Is it too late to join a dojo?

My_Butt
My_Butt Posts: 2,311 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Ive always loved martial arts, and I've been learning bo staff on my own for a little bit. I'm 27, and I really want to join a dojo, but I don't want to be the only adult in a beginners class full of kids. Anybody know if most dojos offer adult beginner classes, or if its like boyscouts where everyone starts in the same class.

Replies

  • shabaity
    shabaity Posts: 792 Member
    Should be no reason it's too late. I'm 28 and joined an mma school in January is awesome. :D ask the normal questions maybe ask to observe the class see if you can live with the philosophy and teaching style.
  • glevinso
    glevinso Posts: 1,895 Member
    No reason to hold back. Most martial arts schools separate adult classes and kids classes. If they don't, find a higher quality dojo as the one you went to stinks :)
  • queenliz99
    queenliz99 Posts: 15,317 Member
    My son and husband both take kenpo karate. Son started at 6 soon to be a black belt (10 years in the making) and my husband started last year and he is 56. So I say never too late but you need to pick the right one. BTW, my husband's class is all adults.
  • hdrenollet
    hdrenollet Posts: 147 Member
    edited February 2015
    Just Do It! Seriously, if the dojo is a decent size, you won't be the only adult in a beginner's class, and most dojos will have separate adult and children classes. I had one student that was 76 when she started training, and has since made it to her 3rd degree black belt. I had several adults in their 40's and 50's came in all the time (very few made it to black belt, but they normally hung in for a few years at least). It's never too late to start!

    My advice - shop around. Not all dojos are created equally. Go in and talk to the instructors. Watch a couple of classes. Also - ask what time their black belts train and if you can watch a class. Watching how their black belts work out will give you a good idea of the quality of the school. Students at that level shouldn't look anything like the students in the beginner classes (as far as technique). If they do, then find another school.

    Good luck!
  • My_Butt
    My_Butt Posts: 2,311 Member
    hdrenollet wrote: »
    Just Do It! Seriously, if the dojo is a decent size, you won't be the only adult in a beginner's class, and most dojos will have separate adult and children classes. I had one student that was 76 when she started training, and has since made it to her 3rd degree black belt. I had several adults in their 40's and 50's came in all the time (very few made it to black belt, but they normally hung in for a few years at least). It's never too late to start!

    My advice - shop around. Not all dojos are created equally. Go in and talk to the instructors. Watch a couple of classes. Also - ask what time their black belts train and if you can watch a class. Watching how their black belts work out will give you a good idea of the quality of the school. Students at that level shouldn't look anything like the students in the beginner classes (as far as technique). If they do, then find another school.

    Good luck!

    Those are good things to look for. I asked my boyfriend if he would join with me so I wouldn't feel any anxiety and he actually said he might. And he's the biggest potato I know.
  • hdrenollet
    hdrenollet Posts: 147 Member
    One more thought - it's a good idea to find a school that has some sort of professional affiliation, not that it's always necessary, but schools that are associated with professional organizations are typically held to some sort of standard. I just did a quick search and found a few schools in your area that are affiliated with the PKC (Professional Karate Commission) and there's two that are associated with the USKK (United States Karate-Do Kai). There's other organizations out there, these are just two that I used to be involved with.
  • My_Butt
    My_Butt Posts: 2,311 Member
    hdrenollet wrote: »
    One more thought - it's a good idea to find a school that has some sort of professional affiliation, not that it's always necessary, but schools that are associated with professional organizations are typically held to some sort of standard. I just did a quick search and found a few schools in your area that are affiliated with the PKC (Professional Karate Commission) and there's two that are associated with the USKK (United States Karate-Do Kai). There's other organizations out there, these are just two that I used to be involved with.

    Thank you so much.
  • hdrenollet
    hdrenollet Posts: 147 Member
    Anytime! Let me know if you find one that you're interested in. I'd be more than happy to provide any info I may have. I've been in the Karate world for 21 years now and I've met a lot of people. I'm in Indianapolis, but used to travel for competitions quite regularly, so I've met people from schools all over this region (IN, OH, KY, IL, MI). Best of luck to you, and I'm glad you decided to look into it!
  • My_Butt
    My_Butt Posts: 2,311 Member
    hdrenollet wrote: »
    Anytime! Let me know if you find one that you're interested in. I'd be more than happy to provide any info I may have. I've been in the Karate world for 21 years now and I've met a lot of people. I'm in Indianapolis, but used to travel for competitions quite regularly, so I've met people from schools all over this region (IN, OH, KY, IL, MI). Best of luck to you, and I'm glad you decided to look into it!

    I've always wanted to do it, but never asked my parents due to money struggles they had. And now that I have a decent job, I wanted to treat myself to learn something new. I also heard that it helps calm people down, taking away anger and giving them more patience. So I was hoping it may help with my ADHD.

