Karate for adults

[IndigoBluey]

I’m considering going along to a free trial session, either karate or another martial arts taster. Anyone else taken up a martial arts class as an adult? I tried Judo at university but that was a while ago and didn’t enjoy being thrown around even onto soft mats, it was mainly guys back then but hoping that nowadays these classes might be more mixed.

Yes! I did, in my late 40s. I took my son along to karate for his D of E and my friend persuaded me to join in, then my daughter came along and finally my husband. Me and my husband did it longer than the kids and got up to brown belt. We are having a bit of a break at the moment, but I really enjoyed it, completely different to anything else I do, and it made me feel much more confident about myself. Should go back really!

I started karate age 40, trained for many years and achieved my black belt. It’s fantastic exercise and very sociable. You’ll learn gradually and work up the grading, it’s the only sport I’ve been able to stay with.

Yes! Many adults start martial arts later classes now are often mixed-gender and focus on technique, fitness, and controlled sparring rather than just throwing. A free trial is perfect to see which style suits you.

Can I ask, did you got up the gradings and progress to higher belts? Or was it only your son who progressed up the belts? I’ve just started it with my son too but I’m unsure if I’m going to be graded like he is

@Electriceelslunch My husband and I both got to brown belt, the kids only got to yellow (7th kyu) before they stopped coming - mostly because of exams, but then Covid came along and they didn't really come back after that.

We graded every 3 months for the first few belts, but then it slowed down as things got harder.

Sometimes the youngsters do pick things up quicker!

Go for it it’s great fun, I started as an adult few months after my kids started, all three of us are now black belts. I have made some lovely friends at my club. They have mixed classes based upon belt colour, and there are adult only classes.

Thought I’d jump back with an update. I’m really enjoying it so far and plan to do my first grading in a few weeks. I find it great for mentally switching off and the discipline to it. It’s more challenging than I thought but in a good way

Yes!! Aged 50s! Take a look at different styles, some are easier on joints than others.