daniel280456 even less than that Kids don’t get it And if they do, they survive it I was being sarcastic :) Making the point - youth gives immunity to the pandemic of our times And you think you’re too old for mma? Get a grip kid - youth plus understanding is a powerful gift !
Yeah morrowind was by far the best one. It was really glitchy but it was totally awesome. I'm not sure another game ever, for me, accomplished that degree of immersion.
Morrowind was amazing, but there are certain annoying parts that irtitated me. No magica regen, constant cliff racer attacks, the durability dropping so rapidly that you needed 10k repair kits to complete 1 dungeon. skyrim with mods is my favorite, easily one of the most flexible games ever written. Oh then theres elder scrolls online from a pure exploration and lore standpoint. Im terrified the next elder scrolls is going to be a broken mess infested with sjw politics.
@Ghostly One thats a good technique. 👍😁...a bait and switch is good. And lennox lewis could uppercut from the other side of the room..had tremendous reach.🤗
I went back to karate last month,age 30. I trained a lot when I was like 15 to 18 but as soon as I had to get a job and work my ass off I had not much discipline to keep it up. Now that my life calmed down I wanna go back again but feel old and rusty if I ever go back to a dojo (training by myself rn) I will ask to start from white belt and drop my blue one,I don't feel I am worthy of being a blue belt anymore 🤣
@@lainutsuho5422 starting at the bottom is kinda crap but at least you will know what to expect. 😁🤗🤗👐. Or if you can, and its just fitness with some kinda self defense you want. Switch to Muay Thai or boxing if possible. No rankings really for beginners. 👌👍
I started boxing last year aged 37 with zero previous martial arts training. For the first few weeks I felt too old but after 6 months of training and hard work I now feel a fairly competent fighter. I accept that I'm never going to be heavy weight champion of the world but that hasn't stopped me from developing a new skill and gaining discipline that has helped almost every other aspect of my life.
I'm already accepted that I'm not going to be any top tier athletes, hell not even a good athletes in a states but I will makes sure to be the best version of myself.
I could learn a lot from you as far as your state of mind because I am about to be 45 years old this year and it truly feels as if I'm too old for anything. You on the other hand or 37 and judging by what I just read have a great mindset. I honestly wish I had that mindset.
I would argue that 14 could be too young for serious training - kids should at least wait until their brains stop developing before they spar hard or fight, because any damage during that process can be way more serious.
@xxzodiacxx01 It's more about the fact that fighters have a shelf life. It's cool to see someone young have hard core skills, but the avg age of champion MMA fighters isn't all that low. They can become skilled later on with the added benefit of sparing many of those 16 year old girls nasty damage that maybe they won't think was worth it later on. Especially in developed economies where cognitive capacity is super valuable.
Some professional fighters started when they were around 19 year old. So there is the answer. I love the fact that you are a advocate for light sparring by the way. It will save your brain and your body so that you will have a longer and healthier fighting career.
@@daniel-zh9nj6yn6y Yeah more and more people need to realize that hard sparring isn't necessary. Sure you should spar with decent power once in a while but don't try to make every sparring session in the gym like a fight. In real competition you will most likely get hit enough to cause some braindamage, so let's make sure that in training we minimalisme powershots as much as possible while still keeping the training realistic.
I started Muay Thai fairly recently and was discouraged, being in my early 20s next to guys who do it from age 13 until I met a two time kick boxing World Championship medalist who started kickboxing at around 30 with a couple years of boxing before that.
Perhaps the issue of people my age (25) and younger thinking they may be "too old" to train is tied with the fact that we are ingrained with the idea that we are supposed to have what we want to do with life by the time high school is over. Just food for thought there.
Thanks Ramsey, I'm 17, started kickboxing at 15 and fell in love with mma at 16, which I'm now doing, and that definitely proves my dad wrong, on how to be a good fighter you need to be fighting since you were a just a baby, I never believed in that, and now I have full proof I was right
14 is about a perfect time to start anything. young enough to not have too many bad habits, old enough to focus. i used to teach a kids TKD class, for most younger than you its organized recess more than real training. dont get me wrong there is some benefit to it, but champions arent made in grade school.