    My sister's ex fiancé had an uncle that ran a dojo and asked me to join when I was about 15. I decided not to because he was very touchy and creepy, talking about helping me one on one in private. Gag.
  • hdrenollet
    hdrenollet Posts: 147 Member
    edited February 2015
    kojiro44705 wrote: »
    I've always wanted to do it, but never asked my parents due to money struggles they had. And now that I have a decent job, I wanted to treat myself to learn something new. I also heard that it helps calm people down, taking away anger and giving them more patience. So I was hoping it may help with my ADHD.

    It definitely helps with focus and concentration, you also expel a lot of energy and in most dojos - you can take out all of your anger an frustration on the punching bag. I was into some pretty bad stuff when I started at 14 and it completely changed/saved my life! I can't say enough good things about the art!


    kojiro44705 wrote: »
    My sister's ex fiancé had an uncle that ran a dojo and asked me to join when I was about 15. I decided not to because he was very touchy and creepy, talking about helping me one on one in private. Gag.

    Yeah - I've met a few of these types... I can't stand creepers... Unfortunately, like with anywhere else, you may come across some of them... It's really unfortunate, but they're normally pretty easy to get a bad vibe off of. Sounds like you're pretty good about trusting your gut, so you should be fine. Also, if the school has several higher ranked women, or women instructors (my dojo always did), then you have to worry a lot less about this type of stuff.

    Also, the dojo should have some basic safety rules in place - for instance: we required two instructors to be present at all times, even during one-on-one training. These types of rules are in place to protect the students and the dojo. It's always appropriate to ask these kind of questions up front.



    Another tip - don't sign a contract up front. Some dojos try to get you into a contract as soon as you walk into the door. You should be able to try it out for a few months to see if it's for you. We offered several different plans/commitments. Nobody was ever required to sign a lengthy contract, but we did offer some discounts if they chose to do so. You shouldn't feel pressured to sign up for a 2-4 year deal as soon as you walk in. Their classes should win you over, and you should be the one asking about committing to a longer term. They should also have some type of introductory special, normally something like a month of classes and a uniform for around $30. These are a good way to get in the door and see if you like it. If that school's not for you, don't hesitate to move on and check out another dojo.

    Don't hesitate to ask if you have any more questions. Like I said, I've been in the world for a long time, and I was an instructor for a long time. I'm willing to help in any way I can.
  • My_Butt
    My_Butt Posts: 2,311 Member
    hdrenollet wrote: »
    kojiro44705 wrote: »
    I've always wanted to do it, but never asked my parents due to money struggles they had. And now that I have a decent job, I wanted to treat myself to learn something new. I also heard that it helps calm people down, taking away anger and giving them more patience. So I was hoping it may help with my ADHD.

    It definitely helps with focus and concentration, you also expel a lot of energy and in most dojos - you can take out all of your anger an frustration on the punching bag. I was into some pretty bad stuff when I started at 14 and it completely changed/saved my life! I can't say enough good things about the art!


    kojiro44705 wrote: »
    My sister's ex fiancé had an uncle that ran a dojo and asked me to join when I was about 15. I decided not to because he was very touchy and creepy, talking about helping me one on one in private. Gag.

    Yeah - I've met a few of these types... I can't stand creepers... Unfortunately, like with anywhere else, you may come across some of them... It's really unfortunate, but they're normally pretty easy to get a bad vibe off of. Sounds like you're pretty good about trusting your gut, so you should be fine. Also, if the school has several higher ranked women, or women instructors (my dojo always did), then you have to worry a lot less about this type of stuff.

    Also, the dojo should have some basic safety rules in place - for instance: we required two instructors to be present at all times, even during one-on-one training. These types of rules are in place to protect the students and the dojo. It's always appropriate to ask these kind of questions up front.



    Another tip - don't sign a contract up front. Some dojos try to get you into a contract as soon as you walk into the door. You should be able to try it out for a few months to see if it's for you. We offered several different plans/commitments. Nobody was ever required to sign a lengthy contract, but we did offer some discounts if they chose to do so. You shouldn't feel pressured to sign up for a 2-4 year deal as soon as you walk in. Their classes should win you over, and you should be the one asking about committing to a longer term. They should also have some type of introductory special, normally something like a month of classes and a uniform for around $30. These are a good way to get in the door and see if you like it. If that school's not for you, don't hesitate to move on and check out another dojo.

    Don't hesitate to ask if you have any more questions. Like I said, I've been in the world for a long time, and I was an instructor for a long time. I'm willing to help in any way I can.

    You're actually very helpful. I wouldn't have thought of the questions you e brought to my attention.
  • SherryTeach
    SherryTeach Posts: 2,836 Member
    Why is any age too late to take up something new? I just turned 60 and I think I would like to learn to tap dance. Why the hell not?
  • Jelaan
    Jelaan Posts: 815 Member
    Started goju karate at 48 and got my black belt at 53. It's never too late. I do agree with the others, join one that is part of a large organization with standardized testing and levels.
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