thinking about starting

T

tankgirl

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i have always wanted to take a martial arts class but never had, unfortunately at this point i am a 20 year old single mom. is it that uncommon for someone at my age, and of my gender to be starting a program like this? and what should kind of class should i take? i know almost nothing about martial arts but i have always been interested. i am not very out of shape, i am 5'2 and about 119lbs, but i am constantly worried when i got to stores late at night, because the area i live in is not as nice as I'd like, due to my financial status (being so young and a mom).
Now all that being said, do you think it is unrealistic of me to join a martial arts class?
 
It's never too late. People of all ages, gender, and situations take martial arts.
 
the first martial art i tried was Tae Kwon Do. I was 18. There was another white belt male who was in his early 30's. Another fellow who was about a year into it (green belt I think) was in his 60's.

there's absolutely no reason you shouldn't try it out if that's what you want, but I'd look for an '18 and up' class, since they teach young kids differently (attention spans and all that...)
 
Awesome decision! After having a baby, training is an extemly cool way to bring something of your own back into your life that has nothing to do with bub and I'm sure if you do that, you'll probably never look back.
Besides, when baby gets bigger you're going to wanna show them how to fend off all the hotties :) :)

Start checking through your phone directory and call around. Not that I'm trying to influence you at all, but whether you go for a more ring / competition orientated style, or something geared toward traditional defence art where competition is less important than understanding the nature of defending yourself, alot of schools 'll give you a free class or couple to let you get an idea of what they do there. If you try on a few those, then you can find out what's best suiting your needs.
I've been training for maybe going on 17 yrs or so and I can promise you that 20, even as a newb, just for having turned up, you'll be a step ahead and will probably find others older with not much more than a couple of yrs themselves if any experience at all! i see lots of folks start at all sorts of ages and fitness levels. Even ppl who 've never really trained at all befor in their lives.
Remember to enjoy yourself and your efforts and you'll be fine.


Blooming Lotus
 
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There is nths about too late you can start when you are 50s and still never too late. As long as you are motivate to start and train everyday than there's no problems with age
 
tankgirl said:
i have always wanted to take a martial arts class but never had, unfortunately at this point i am a 20 year old single mom. is it that uncommon for someone at my age, and of my gender to be starting a program like this?
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LOL, No way, Its never too late. You'r only 20.
In China I trained with a 60yr old ex-opium addict and a 85yr old woman who road her bike 4miles to the class at 5am 4days a week carrying all her weapons on ther back. Its never too late.


tankgirl said:
and what should kind of class should i take?
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It depends on what you want it for. Health, self deffence, competition fighting or just something to do.

I'll always say that the club is more important that the style.
I love classical Wado Ryu Karate, but if there was a bad teacher I would rather to Kickboxing, (which a hate)

tankgirl said:
i know almost nothing about martial arts but i have always been interested.
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Just google classes in ur area, call them up and talk to the teacher and go and watch them all. You may like more than one martial art and want to do 2-3 arts.

Ask the teacher...
whats the student to teacher ratio?
How many students in your age group? (if thats important to you)
Are they a sports based club or martial arts? (meaning, do they train for competitions, or real life self deffence)
does the teacher have any influences outside of his own style?

Hope that helped.
 
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