I didn’t start training in martial arts until I was 24. I’m 37 now and it was the best thing I ever did. I wish I had started earlier but hey better late than never.
I started when I was 8. Then in my late teens life got in the way and didn't get back into until my late 20's...now am in late 30's and I feel too old to get out of bed most days.
I am 21 ... never trained any sport , with a round belly Before watching your channel I thought I was both too old and too unfit to even start training in MMA ...you have changed my mind
Ima come clean. I don't even practice martial arts in any capacity. I come here for your philosophy. You're brilliant. These gems translate to my own niche hobbies and interests incredibly well. Stay blessed
Jorge Rivera didn’t start training until he was 25. Jimi Manuwa, I believe, was 26. Both had UFC careers. Randy Couture famously didn’t have his first fight until his mid-30s. Dan Henderson was late 20s. Both won world titles in large organisations and fought at the top level into their 40s.
Randy Couture was a multiple time greco roman wrestling champion/world medalist, Hendo was a similarly accomplished greco roman/collegiate wrestler. Imo those guys wouldn't count as late starters.
I'm 42 now experienced in Muy Thai. Was thinking of taking up boxing. I don't plan to jump in the ring with Benard Hopkins anytime soon. Just stay active and pick up a skill. This motivated me to start. Well, after this Covid is over. Your inspirational keep up the good content.
I turn 38 this year and joined an MMA gym 3 weeks ago with the long term goal of eventually stepping into the cage. Best decision I've ever made. My question to you is should I train all disciplines straight off the bat (I'm getting between 3 and 4 days training per week and can pick and choose my classes between boxing, Muay Thai, MMA and BJJ) or should I spend a few months honing my striking skills first then move onto the grappling side of things? Thanks in advance Angus Mcmungachuck ✊
Wowsa, kids are getting old at 14 now? at 37 I'm still out performing my 18 y.o running times. Didn't grow a set of abs until I was 28/29... At this rate of improvement I'll be ready for the Olympic Games by the time I turn 50
lol! I started Taekwondo 2 years ago at the age of 45(!) to encourage my daughter to continue training and fell in love with MA (moved over to Karate though).
My opinion~ I think most Japanese Karate is better than Taekwndo! Great that while trying to assist your daughter you benefited your own self * * * * * Good For You ! True Paul D'
@@PunchProfessor thanks! I agree with your point about K vs TKD, I do think Karate is more 'real world applicable' and the training seems a lot more structured (although that's probably more down to the individual instructors)
I do not understand the concept of being too old for anything if you’re healthy enough. Unless someone wants to be the world champion. But if you want to do something for yourself, for fun, as a hobby, then what’s the difference how old you are. Besides what’s the alternative? To start even older or never.
Didnt start until I was 19. 4 years later and I've lost 20 kilos and had 9 amature fights, a 45 year old started with the same time as me hes now about 45 kilos lighter and had 4 or 5 amature muay thai fights, never told old to get started
I am about to turn 42, and I am whipping myself into the best shape of my life! It is never too late to gain mastery over yourself. Life is evolution. It is about becoming something better than you ever were before. Train Hard! I love learning martial arts, and although an old man I will one day be, I will be the baddest old man on the block :)
You're never too old to learn. I would highly suggest learning how to be a humble, respectful human being before learning how to break someone's arm, but that is just my opinion. I of course must say that martial arts does help to teach those things, but I've just seen too many young men learning how to injure people before they are grown ups, and they become sadistic sociopaths. Maybe this is coincidence with context only to me, but maybe not. Feel free to disagree.
I wish I saw this at 21, which is when I started training. I had to stop after 2 years, and I felt too discouraged to continue because I had to teacher and I felt too old. Now I am starting again after random inspiration, and I am like, wow, 21 was PERFECT. And now, at 31, I again feel to old, but I guess I will be thankful for starting now when I am 41.
