Martial Arts Later in Life

 

In the western world, particularly the United States, martial arts tends to be defined by stereotype : People who train are either eight year olds learning Karate kicks, or bloodthirsty brawlers who hope to compete in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. But the notions that define mainstream popular conceptions of the martial arts aren’t true, and there are plenty of reasons why normal, well-adjusted adults can benefit from beginning their pugilistic journeys later in life. And you don’t have to bow alongside a fifth grader if you decide to explore the martial arts past your 30th birthday.

Kids train martial arts for various reasons, such as building self-esteem and defense against bullies, but a lot of the time, their training is an after school activity that’s tantamount to day care. At the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) school where I’ve trained the last eight years, many kids come and go, and only a few stick with the sport seriously enough to pursue it on a competitive level as teens and later adults.

But training martial arts is a practice where tangible rewards come based on merit. If you decide to train in a discipline that’s based on a belt ranking—BJJ, Judo, Taekwando, Karate, and many other martial arts use belt systems—you might find extra incentive in leveling up. Plus, in certain martial arts, such as BJJ, which has a robust competitive circuit, you can train to compete. Chasing medals and competitive accolades can feel like catnip to some martial artists, and maybe you’ll find that the challenge of competition adds a thrilling sense of meaning to your life.

Other than that, though, various grappling martial arts and other struggling disciplines such as boxing and Muay Thai (Thai kickboxing), can whip you into fantastic shape. Many people struggle to find an enticing means of exercise once they reach adulthood, but martial arts give you reason to keep coming back, even if you’re getting your ass kicked—because you’re learning and improving with each minute spent in the gym.