Older Martial Artists

[dvcochran]

Speaking as one who is 30 years old........... for the second time..... I know what you are talking about

I am definitely a grey beard.

 

[Kung Fu Wang]

Do we really have to talk about "old"? It's really depressing.

 

[Dirty Dog]

Do we really have to talk about "old"? It's really depressing.

Yeah, but it's forgotten minutes later, so...

 

[Kung Fu Wang]

Yeah, but it's forgotten minutes later, so...

It's better to talk about young, strong, health. It's not a good idea to talk about old, weak, sick. Life is too short to be in sad mood everyday.

 

[Dirty Dog]

It's better to talk about young, strong, health. It's not a good idea to talk about old, weak, sick. Life is too short to be in sad mood everyday.

Your assumption that old automatically means weak and sick is not just wrong, it is utterly ridiculous and insulting.

 

[Alan0354]

It's better to talk about young, strong, health. It's not a good idea to talk about old, weak, sick. Life is too short to be in sad mood everyday.

View attachment 27691

I said I am old, I definitely not out. Still kicking, still pushing. I can out pushup both grand kids, dip, pull up. I beat my stepsons also.

Those young kids are into VIRTUE exercise.

 

[Wing Woo Gar]

I'll let you know after my upcoming back and knee surgery. I'm hoping that afterwards I can return to the mat full time. Right now I do some light rolling with some guys I know. Sucks not being able to do the stuff you used to do.

My knee got severely damaged via a bad grapevine while I was on mount against a young ex-wrestler who was way bigger than me. My back injury isn't training related. Good thing my job provides good insurance!

Good luck to you and speedy recovery.

 

[Wing Woo Gar]

I started training

- Taiji since I was 7 (it's so funny that some people still label me as anti-Taiji person).
- Bagua Quan (not Bagua palm) and hand striking staff since I was 11,
- long fist since I was 14.
- ...

I will be 74 next week. I am lucky that I don't have any knee, hip, or back issue. May be because my early Taiji training experience, I know how to protect my joints. I still run 3 miles 3 times weekly. I try to replace my running by walking with punches. But my deep desire still want me to run. I enjoy the feeling that the fresh air going through my lung.

I also work on the weight, heavy bag, train equipment 3 times weekly M, W, F. On the bag training, I will kick 200 times and punch 300 times for each training.

I have created 40 3 punches drills (such as right hook, left uppercut, right overhand, ...) that I drill each combo 20 times. That's 2,400 punches for each training. I also like to drill my entering strategies and finish strategies over and over.

I like to train in fast speed. I don't like to train in slow speed (even if Taiji is my 1st MA system). Fast speed training make me to feel young, health, strong. Slow speed training make me to feel old, sick, weak (may be this is why I'm labeled as anti-Taiji).

Since I have nothing else to do, I try to work out at least 2-3 hours daily. Sometime I start my workout from 2 pm until dark.

That’s impressive! Good for you!

 

[Wing Woo Gar]

Yeah, but it's forgotten minutes later, so...

Lmao! Wait, what was I just laughing at?

 

[Wing Woo Gar]

We have a lot of folks on this forum who are getting up there in years. Personally, my training has suffered as my body has broken down. My elbows and shoulders are gimpy and overall, I just don't recover as well as I did even 10 years ago.

For those who still train regularly, how has your training regime changed? Do you do things now you didn't when you were younger?

And for those who, through some miracle of eternal youth, continue to compete, how has that changed for you over the years?

I am 50, I still stretch every day. I still am able to teach and train 3-4 times a week. My wife is a yoga and pilates instructor who is 11 years my junior and keeps me busy hiking in addition. I can still pull it off at full speed and power for my 1-2 hour training sessions but I definitely do not recover the same. I have a lot of old injuries but most are fairly minor. I feel lucky that I am as able as I am. After reading this thread I will stop complaining. I had no idea how old all you geezers were! And how many implants there are among you. I feel safe saying these things because most of you wont remember this anyway. Old isn’t out by any means! One Saturday night while training with Sifu Woo (who was 86 at the time) we ran over time by an hour or so. Eve, Sifu Woos wife came out to the kwoon and clinked her tea cup without uttering a word. When she left a moment later, Sifu said” okay guys we’re gonna call it because it’s Saturday night and me and Simo gotta go to the porno movies”. He wasn’t kidding... I keep that little gem as a gold standard for my hopes in old age.