@Ramsey Dewey You’re a dancer! Wow Man of many talents Fighter Coach Trainer Professional radio Voice over (should be!) Yul Brummer stunt double Entrpreneur TH-camr Man of many talents! Thanks for sharing your gifts with the world. Keep it up. Learning lots from you!
It's something you have to decide for yourself. Every coach will say no, you are not too old - but some just want your money. A better question is - I am old. Is MMA the right martial art for me? Is this MMA gym too intense for my age? Would I be better served with another martial art?
Most coaches I know WILL tell you you’re too old and they’ll refuse to train you if you want to be a fighter. If you just want to muck about in a group class, they’ll be happy to take your money though.
Up until around 20 I learned super fast. I could see something done and mimick it nearly perfectly. After that time it takes me longer to learn, but because it takes me longer to learn it sticks in my head better.
I used to stress out about being too old for MMA, but the fact of the matter is that at my age, you need movement. The alternative is trying to find happiness at the bottom of a sippy cup.
I'm currently 23 and I started learning boxing this year. I feel like I'm too old to try to be a pro boxer for example, but I know I'm not old to learn how to fight. I really envy people who started training on their childhood or teenage years, but I gain nothing from whining about it, so I'll just keep training and giving my best to be good.
Dancing Burn or get Burn since 1967 Brooklyn is what started me (James Brown?Bruce Lee also)in Martial Arts ,see Uprocking. The Art of Fighting without Fighting. I continue to teach in semi retirement and feel blessed to follow our passion. Oh I also played hoops in HS and College.So my kids range from 3 to 73 foundation is key everyone grows.
i started wrestling at 4 years old. For the first few years, it didn't matter to me if i got trophy for 1st place, a medal for 2nd or a ribbon for participating. I didn't really understand the concept. I remember i couldn't read the word "participation", so i thought i got a sweet ribbon with a big important word on it.
I'm 15 and wanted to start at 14 or earlier but my mum didn't let me I trained muay Thai for 1 and a half months but had to stop due to a 3.rd lockdown in the U.K. I had also been going to the gym for a year and lost my most of fat and gained an ok amount of muscle, I became a good fitness level before starting Muay Thai.
Hi Ramsey, I am 21 years old. I’ve been training martial arts since I was 12, stopped at 16 and continued about 6 months ago. My first experience with MA was training alone in a park, home, with friends and without and it was for the most part the most amazing time of my still young life! I didn’t have equipment nor coaches do we did our best to pursue our dreams, each one had a slightly different one. My one was motivated by getting beaten up and not being able to help others yet my dream teansformed into pure MA love. I just had no other reason but training martial arts, Muay Thai in particular. Later on I was going to a Muay Thai gym secretly from my mom who didn’t want to sign me in. So I always made excuses to earn money for my trainings and even did some jobs to earn a penny. I was so complete once I had my own gloves and a punching bag in my room. I can share the idea of that question from a guy you just discussed who is 21 yo and I agree with you completely. Yet from a perspective of someone who’s breathing to train and share this beautiful experience with others and listening to people 30-40 yo and always telling you that the health and mobility at that age is way different and you realise you’ve already passed 2/3 of that time makes you think: am I too old to restart now, even though I will and I wouldn’t care as for itself but if you truly want to become the best performing athlete in terms of MA as you possibly could then wouldn’t that make you question if it isn’t too late? And you feel the difference in mobility from when you were younger even though it sounds hilarious being said by 21 year old lad... what are your thoughts on this?
Ages 30 to 40 are peak athletic ages. If people that age are whining at you about how ancient and feeble they are, they don’t adhere to principles of athleticism.
Actually, I've been learning since the age of 7 or 8, duelling with my brother, through various school fights, and the obligatory martial arts stuff - kung fu, judo, etc.. I'm a slow learner. Now, at the age of 65, I think I might know how to fight, though I lack the motivation. Unfortunately, although I'm still relatively strong, I can see the decline on the horizon. Mai Pen Rai, as they say, nowadays it's all about maintenance, after some health scares, I'm happy to be moving around unaided. Having said that, a walking stick can be pretty lethal. I'm very tempted to pretend infirmity just to have the walking stick by my side. Ha!
