Martial Arts Workouts For Men Over 40
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by: MasterAlanZuckerman
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Word Count: 610
I came to tae kwon do in my forties. A confluence of circumstances brought me to the school of Grandmaster 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.
The expectations of an adult male, no matter how old, when they begin martial arts instruction is the same as a child's. You wistfully remember David Caradine, James Bond, Bruce Lee or Napoleon Solo in any of the popular movies and television shows 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 exercised regularly in my 20's, after marriage and kids, I put exercise on hold. Now in my forties, I was short of breath. I noticed I couldn't breathe doing recreational exercise like tennis and volleyball and I also noticed that I didn't have the stamina to dance with my wife.
I decided to do something different. Within the same week, I started tae kwon do and piano lessons (middle age is so confusing).
For me, martial arts has been a seed planted in my body. If it has the right surroundings, it can root and grow. If you study martial arts you understand what I mean. If martial arts are new to you, believe me, changes you haven't even considered are coming. And if you are beginning this journey later if life, like I have, I give you this to remember:
Grown Up = (patience + determination)-(suppleness + hair)
Think long term. That is the best advice that I live by. Listen to your body and not your mind. I have seen too many adults come into class and their minds say their body is 21. They either stretch too far, or kick too hard, or try to achieve what used to be easy.
It's the job of the Instructor to motivate the class which includes many ages and skill levels. Your head will be telling you that you can do this, your body on the other hand will need more time. Beware of overachieving goals that can lead to injuries because such injuries could convince you to quit. A self fulfilling prophecy that you were too old to be doing martial arts anyway.
Nonsense!
You cannot comprehend the journey with a single step; you can only comprehend a single step of the journey, so stick with it.
The next time an instructor pushes you too hard, remember that you are an adult. Age has its privilege. A great master will understand your limits and push you accordingly, that is where trust is built. Short of that; listen to your inner master.
Though I may be too old for Rock N Roll, I'm too young to die.
About the Author
Before you decide if your too old for martial arts, visit Kalynn Amadio's great martial arts website Taekwondo-Network and learn more about mens workouts in tae kwon do when you're over 40. Keep in mind that, age is only a number. You are welcome to reprint this article - but get your own unique content version here.
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