white belt at 40

[Bloke]

Im not too far off 41 and the same thing is happening to me Japman. In the last two years I have seen improvements in Mae Geri and Shita Tsuki while Jodan Mawashi just doesnt work as well for me anymore - Im losing some of the flexibility but thats not it. I can still do it off the left leg fine but its like I have forgotten how with the right leg.

[Spirit]

Originally Posted by Bloke

Im not too far off 41 and the same thing is happening to me Japman. In the last two years I have seen improvements in Mae Geri and Shita Tsuki while Jodan Mawashi just doesnt work as well for me anymore - Im losing some of the flexibility but thats not it. I can still do it off the left leg fine but its like I have forgotten how with the right leg.

Bloke if I may make a suggestion...

I have arthritis in the very lower back along with nerve damage in the same location and right hip is gone. Kicking any type of kick that uses the back/hips in a pivoting action can be sometimes excruciatingly painful.
But one thing that has always worked for me to keep limber is this...

Kicking the bag before stretching, I've been doing it since day one (got it from my B/F and senpai). When I have issues with my back/hip, I can easily go months (3-9) without stretching/kicking or warm ups, but I can go right back to kicking jodan mawashi with ease and I'm not one of those who stretch out like crazy if ever is more like it.
I believe the memory of the tendons, ligaments and muscles have been trained for that limberness by kicking the bag first, then after 20 - 30 minutes and a good sweat stretch a little...
I'm sure it will be a tad difficult at first (I do start off slow) but once you start to sweat you will see how loose you get.
Give it a go for a month and see if it makes a difference.

Though it was worked well for me it may not for others, though many in our old dojo worked this method and we never stretch in class right into basics...

[Uchi Deshi]

OSU,

In my opinion 40 is certainly not too late to start.
Age may sometimes be a relative factor for some people
but I guess it rather depends on the SHAPE
you are and how much you want to train.

We're all aware that Kyokushin is one the most
demanding form of martial arts. No one who practice Kyokushin
seriously will argue on that.
Therefore, if you want to practice Kyokushin on a regular basis,
(not just for the heck of it or once in a while...),
it's not only a matter of good spirit, you've got to be
in a reasonable good shape and also be in a position to improve it gradually.
Otherwise, you may be taking some risks along the way as your training
will become more and more demanding when you reach higher levels.

If you haven't practiced any form of sports or activities
regularly for a while and you're not 100% sure about your "real" health
or cardio condition, I would suggest asking for a doctor's opinion, just to be sure...
A simple checkup never hurts. At least that's what I did before I decided to come back...

In my case I've been practicing Kyokushin on a regular basis (4-5 times a week)
till I reached the brown belt. I then stopped for a period of 15 years.
(Not for any medical reasons by the way...)

A friend (and former teacher and ex kickboxing champion) convinced me to come back
at the age of 45.
I realized I obviously had to start over at the very beginning.
Gaining back a brown belt appeared a bit challenging at first,
but it went a bit faster than I expected. I did some tameshiwari training to
gain back more strength and resistance, though I never tried to burn the steps.
I'm actually close to 49 (in a month... God time flies...). I've now gone beyond
the level where I left. I'm more mature than I used to be and that's
what stimulates me to continue.

[jolut]

I am 43 and to crosstrain, I have started to do some brazilian jujusu, a few weeks ago. Age is not a problem!

[Bloke]

Thanks for the suggestion Japman - Ill try it out.

[FutureProdigy]

blueyedpeter - what are the reasons you decided to start now? I ask because I'm almost half your age and I constantly mentally beat myself up over starting at 23 - but I think I have some sort of complex or something, I have played rep hockey, and lacrosse my entire life and can never fathom doing anything as a 'hobby (the prospect of going 'pro' needs to always be there.. if not it has this burning interior sensation of a wasted potential type of feeling [I know I'm hard on myself])... and because of this I have a hard time motivating myself sometimes to train, cause I'm way too far gone to do any real competing now. So, I often question my motivations, and why I'm doing it.

So, what motivates you to train?

[tmd]

Originally Posted by FutureProdigy

[I know I'm hard on myself])... and because of this I have a hard time motivating myself sometimes to train, cause I'm way too far gone to do any real competing now. So, I often question my motivations, and why I'm doing it.

I understand why you feel like this FP but at 23 you still have years to get to the top as a fighter, I don't think fighting is as restrictive as other sports because out and out mental toughness can see you though, it's not about all out speed or strength but attitude and heart.

there are score of champions in their 30's I think Chris Eubank said he didn't feel in his prime until around 35 and he'd boxed since he was a kid.

for my part I won my most resent tourney at 38 (last year), 15 years since the last win!

[erni64]

Osu BleueyePeter,

My experience is very similar to Olrac's one. I practiced at 15 or 16 years olds, took
a 28 years interval! and started again at 44 because of my daughter (10 years old).

I don't have a clear goal.
For now I'm training to progress day after day listening to my body , if it needs to heal.

welcome to kyokushin!

OSU

[Bloke]

FutureProdigy - The OP hasnt posted on here since last September so I doubt youll get a response.

[FutureProdigy]

Thanks Bloke. Oblivious to the world around me, I did not notice there was a posted time above each members avatar. I'll keep that in mind next time :S

[Bloke]

No worries - just didnt want you wondering why he wasnt getting back to you.