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submitted: 2008-04-08 22:45:13 | by: MasterAlanZuckerman
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Martial Arts workouts for men over 40 should have another name: Senior Do, Tae Kwon Old, Kung Old Fool, or Health Care-a-te. When asked in the locker room about my condition, I quip that I am aging faster than I can get in shape.

I discovered taekwondo in my forties. A series of seemingly random circumstances took me to the school of the Grandmaster who would become my teacher, Byung Min Kim.

When I was out with an old friend at dinner, I found out he studied tae kwon do and was a black belt. He had studied since he was a kid, off and on. At the time, my son was young and I believed he could benefit from a good martial arts school. Then I happened to meet my future Master. I broker retail real estate and had actually offered a store front to Grandmaster Kim. I didn't make that sale, but he sold me on the value of tae kwon do.

The expectations of an adult male, no matter how old, when they begin martial arts instruction is the same as a child's. You wistfully remember David Caradine, James Bond, Bruce Lee or Napoleon Solo in any of the popular movies and television shows of the 1950's and 60's.

I wanted to be lethal...and good looking!

Not long after I started my new mens workout, I visited my doctor because I was certain I was suffering an attack of the appendicitis. He guaranteed me that it was just soreness from all the sit-ups. I was merely out of shape.

I had exercised on a regular basis when when I was younger, but after getting married and having kids, I had pushed those regular workouts aside. In my forties now, I was out of breath. I had trouble breathing during recreational volleyball or tennis and I didn't seem to have the stamina to go dancing with my bride.

It was time to try something new. That very week saw me starting piano lessons and tae kwon do (don't ask, middle age is very confusing).

Martial arts is like a seed that is planted in your body. With the proper environment, it takes root and grows. If you've been on this journey as I have, you understand what this means. If you are new to martial arts, I can tell you that change both expected and unexpected, is coming. If you are starting late in life, I can offer you this equation:

Maturity = (patience + perseverance)-(flexibility + hair).

Believe in the long term. Those are words I live by. Always pay attention to what your body is telling you, not just what your mind wants. Too many adults come to their martial arts class believing they are still 21 only to try too hard or stretch too much because it was easy when they were younger.

Instructors motivate an entire class, with a wide range of age and skills. Your mind will tell you that you can still do it, but your body may need a little more time. Short term, overachieving goals in taekwondo lead to injuries and injuries lead to quitting and acquiescing to the myth that you are too old for this sport.

Nonsense!

You can't see the entire road in just one mile; you must understand each mile of the road, and stick to it.

When you feel your instructor is pushing too hard, remember you're an adult and age has its privileges. A good teacher will realize your limits and help you reach your personal best, this is where trust between teacher and student comes from. In lieu of that, trust your inner voice.

You might be too old for rock and roll, but you're too young to die.

About the Author

Before you choose if your too old for martial arts, visit Kalynn Amadio's terrific martial arts website Taekwondo-Network and find out more about mens workouts in tae kwon do when you're over 40. Remember, age is only a number. Click here to get your own unique version of this article with free reprint rights.

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