NightShade_UK Posted July 20, 2003 Posted July 20, 2003 hey all!! imagine this: you are a 54 years old female housewife, stiff, overweight, have about NO cardio, are not very strong and cant to sports for too long. 30 years ago u were green belt in jiu jitsu but u quit for some reason. which martial art suits u best, to burn some fat that surrounds ur stomach, loose weight, get better cardio and as well have a reconciliation for ur everyday stress. in addition to that u have a job as a teacher and householding to do. so u probably dont want to spend too much time in the dojang... self defense is not so important, but is nothing bad. just one more thing: u fear u will embarras urself and u are not willing to believe that in a good dojo, u are respected for the efforts u make in such an age, withouth real expierience. so - where would you go? which style is best for u? and how can u be convinced that it is better to do a sport than to sometimes sit on ur hometrainer?? p.s.: dont know whether this should've been put into "getting started" - if so; pls move
IAMA_chick Posted July 20, 2003 Posted July 20, 2003 in my tae kwon do class we have people off all types. young/old. slim/ heavier. and we make it work. like there are people who are more flexible than others and who can do moer things. so, maybe you could try something like that? Tae Kwon Do15-years oldpurple--belt
Tibby Posted July 20, 2003 Posted July 20, 2003 That is a hard one, because while some schools are better for fitness, a lot of it is a presonal preferrance. If this was me, and I was in as bad a shape as you say then I might lose imterest in the art because it is boring, or maybe, on top of not liking it, it is to hard. You'd be surprised at how must you will pull thru if you like the art. An Aerobic Kick Boxing class might be good. Have you considered Judo? Some people like Judo, and it is similer to JuiJutsi, and people of all ages enjoy it. What about going back to Juijitsu? I'm sure, once you're in the Dojo for a few weeks, you will catch on fast, take up where you left off. You may wish to start at a lower rank will you get the hang of it. Aikido and Tia Chi are good, low contact arts, that people who are weaker seem to enjoy, when not looking for a way to defend themselves. You may also want to look into Yoga. I was looking into Yoga a little while back to help with my powerlifting. I never took it, but it seems like is would be a good art, get you some musclar balance and endurance, while toning and firming. There are different style, so be sure to check online and with your teacher, to see which style is the teachers teaches. Some styles, like some styles of martial arts, are a waste of time, and many of those Yogi's only go to a week-end camp. Not really many "leagues" or groups that regulate fake yoga. Hey, martial arts have plenty of Leagues, and we still get Ryu's and Kwan's! Just take a look around, see what is best for you, and what you think you would enjoy.
NightShade_UK Posted July 21, 2003 Author Posted July 21, 2003 so any art would be good to some extend i myself thought about getting her back to some grappling art or maybe an aerobic workout art like tkd. the meditation and low contact arts are worth a thought as well, but how do you finally CONVINCE this specific person? in my opinion its a very good idea to start a martial art in that situation, but how do u make her try it? give a membership as a present for christmas? try to convince her by argument? dont think any of these'd work... good ideas are appreciated.
Tibby Posted July 21, 2003 Posted July 21, 2003 Everyone has different buttons, you just have to know how to push them. I couldn't tell you how to convince her because I don't know her. You just have to give her the facts, and hope she takes the beat. Is she a togh, determind perosn, make it a challange. Is she weak and feable minded, tell her it will make her strong nad healthy. Does she love her husban, tell her it will increase his pleasure when she is in better shape. I don't know, I'm sure you can figure out something that will really light a fire under her. If Grappling is her thing, Judo might be fun. People of all ages do judo, and it is great for getting in shape. But still, a less voilicne art such as Tia CHi or Aikodo, or even Yoga, might stylle appeal to her better.
telsun Posted July 21, 2003 Posted July 21, 2003 Mmmmm Nightshade are you "her" Don't be shy we don't know who you are.....hehehehe Seriously (that was a joke above) I would never be able to convince my better half to attend a MA class it's just not her. As the person you are talking about (lets call her Mary) has been training before you may have a better chance. But bare in mind that was 30years ago. I presume that you train? Don't think that taking Mary along to your class will be good because it will probably only raise her embarrassment. I would suggest doing a little training with her at home this may get her in the right frame of mind. If not maybe you should just accept her for what she has become. Maybe Mary has become more of a stroll along the beach type woman, or a little keep fit together at home. Maybe she would enjoy something relaxing like yoga. Why don't you talk to her I keep asking God what I'm for and he tells me........."gee I'm not sure!"
Icetuete Posted July 22, 2003 Posted July 22, 2003 i think if the shade wouldnt have talked to her yet, he would not come to this forum for ideas, because his last ones didnt work. maybe its right that martial arts is just not her thing... in that case u can probably forget about it. perhaps she as well is too stubborn (no offense here ) to listen to ur advice and rather sticks to her hometrainer u were talking about. while i myself like you think that that is probably not as effective. training at home is a very good idea though. dont do fancy kicks right at the beginning, it would probably discourage her. tell her about the benefits u got from ur training at that no hometrainer can substitute a good instructor that knows what workouts do work and which dont. if she is sensible and does not have too much work etc to do, she can probably be convinced.
Gloi Posted July 23, 2003 Posted July 23, 2003 I would suggest that she joins a normal gym for a while to improve here fitness and to get used to exercising. The gym I go to has all the cardio machines and plenty of beginners aerobics classes. When she has got back into the routine of exercising then would be a good time to look for a martial arts class, and to find a school where there are other older adults with similar problems, not a bunch of super flexible teenagers. Going back into an art like jujitsu or aikido would probably be better rather than something like TKD where it could get demoralising not being able to keep up with young supple and fit people.
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