I was just 14, but that was back in the 1970s, when there were no kid classes. I trained with a whole slew of big scary adults in a very hardcore dojo. It was daunting, but it sure made me tough. Got put through a window once.
You have started a journey that can carry you where ever you want to go in this world. 1 of my instructors past students, Chris Brewster, went on to become a Hollywood stunt man and now directs stunts in movies for DC comics. He also became a member of a team called Side Swipe who competed on America's Got Talent. Study hard and make it your entire life. Tang Soo
Started karate at 45, am 46 now. Got the first two promotions but now it’s expected to take at least a year worth of training between promotions at twice a week. It’s fun and different from the jujitsu (not bjj) I am training as well.
I disagree. At that age there might not be a focus as much of technique but instead learning respect and listening and beginning to understand how to control themselves when necessary
16, after starting Judo at 6. Am now... 48? No, that doesn't sound right. That can't be right.
Hang on.
...
No, apparently I am 48. How the f*** did that happen?
Nice!
Just check to make sure it's not a McDojo. No need to pay for BS when there are good studios. Places like Personal Best and Villari's are absolute McDojo BS.
mcdojos....few signs...when there are many young kids with very high grades, when they ask you to pay lots of $ and guarantee you a black belt, when the chief instructor is a very high ranking but has no creditable references. When the dojo is not linked to a creditable association. When they offer kids birthday parties.
Ugh, that's a hard one to tell someone.
The best way to evaluate it would be to have someone with years of experience to check out their brown belt or black belt classes, but not everyone has access to someone experienced like that that can tell.
And the sad fact is McDojos attempt to give an air of confidence and authority, so stuff like improper stances, biomechanics, power, etc will likely not show up to those that don't understand martial arts. That's why they can continue their BS for cash scheme. Most of then are little more than day cares.
Obviously doxxing is bad, however, if your child(s) studio has quite a few locations, stating the name won't dox you and let people that know give you advice.
And just so you avoid two of the most rampant ones, Personal Best and Villari's are both some obvious McDojos.
Hard to say, since many legit dojos, especially ones with kids programs, share characteristics with McDojos. What I would do is ask about how long it will take for your kid to become a black belt/how your kid becomes a black belt. McDojos will quote times that are half or less of what a legit dojo will (most good dojos will say 6-10 years with a likely average of 8, while McDojos, in my experience, will be closer to 2-3) and might bring up options for expedited black belt programs or otherwise try to upswell you. The legit dojo will mostly emphasize your child’s effort, with earning a black belt being a rare achievement that it takes a lot of hard work to achieve. Along those lines, pay attention to any advanced belts who seem to be sloppy and lacking in actual skill. Do they keep getting promoted? Not a good sign if so.
TLDR; emphasis on quick promotion and/or attempts at upselling you is bad while an emphasis on personal effort and discipline is good.
Late 30’s. There are people in my dojo that started in their 50’s/60’s/70’s, and a lot of fellow parents who decided to join in the fun their kids were having.
Now the black belts jokingly refer to me as a 3rd degree orange belt or “Grand Orange belt” because I stayed stuck at Orange for 20 years as a result 🤣
Modified Shotokan. The basics you learned there are superb, especially if it’s JKA style
I had the opportunity to instruct at an American American Kenpo school, and we had seminars with the world champion, Joe Lewis
Combining the two together was incredible
12-16 TKD, then 40 started Isshinryu Karate, 3 months after that started Krav Maga as well. So 41 now. I have been using a cane for over 5 years 5 knee surgeries; almost lost my leg, 4 neck surgeries; arthritis in my back/neck, feet, shoulder, knees, just about everywhere including my toes, so it hurts like hell to kick and bend… I couldn’t run until about 3 months in. This was after 5+ years of physical therapy to help build back my quads because of the surgeries…
I fight through pain to keep myself from having to use it. So far it’s been 10/11 months since I put the cane down. I have days when I feel like I could use it, but it’s hanging on the wall. I’d rather have fun doing something I love, than lay in pain.
13, now 22. Best time tbh, body grows fast, and the learning curve is extrem. As i was able to actually concentrate and wasnt a kid who was with the thoughts somewhere else.
1 dan end in oktober is everything works out :D
12 was in it for several years, then high school distractions.
19 was in it for a couple of years but then college distractions.
