Is forty too old for what I plan?

Paulgar

I have been interested in Muay Thai since I was a child, but despite having lived in Thailand for the last eight years, I still haven't given it a go. I practised martial arts in my teens and have being doing it on and off since them. I am now nearly forty. My reason for falling away from martial arts was the drink; I was a drunk for twenty years until beating my addiction three years ago. I am trying to recapture the things that I lost. My martial arts is very high on the list.


My plan is to do Muay Thai for only a year or so, but long enough to compete in a couple of fights. Someone suggested previously on BIE that I would need a personal trainer. I speak Thai so maybe this will make things easier. What do others think? Muay Thai is really hardcore here in the Land of Smiles. I think this is my last chance to give it a go, but have I already missed the boat?
Thanks

Sharik

Muay Thai fighters retire before they get as old as you already are.
So it depends what fights you have in mind. And it really depends on what shape you are in.

If you are just looking for the experience, generally I would say go for it.
It could be fun and an excellent exercise for body, brain and soul.

I am thinking about it myself. But I'll probably do something a bit less competitive.

If you did martial arts before drinking, it is in fact your first addiction and therefore it will likely give you more satisfaction.

Check out Ramon Dekkers!

Nothingcompares

Start training on monday and go from there. You'll not have a problem getting fights, whether you win them or not is down to whether you learn to box or not and whether you get good match ups. It's never too late to do something for personal development reasons. you may never fight for a stadium title but you could get fights that make you feel like you are. i say go for it.

joepenguin

Go for it. Get in some top qulaity for training and when you feel you are ready and in the shape of your life then have a few fights.

You'll be glad you did.

yomchi

The only thing you're too old to plan for is your 30th birthday.

As the lads say, go for it. Enjoy the experience.

arybvtcw0eolkf

Nothingcompares wrote: »

Start training on monday and go from there. You'll not have a problem getting fights, whether you win them or not is down to whether you learn to box or not and whether you get good match ups. It's never too late to do something for personal development reasons. you may never fight for a stadium title but you could get fights that make you feel like you are. i say go for it.

Simple as it appears, this post is one of the best bits of advice I've seen given here.

You've really shown an old head on young shoulders K.

OP, go along with this lads advice - its on the money.

I'm not starting out in Martial Arts, however I can identify completely with the rest of your post (I'm off the drink three weeks now, and counting!).

Stick around, and let us all know how your getting along.

.

RedRaven

Your in a great position mate- where better to give it a go- at 40 Id rather train in the heat than the dead of winter. It will be better for your body.

Khannie

Nothingcompares wrote: »

Start training on monday and go from there.

Do it. Monday. Go for it.

You'll find a trainer much more receptive if you want to fight. When you posted on fitness my understanding was that you wanted to do MT for fitness. I've seen (Thai) lads fight in Thailand in their late 30's (possibly early 40's) and win.

Kent Brockman

Now to put a dampner on what is so far a very positive and even 'Rocky-esque' good feeling thread.(yeah yeah i'm soooo negative and all that....)

Go to a GP or Physio first and ask them to recommend a way for you to become active after such a long time out, even recommend a program for your age and specific to the sport you want to take up. I say this as a person who got back into sports after 17 years away, and dived in head first.

My body wasn't used to nor prepared for the shock it got and as a result I have had many problems. (Hernia from BJJ, collapsed arch/stress fracture from indoor football (calf muscles not prepared) and now serious knee problems from over 35s soccer (tightened hamstrings and weak thighs due to lack of specific use).

However I haven't quit and I expect you wont either. JUST BE PREPARED even if it takes a few months of basic training/ stretching and light exercise to get your body prepared.

An early set back due to injury may lead you down the wrong road.

Best of luck BTW and I hope it all goes well for you. Will be intrested to follow your progress.

Zen65

Paulgar wrote: »

My plan is to do Muay Thai for only a year or so, but long enough to compete in a couple of fights.
Thanks

I went back to karate after a gap of almost 20 years, when I was about 40. It's tough, and don't imagine for a moment this is going to be like taking up where you left off. The body you had as a teen has left this world, and now you are going to take an older, abused (apologies.. no offence intended) body into a very physical and demanding environment. You may get to have a few fights, but the only fight you really need to win right now is the fight to regain the maximum use of that body, and to bring it around to better health.

So start with a check-up at your GP. Then if that checks out OK get slowly into training, and be sure to be consistent rather than going at it hell-for-leather for a few days or weeks, taking a break, and starting back again. Make a plan to train regularly, and monitor that plan. When you have proven to yourself that you can train regularly for a few months it'll be time to try to up the ante and train harder.

Seek the dream if you wish, but waking up after 3 years of regular training and still being hungry to train more is better than any dream or single fight you're ever going to have.

Keep the faith....

Paulgar

Zen65 wrote: »

I went back to karate after a gap of almost 20 years, when I was about 40. It's tough, and don't imagine for a moment this is going to be like taking up where you left off. The body you had as a teen has left this world, and now you are going to take an older, abused (apologies.. no offence intended) body into a very physical and demanding environment. You may get to have a few fights, but the only fight you really need to win right now is the fight to regain the maximum use of that body, and to bring it around to better health.

So start with a check-up at your GP. Then if that checks out OK get slowly into training, and be sure to be consistent rather than going at it hell-for-leather for a few days or weeks, taking a break, and starting back again. Make a plan to train regularly, and monitor that plan. When you have proven to yourself that you can train regularly for a few months it'll be time to try to up the ante and train harder.

Seek the dream if you wish, but waking up after 3 years of regular training and still being hungry to train more is better than any dream or single fight you're ever going to have.

Keep the faith....

Thank you for the good advice

Kent Brockman

Thats what I said FFS:rolleyes::rolleyes:

Paulgar

Kent Brockman wrote: »

Thats what I said FFS:rolleyes::rolleyes:

Thank you too mate.

yomchi

Kent Brockman wrote: »

Thats what I said FFS:rolleyes::rolleyes:

Group hug :pac:

Shane St.

Sure why not

wudangclan

you don't see many fighters at 40 because their bodies have been wrecked by a long career and they finish their careers either from injury or because they aren't hungry enough.
your body should be relatively healthy and if you have the desire there is no reason why shouldn't be able to fight.it's all in the mind.
best of luck op.

Kent Brockman

yomchi wrote: »

Group hug :pac:

Awww shucks:o you guys...