 

[Alan0354]

I am 50, I still stretch every day. I still am able to teach and train 3-4 times a week. My wife is a yoga and pilates instructor who is 11 years my junior and keeps me busy hiking in addition. I can still pull it off at full speed and power for my 1-2 hour training sessions but I definitely do not recover the same. I have a lot of old injuries but most are fairly minor. I feel lucky that I am as able as I am. After reading this thread I will stop complaining. I had no idea how old all you geezers were! And how many implants there are among you. I feel safe saying these things because most of you wont remember this anyway. Old isn’t out by any means! One Saturday night while training with Sifu Woo (who was 86 at the time) we ran over time by an hour or so. Eve, Sifu Woos wife came out to the kwoon and clinked her tea cup without uttering a word. When she left a moment later, Sifu said” okay guys we’re gonna call it because it’s Saturday night and me and Simo gotta go to the porno movies”. He wasn’t kidding... I keep that little gem as a gold standard for my hopes in old age.

I hate to pour cold water. I really don't feel I am going down hill until I pass 60. I was still pushing weight lifting, the poundage did not drop until pass 60. When I turn 65, all of a sudden I had knee and foot problem(without injury). One day when I was walking down the stairs two years ago, my knee just buckled and I almost fell!!! Never had I have injury on my knees. Never have to watch out doing kicks. Now I have to warm up and start slow.

I remember I could bench pressed a few reps of 225lbs, hang a 45lbs on my waist to do dips. That dropped after turning 60. Last time in the gym 2 years ago, I barely can bench 185, now just 20reps body weight dips, forget hanging weights. I was 20lbs heavier before. There goes to show how much I lost strength. Damn, I used to do 10 reps of 185lbs bench press for warm up!!!

Balance gone down to hell also, I have to practice balance now. Lately, I work on footwork, I do moving in deep stances like the front leg bend almost 90deg and back legs straight and move around while swinging the stick slowly. At first, I have trouble balance and felt weak. It's getting better. I notice my balance gets better. I just have to keep working more to maintain what I had before.

 

[Wing Woo Gar]

I hate to pour cold water. I really don't feel I am going down hill until I pass 60. I was still pushing weight lifting, the poundage did not drop until pass 60. When I turn 65, all of a sudden I had knee and foot problem(without injury). One day when I was walking down the stairs two years ago, my knee just buckled and I almost fell!!! Never had I have injury on my knees. Never have to watch out doing kicks. Now I have to warm up and start slow.

I remember I could bench pressed a few reps of 225lbs, hang a 45lbs on my waist to do dips. That dropped after turning 60. Last time in the gym 2 years ago, I barely can bench 185, now just 20reps body weight dips, forget hanging weights. I was 20lbs heavier before. There goes to show how much I lost strength. Damn, I used to do 10 reps of 185lbs bench press for warm up!!!

Balance gone down to hell also, I have to practice balance now. Lately, I work on footwork, I do moving in deep stances like the front leg bend almost 90deg and back legs straight and move around while swinging the stick slowly. At first, I have trouble balance and felt weak. It's getting better. I notice my balance gets better. I just have to keep working more to maintain what I had before.

It’s ok I’m fine with it. I dont feel old yet but older for sure. I plan to get as much in as I can before it’s time for slow down.

 

[dvcochran]

47 here. I find a couple of grams of creatine monohydrate in my coffee every morning really helps me bounce back from training. I feel young again.

When I was competing, Amino Acids were one of my best friends.

 

[bill miller]

When I was competing, Amino Acids were one of my best friends.

I guess I was lucky, and didn't start falling apart until my mid 60's, when I came down with kidney cancer. When I got back to training, I couldn't go back to the TKD system,but kept my tai chi going. It took a bit, but I gradually got back to form. Around 2 years ago, I had to stop working and take care of my wife, who had stage four cancer, and when she passed away, I started drinking,and my mind and body fell apart. My sons got me help, and I gradually started building my strength and focus back, and went back to my tai chi training again. It took a while, but I am almost back to form. At 72 it was hard to start over, but well worth the journey!