Damn! I really needed to watch this video. I'm 26 and recently started developing great interest in MMA, Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu. Thank you so much, Mr. Dewey! Most of these people are just comparing themselves with others. Or as in my case, their parents are comparing them with other kids or people younger than them. Not healthy at all.
I had this problem when I first started I was 18 I wanted to compete and make it to the UFC and I was worried that I wouldn't have much time to make it to UFC and then not have much time as a career until everyone assured me I was entering it if anything early compared to most people
Hey Ramsay. Hope you and your family are safe from this global cathastrophy. I just want to say one big THANK YOU!!!!!!! for this video. It just boosted my motivation from 10 to 11 and made more eager to start training again and progressing. I have to take another brake due to the gym being closed because of the global epidemy nowadays, and before this I had an elbow fracture which ended with surgery and recovery. Thank you very much for it.
I remember being let down hearing the myth about being too old to start a muay thai career because all the thai's start at very young age. Don't let them crush your dreams.
14 is a good age if your going into it professionally. If you start like that. Sadly I started at 14 but wasted a few years, now at 16 and I take it seriously I essentially have 2 years to reach the point where I decide if I can hack it. Quite a few steps behind.
Son I started karate at age of 26 and became a champion.After taking a brake I took up boxing at 33 and I hard spar with amateur boxers. Sadly there isn't a good mma or bjj or judo club where I live. Would give them a go. NEVER TOO OLD
Hey Ramsey, you should try the Dungeon & Dragon games, both the electronic and table-top (whatever you enjoy the most), a lot of fun for the whole family !
Thank you, Ramsey. I just started a couple of months ago at age 31 and it has been kind of bothering me. You really put things into perspective and gave me a confidence boost
I'm 12 (13 in about a month) and I'm going to start wrestling and possibly boxing. I'll also start lifting (I can't lift my body weight yet, I never really did much/any strength training so maybe I'll start at half of my body weight about 30-35kg).
As long as you're athletic enough to walk, throw punches/kicks, and roll around on the floor without hurting yourself you're not too old to start training. Plus most ppl trained in something that can be transitioned into fighting. Dancing, Gymnastics, Football, Basketball, Baseball, Soccer, Volleyball, Tennis all develop footwork, coordination and athleticism which are all important aspects of fighting.
I practice and teach karate. To kids even. I started to practice when i was 12 and now that i´m 28.Our youngest student is like 3 1/2 years old. Our oldest student is 65 years old. Will the 3 1/2 years old get something out of it? Probably as Ramsey said just to pay attention and not to run arround in circles when the teachers is explaining. Also some exercises to help with their motor skills and propioception. We also teach them the basic katas and the basics of point combat. Most of it it´s fun and games for the first few belt degrees (like basic techniques separated by some game activities in between to stop them from getting bored) and then once you have them interested in the art you can start dedicating to actually teaching them. I think one is never too old to start practicing in anything. Just have the motivation to start and as Ramsey says getting out there and training
11:33 i would say i have a pretty good idea....my cousin showed me a thing or two about street fighting and the overall history of mma and alooot of injuries....one in particular that stood out for me was a guy who literally had his head split open like a cantaloupe and was bleeding all over the mat and i thought to myself....yeesh....then in boxing, men continuing fights with broken jaws imaging the PAIN.
This motivates me to one day do an actual martial arts themed daycare, but instead of advertising it to make your child a warrior, it would just advertise it as a daycare. Normal "Martial arts schools" with kids curriculums have classes for kids who didn't teach me much about fighting when I did tkd. But now, if I open one myself, their parents would be surprised how strong their kids would be after like a month of 'daycare'. Because I would be actually teaching them how to fight! Children are jerks so obviously we would humble the bullies at a young age and such. Open to ideas too.
