Martial Arts - Tang Soo Do

Hogs

Can someone help me out please - I'm looking for some opinions on the following -

I'm 37 and am board sh*tless for the last long while, What I mean my board is sick of drinking and acting the ghoul and not playing any sports neither do a lot of my friends but they are married with kids.
I've being going to the gym for last 6 months and feel great from it, down from over 16st to 14st but now I'm starting to get board with this, I've less enthusiasm about going to the gym but I like it when I do it.

Now I'm thinking of doing some kind of martial arts mainly for fitness I've no aspirations about being the next bruce lee or anything like that but I'd like to do aomething that training in the gym would help with and vias versa.

Kick boxing doesn't appeal to me much and lets face it I'm 37 not 17 some I'm really at a loss to know what I can do.

There's a Tang Soo Do classes in limerick each week and I'm wondering does anyone train at this or other martial arts that could give me an opinion is it to late to start or can anyone who focuses there mind and body to that challenge complete it - how far could I get at it over the next 5 years Black belt or would I be waisting my time I know you might read this and say "what the f*ck" is he on about but I'm looking for a little guidence

Thanks
Hogs

Nothingcompares

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055215618

have a look at that. similar question, I'd suggest you give ger healy's place a go.

FruitLover

As long as you can stand up, there's no such thing as 'too late'. (And even when you can't stand up, there's still wheelchair karate).

Forget about belts for a start. Try a few different MAs and clubs and see what you like.

Ger Healy

Hog, Tang Soo Do is taught in Limerick by Des Galligan not sure of their training time or where they train other than that Des himself is a good guy and you wont go far wrong in traditional martial art training with him.

If you want to train in the Combat Sports Centre just call out you're first session is free we can have a chat afterwards and see what you are looking to acheive from your training.

petergfiffin

Can definitely second that about Des, easily one of the best instructors in Limerick and you won't find many more experienced. Would just say though that learning any formal style like Tang Soo Do will take a while before you feel like you're getting anywhere and things start to make sense so it can be a little frustrating at the beginning unlike more fluid styles like kick-boxing where you feel like you're making progress more quickly but like FruitLover was saying, don't worry about the belts for a while and just try and enjoy it but having said that 5 years would definitely be reasonable to get to black-belt if you put in the effort

Baggio...

Hogs wrote: »

how far could I get at it over the next 5 years Black belt or would I be waisting my time

It's never too late to start, as the guys have already said. And to be honest 37 is not that old at all. Look at some of the really good traditional Martial Artists out there, some of them move like cats and there in there 60s and 70s!

Sounds like you just want something for fitness and a new hobby (and you're not too interested in self-defese).

If that's the case, I recomend a traditional art. Something like American Kenpo would be perfect for you - the syllabus is big and theres a lot to learn. In other words, it's an interesting curriculum to go through, and has enough diversity to keep up an interest. As opposed to some other arts that simply walk up and down a cold the hall doing a reverse punch.

Belts aren't really important - but if your doing this for a hobby, and for "self-perfection" then you might as well grade. I reckon you'd get a BB in AK quick enough if you put the training in.

You're definitely NOT wasting your time at 37. I knew a bloke who recently got his black belt at 51 - so there is plenty of time for you yet.

Cheers,

R.

Hogs

lads,

thanks for all your replies - I'm going to consider what's best and will update this post once I've decided what I'll do.

Cheers
hogs

Tim_Murphy

I'd highly recommend Ger's place anyway. It's a great place to train and the people there are sound so it's hard to go wrong. Maybe try a few traditional clubs too and then see which you prefer.

Mreu

Hogs -

I am 47 and started Tang Soo Do 5 years ago. I got my black belt in about 3 years. The 20-somethings in the class will always be faster, but the longer I train the more I learn - so wisdom has its advantages.

Don't know the local situation in Limerick, but I can tell you that Tang Soo Do is a "hard" style, meaning more striking and kicking than wrestling and throws. It is not designed for sport, but rather for self-defense. The workouts can be very aerobic and intense.

My advice is to make sure you consider which style fits your personality before you commit - some people invest 1-2 years before they realize they would rather be doing Judo or grappling or something completely different.

Also, the teacher is most important. Go watch a class. If the more experienced students aren't impressive, then you probably won't be either when you are at their level. There is a big gap between good teachers and other teachers.

So I recommend you go for it. It will keep you off the couch. You will have to practice a lot to make real progress, but remember a black belt is a white belt that never quit.

Boru.

Co-incedentally I have a feature article this month in Irish Fighter Magazine on the history of Tang Soo Do and it's development and growing expansion in Irealnd. It might be worth reading over it if you are interested in taking up the art.

Hogs

Hey Lads,

Just a quick note - I started with Des Gilligan training Tang Soo Do about 5 weeks ago and must admit I'm really starting to enjoy it
I didn't know what to expect at the start but I find Des very easy to talk to and what I've seen so far is impressive.

All I can say is so far so good - thanks to all who replied it was much appreciated

Regards
Hogs

yomchi

Another happy customer

Ger Healy

Well done Hogs.:)