Age matters

[xubis]

Hey, first post here, I have just been idling, reading everything else. Just a question, I started kickboxing when I was 6 and trained for four years, reaching red belt. Unfortunatly, I moved away. I didn't have any other MA training up untill now, four years later. From kickboxing I developed faster reactions, which I still have, to an extent. I have found a shotokan karate club that I really like, I have been going for a few months now, but I have lost all flexability I did have, as I am older now (14) Do you think it is still to late to start retraining?

[Saz]

No way! The flexibility will come back with time and practise, you're still really young at 14, your body will adpat fairly quickly. I was 20 taking MA back up after a loooong break, and a Shodan at my club didn't start till his late thirties. Age is no barrier, so long as you enjoy the training.

Welcome to MAP by the way :)

[Andy Murray]

Hi xubis, like K Girl says, welcome to the forum.

While exemplory Shotokan requires a degree of flexibility, it's not as demanding as some other Martial Arts are in this area. Keep up a good stretching program to keep your options open.

14 is young to be doing good MA practice, just be sure you are spending your time wisely. ;)

MA is great fun, but don't let it detract from your education and enjoyment of life.

[xubis]

Well, thank you for the welcome. I train twice a week, 1 hour 15 on a Wednesday and 2 hours on a Saturday. I am going to google to find a flexability program, although I can see differences after just a little while of practacing. I also found out that when doing a round house kick (washa geri or something :)) off of my left leg, it ached more.. is this because I am doing it wrong, or because this muscle is weaker than the one in the right leg?
Thanks

[Andy Murray]

Hey xubis, either follow the pages after clicking on the 'Magazine' section of the site, or take this shortcut (http://www.martialartsplanet.com/magazine/strikes/Index.htm) . :D

[xubis]

Thanks, I will check it out. Well, as for ruining my education, I don't think it does, but it is the only other fun I have other than coding :P Would you recommend training a little bit everyday?

[Andy Murray]

Originally posted by xubis
Would you recommend training a little bit everyday?

Yes my friend, I would.

[Tireces]

14 is a fine age to start, at that age, one can usually start being mentally mature enough and focussed to really learn. There are some younger children who can pull that off, but usually, younger children dont learn and take in too much in martial arts classes. I know a guy who's started at 50. He's not gonna be the menace of the streets anytime soon, but he likes it and sticks with it, and its a pretty hard class, so I respect him for it.

[xubis]

Yes, already I am progressing good, I have a good teacher as well. In lessons, I often help out with teh youngers, even if they arwe a higher grade than me ;) I orginally started martial arts when I was younger to be cool and stuff. But now it is deeper.

[Kwajman]

14, Fourteen, FOURTEEN!!!!!, jeez O peet, I wish I had started at 14 and not 40. I feel like 'the ancient one' in my classes...

[ANCIENTMASTER]

Hey, first post here, I have just been idling, reading everything else. Just a question, I started kickboxing when I was 6 and trained for four years, reaching red belt. Unfortunatly, I moved away. I didn't have any other MA training up untill now, four years later. From kickboxing I developed faster reactions, which I still have, to an extent. I have found a shotokan karate club that I really like, I have been going for a few months now, but I have lost all flexability I did have, as I am older now (14) Do you think it is still to late to start retraining?

HAHAHAHA 14, ha! Ernesto Hoost is 37, Chuck Liddell 36 and began training while he was in college. That may be the single most absurd thing I've ever heard, 14 if anything is to young to start training.

[Pobeli]

Two years is a long time to be bumping a topic too.

[Giver]

^ ^ No way. It's never too late. I mean, unless you're like, 81 or something. You're 14. You have tons of time. Even though you'll feel a little rusty, you'll get right back into the style, and you'll be glad you did.

[Gray]

I started at 13. I'm only 16 now though, but I train everyday. Heh heh, I'm still a novice punk in many people's eyes.

EDIT: Holy crap, this topic really is two years old...