What martial art can I try and am I too old?

[bettybooroo]

I'm a mother of three and the kids are growing up and independent enough that I can squeeze in another hobby. I love cycling but would love something else too especially during the winter months. I have always wanted to try a martial art not solely for the self defence aspect but because it looks fun and it's a great workout. My only caveat and this may sound stupid but I don't want to strike, punch or kick someone. I know this may be a tall ask but are there any disciplines out there that people have tried and could recommend where you don't strike or physically hit? Also I'm in my 40s and whilst I'm athletic I hope I'm not too old.

Is it people that you don't want to be hitting? Would you be ok with hitting pads or bags?
Perhaps try tai chi?
Suggest you go for trial classes in different types of martial arts if you can. Your understanding of what actually goes on in a class might change. You might change your mind about hitting too.
Also of course you aren't too old. It's not all about fitness. Pay attention and learn the technique too.

I think I would like to take it seriously and at least be able to compete or spar against someone so just hitting pads maybe not. It's just the idea of hitting and striking someone and injuring them I wouldn't like. I know in the states there is freestyle wrestling which doesn't involve striking but I'm not sure that is classed as a martial art and I think it's just a college sport? and I don't think we have it in Europe.

Usually sparring would only be light contact. If you actually hurt someone you would get a warning from the referee.

You'r are definitely not too old!

I have done martial arts for.longer than i care to admit. I do multi styles inc shotokan karate, jujitsu (not judo) and weapons.
99% is "soft" or no contact. The karate side is less contact but you can still have karate kumite, we only practice semi contact (although have done full in the past) where you "hold/pull" your punches and only aim.for the area the most you should feel is a light tap.
Jujitsu is more contact, because you have to learn how to block punches and throw people (i cannot describe how.mich fun this is!) But sparring is only a very small part of a martial arts journey some traditional classes.only focus on kata and drill type work and do not do any sparring at all! Try a taster class. There are so many different styles of karate, jujitsu and teakwondo. Every class and Sensai is different the first you try may not be for you but the next might be.

Sorry ment to add i would reccomend karate over jujitsu if you want less contact. Although every style is different you would have to do a bit of research in to shotokan, wadoryu, juitkindo, goju ryu etc etc.

I began kick boxing when I was 43 - loved it & got very very fit.

Used to love the sparring & actual competition fighting 😆

Don't do it now as I'm too busy - back to work and looking after son house dogs & horse but I'd definitely recommend 🙂

@CynthiaRothrock is jiu jitsu the same as bjj? Wow It looks like a lot of fun. What's the objective and end goal to win? It doesn't seem to involve striking either which is great. Is there a particular body type or person that is effective at it. My DH watches ufc occasionally and he said they can either win on their feet or on the ground. I'm not sure what he means by that.

@CynthiaRothrock I am fine with contact it's just punching or kicking someone that I don't want to do. Jiu jitsu looks like wrestling which sounds fun and something I may take to. I'm a mum so body contact doesn't bother me and takes a lot for me to be weirded out

Have PM'd you

Simiar but completely different at the same time. Jujitsu is the "original" and judo/bjj and various other styles are adaptations of the original with bits taken from various different styles. Jujitsu is very traditional and old school. Bjj etc is more "freestyle".

My cousin started BJJ in her late 50s. She loves it! Now her grandkids do it too. So you're definitely not too old to start.

My husband became a black belt in karate at 36.

Oh you sound like me...I can't believe I am actually starting to have a little more free time and I've always wanted to learn kick boxing (massive crush on Jean Claude Van Dam when I was young ...not so much now) ... booked to start soon 😬
I hope you find something you enjoy that meets what you'd like, good for you 👍

@HundredMilesAnHour good for her. Does anyone know what the aim is though? How do you win? For example in boxing it's knockout or points or karate I imagine it's points scoring. Wrestling in the states is pinning

@HairToday79 well done and hope you go for it. I'm leaning more towards bjj but will do some more homework. It would be good to be able to inherit a powerful kick though

I must admit i have never followed ufc so im not 100% sure. And i have long been off the competition circuit. Different style have different systems/ rules.
I mainly fight traditional ippon kumite (fight for one point) i can win in one strike/kick to the correct area (so you dont go to the ground) Or with 1 throw and correct hold down on the ground. Or you can score half points for vairous other strikes/punches/ kicks. Warnings are for kicking or striking to the wrong area or going in too hard or stepping out of the area.

