Kickboxing? At my age? At my weight?

Hey all

I'm about 5'6" and weight 250 lbs. I'm 47 years old and am wondering ... is it too late to get into a local kick boxing class?

There's a place 2 miles from my house, I think since it's so close I'd keep it up. Not sure about costs etc.

Funny, I don't FEEL 47.

heh

Anyone ever taken it up? It looks like a kickboxing class set to music.

Thanks
Binda

Hi Binda.

GO FOR IT!  I'm 54 years old and started taking kickboxing, pilates, yoga and TaeKwando a few months ago.   My classes are at a certified ATA (American TaeKwando Association) gym and the instructors, and other students, are wonderful.  You are only expected to work at your level of ability and someone is always there to help and encourage me along the way.  In fact, I find my time with them more rewarding than with some of my other friends/family.   There probably will be some people that will think you're crazy, I have them in my life too, but I finally have the confidence to ignore them.  This is something I have always wanted to do and, of course, didn't do because of my weight and lack of confidence.  Since my weight loss surgery, 2 years ago, I have finally been living MY LIFE and I encourage you to do the same. YOU CAN DO IT!!!  The key to "sticking with it" is to find something that you enjoy.  I offer you all of my support and will think of you tomorrow when I go to class.  I hope to hear that you pursued your interest in kickboxing.  Enjoy yourself!

It's NEVER too late to get into kickboxing, and I'm a HUGE advocate for kickboxing and fell in love with it myself. I did Tae Bo at my home cause I'm terrified of gyms/classes (from my teenage years).

Age is truly just a number, I'm 29 but unfortunately have the back/disc problems of a 60 year old. But I fight through it as best I can.

GOOD LUCK BINDA!!!

HA! I ordered a Tai Bo vid yesterday for 1.00 off of Amazon lol.

I like working out at home because I don't have to dress up, drive somewhere, worry about sweat, I can take a shower right after, I can do it at any time, I can goof up and make a mistake and I don't have to worry about the skinny Barbie looking at me sideways and ... the list could go on but you get the idea.

I have a walking video that makes you walk 1 mile in 15 minutes and it's a cardio workout.

The classes that are nearby seem like they're a lot of fun - you wouldn't know how much they cost do you? In general.

sorry your back is messed up - that sucks

And I totallllly hear ya on the hating gyms from earlier years, I hated wearing shorts and my report cards reflected my unwillingness to dress out for gym class. I hated it.

thanks for the feedback :)

I took up cardio-kickboxing at our local YMCA about 10 years ago at the age of 42, 5' 8" and a weight of 250 or so.  The class was 2 days per week at 5:30 am and became the best way to start my day.  I later convinced my son at the age of 13 (who was built a lot like me) to take the classes with me and we switched to 2 evening classes.  Not only was this a good bonding time, but as my health got better, his health got better and his self-confidence increased to a point where he became involved in sports and later became second string all conference center in football and missed qualifing for the state championship in discus by 6 inches. 
If the instructor is good, you will be able to go at your "pace" and as your flexibility and stamina increase, you will be doing more and more.  My instructor was very careful to not single out people for doing things right or wrong.  He would come over to you and work with you like no one else was even in the room.  This was extremely good for me as I was self consisous at the beginning as everyone else in the class had taken at least 6 months of the class before and were all women except one other guy besides me (15 total in the class).  Then when my son took the class with me and we switched, there were 5 out of 30 men and he was the only one under the age of 18.  Again the instructor made him feel very comfortable allowing him to enjoy the class.
Unfortunately, they changed the format of the class and it went away from kickboxing into more arobics and the instructor left the YMCA as well.
What I found as an added incentive of gong to a class as opposed to working out at home is:  I am paying for a gym membership and/or the class, so I go.  If I just plan on working out at home, I do not have the money investied and tend to put it off until tomorrow.
My suggestion, go for it and enjoy.  My Grandpa always told me "you won't learn any younger".

catisbell

That's great about your son! Thanks for sharing your story - it pumps me up to at least go look at the place.

thanks and peace
Binda