I'm 18 this year and I was gonna start training when I was younger but I couldnt find a gym close by, and I now feel like Its too late since everyone else has a headstart but might do it anyway, always a good skill to have anyway
I'm 31 with no martial art experience an I want to learn boxing Muay Thai an BJJ/Judo ... I just relocated to a new state an dont have an income yet but when i do I'll start my mission.
I started martial arts at 9. Judo was the first,takwonda the second and kempo was the third. I haven't been in martial arts since I was 13 and I'm 35 now and still remember some of the martial arts training. Thinking about getting into jujitsu. Of course now I have a job and can't afford to be getting injured so I would have to be careful.
I remember there was a time where MMA/UFC was disavowed by some of those traditional martial art people that were emphasizing on respect way too much to spar.
If you want to see some NHB stuff, Igor Vovchanchyn had lots of those. I recently found some full events from the 90s, from an organization called IAFC (also bareknuckle).
Hi Ramsey, I'm watching KLF repeat now, end q4 2019 events with you the English language commentators on HD sports channel while the city on lockdown. No new series yet, hopefully the new event kicks in fast. I know the ring girls are materialistic not friendly in reality but I enjoy looking at them. Can you tell the fighters to stand close to flag bearers & ring girls so that I can see them more? Get KLF to invite Master Wong to compete just 1 match vs you in MMA match. Rating will be really high if it's you vs Master Wong. He didn't improve on grappling despite training with UFC coz he's still stubborn refused to fight full contact sparring in class, forever won't learn.
Having no role models growing up, except a full time drunk, I was so confused and believed- so many lies about how old people allegedly "were" when they made they're "Mark" in the world and that was before I started reading people's biographies & I remember thinking I was over the hill when I was about 13 and my life was over and I missed my chance at success in life and wasted my life already. if I only hadn't thought that way, how different a path my life would have gone if I hadn't had to learn about life the hard way.
I started Taekwondo at 52 my grandson who I have guardianship started tradition Taekwondo at 6 years old I do a more self defense class which I am learning the kicks like the Taekwondo. I haven't sparred or practice much since I got out of the Army in 1989. I use to wrestle some boxing and a little martial arts but never a single style. In 5 months of training I can do some good kicks and can do some kicks I DIDN'T know at 20 years old. In 5 months I went to being a diabetic to a none diabetic 6.2 AIC to 5.7 blood sugar went from 150 to 103 . your never to old . Kinda funny sparring people half more age or more but they learn form an old Army guy. Hell I am thinking I might try a tournament some day. Martial arts or MMA training is great.
I'm 49 and just started last year and things are going JUST fine. HUGELY agreed on dancing and other arts involving a lot of movement that requires a lot of proprioception being underrated. We're made to move and dancers learn to do that really well. The two guys I have to work hardest against both have a dance background and one's a huge Ido Portal nerd. I'm a bit perplexed about this whole 'plant your feet' thing. It's tiring to halt your own momentum rather than maintain it and I'm hitting harder while in motion (even just a casual stride) than if I stop and try to 'channel my energy from the ground'. It's a bit awkward against a heavy bag, but heavy bags aren't people. Was standing still part of any of the old TMAs that were around back when people actually had to use them to survive? Or is this a new phenomenon? I'm just not doing it and old enough that nobody pushes me on it, but it seems to be helping me a lot and I feel weird having an advantage caused by not listening to the coaches.
