Can anyone recommend a martial art for me?

Question

I am 38 years old and in the worst shape of my life. I'm overweight and in alot of pain from past sports injuries. I was a gymnast for 15 years and abused my body for most of those years. Someone told me that martial arts would be good for me, but I'm skeptical. Thanks for any advice.

Answer 1

People are usually drawn to martial arts for two specific reasons:

1. To learn self-protection
2. The mental aspects of the art, the mental discipline, etc.

The way you ask the question leads me to believe swimming and some light weight lifting would do you more good getting into shape.

Answer 2

Hi there

All arts are different and taught differently so my only advice is to take time out and try a few. Most decent clubs should make you feel welcome and will give you your first class for free. Some arts are grappling some are striking. Some are martial sports and others martial arts. So it really depends on what you want to get from your training. Which ever you choose make sure the classes are run in a safe and professional manner. You should be able to tell within the first 5 minutes if a class is for you. If you get that gut feeling that somethings not right then the styles probably not for you. Remember you can aways use the Internet to check out most styles and organisations to see whats what if your not too sure.

Don't worry about your age or injuries. A good instructor should never make you do anything you don't feel comfortable with. And age is all in the mind. ;-)

Good luck with your training.

Best wishes

idai

Answer 3

When you ask such an open-ended question as this you are going to get answers from most that reflect their own preferences and biases which might not work for you.

1 - Get your phone book and go to the martial arts section of the yellow pages.
2 - Call the schools and learn their hours, then ask to observe a class or two. Watch a class or two and see what a typical class is like. Leave if you hear the instructor say something to the class like "we're going to do something different tonight because we have a visitor" because they're either going to show off or hide what they normally do. Neither is a good thing.
3- Make notes of what you like and dislike about each school.
4 - Find out the cost of monthly classes, testing fees for promotions, whether or not a long term contract is required and if you are required to make all uniform and weapon purchases through the dojo (you should be able to buy your gear anywhere, not just the dojo).
5 - Talk to the instructor and learn the focus of the school (tournaments, self defense, personal development, etc.).
6 - Talk to some of the students and get their impressions of what training at the school is like. Make sure you talk to the newest students as well as the long term students.
7 - Make a decision and then GO.
8 - Learn and have fun.

Answer 4

It's more important to find the right club or school and teachers than it is to choose a particular style. Here are some guidelines for evaluating a school:
The school should let you and in fact should encourage you to observe a class, even take a free class or two.
The instructors should be unfailingly polite, respectful, and cheerful to the students.
Classes should look organized, with instruction appearing to follow a lesson plan.
Students should behave respectfully and attentively at all times, and should continue their respectful behavior when class is finished.
There should never be any roughhousing or dangerous play, or displays of temper on anyone's part.
If there are women in the class, they should be treated the same as the men, not given constant concessions to their supposed fragility, yet not brutalised or otherwise singled out. (If there are no women (or men), it might be a good idea to ask why.)
Young students or children should be given the same respect as adults, and should in turn learn about managing their own discipline and being resepectful to others, helping to equip them for the long years ahead.
The key to recognising a good school is to watch how they treat students without natural athletic ability. Do instructors focus only on the stars, leaving the strugglers to muddle along as best they can? Do they point out struggling students for ridicule? Do they appear irritated at questions or requests for help? All of these are trouble signs.
In the end, the best guide is your gut feeling and bearing in mind that you are not stuck for life with your decision. If it turns out that the school just doesn't suit you, don't give up on martial arts entirely. Be patient and persistent, and you will find the right place to train.

Answer 5

It depends on what your purpose is to have a martial arts.

Since you mentioned you had past sports injuries i think you should do some tai chi first just check it out . And if it's too slow for you , you can go try out these:

1. tai kwan do
2.karate
3.chinese gong fu
4.wushu
5.kick boxing
6. boxing
7capoeira (it's a brazilian martial arts )
8.aikido (japanese martials arts)

Since you were a gymnast for 15 years and assuming you are still flexible ,i recommend you doing some capoeira tai kwan do , chinese gong fu, and wushu.These martial arts needs alot of flexibility .

If you're not as flexible anymore and you just want some good work out then try the others . But do remember to consult the instructor /teacher about your injuries.

oh one more thing , enjoy which ever you choose so that you can have the best results.

Good luck and take care !

Answer 6

I don't take much martials I just take chinese martial arts. There are two martial arts that I have in mind. Since I don't know what your injuries is I will list two martial arts. One Tai Chi which is slow and soft. The second is Wing Chun which don't have any high kick, high jumps, flying kicks. If you are a lady I would highly recommend Wing Chun. Wing Chun is an unique high level kung fu system founded by a woman. By the way this is the system that I'm taking. Wing Chun is a highly aggressive art. Blocks are more in the nature of a deflection, which set up a hit in retaliation.The system was make famous by Bruce Lee in the west. I would highly recommend Wing Chun not because that I am taking it. It is because I have friends that have injuries and take Wing Chun. They found they suit the system.

Answer 7

It really depends on your injuries. I imagine from your gymnastics you have had joint injuries that went untreated. You should consult with a sports medicine physician or chiropractor find find out the extent of your past injuries, and if they can be treated. As far as martial arts training goes. You should find something low impact like Tai Chi or other Chinese styles.

Answer 8

I'm sorry to hear about your injuries.

*Martial arts are a total blast, but they could be quite rigorous and a bit tough on the joints/tendons, depending upon which style you study.

*Which types of injuries did you suffer?

*How well did you heal?

*What are your limitations?

**Medically?

**Physically?

*I would recommend consulting with a sports medicine specialist with regard to learning about the types of activities which would best suit your fitness/wellness goals.

**Sports medicine specialists will do more for you than just the standard, "Do Tai Chi, and take two Advil" type of response.

**They tend to know the types of injuries athletes/former athletes are prone to suffer, and how to recommend a fitness program tailored to YOUR needs.

Best wishes, I hope this helps.

(;=]

Answer 9

Yang Tai Chi

Answer 10

visit some of your local martial arts places and talk to them. tell them how you feel and why you are there. you are not wanting to get into something were you need alot of physical prowless, but something that will keep you active and feeling good about yourself. im sure you can probably even sit in on a session of one that you are interested in. compare everything before making a decision. haste makes waste! personally i think you should look into tai chi.