Best martial art for out of shape middle-aged woman?

[boatyardblues]

It has been suggested to me that taking up a martial art would do me good, in an all round well-being and fitness way.

I am fairly unfit (though I get at least 10k steps a day), overweight middle-aged woman becoming creakier and stiffer as menopause looms. My balance isn’t great at the moment, though it was fine when I was younger. I had SPD in my pregnancies and my pelvis still niggles. I have never been actively involved in contact sports, apart from compulsory PE in school. I don’t like the idea of getting injured. I did tai chi for a while in my 20s but didn’t keep it up.

Is a martial art a spectacularly bad idea, or can creaky folk like me come to it later in life & do OK? Which martial arts are easier for older, less fit people to get to grips with? Do the different martial arts differ in philosophical approach, so that one might suit me better?

Watching with interest...

Look for one that doesn't lock out your limbs when kicking/punching. I started a variant of taekwondo last year (am in my fifties) and love it, but it is a variant designed to be for all ages. Taekwondo itself is far too harsh on the body. Have a look around and chat to done instructors who should be able to advise. You should also be able to try taster sessions to figure out what works for you.. Also helps if there are other people of a certain age in the class🙂.. I'd hate to be training with yoofs.. We're a really good mixed bunch. Also think about whether you want contact (I love this 🙂) or not as this also will help you decide which one to go for. Good luck - it is the best!

Btw I do CKD if you have a local one

Shaolin Kung Fu

Origami ?! Sorry couldn't resist ! Watching with interest too !

You can definitely do it. I know a bloke (not especially fit) who took up karate at 65 upon retirement, was awarded his black belt age 70. Good effort.

Ime it's less about the martial art and more about the particular club. Martial arts clubs are not regulated. Absolutely anyone can decide to set themselves up as a 10th dan red belt in karataekwonjeetkunedo, or whatever. Its worth googling "how to spot a McDojo" as those kinds of articles list some of the more common characteristics of dodgy clubs.

A good club will:

• let you observe/try a session for free
• outsource their gradings (if the instructor just gives you the next belt when they think you're ready, it's a bit... unreliable)
• be affiliated to a larger organisation (NB. Google the larger organisation too. There's dodgy outfits that call themselves things like United World Martial Arts Association* but are run out of someone's shed in Bradford and only have 3 clubs affiliated altogether)

With the exception of MMA & aikido (to avoid) I wouldn't recommend any one martial art over another.

*I made that one up. If there is a real one, please don't sue me.

Thanks everyone.

I’m not much of a hugger, so contact martial arts might be all a bit much. That said, martial arts were suggested as a way of getting me out of my comfort zone.

Karate
I took it up at 35, now heading towards 51.

Choose a family-friendly club, possibly billing itself as 'non-contact'.
I agree with Tableclothing on most aspects- a good club will allow you to have the first session free. I'd steer clear of any that demand you pay X weeks' fees in advance. Gradings needn't necessarily be outsourced for lower grades, but they should be held by properly-qualified instructors (by which I mean MINIMUM of shodan, but preferably higher). And yes look up who they're affiliated to. Ask about grading times- shonky clubs will promise you that you can get to be a black belt in a year. A good club would take considerably longer (many years more).

I get where you're coming from btw- I'm not a hugger either and the thought of grappling on a mat fills me with horror

Started karate at 54, now a Brown Belt, aiming for Black, age 60. Totally changed my life. Gained in self-esteem, healthier, sexier, listen and respect my body more. I’m happily married with two kids, 18 and 22, and they say all their friends are very impressed! I have a meniscal tear in my knee and it never hurts during sessions or afterwards.It’s huge fun. Just make sure studio member of England Karate Federation and has safeguarding policies. Check out Ady Gray, The Karate Dojo.

Did kickboxing in 20s and early 30s. Loved it and found it less regimental. Got to Brown belt.

Started Tae Kwon Do 18 months ago (am early 40s) with DD. I enjoy it but maybe a bit too regimental to me. It has however significantly upped my fitness.

Maybe take a look at Kobudo? It's all about wielding farming tools, and the first one is usually a bo staff/6 foot pole. Very useful for keeping other people at bay!

I'm one of two creaky, middle-aged women in my class, and we seem to cope ok! Not quite as smooth or quick to progress as the young whippersnappers, but waving weapons about is actually rather fun.