Need Advice

[ipsofacto]

HI, Just wanted some advice please re the following.

I am aged 62 and in very good health and fitness. I have been thinking about this year beginning training in a martial art. I live in a town which has limited selections, however I seem to have two clubs available to me: Wing Chun (group only trains twice weekly for 90 minutes each sesion); or, an MMA group training in BJJ and Muay Thai (group has five training sessions available each week. Either one seems populated by students much younger than I and I am a little concerned about being too old to fit in and being embarassed should I take longer to be able to make progress.

The MMA group offers more training time but I am wondering if it is all going to be far too physically demanding with grappling etc.

Hope someone can understand my concerns and give some advice.

Thanks...John

[Middleweight]

HI, Just wanted some advice please re the following.

I am aged 62 and in very good health and fitness. I have been thinking about this year beginning training in a martial art. I live in a town which has limited selections, however I seem to have two clubs available to me: Wing Chun (group only trains twice weekly for 90 minutes each sesion); or, an MMA group training in BJJ and Muay Thai (group has five training sessions available each week. Either one seems populated by students much younger than I and I am a little concerned about being too old to fit in and being embarassed should I take longer to be able to make progress.

The MMA group offers more training time but I am wondering if it is all going to be far too physically demanding with grappling etc.

Hope someone can understand my concerns and give some advice.

Thanks...John

Ok John. We're same age. I started training when I was 11, and still pound the bag today (Not the one I divorced, ... I'm referring to the one that isn't so poorly stuffed)

First; I would train for 10-11 weeks with weights to strengthen the whole body, and also your bones will actually become more strong/dense as a result of the resisitance training.

Reccommend rope skipping ... and if you are not too overweight, you can be skipping 4 x 3 minute rounds within 10 weeks

Talk to the instructor of the BJJ class. BJJ is terribly demanding, and if there's a Judo club in your area; I'd go there instead. Judo is demanding too, but fewer joint injuries. The guys you will be sparring with will respect that you are older and not try to 'beat you up'

Hopefully, the instructor is not 'on commission' and will give you the straight goods.

I wouldn't do Mu-thai, and I still workout maybe 3-5 times a month in a boxing club. Weights 3-4 x a week. I don't know if I'd do Mu-Thai if I was 22 y.o. again. Learing how to use the knees is good, though.

The Wing Chun might be a better idea. My only problem with Kung-fu is some of the 'spiritual' side of it. I just have a huge problem with honoring a symbol, bowing to an image, whatever. 2 x 90 min workouts might be plenty for you. BJJ works best if you have to take care of a 'problem'

I wouldn't fret about fitting in. Many of the members will be very supportive of what you are doing. These guys have healthy esteem of other people who are 'in the club' (and for those who aren't.) You won't be expected to be tournament ready in just 5 short months, etc.

Good luck, and let us know how it's going