should an old fat guy..

[schnarkle]

try starting martial arts?

I'm 45, 6'3 and about 265... techie, athletic in the distant past; emphasis on distant...

Or would it be better to knock off weight first?

My son does Tae Kwon Do and it looks like a great workout and self-defense to boot. Not sure if I can do THAT much kicking however?

thoughts?

 

[GHoward]

I would probably make sure you can walk at a good pace without stopping for an hour before trying.

 

[BJCard]

As a Martial Arts Instructor, I feel I am qualified to tell you that anyone can start.

I've trained people just like you in Tae Kwon Do. Yes at first they have a rough time, but every person has their own pace.

 

[OrangeBlooded]

why?

 

[wolfman]

Go for it schnarkle. BJ right. Any good martial arts instructor will let the new students go at their own pace until they get used to the workout.

 

[alt875]

You gettin' picked on again son?

 

[overmaars]

I took Taekwondo for 5 years, 3 of which my dad participated along side me. He was in his forty's and a bit overweight. It was good light cardio for him and improved his flexibility, which really helped improve the mobility in his joints and bones. It was a good bonding experience for us as well. You should go for it Schnarkle. Plus you'll learn how to be a champion of justice and freedom.

 

[Wild Bill]

I say go for it as well. You'll be able to defend yourself from your wife.

 

[Summerof79]

Go for it. You will gain flexibility and most importantly it's time spent with your kid. PROBABLY you will add some walking, cardio and perhaps watch your diet a little better as a result.

I don't really think you need to lift weights first to participate in your son's group...

 

[stina]

OK so the tae kwon do should be a good work out. Isn't a good work out one of the best ways to take off a little weight? So, why would you take off a little weight before you start something that should take off a little weight?

I say go for it.

 

[Hornin Hong Kong]

I found kickboxing to be an excellent way to lose weight so just start.

 

[Napoleon]

I've been thinking about this recently. Not Tae Kwan Doe, but Jujitsu.

1) I'm hitting a milestone birthday.
2) Martial Arts are very popular in Buenos Aires.
3) I'm thinking that I could probably have a black belt in 10 years (the next milestone birthday)
4) The self-defense part also carries an appeal

I'm not "old & fat", but rather thinnish with slim bones. The slim bones & aversion to pain are my two concerns.

 

[Mrmyke709]

45 is old?
F my life.

 

[stina]

Mrmyke,

Beer keeps a person young. I'm sure of it.

 

[BillyW]

Reading the thread I kept thinking of Kramer in the little kids martial arts class

 

[general35]

im a big proponent of bikram yoga. talk about something that will get you into shape and if u eat right, the pounds will flow off. it has also helped my endurance and breath control in many other sports in which im active....as an added bonus, the chicks that do it are really hot and in amazing shape.

when i started i want very flexibile at all, the results are almost immediate after a few days. it does suck at first but it is the best thing i ever did to improve my conditioning.

 

[stina]

Bikram, is that the hot yoga/ My Dad, who is 73 started hot yoga back in Dec. He was having trouble with his back and thought he was going to have to have surgery to sleep through the night without pain. The yoga has made his back better enough to avoid surgery and he's less bowlegged than he used to be. He's also lost some weight. It isn't tae kwon do but, if he can start that at 73, you should be fine.

 

[overmaars]

I've been wanting to try Bikram, or Hot 26...which is basically just Hatha in a hot room. I've heard some people say you should experience some basic yoga before doing it in 100+ temps. Any truth to that you think?

 

[general35]

yes, bikram is the hot yoga. i had never done yoga before. im in my late 30's and was told i had the flexibility of a 70 year old by a trainer. it is a miserable experience at first. i made it through half the class on my first day. it felt like torture. however, i forced myself to go back and the results have been nothing short of amazing. i also had a bad back, my back is now in the best shape its been in since my early 20's. however, the most remarkable change has been in my conditioning. i play a lot of sports but i just could never get my endurance up, i would tire out very easily. this yoga has really increased my energy levels and i have not had those same problems, even while playing tennis out in the sun during the summer.