I am a woman (at the age of 45 always very athletic) that has a little knowledge in martial art, taekwondo, but find it hard because of my inability to perform high kicks, specially side kicks that could go only to a waist level. Please advise if there is a better choice for me, or if there is a way I can improve my flexibility, even though I was never too flexible, and could never perform side splits.
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Best martial art style for not-at-all-flexible people over 40?
- Thread starter teacup
- Start date
if you dont feel comfortable i would blame the instructor more then the style.
i had a 45 yr old student start (in shotokan karate), he couldn't kick above his knee at first. after about a year he final was able to get about waist high. unless you are in competition you dont need to kick high. for self defense, knee high is fine. you should look for an instructor that will make you feel comfortable about your limitations and not worry about the style so much.
i had a 45 yr old student start (in shotokan karate), he couldn't kick above his knee at first. after about a year he final was able to get about waist high. unless you are in competition you dont need to kick high. for self defense, knee high is fine. you should look for an instructor that will make you feel comfortable about your limitations and not worry about the style so much.
LIONDANCER
New member
Flexibility is something that can be learned even at your age. The trick is to go slow and take your time. I am older than you and still stretch and amazingly still improve my flexibility. So don't give up in this department.
As far as martial arts, you don't say what it is you would like to get out of it. If you are looking for self defense I would go for Karate. Make sure you get a school that teaches self defense and is not sports oriented. If you would like to compete the sports oriented one is OK. Stay away from Kung Fu. Anybody who says no flexibility is required has never done Kung Fu. Flexibility is very much stressed and we stretch EVERY class. We sit in splits for 2 minutes for each split each class which is a total of 6 minutes of just splits and we do other things that require high flexibility. Granted, if you are motivated you can work yourself into it but you might also keep in mind that Kung Fu requires low stances and coming up out of those low stances as well as some other quite acrobatic moves.
Tai Chi is great too. It is an internal martial arts and physically can be as simple as a stretching exercise to being a full work out at full speed. It's just most people do not know that Tai Chi is a full speed martial art and don't practice it as such.
I am sure there are more styles you could get into but those are the ones I am familiar with.
As far as martial arts, you don't say what it is you would like to get out of it. If you are looking for self defense I would go for Karate. Make sure you get a school that teaches self defense and is not sports oriented. If you would like to compete the sports oriented one is OK. Stay away from Kung Fu. Anybody who says no flexibility is required has never done Kung Fu. Flexibility is very much stressed and we stretch EVERY class. We sit in splits for 2 minutes for each split each class which is a total of 6 minutes of just splits and we do other things that require high flexibility. Granted, if you are motivated you can work yourself into it but you might also keep in mind that Kung Fu requires low stances and coming up out of those low stances as well as some other quite acrobatic moves.
Tai Chi is great too. It is an internal martial arts and physically can be as simple as a stretching exercise to being a full work out at full speed. It's just most people do not know that Tai Chi is a full speed martial art and don't practice it as such.
I am sure there are more styles you could get into but those are the ones I am familiar with.
You can either keep working at your kicks and flexibility till you reach your goals or you can switch to a style that does little or no kicking above the waist, like most kung fu styles.
Many people turn to Tai Chi for an easy martial art, with little or no sparring and no rapid moves. It may surprise you to find that this will be far from the truth is you end up with a good instructor.
If you like the school you are in stay, and put more focus on stretching. Add a Yoga practice to increase strength, balance and flexibility.
Many people turn to Tai Chi for an easy martial art, with little or no sparring and no rapid moves. It may surprise you to find that this will be far from the truth is you end up with a good instructor.
If you like the school you are in stay, and put more focus on stretching. Add a Yoga practice to increase strength, balance and flexibility.
a;right first see what you got in your area (google/go for a walk)
see what you are into if you like it or not.
make sure it isnt a mcdojo (google for info)
Grapple styles (jointlocks/throws/ground fighting etc)
Ju jitsu
judo
brazilian ju jitsu (judo/ BJJ derived from Ju jitsu they focus more on different aspects of The Ju jitsu course)
wrestling
Sambo
Aikido
taijutsu/ninjustu
Silat (my art rare but if you find i thought i would include)
Striking arts( punches and kicks)
Boxing
Kick boxing
taekwondo
wing tsun/chun
can't think of many more off top my head.
as for well rounded they all eventually end up well rounded just at the start are very different (a fork in the road both roads lead into one road).
all involve fitness and speed, some may be done slower due to injury happening if done at fast pace but with a partner at home you can make up for it.
MMA is good but as i say a person who trains in 3 Trad styles VS MMA the trad style will win
why?
because he has learnt more advanced moves in each style and fully understands how to implement his body into 3 different weapons. whilst an MMA fighter learns all 3 and ends up sloppy in comparison to each art he represents with his moves.
Best of luck in your choice it will take time to get good but is worth it
see what you are into if you like it or not.
make sure it isnt a mcdojo (google for info)
Grapple styles (jointlocks/throws/ground fighting etc)
Ju jitsu
judo
brazilian ju jitsu (judo/ BJJ derived from Ju jitsu they focus more on different aspects of The Ju jitsu course)
wrestling
Sambo
Aikido
taijutsu/ninjustu
Silat (my art rare but if you find i thought i would include)
Striking arts( punches and kicks)
Boxing
Kick boxing
taekwondo
wing tsun/chun
can't think of many more off top my head.
as for well rounded they all eventually end up well rounded just at the start are very different (a fork in the road both roads lead into one road).
all involve fitness and speed, some may be done slower due to injury happening if done at fast pace but with a partner at home you can make up for it.
MMA is good but as i say a person who trains in 3 Trad styles VS MMA the trad style will win
why?
because he has learnt more advanced moves in each style and fully understands how to implement his body into 3 different weapons. whilst an MMA fighter learns all 3 and ends up sloppy in comparison to each art he represents with his moves.
Best of luck in your choice it will take time to get good but is worth it
SiFu frank
New member
Win Chun Kung Fu. I am an older 65 year old Martial Arts instructor (Taekwando). I am a Wing Chung student now and find it very easy on my bad hip. The World Wing Chung Kung Fu Association is a good source of information. There are other arts as well. I have first hand knowledge of this one and find it awesome for self defense. It is a rich art with a lot to offer in the way of holistic health, dealing with sport injuries and internal martial arts. Especially now that I am getting less Flexible.