focuses on mind training. Only take martial artsif you are serious about it and wont quit in six months...If you keep at it you can learn some really amazing stuff. In martial arts you are never too old to start. Tae kwon do teaches you to never put a limit on yourself. If you say or think you cant kick the ceiling your not. But if you really beleive you can you can. Sure experiance helps but anyone can do it if you know you can do it. Ive seen 65 year old people earning blackbelts and really Kicking !@#. But make sure you find a good place that is world tae kwon do federation certified or else your probably getting ripped off. So get into martial arts it will be very useful and fun!

Answer 3

No I don't think martial arts is easy to learn. It takes a lot of practice and commitment. Even for defense you need practice. If you learn defense moves and never use them when you need them you will probably freeze up. Practice makes perfect. 21 is not to old to learn. I started taking Tae Kwon Do when I was about 33 and made it up to the second yellow belt before I stopped. It is a lot of exercise if you really work it correctly. It is also a lot of fun. There are many different forms of martial arts so check them out to make sure they are what you want before you begin the training. You will feel so much more confident as well as healthy.

Answer 4

No 21 isn't too old at all and martial arts should be easy to learn. If it's hard to learn like Kung Fu then it's worthless. However it do take practice to be good at it though.

Don't look at the style. Look at how they train. If they have you stand in row and throw a punch/kick on command, multi attacker scene, roleplay where the person do perfectly as they're told to without try to avoid or resist you, then RUN AWAY!!!

If they make you gasp for air, spar hard, do lot of pads and bag works, roll/grappling almost every night, have you do real live sparring and stuff then this is the school you want.

Those that usually do realistic teaching are following but not limited to:

Muay Thai, boxing, jiu jitsu, judo, sambo, wrestling, and few more.

It's better if you cross train in two diferent arts.

Think about this, if you want to learn drive, would you trust someone who say they don't teach you how to drive on street because it's dangerous but they will teach you how to drive in a car that don't run. Would you really trust this person to teach you how to drive?

Answer 5

Never too old...I would avoid Tae Kwon Do or any school that has a focus on competition fighting. There is a real differance between competition and street fighting. I suggest also avoiding any school that does not offer class for more than 4 or 5 hours a week (I practice about 10 hours a week), offer weapons class free (you learn how they are used and how to defend against them), charges more than $125/student (large cities such as NY, San Fran, LA) or $75 for smaller cities.
I would also make sure that the class actively spars with people of differant sizes and ranks. Avoid a school that only teams you up against people of your sex (big warning sign).
Learn from someone that is higher than a first degree black belt (your main instructor should be at least 3rd degree or higher). Its ok to have classes taught by a 1st degree, but you should have a master there to teach.
Make sure they do stretches and excercise for 15 min before you start teaching.

Arts: Hapkido (good blend of Aikido, Jujitsu, Tae Kwon Do and boxing/Karate), Kempo (but focus more on strength), Jujitsu. (more ground fighting). Don't be frustrated though...I have been doing Hapkido for two years and it takes a few months to learn but years to get it really good. And don't pay attention to the belt...I have sparred belts much higher and won again and again -- what you learn is in your heart, muscles, and brain.

Best of luck.

Answer 6

I started Kung Fu (wushu) when I was 19 and didn't have any trouble at all. Of course I'm going to suggest that (it's a good defensive style with a lot of really great movement), but karate is also good. Avoid mixed martial arts styles and kickboxing if you're looking for just defense (but kickboxing is a great workout). Aikido focuses a lot on grappling and throws, but it's pretty ok defensive wise too. Good luck, and have fun!

Answer 7

21 years old is definately not old, and no it not too old to start.

But if you are only looking to defend yourself, i'm sure you could find a cheap and local self defence seminar/classes. those are faster to learn and they are practical in avoiding drangerous places, avoiding fights, and how to defend and run from a fight, because in real self defence situation you are going to escape from a hold or swing a punch to get yourself out of a corner, and then run for authorities.

Now if you want to learn to fight fast, an actual fight 'til one of the person's out type, then i'd combine kick boxing and jujitsu or brazilian jujitsu. jujitsu isn't fast to learn, but it helps with the ground work and kick boxing might be fast to learn but takes a while to master. But they are the fastest way to get pretty good at fighting pretty fast.

or you could just invent something of your own. just imagine, when you are bored, being assualted where you are or a place that you are familiar with and what would be the best way to fight them. then just practice the moves that you came up with. i mean the guys who invented the martial arts probably started like that. of course those martial arts gone through a lot of masters who tried out those styles and revised it couple of hundred times. ^^

Answer 8

Twenty-one is ABSOLUTELY not too old to learn. It takes a lot of work, especially if you're out of shape (or inflexible, like me). But it's certainly worth it. I was twenty-one when I started.

My teacher was in her thirties before she started, and a few years later, I wouldn't cross her for the world! Tae Kwon Do is a good one, as there is not as much of a focus on weapons in the early belt levels. I took a class at my college and we learned quite a bit about defending against weapons with bare hands and feet. Good luck!

Answer 9

i belive you basic martial arts are easy to learn. and no 21 is not to old to start. In keeping fit and learning martial arts you make yourself a better person no matter what age your at. and if a dojo tell you other wise they are foolish because i would train you

Answer 10

First, you are never too old to start. You have to be willing to invest the time and effort to do it. There will be some pain involve at first, until you get used to the routine and movements.

Second, you take what you really interested in doing. Any good dojo/studio will ease you into it and not throw you into the fire. So it depends on what you want to learn.

Good Luck!