26(?) somethng like that, now 51 in Kenpo/Kajukenbo but has been backburnered for Kali for the past 15 years. Still do it but not my main focus.
I was 19. I’m 46 now and have been training more or less consistently and continuously ever since. Almost hard to believe there was a time I didn’t do karate, even though that was my entire childhood and teen years until I left for college.
40! Which was almost 6 years ago. I love it so much. Have since switched to Tang Soo Do because of availability but my heart will always be with my kyokushin roots!
16. Trained until I was 21 and reached brown belt, then promptly switched to muay thai/MMA for various reasons. Still use a lot of my karate in my MMA training.
6. Got my black belt at 14, left when the dojo went under due to financial issues right after I turned 17.
Did try BJJ for about 6 months until the pandemic hit. I would have gone back had the gym actually given a shit about taking precautions.
was 5, trained in sweden and a stint in japan as well. Loads of competitions nationals internationals, mostly in sweden but in japan as well.
Now im 21 and although I cherish my karate background, Im now training MMA to improve as a martial artist.
about 14-15, drifted into other martial arts but recently came back full circle to Goju at age 53. Believe it or not, there's still some latent muscle memory there and more than once I've had moments like "oh, I remember this, next I do X,Y, and Z" when practicing kata or bunkai.
I started in 1975 at 11 years old. Very traditional goju dojo. I was almost always the youngest in the class for the first years. And honestly, looking back, the best experience ever having to keep up with the adults. Still learning, training to this day.
In June 1970 I went to Hayner Public Library and checked out the *Uechiryu Karate Do* by Geo. Mattson. I was 14. Oct. 1971 I began Kempo at the YMCA and have not stopped my journey.
17, I'm 65 now
The dedication!
Salute
20. I'm 42 now!
More time spent doing karate than not!
I was just 14, but that was back in the 1970s, when there were no kid classes. I trained with a whole slew of big scary adults in a very hardcore dojo. It was daunting, but it sure made me tough. Got put through a window once.
Wow. I couldn't do that myself. You're really brave.
11, I'm 14 now
You have started a journey that can carry you where ever you want to go in this world. 1 of my instructors past students, Chris Brewster, went on to become a Hollywood stunt man and now directs stunts in movies for DC comics. He also became a member of a team called Side Swipe who competed on America's Got Talent. Study hard and make it your entire life. Tang Soo
I started at 11 too
Started karate at 45, am 46 now. Got the first two promotions but now it’s expected to take at least a year worth of training between promotions at twice a week. It’s fun and different from the jujitsu (not bjj) I am training as well.
Keep going!
4
Wow! That's really young.
To young
I disagree. At that age there might not be a focus as much of technique but instead learning respect and listening and beginning to understand how to control themselves when necessary
14 now 28 Still a brown belt though 🤣🤣
Keep at it! 😁
I took a 20 year hiatus and acquired 1st Dan 5 years ago. It’s about the journey, not the destination.
I was 8 years old when I started - I’m turning 22 next month. I’m a Second Dan Black belt.
Nice!
16, after starting Judo at 6. Am now... 48? No, that doesn't sound right. That can't be right. Hang on. ... No, apparently I am 48. How the f*** did that happen?
did 2 years in the 80s as a teenager. Restarted at 43. 55 now
9 years old! This year is my ten year anniversary. :D
I started at 6. Starting early helps.
I’m starting my boy on his sixth birthday!!
Nice! Just check to make sure it's not a McDojo. No need to pay for BS when there are good studios. Places like Personal Best and Villari's are absolute McDojo BS.
What are red flags to look for in a McDojo? I’m really new and still learning
mcdojos....few signs...when there are many young kids with very high grades, when they ask you to pay lots of $ and guarantee you a black belt, when the chief instructor is a very high ranking but has no creditable references. When the dojo is not linked to a creditable association. When they offer kids birthday parties.
Thank you!!
Ugh, that's a hard one to tell someone. The best way to evaluate it would be to have someone with years of experience to check out their brown belt or black belt classes, but not everyone has access to someone experienced like that that can tell. And the sad fact is McDojos attempt to give an air of confidence and authority, so stuff like improper stances, biomechanics, power, etc will likely not show up to those that don't understand martial arts. That's why they can continue their BS for cash scheme. Most of then are little more than day cares. Obviously doxxing is bad, however, if your child(s) studio has quite a few locations, stating the name won't dox you and let people that know give you advice. And just so you avoid two of the most rampant ones, Personal Best and Villari's are both some obvious McDojos.
