training in your future?

SorGan

not to start a clan war or anything, but a couple of tma guys i know see there training as a lifelong thing, something to take with them into the future, how about mma,bjj? is there a a place for it as the years go on? is the body able,

Black Swan

Can't answer for other MA, but I saw our TKD grand master the other day. He has trained daily for decades, contiues to instruct, now a 9-dan, very fit, and well into his 60's. Was surprised to see him (dressed in a business suit, tie, and street shoes) leap from a gym floor up several vertical feet to a stage landing on both feet without the slightest loss of balance. Whoa! There goes Yoda!:cool:

Mola.mola

you can train in bjj as long as you want to

silat liam

Hi
I can only answer for the style of Martial Art I do. My Teacher is 68 years old and is still very very active and has still got the love for the art he train in. In the villages in Java where the art of Cimande comes from, many teachers are older than this, and are well respected.

In the classes that I teach the vast majority are over 35 years old, with many in the their 40's and 50's. I believe in all honesty Martial Arts has many things to offer people of all ages. As we develop through Life, different aspects of the Martial Arts become important. What we want or look for when we 20 is different from when we 40. Most people in mid life are more concern about looking after their family, paying the mortgage, getting on at work, their attitude changes from taking on the world to living as best they can with the world.

I think a way you can judge at the moment if an art can be life long is go along to a class and see the age group that trains in it. If the art form you interested in as a wide age group than it an art form that can be life long. I sometimes in the past seen flyers and posters advertising they teaching adults and when you go along there mostly 14 to 16 which can be very off putting to an adult as he straight away feels intimidated.

Liam

Roper

It comes down to intensity again. You can continue do do anything as long as you want to do it, its the intensity level that changes.

For an outside example:
Footballers play intensively until they're about 35, then maybe they drop to Sunday football in the park. Then lower divisions, then maybe a 5 a side. Now football at a competitive level is a young man's game, the player just finds their level as they get older IF they want to continue.

Same with martial arts IMO. There's an impression that older people can't train in certain arts. I would say that there's a level for everyone.

Silat Liam wrote:

Most people in mid life are more concern about looking after their family, paying the mortgage, getting on at work, their attitude changes from taking on the world to living as best they can with the world.

I don't know if thats relevant. Just because somebodies priorities in life change doesn't mean squat to their choice in martial arts. Their 2 or 3 hours per week training isn't going to make a bit of difference to their mortgage payment.

Silat Liam wrote:

I think a way you can judge at the moment if an art can be life long is go along to a class and see the age group that trains in it. If the art form you interested in as a wide age group than it an art form that can be life long. I sometimes in the past seen flyers and posters advertising they teaching adults and when you go along there mostly 14 to 16 which can be very off putting to an adult as he straight away feels intimidated.

While that sounds true, I don't think its an accurate way of judging anything. What it might be more representative of is how the art is sold to the public.

john kavanagh

helio gracie +80 and still rolling daily:D

BJJ (and all combat sports) can be trained late into life if trained intelligently, with an intensity suitable for the person.

yomchi

it really depends on how well you treat your body, while training everyday within your limitations is good, you must respect your body and treat it like a plant... keep it well watered, well fed and give it plenty of sun light!

MaeveD

In my experience, it's a mixture of commitments, injuries and politics that stop people training as they get older...

One reason I chose Aikido and BJJ was that I saw elderly people training and I wanted something I could do longterm.

newby.204

Mola.mola wrote:

you can train in bjj as long as you want to

Two words for you with regards to age in BJJ


HELIO GRACIE

Mola.mola

what?

Colm_OReilly

Intensity and duration are the only things that will change.

And as you get older it's more important to exercise than when you're young. Casual sport is a great way to keep doing this as a lot of peple find working out boring.

SorGan

actualy helio grace did spring to mind when i posed this question, thats cool.
liam is that w. sanders thats 68?? he doesnt look it,:eek:
john kav your in your 50s arnt you? does the body hold up well?

Mola.mola

SorGan wrote:

actualy helio grace did spring to mind when i posed this question, thats cool.
liam is that w. sanders thats 68?? he doesnt look it,:eek:
john kav your in your 50s arnt you? does the body hold up well?

john kavanagh

hmmm must starting using Oil of Ulay lol

SorGan

john kavanagh wrote:

hmmm must starting using Oil of Ulay lol

Millionaire

Sure, you can train life long. My kickboxing instructor is 68 and he can still do the full box splits, and still puts on gloves and spars on occassion (he send you flying with massive powerful foot sweeps too). He trains consistent but light and flowing....thats what he says his secret is.

One thing for sure, the body does slow, and injuries start to effect performance, and take longer to right themselves. its more difficult to get away with intense training when older. so I think the best thing is to train, consistent and montior the intensity level.

Look the Filiipeo Fusco who has the kickboxing club in Meath Street. He did not start kickboxing until he was in his mid 40s... and he was a complete begineer, now 20 years later he still trains, and has fighter etc.

Baggio...

Charlie Nelson was still teaching Combatives at his self-defense school at the age of 88. So I don't think style really matters...