@@RamseyDewey I'll get some video in a couple of weeks to demonstrate...a lot of this probably sounds outside the box but I really think it isn't. I wanted to get a couple of tests in just in case my brain turned to mush between the 80s and now and had a couple of days to test with the locals here in Madison before things started to get cancelled. (I was trapped in Dallas and dreaded finding a great gym, getting attached, and living through another 105 degree summer! My wife was here in Madison and this place has good memories and is a bit weirder) AAANYWAY..ugh this is going to be long. Back when I was a reckless idiot and got into a lot of scraps (nobody should be like I was, it's embarrassing to look back on) I have no recollection of anybody talking about planting your feet firmly on the ground as part of the striking process. We just kind of thrashed at each other and people hit plenty hard. My dad was a master chief in the Navy and gave me some pointers but that was mostly Bas Rutten type stuff and he was big on advising me to NOT stand still. Then later I calmed down, joined the Navy myself and then did some travel and was kind of a nerd for the more traditional martial arts and would usually try to find anyone who could teach me things...more because at that point it was the 90s and we had so many fun Bloodsport type movies (and yeah, everyone said that was pretty fake back then too, but it still kept the interest). I did run into some guys that would utterly wreck me, I remember an old Tai Chi guy and a tiny little Thai guy (it wasn't really Muay Thai like we see it though and I do NOT remember how he described things). They were VERY mobile and never once do I remember them standing still. I DID get talked into trying boxing and while I hated the pillows and the ring, I don't remember much talk of 'planting your feet' then either. I DO remember one guy advising against doing that when sparring against the heavy bag, in a "don't stand still like this in a real fight" sort of context (I may have missed something and didn't box for long because it just wasn't for me, so take all that with a grain of salt...maybe more advanced boxers did that) Then most of the next 20-odd years was me raising a family and being completely oblivious to martial arts in general. I thought MMA was Pro Wrestling until really recently (and of course revealed that in a dorky embarrassing way). After that I had a stretch working on biomechanics...working on algorithms for robots like Boston Dynamics' Atlas and studying primate movement in general and gibbon movement in particular (Not as similar to us as chimpanzees, but readily available and we still share a LOT). Part of that process did kind of involve testing on myself because when we first made those robots and tried to copy people they'd fall over ALL the time. It wasn't until we started doing that sloppy leg movement that you see in those robots now that we made any progress, and I trained my legs the same way in the process. I also did a TON of work with brachiation reflexes and movements, which never made it into the robots but the whole process was good on my body, especially the rotator cuff complex. So, a year or so ago I ended up getting back into martial arts and I expected things to have advanced a lot, and in some ways it has (BJJ for example is really fascinating!), but when talking about striking it feels like some things were added and some things were lost. I understand kinetic chains just fine, but that concept only applies when you're starting from a standing start. If you're in motion then you're not the momentum of your skeleton, you've got a whole bunch of forces being applied simultaneously...and it changes throughout your body over time...everything from how the Reynolds number changes as things scale to how forces are transferred by the deep fascia to hydraulic pressure to another several hundred things. I don't think there's a way to model it mentally but our bodies have evolved to take all those forces into account from the individual cells all the way up. That's part of why we struggled so much with those robots early on, even the very simple versions had a hard time taking all the forces into account with all the processing power we could bring to bear, and that was the EASY version. So, long story short (too late, I know) I talked to a couple of dozen people who have been saying some very specific things about how bodies work that I have no recollection of from the late 80s and 90s and also is at odds with the biomechanical work we had to do to make robots not fall over all the time. One of them is 'the best way to punch is to plant your feet and push off the floor'. It's been nagging me a bit and I finally started testing on real people and while the testing has been limited thanks to COVID19 I'm no longer the only one who think's there's a conversation to be had. One of the guys I was sparring with brought up something interesting that I wish I'd have thought of earlier. If somebody wants to master fighting as a human, then part of the process should have been to make sure we'd mastered the entire 'ape' moveset and before starting to add 'human specific' things. (This is part of why I like being back in Madison. Lots of nerds :) ). I think perhaps some of the people who started a lot of these concepts didn't have the knowledge we do and in trying to explain them in pictures and video while not being able to actually fight some things may have gotten lost that are waiting to be rediscovered. This PROBABLY needs a video and now I'm ready to put something together and have people I'd like to train with and explore this with so it's now an option...but honestly I'm also really surprised at how -I- responded to some people telling me that certain things were wrong when it appears that they were not and just needed somebody to do things 'wrong' well enough that they became effective. The only reason I'm saying this to you as opposed to any of the other people out there is...honestly I like your brain and I think you've got a pretty advanced way of approaching problems that I don't see much. (You're the sort of person I'd recommend hiring in my field even though it's not yours because people who think well are more important than people who are well educated sometimes.) I figure if anyone might not just 'click' but also race past me it's you. That being said. I owe you more than a long diatribe and was planning on it sometime soon. I'll see what I can do to accelerate that process now.
