How do I get back into shape?

Question

I used to do martials arts, but it's been awhile since i stopped going. I beginning to miss it and i want to go back. I'm not afraid of embarassing myself, but I don't want to hurt myself going back. I need to get into shape and I need to know how. Please help!

Answer 1

DUDE.....go back to your art.

Whichever discipline you use to study, if you can return to your former instructor/s I'm sure they'll be happy to see you return. If you need to find a new instructor, then follow your heart and your head to find a good instructor and a good school.

Any martial arts instructor worth the weight of the belt hanging around their waist will work with you on regaining your fitness and strength in dsicipline specific ways as well as in general ways. Don't waste your time getting fit enough to go back to training - that is part of what martial arts training is all about - getting you fitter, healthier, stronger, and more flexible.

Be kind to yourself, give yourself time, and go back to the training you enjoyed before.

It really doesn't matter what martial art you take up, all will teach you something valuable and any true art will be able to work with you no matter what your physical stature or limitations.

The most important thing is not the style/discipline, it's finding an instructor/s you trust, a group of students you actually look forward to training with, and a program that fits within your financial and schedule limitations.

Check out the schools in the area you’re are in - irrespective of the style. Talk with the instructor/s and students. Observe a few classes and talk with the students. Take some time and I’m sure you'll instinctively know which one is right for you. That will be the one where you like the instructor, like the students, and can’t wait to start attending.

Good Luck

Ken C
9th Dan HapMoosaKi-Do
8th Dan TaeKwon-Do
7th Dan YongChul-Do

Answer 2

Start doing some of the exercises and stretching that you did in your class warm-ups. You don't have to try and do them as hard, fast, or as vigorously as you did when you were attending class. In fact it is better if you don't to begin with-that way you avoid pulling or tearing something because you were trying to do something like you used to and are not in shape. Use a chair for some of the stretching to help support some of your body weight and don't do anything beyond a dull ache and more than half speed or power. Then as you get in better shape after a few weeks increase it to three fourths speed and power and in a month or so you will be ready to get back into class. Most people have what is called muscle memory. That's where you remember how to do something and go and try and do it. The problem is that if you are not working out and not in good shape and you try to do something your body may not handle it like it used to. So take a gradual approach-you did not get out of shape over night-nor will you get back into it over night either. If you do that then you will avoid injuries and most of the discomfort that comes with getting back into shape.

Answer 3

Yoga is good for getting in shape for martial arts. It's fairly gentle, but it strengthens your core as well as your legs. Also, it focuses on flexibility, which can be really beneficial before you start throwing high-kicks again.

The best advice though is just to get back into it. Make sure you stay away from insane gyms where they try to break you. Explain to the instructor that you're trying to ease back into a routine, and if he's bawling at you to go harder, find a new dojo. If you wait to get into shape though, you'll run a risk of wasting a lot of time.

Answer 4

First thing you must do is STEP AWAY FROM THE COMPUTER!!!. These damn things are addictive as hell aren't they? Keep it simple, depending on how long its been since you've trained last and your age can play a role in how to go about it. So without that information make this difficult to answer clearly. So simple suggestion would be walking, and light flexibility exercises to start. Try and keep a training log to track your progress. Then perhaps you move into more strenuous forms of exercize so that you can increase as need be. You might also want to consider a certified personal trainer.

Answer 5

well talking about it and doing is different
we all want to be in shape but once we start we soon find out that it is alot of work and usaly go back to doing nothing. start out by doing 1/2 mile day for 3 days then bump it up to3/4 mile at the end of the week for week 2 say at 3/4 mile all the way up to last day of the week then go the full 1 mile keep at that sched. until you can do a 1 mile run with out stopping and not out of breath. then bump it up like you did when u first started in 1/4,1/2,3/4,2 mile.
trust me this works i am doing 4 mile runs every other day and it isnt that bad

p.s. if you find ur self getting out of breath and u have to stop do push ups like say 20-30 then take back off running never stop always keep going you will feel better about urself and keeping ur heart rate up all in one. because hey if you are fighting someone and u get tired ur not goign to say i gotta rest im tired. ur going to fight until u cant fight anymore rite. keep that running threw ur mind.

Answer 6

Try repeated Round House Kicks... Preferably to somebodies face... Fighting Crime keeps me in TOP physical form.

Answer 7

start exercising at home do what u can remember of the martial art

Answer 8

1. run 2 or more miles every day
2. eat right
3. do basic stuff like 50+ pushups or situps every day

Answer 9

Jogging, sit ups, push ups, stretching, and weight lifting for starters.

Answer 10

jog alot and always walk around