Too old for starting MT?

**hungryjoe** · Posted On: 8/02/2008 9:46pm

True - but quality of life is usually determined by the choices we make.

But your statement has nothing to do with the OP's question about starting MT at 43.

Youth is relative - until you're my age. Then it is a distant memory and you live vicariously through your kid's achievements.

**Kid Miracleman** · Posted On: 8/02/2008 11:04pm

Originally Posted by KidSpatula

Hell, I'm 23 and sometimes I feel too old for this crap

I sometimes feel that way... I'm 23 as well, and sometimes I feel like an old geezer next to the fit-an'-trim high school kids. Then again I haven't been doing Muay Thai nearly as long as you, so I don't have any of the wear-and-tear that you suffer from.

Still, sometimes I look in the mirror at my receding hairline, the deep troughs under my eyes, the creases in my face, and my perpetual Chuck Liddell Beer-Gut (TM), and wonder if I should really be doing this kind of stuff. Sure I'm getting regular exercise, but am I really just making my body worse in the long run? Instead of building myself up into something better, am I gradually just tearing myself down? Will all this training just turn me into a broken old man?

But then I remember: hitting people in the face is REALLY fun, and the prospect of getting BETTER at hitting people in the face just gives me a warm fuzzy feeling inside. So, I keep on keepin' on.

To the OP, I say give Muay Thai a shot. Just remember to lift your heel and rotate on the ball of your foot when you throw that roundhouse... your knees will thank you (my right knee is still unhappy with me).

P.S. - KidSpatula, will you go out with me?

**Lu Tze** · Posted On: 8/03/2008 1:00am

Originally Posted by KidSpatula

Hell, I'm 23 and sometimes I feel too old for this crap

I think we all feel like that sometimes (29 here). At the last grading competition I went to, I met a guy who was in his late 40s and going for his orange belt (so basically just starting out). He got it too, won with an osoto-gari I think (it's a bit hazy, I hit the mats hard a few times that day).

After that I figured I should probably quit bitching about anything (even if I mostly only do it in my head) and just get on with it.

**maofas** · Posted On: 8/03/2008 4:14am

Speak for yourselves you 20-something year-old geezers. My instructors in judo were shocked when they found out I was over 30 and not part of the group of college kids that all joined together at the same time as me.

I thank karate, fish oil, and the fact I never grew out of being an immature retard.

P.S. Boxing sounded like really good advice for the OP btw.

**bobyclumsyninja** · Posted On: 8/03/2008 11:54am

Originally Posted by Kid Miracleman

But then I remember: hitting people in the face is REALLY fun, and the prospect of getting BETTER at hitting people in the face just gives me a warm fuzzy feeling inside. So, I keep on keepin' on.

To the OP, I say give Muay Thai a shot. Just remember to lift your heel and rotate on the ball of your foot when you throw that roundhouse... your knees will thank you (my right knee is still unhappy with me).

what you said...but I like to kick people in the face, or at least try...either way, I get to kick a lot of leg, trying to set it up, and that takes me back to my soccer days, kicking the utter crap out of the forward's shins....

*sings* memories~~~~something something somethiiiiiiiiing~~~~

Sometimes you gotta just do what the hell you want, until you're unable..life is kinda short, and it goes faster as you age......

quick! run outside and kick someone before you comletely fall apart.

**cuatro76** · Posted On: 8/03/2008 11:19pm

Have you found a MT gym to work out at yet? Talk to the instructor(s) and let them know your situation, that you're getting back in shape. They'll understand when you take extra water breaks or want to sit out a round of sparring to catch your breath. There's nothing wrong with pacing yourself. Don't let anybody, or your own ego, pressure you into training to the point of injury. Watch your joints, start slow and work at your own comfort level or just a little above it.

**Yojimbo1717** · Posted On: 8/04/2008 12:20pm

No you're not too old.

It really depends on the gym. If it's more 'fighter oriented' then you might run into some problems. If not, it shouldn't be too much of a problem. Just try a few free lessons (or pay for a few lessons on the spot) and don't sign any contracts until you know you're gravy.

Some of the people I did Muay Thai with that were a bit on the couch potato side did Yoga alongside it and found some success.

**Who?** · Posted On: 8/04/2008 2:25pm

Originally Posted by Yojimbo1717

Some of the people I did Muay Thai with that were a bit on the couch potato side did Yoga alongside it and found some success.

Those Yoga guys have no defence for a good jab-cross-roundhouse I'm not suprised the thai guys won.

**gothamator** · Posted On: 8/04/2008 7:50pm

I'm 39 and plan to start MT by the end of the year. As stated before, you will only get older. Go for it now, but know your limits.

I wish you the best.

**bobyclumsyninja** · Posted On: 8/04/2008 8:03pm

your first few classes (2 weeks of them) go easy....it's not how you feel during training that counts, as much as how you do afterwards...and how able you are to go back, before the benefit wears off.

Enjoy!