Karate kumite (in my style) a throw is very rare it is more like a boxing/kick boxing match. Simiar scoring system to above.

Or you have styles that do mainly "ground work" where the aim is to get your opponent on the floor and hold them for a count (usually 3) or until they tap out. Some styles start on their feet, other on their knees.

@CynthiaRothrock thanks. You sound knowledgeable across a wide variety. It sounds confusing haha. I will take a look at Brazilian jiu jitsu as originally I thought it was similar to judo but I don't think it is. Maybe it involves some standing. I'm not sure. Pinning or tapping out sounds like freestyle wrestling. I only know that because my niece did it at an American university.

I hope you find what you are looking for..i personally prefer traditional over freestyle but i do see the appeal to it. But i believe there is something out there for nearly everyone! Even Tai chi. Have dabbled in wu shu but found it too "gymnastic-y" i was shit at it

Styles have evolved over the years and there are alot of similarities between some styles because some styles are a mashups of 3 or 4 others. Some are totally unique.
For me jujitsu is.more like self defence, blocking, striking an throwing. Lots of arm/ leg locks. Escaping from strangles/choke holds. Dis-arming an opponent that has a weapon. Etc. Judo is more grappling and wrestling throwing and hold downs. (Also traditionally jujitsu is a martial art, judo is a sport derived from a martial art, the same as karate is classed as a martial art not a sport where as teakwondo is a sport because it is dervived from an art)

I do BJJ and absolutely love it, it's been the most challenging and beneficial physical pursuit I've ever taken part in. You normally start standing but end up on the ground either by takedowns, pulling guard, or throws and you win by submitting your opponent, either by various types of joint locks or by chokes. In competition points are also awarded for certain things such as takedowns or gaining and maintaining a dominant position, however getting a submission is the ultimate goal.

@MisterDog that sounds thrilling and up my street to be honest. Is submitting the same as a pin? I will be hopeless to start as my cardio needs to get better. I may be ok weight/strength wise though. I'm 150llbs and 5ft 6

@MisterDog just PM'd you

A submission is normally when your opponent 'taps' to say they submit, this is usually them lightly tapping you, or the mat or saying tap or similar. For example if you were caught in a choke you would tap before you went out, or if it was an armbar you would tap before your arm was damaged.

It's brilliant and will get you very fit. My cardio was terrible when I started but it picked up pretty quick. I was 10st 7lbs at 5'1 when I went to my first class.

Fascinating thread
I did some kickboxing training but found my knuckles hurt just punching pads. Maybe it’s something I’d have got used to if I stuck with it, I don’t know. I’m bored of the gym so will maybe revisit.

I did kick boxing as a kid and began competing to find I'm 'too aggressive" I'd get too in to it and accidentally injured my opponent so gave it up at 14. I then took up Kung fu at 26 and found it much more disciplined. It's much more of an art and there is a lot of katas to master which look very cool. It's great for low contact. We do spar and use pads but I cant hurt anyone

I took up Taekwondo at 45... and got my black belt at 48
I did Karate at Uni but that was it, prior. I just fancied a challenge for an unfit mother of 4.

It's great. Martial Arts clubs tend to be very supportive.. I was definitely one of the oldest starting out, but I gradually got fitter, and the motivation of grading through the belts is huge.

Yes we spar... but you work up to that and you are all padded up.. no one gets hurt.

My black belt grading took place over two weekends and I won't lie... hardest thing I have ever done (plus my DD2 was seriously injured in a hit and run accident on the friday night before I graded on the Sunday... once she was conscious she told me to bugger off home and not return to hospital til II was a black belt!)

BUT it was the most satisfying personal achievement ever... rating far higher than my degree, job.

Do it!!!