 

[Alan0354]

I guess I was lucky, and didn't start falling apart until my mid 60's, when I came down with kidney cancer. When I got back to training, I couldn't go back to the TKD system,but kept my tai chi going. It took a bit, but I gradually got back to form. Around 2 years ago, I had to stop working and take care of my wife, who had stage four cancer, and when she passed away, I started drinking,and my mind and body fell apart. My sons got me help, and I gradually started building my strength and focus back, and went back to my tai chi training again. It took a while, but I am almost back to form. At 72 it was hard to start over, but well worth the journey!

Sorry to hear this, glad you come back. Just keep at it.

 

[isshinryuronin]

I guess I was lucky, and didn't start falling apart until my mid 60's, when I came down with kidney cancer. When I got back to training, I couldn't go back to the TKD system,but kept my tai chi going. It took a bit, but I gradually got back to form. Around 2 years ago, I had to stop working and take care of my wife, who had stage four cancer, and when she passed away, I started drinking,and my mind and body fell apart. My sons got me help, and I gradually started building my strength and focus back, and went back to my tai chi training again. It took a while, but I am almost back to form. At 72 it was hard to start over, but well worth the journey!

Our path thru life provides great happiness and sadness, obstacles to overcome or at least adapt to that which cannot be changed. It seems you experienced all of these the past few years. Yet, you are still pushing forward - I respect your courage and drive. So good to have a history in MA as it provides us a companion we can turn (return) to, to help us thru our continuing journey. Ever onward!

 

[dvcochran]

I guess I was lucky, and didn't start falling apart until my mid 60's, when I came down with kidney cancer. When I got back to training, I couldn't go back to the TKD system,but kept my tai chi going. It took a bit, but I gradually got back to form. Around 2 years ago, I had to stop working and take care of my wife, who had stage four cancer, and when she passed away, I started drinking,and my mind and body fell apart. My sons got me help, and I gradually started building my strength and focus back, and went back to my tai chi training again. It took a while, but I am almost back to form. At 72 it was hard to start over, but well worth the journey!

So very sorry for you loss. Your perseverance is inspiring.

 

[AIKIKENJITSU]

We have a lot of folks on this forum who are getting up there in years. Personally, my training has suffered as my body has broken down. My elbows and shoulders are gimpy and overall, I just don't recover as well as I did even 10 years ago.

For those who still train regularly, how has your training regime changed? Do you do things now you didn't when you were younger?

And for those who, through some miracle of eternal youth, continue to compete, how has that changed for you over the years?

Well I can only speak for me, but I'm still limber and fast at age 78. My techniques are just as fast as when I was younger. So there should be no problems as you get older. The only thing you have less of is stamina. But practicing techniques as you get older, you must try and keep your body half way in shape. If you develop a gut in later years, you're fooling yourself if you think you're still as good as ever.
I still lift weights, but not as heavy as when I was a youngster of 55. I get tired quicker, but not bad for the shape I'm in.
I still teach only adults and that helps keep me up there.
I also think that the type of martial art you practice may determine how well you can still do it in later years.
Sifu

 

[AIKIKENJITSU]

Well I can only speak for me, but I'm still limber and fast at age 78. My techniques are just as fast as when I was younger. So there should be no problems as you get older. The only thing you have less of is stamina. But practicing techniques as you get older, you must try and keep your body half way in shape. If you develop a gut in later years, you're fooling yourself if you think you're still as good as ever.
I still lift weights, but not as heavy as when I was a youngster of 55. I get tired quicker, but not bad for the shape I'm in.
I still teach only adults and that helps keep me up there.
I also think that the type of martial art you practice may determine how well you can still do it in later years.

Just want to mention, cancer runs in our family and I'm being treated for mine. But it looks good and I will be training forever and teaching for a few more years.
Sifu

 

[Unkogami]

We have a lot of folks on this forum who are getting up there in years. Personally, my training has suffered as my body has broken down. My elbows and shoulders are gimpy and overall, I just don't recover as well as I did even 10 years ago.

For those who still train regularly, how has your training regime changed? Do you do things now you didn't when you were younger?

And for those who, through some miracle of eternal youth, continue to compete, how has that changed for you over the years?

Change = pain