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"Building a better tomorrow, By starting today"
Ask The Master DT
Q: Should I get in shape before starting martial arts?
I'm 31 years old and although not in bad shape, I've had some flab starting to conspicuously appear around my belly. I'm also in lack of general exercise. I still play ball hockey once a week but I'm visibly slowing down and the high impact of it is messing with me.
I'm 6'0 and weigh approximately 230 lbs. I see my ideal weight at being between 200 and 210. Can I get into martial arts now and be able to enjoy it enough that it will provide me with: a) an outlet for some energy
b) regular exercise
c) a fun activity I can partake in with my wife. or should I get in better shape before I start?
Is it one of those things you can use to get fit or do you have to get fit before you start?
ANSWERED BY GRAND MASTER KEN CRAIG OF TMAA Find a good school, a quality program, and an experienced instructor and begin your journey now. There is no reason to wait, and how will you truly know what "shape" you need to be in to work out, if you don't actually start to find out the requirements of the discipline you take up :) ? Many people are concerned about not being physically ready to begin training. Most people are correct, even those who are pretty physically fit, because most martial art discipines utilize different motions, muscle groups, and coordination requirements than many other acitivites, so the body and mind must learn and adapt. Any decent school and instructor will work with you as a beginner to get you in shape, physically fit, and flexible enough to meet the goals of your first few months. Jump right in dude. Make sure you have found an instructor you trust, a school you feel comfortable in, and a group of students you are looking forward to working out with each week. The rest is just time. Don't be too hard on yourself in the beginning. Most beginners struggle with balance, flexibility, stamina, and endurance. This will all come with time, practice, and patience.
DT
Q: Should I get in shape before starting martial arts?
I'm 31 years old and although not in bad shape, I've had some flab starting to conspicuously appear around my belly. I'm also in lack of general exercise. I still play ball hockey once a week but I'm visibly slowing down and the high impact of it is messing with me.
I'm 6'0 and weigh approximately 230 lbs. I see my ideal weight at being between 200 and 210. Can I get into martial arts now and be able to enjoy it enough that it will provide me with: a) an outlet for some energy
b) regular exercise
c) a fun activity I can partake in with my wife. or should I get in better shape before I start?
Is it one of those things you can use to get fit or do you have to get fit before you start?
ANSWERED BY GRAND MASTER KEN CRAIG OF TMAA Find a good school, a quality program, and an experienced instructor and begin your journey now. There is no reason to wait, and how will you truly know what "shape" you need to be in to work out, if you don't actually start to find out the requirements of the discipline you take up :) ? Many people are concerned about not being physically ready to begin training. Most people are correct, even those who are pretty physically fit, because most martial art discipines utilize different motions, muscle groups, and coordination requirements than many other acitivites, so the body and mind must learn and adapt. Any decent school and instructor will work with you as a beginner to get you in shape, physically fit, and flexible enough to meet the goals of your first few months. Jump right in dude. Make sure you have found an instructor you trust, a school you feel comfortable in, and a group of students you are looking forward to working out with each week. The rest is just time. Don't be too hard on yourself in the beginning. Most beginners struggle with balance, flexibility, stamina, and endurance. This will all come with time, practice, and patience.
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