RockyMtnMark

Anyone tried/seen these? I'm looking for something to help me expand on my very basic speedbag skills.

My wife and I took our first belt test tonite and both passed. I was pretty nervous, and only made one minor flub (during the defensive combination portion). Gold belts now, but hopefully black belts w/in 5 years.

I earned my gold belt tonite (American Freestyle Karate). I'm 40, and began taking lessons approx 2-1/2 months ago.

White belt (American freestyle Karate), hoping to be promoted to yellow belt on 01/18.

The Clash were one of the bands that literally changed my life some 25-odd years ago. I've seen them live 3-4 times, and they never disappointed. Joe Strummer and Mick Jones were *my* Lennon/McCartney. RIP, Joe.

The law of averages caught up with me last nite. I was skating my local pool, went down, and either bruised or cracked a rib or two. Oddly enough, it was the plastic cap on my elbow pad that went into my ribs. My Karate class is tomorrow morning, so it'll be "interesting" to see how I fare. Belt exam is next weekend, so I think it'd be best if I put the skateboard aside until then...

Before or after a workout, PowerBars or Clif Bars. If I'm sweating a lot, I really like apple or grape Cytomax.

At the studio where I take classes, we wear white (Century) gi's up through orange belt. When we earn our green belts, we're then allowed to wear a blue gi that has the school name embroidered on the back of the gi top.

We also purchased a pair of focus mitts/targets, and they're great. We try to replicate the drills that we do in class, etc. Also, the double "clapping" paddle is fun to practice with. Next on the "shopping list" are some Eskrima sticks.

Greetings, I started taking Karate lessons approximately 2-1/2 months ago (at the age of 40). My wife has been wanting to take up MA for a while, but it wasn't until our 8-1/2 year-old daughter earned her green belt did she feel "ready." Now, we're both eagerly awaiting our yellow belt exam in less than two weeks. In the short time that we've been taking lessons, we've noticed improved coordination, balance, strength, and overall fitness. I, myself, am an avid skateboarder (pools, bowls, ramps), and have found that Karate is a great complement to my skating (and vice versa). --RMM

Greetings, I started Karate (American freestyle) at the age of 40. I've been taking lessons for just over two months, and will be taking my yellow belt exam in two weeks. My wife and I started taking lessons after our daughter (who's 8-1/2) earned her green belt. We're really enjoying our lessons and teachers, and have found that in the short time we've been taking lessons, our fitness, balance, coordination, and strength have all improved. --RMM

Katana, You're certainly NOT too old at 20-ish to be starting in the martial arts. I started at 40, and will be taking my yellow belt exam in less than two weeks. My balance, coordination, strength, and fitness have all improved since starting approx 2-1/2 months ago. My wife (also 40), who joined at the same time, has experienced similar results. We've taken to Karate so much that we now have a wavemaster and speedbag in our basement! --RMM