Is 26 to old to learn extreme martial arts?

Question

I'm 26 and I study martial arts I want to learn extreme
martial arts, is 26 to old to start?

Answer 1

No, in my opinion 26 is not too old.

You say that you are already studying martial arts. It sounds like you just need to expand your skills. If you are currently studying a striking art then maybe begin with a teacher who knows a ground style, Judo, Wrestling, and some submissions. You don't have to master your weak points, just be capable of defending against them. The same advice would go for someone who is studying grappling already, but needs to learn striking.

You actually might have some advantages mentally with a mature mind.

Answer 2

"Extreme Martial Arts" ?.....Be careful what you mean to say. But I know what you mean. Well, I don't think it is legal for "extreme" martial arts to be taught in the U.S. if that is where you live. (like so) But you can make ANY martial art become extreme. Just teach yourself to be taught in an extreme way. I practice Tien Shan Pai Kung Fu, and I bang myself up doing it. I go to the dojo once a week, but I train and work out every day. The "extreme" part of the martial art depends on the student. You have to be willing to MEET the extremes. Tien Shan Pai is very much an internal art. Not like Wing Chun, or another hard style of Kung Fu, but I train very seriously. I put all my effort into a punch or a kick, as I do putting all of my effort into doing a push-up. But I like said, I don't think it is legal in the U.S. for an extreme martial art to be taught. Because you know what that means? A badass teacher. They have to make their students tough, strong, and disciplined by the ways they used to a long time ago. (Whip, hand across the face, broken fingers and toes, etc.) Doing that is illegal. Pretty much abuse. What my teacher does is he'll hit us on the heads with a punching pad or he'll make us do things until we get it right, or give him 50 push-ups, or 25 more punches or kicks, etc. THAT isn't illegal. But be careful, and find an excellent teacher.

Answer 3

You are never too old. I'm guessing the extreme relates to Mixed Martial Arts. I'm 37 and train and teach weekly in two different arts (four to five nights per week). Most of the guys I roll with in BJJ are in their 20's. You would fit right in. Our team has a number of guys in their 40's and 50's.

I earned my black belt in Kung Fu San Soo last year and I will most likely earn my bkacl belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in the next decade.

Go for it and enjoy your training. Not sure if you want to fight in the cage or simply train for fun but either way focus on one discipline at a time until you have a strong foundation in the system. Then move on to the areas you lack experience. I would start with BJJ and add a stand up striking foundation (Boxing, Muy Thai, KFSS etc...).

You will have ups and downs, you have injuries to deal with. The main objective is to learn everytime you touch the mat and find a gym that feel comfortable with the folks that train you and train with you daily. If you don't like your gym you are sure to fail.

Good luck and welcome to martial arts. It's a KICK!!!

KK

Answer 4

26 is not too old to learn. If you are like me, you probably have between 2 and four years left until your metabolism changes. What happens then is that you will not get as much benefit from your training. In other words things will begin to slow down.

If you are wanting to compete, you can do that within six months to a year after beginning your training. You'll be starting out against others who will also be making their debuts, so it will be equal ground. This means you can compete quite effectively for at least three years, who knows, maybe longer!

Get started right away and train hard, but be careful not to injure yourself by overtraining. You don't want to set yourself back waiting for an injury to heal.

Have fun!

Answer 5

Absolutely not! Learning XMA has nothing to do with age -- it has to do with will power and your own skills.

If you know you want to train in XMA, there's the will. The rest depends on your stamina and flexibility. Also, you will need to find a school that will accept an "old" student. I own a Tae Kwon Do school and have wanted to train in XMA for years, but no one would take me on because I'm "old." I even contacted several gymnastics academies to learn the standing flips and aerials necessary for XMA. I was told no repeatedly; someone finally explained that USA Gymnastics (the governing body for gymnastics in the US) will not insure a gymnastics academy that teaches students over the age of 18!

I finally found a gymnatics coach through the local university, one of the male gymnastics team members. With his help, I'm finally learning the moves to incorporate into XMA so that I can compete at that higher level rather than just limit myself to traditional forms. I'm 41, by the way.

To find an XMA school near you, check http://www.xmarevolution.com ... good luck!

Answer 6

In 4 years you will be 30. You can be 30 without martial arts knowledge and discipline or you can be 30 with it. The arts are not something you study, they are something you live.

Answer 7

What are "extreme martial arts"?

In any case 26 is not too old for any martial art training.

Answer 8

it depends on what you mean by extreme martial arts. Many martial art schools won't exactly break your bones each time you walk in the door.

Answer 9

No, usually people start at about 24 yrs old. That is usually when you have bought a house, or finished school, or have extra time and money to learn martial arts.

Answer 10

It's all in how you train. If this is what you really want then go for it. You could be good enough in 5-10 years to be in your prime. Just look at Liddell and Couture. Chuck is almost 40 and Couture is over 40. Train hard!