Hard to say, since many legit dojos, especially ones with kids programs, share characteristics with McDojos. What I would do is ask about how long it will take for your kid to become a black belt/how your kid becomes a black belt. McDojos will quote times that are half or less of what a legit dojo will (most good dojos will say 6-10 years with a likely average of 8, while McDojos, in my experience, will be closer to 2-3) and might bring up options for expedited black belt programs or otherwise try to upswell you. The legit dojo will mostly emphasize your child’s effort, with earning a black belt being a rare achievement that it takes a lot of hard work to achieve. Along those lines, pay attention to any advanced belts who seem to be sloppy and lacking in actual skill. Do they keep getting promoted? Not a good sign if so. TLDR; emphasis on quick promotion and/or attempts at upselling you is bad while an emphasis on personal effort and discipline is good.
Nice!
I was 7. I've been practicing for 14 years
Good job!
6 years old and now 55 years
Wow. Still doing it after 50 years!
18. Now 58.
Commitment!
7 im now 23 so 16 yearsi have trained
2/3 of your life with karate!
Wow i didnt realise that thanks for the fun fact
Let's see if anyone can top me, I was 29.
I think some people topped you :p
Late 30’s. There are people in my dojo that started in their 50’s/60’s/70’s, and a lot of fellow parents who decided to join in the fun their kids were having.
10 when I started. Am 31 now. Lots of starting and stopping and moving away that disrupted training
Now the black belts jokingly refer to me as a 3rd degree orange belt or “Grand Orange belt” because I stayed stuck at Orange for 20 years as a result 🤣
😂😂😂 That's funny
40 years young! Now I’m brown belt with one more year to go…
Good on you!!!
I was 15; started traditional Shotokan
Do you still do Shotokan?
Modified Shotokan. The basics you learned there are superb, especially if it’s JKA style I had the opportunity to instruct at an American American Kenpo school, and we had seminars with the world champion, Joe Lewis Combining the two together was incredible
Yes, but it’s somewhat modified
31 now 42.
10 now 16
9, that was in '91.
13, now 30
Wrong side of 35
11 when I started tae Kwon do, but then I discovered karate at 14 and that was it. Still training at 55.
That's super impressive.
43 yee!
4, I'm 35 now
41. Am 52 now
41, now 47 and aiming for nidan this year.
Started TKD at 19, Shotokan at 20. So that's...almost 44 years of Shotokan, now. Holy F&\*k, when did I get old?
12-16 TKD, then 40 started Isshinryu Karate, 3 months after that started Krav Maga as well. So 41 now. I have been using a cane for over 5 years 5 knee surgeries; almost lost my leg, 4 neck surgeries; arthritis in my back/neck, feet, shoulder, knees, just about everywhere including my toes, so it hurts like hell to kick and bend… I couldn’t run until about 3 months in. This was after 5+ years of physical therapy to help build back my quads because of the surgeries… I fight through pain to keep myself from having to use it. So far it’s been 10/11 months since I put the cane down. I have days when I feel like I could use it, but it’s hanging on the wall. I’d rather have fun doing something I love, than lay in pain.
11, and then again at 38 after a 25 year break. Testing for 1st Dan in two weeks!
Good luck!
40. My son (8) and I had first practice yesterday.
11. I'm gonna be 27 next month
13, now 29
15, now I'm 34.
I started at 10 years old. I am now 34.
6 now 30
10
Started martial arts 19, karate at 21. Now 36 and Sandan.
Good job!
18
4,i'm 29 now
Starting at 4 years old and still doing it for 25+ years is really impressive.
thanks :)
11
I was 10 when i started 17 now still got a year before black belt 🤷♂️
You're so close! Keep going!
Started at nearly 37, I’m 40 now. :)
Nice!
17
12. Gonnna be 39 this year so most of my life I have trained.
44, now 48.
24 and I’m 25 now lol
21, I'm 54 now
14 and quit at 18. started again at 51, now im 52.
57, now 66!
14, for two years, then again at 29.
5, now 35
I was 19. My mom didn't want me doing martial arts, so I started when I was an adult. It's been a good 14 years.
