Learning Karate Aged 30 – It’s Not Too Late!

When it comes to learning a martial art, not everyone is blessed to start young. In fact, in many cases people start much later in life. As a result, those pondering starting often ask – can I start after age 30? If you’re thinking this in relation to karate, then you’ve found the right place. Here we shall discuss how to train after age 30 and how to do it as efficiently as possible.

Before getting into the bulk of the discussion, it’s best to answer the original question. The answer is yes, you can learn karate after age 30, or even age 40 for that matter. Whilst your movement and athleticism may not be as fluid as a youngster, you can still learn and master the art. In fact, some forms of karate are suited for older people which we shall also look at. With that said, here are your options…

Choosing the right form of karate for you

Firstly it may be worth looking at our article on the four main types of karate, here. In short, karate is a diverse and huge martial art…there are many different philosophies that fall under the umbrella of karate. Often, it isn’t as simple as just ‘training’ karate, there are specific types that all have their own identity. For instance, kyokushin karate is notoriously difficult and often features full-contact kumite. This means that as an older karateka, your body may get injured whilst practicing this harsh style.

Alternatively, you may opt for goju karate instead. Whilst goju isn’t exactly a walk in the park itself, it is far easier on the body than kyokushin. Often goju focuses on the ‘soft’ part of the art, as opposed to the ‘hard’ parts of karate. It should be added though, that each dojo is different. One sensei may have a completely different perspective on goju than another, as a result their teaching styles could differ massively.

One of the main benefits of goju karate is the conditioning it offers. Basically, it focuses heavily on training your body and strengthening your core. This is a different, more friendly way of getting in shape and fit, compared to full-blown sparring. Of course, some forms of goju will definitely feature kumite, so your options aren’t completely narrowed either. In brief, if you’re worried that your body is too old and out of shape, don’t be. After a year of regular training, you will be in good standing. However, making sure you pick the right style is very important and we don’t just mean with the sub-set.

Picking the right dojo

So, let’s say you’ve picked a style that suits you. Now is the harder part, picking the right karate school. Luckily, there’s usually plenty of different dojos in your average city. Even in smaller towns, you’ll usually find a decent dojo. In short, it’s imperative to find a dojo that you feel comfortable at. For instance, if you walk into an environment resembling the Cobra Kai gym then you may want to leave. Thankfully, most dojos aren’t as extreme, nor do they have ridiculously high standards and are usually very friendly. Nonetheless, it’s important to make sure you don’t sign up to a gym that has a rude, bullying owner. Even if the instruction was top class, you wouldn’t enjoy your training in a situation like this.

Similarly, it’s important to make sure you don’t pick a McDojo either. This term is based on a dojo that has a bad teacher whose belt doesn’t represent their true skill. In other words, they are an imposter. With this said, their teachings and standards are typically poor and low as a result. Due to the explosion in popularity surrounding karate, there are sadly a few McDojo’s about. Sometimes it can be hard to spot a McDojo whilst new, so it may be best to read online reviews before signing up. Alternatively, you could ask people of authority about said dojo to see if there are any red flags.

Getting in shape before starting

Realistically, there’s no better time to start training than today. It’s a cliche, but it’s true. However, if you are particularly scared or self-conscious about your body then you could possibly train before joining a dojo. This could be a couple of weeks or even months, but you could start a health and fitness regime beforehand. This could include a healthier diet to remove fat, or jogging to improve your cardio. Ultimately, a good karate workout will do the same and more, but if you want to prepare physically before beginning then it won’t hurt. Often, those who are capable of training regularly have some sort of athletic background. Whilst this isn’t a necessity, it certainly adds to lessening the chance of injuries.

Speaking of which, injuries may be the main concern when you begin training. It’s only natural to be fearful that as your body gets older, you want to look after it more. As said, getting into good shape will counter this but generally karate is quite safe in terms of injuries. Of course, it depends on the style you chose but it’s also down to your own training style. If you are genuinely worried, then tell your sensei that you don’t want to spar. If they are genuinely caring, then they will understand and you can still learn and progress by doing kata and fitness drills. Nonetheless, you may find that kumite is also great fun and isn’t as brutal as it seems. Typically, karate doesn’t have as many injuries when compared to other martial arts such as Judo or Muay Thai.

Being realistic

Realistically, you’re not going to become a karate world champion if you begin training at age 30. Not only this but you probably won’t be the best one in the room either. Nonetheless, you can still train honestly and massively improve your skills. Karate is not just about physical improvement, but it’s also about pushing your mental boundaries.

With this said, you can still get to a good level of skill when starting after 30 but you should also be realistic. Can you win local competitions if you desire? yes. Can you add fantastic self-defense skills? yes. You can also massively improve your physical health and make new friends.

However, sadly the chances are you won’t become some kind of global superstar. Keeping it real, you shouldn’t expect this either as world champions will have dedicated their entire lives to the art from a young age. Even if you were a prodigy, the gap is too big to bridge. Instead, you should be happy with your own gains and realistic expectations. Remember, the philosophy of karate isn’t to compare yourself to others, but to instead look inwards and look at your own progress.

Rest and recovery are key

If you find training is too hard on your body, then don’t worry about having a day off. Whilst taking time off your body will naturally recover, so it’s important not to over-train. Ways to recover the body quickly include getting adequate sleep and eating a good diet. For instance, drinking alcohol isn’t great for recovery. However, eating protein and vegetables are perfect for a tired body. Similarly, supplements such as fish oils and protein powders won’t hurt either. Basically, you want to improve your life outside of the dojo. These may seem like small changes but can go a long way in creating longevity.

Perhaps the number one reason for injuries is people who try to train whilst they’re already injured. With this said, make sure to keep your ego in check and give your body respect. If you’re itching to train then you can try kata at home. This way you will still learn techniques and burn a few calories. However, you won’t compromise your body either and get injured.

Summary

Overall, you shouldn’t really be put off by starting karate in your 30s. As mentioned, you could easily begin in your 40’s, especially with certain karate styles. Often you will often see karateka in their 50’s training in dojos, so with that said age really is just a number. Of course, you may not move like a 20 year old or recover as much. However, by factoring this into your training and being smart then you can still easily train. Remember, the journey of karate isn’t a spring, but is a marathon.

In conclusion, anyone can start training in their 30’s. With clever training, the right style, supplements, and rest – it’s possible to get to a good standard of karate even if you start later in life. With this said, there’s no time like the present and if you’re thinking about starting then it’s better to do it sooner rather than later!