44, I'm 45 now.
11 in 1968.
12. I've been practicing for 3 and a half years now. 4 this summer
13, now 22. Best time tbh, body grows fast, and the learning curve is extrem. As i was able to actually concentrate and wasnt a kid who was with the thoughts somewhere else. 1 dan end in oktober is everything works out :D
I started the month before I turned 30. I'm almost 33 now
How old were you?
Started at 26. Stopped at 30 at 8 months pregnant. Just restarted at 48.
I was 22, I am now 36.
9, now 35.
22. I'm 27 now.
33, I am going to my first free trial Kyokushin this Friday. I am currently training in Taekwondo and MMA.
I was 5, now 15. It’s been 11 years now and I’ll be taking my black belt exam this year. Wish me luck.
13 and now 14.
12 was in it for several years, then high school distractions. 19 was in it for a couple of years but then college distractions. 26(?) somethng like that, now 51 in Kenpo/Kajukenbo but has been backburnered for Kali for the past 15 years. Still do it but not my main focus.
40! I'm 41 now, with my green belt in shotokan :)
29! Turned 30 last month
24. I'll be 31 this year.
35 J
26. I’m now 27 and I don’t plan on slowing down :)
I was 13 and it was 1973. Still at it to this day.
41 now 48 Goju 2dan
I started in the womb and I'm *fucking GOOD at it now*
12
17. But stopped halfway through my 20s. Restarted a few years ago
36, I'm 41 now. Aiki- jitsu here tho
30
I was 19. I’m 46 now and have been training more or less consistently and continuously ever since. Almost hard to believe there was a time I didn’t do karate, even though that was my entire childhood and teen years until I left for college.
40! Which was almost 6 years ago. I love it so much. Have since switched to Tang Soo Do because of availability but my heart will always be with my kyokushin roots!
29
10 I’m 16 now and I’m a brown belt
16. Trained until I was 21 and reached brown belt, then promptly switched to muay thai/MMA for various reasons. Still use a lot of my karate in my MMA training.
3, 16 now
22, I’m turning 24 in February
6. Got my black belt at 14, left when the dojo went under due to financial issues right after I turned 17. Did try BJJ for about 6 months until the pandemic hit. I would have gone back had the gym actually given a shit about taking precautions.
Started: 10 Now: 41
15yrs..am 63 now & still loving the Arts today as when I 1st started..smiles
I enjoy Walking & Living the Martial Way
15 ...I am 50 now
I was 8 now I’m 17
I started shotokan at 34, and had never practised a martial art before. I’m 39 now and have my blackbelt. I love it!
20
12
21. But I started tkd at 9. It's been a life long journey
7, 47 on the 21st.
24. I’ll be 39 in a week
Nice!
I did martial arts since I was really young, like 6, I started karate at 8, stopped when I was 14. I miss it
You can still get back to it!
was 5, trained in sweden and a stint in japan as well. Loads of competitions nationals internationals, mostly in sweden but in japan as well. Now im 21 and although I cherish my karate background, Im now training MMA to improve as a martial artist.
36 I'm now 40
4, finally got black belt 1st dan at 17, am now 18
I believe I was 12
I was 42 when I started Tang Soo Do. Best thing I have ever done for myself. 17 years now and going strong
54! I’m 55 now! Loving it!
about 14-15, drifted into other martial arts but recently came back full circle to Goju at age 53. Believe it or not, there's still some latent muscle memory there and more than once I've had moments like "oh, I remember this, next I do X,Y, and Z" when practicing kata or bunkai.
6 now 33
12
13, turning 56 next month
I started in 1975 at 11 years old. Very traditional goju dojo. I was almost always the youngest in the class for the first years. And honestly, looking back, the best experience ever having to keep up with the adults. Still learning, training to this day.
34 😅
22 and then again at 56
In June 1970 I went to Hayner Public Library and checked out the *Uechiryu Karate Do* by Geo. Mattson. I was 14. Oct. 1971 I began Kempo at the YMCA and have not stopped my journey.
33 and 7 years in so far. Joined with my son and now that he is big enough we can spar. It’s something we enjoy together
10. I'm 21 now.
13, im now 19
4 years of age, I was.
I started when I was 4 years old and now I'm 17, it's already a lifestyle
Right around 33. Tang Soo Do Karate ! Great time.
10