I was in my 20's when the first UFC debuted. I took some Karate before that. The Karate annoyed me because even then I knew katas proved nothing. And watching BJJ for the first time taught me that the Karate class I used to take was basically pointless. I decided to try Judo instead because to me it seemed to be the more useful martial art for self defense. Then I tore a costal cartilage in my chest in a training accident. I couldn't even work out after that for years...and years. The instructor was only a blue belt, and I found that suspicious. His training methods were questionable in my opinion.
If you're "too old", embrace it, and become one of the guys who are cited in 15 years as someone who started at: 30, 35, 40, etc., and fought their way up to a really high level.
So best way to get the most out of a class when most are kids? Onfortunately it seems more and more beginners are kids. So taking training seriously can be hard. Some schoold still have adult classes but some have gotten rid of them because there was just not enough adults attending. So its eaither train with kids or stop training. Yes you can look into other schools however depending on location that may not be an option to some.
I think people believe they are too old to start something because they don’t see themselves competing against the world’s best practitioners, and therefore it’s now a waste of effort. It’s good to think big, but somehow people took this to an extreme that became so toxic, that it just prevented them to start anything at all.
14 is way too old. Time to retire.
Pyrela damn I got old quick
YOU'RE TOO.....BALD!!!
-Fight Club
@@georgeg2369 0.2% is the death rate for kids that age.
daniel280456 even less than that
Kids don’t get it
And if they do, they survive it
I was being sarcastic :)
Making the point - youth gives immunity to the pandemic of our times
And you think you’re too old for mma?
Get a grip kid - youth plus understanding is a powerful gift !
I'm 16 so that makes me a retired war veteran.
Hey Ramsey, I am born, am I too old to learn MMA? I did practice kicking in the womb almost daily
Ramsey: "Morrowind is my favorite Elder Scrolls game" ah, a man of culture.
yeah ikr it hit me like....whaaaaaaaat?
Those damn cliff racers. One after the other......
@@blockmasterscott ooooh man so annoying xd
Yeah morrowind was by far the best one. It was really glitchy but it was totally awesome. I'm not sure another game ever, for me, accomplished that degree of immersion.
Morrowind was amazing, but there are certain annoying parts that irtitated me. No magica regen, constant cliff racer attacks, the durability dropping so rapidly that you needed 10k repair kits to complete 1 dungeon.
skyrim with mods is my favorite, easily one of the most flexible games ever written. Oh then theres elder scrolls online from a pure exploration and lore standpoint. Im terrified the next elder scrolls is going to be a broken mess infested with sjw politics.
14 too old? 😂I wish i started boxing at that age and not in my late 30's....never too old.😁👴
@Ghostly One a bit of both.. But more on the outside...easier to evade a strong hook if you too slow with the bob and weave😀
@Ghostly One thats a good technique. 👍😁...a bait and switch is good. And lennox lewis could uppercut from the other side of the room..had tremendous reach.🤗
@Ghostly One keep up the training sir... Can hear you enjoying it as well. Have a good one 😇🙏🙋
I went back to karate last month,age 30.
I trained a lot when I was like 15 to 18 but as soon as I had to get a job and work my ass off I had not much discipline to keep it up.
Now that my life calmed down I wanna go back again but feel old and rusty if I ever go back to a dojo (training by myself rn)
I will ask to start from white belt and drop my blue one,I don't feel I am worthy of being a blue belt anymore 🤣
@@lainutsuho5422 starting at the bottom is kinda crap but at least you will know what to expect. 😁🤗🤗👐. Or if you can, and its just fitness with some kinda self defense you want. Switch to Muay Thai or boxing if possible. No rankings really for beginners. 👌👍
At 19 i thought "man i think i might be too old to start now". Now I'm 21, i train, and i see I'm one of the "kids" at my gym hahahaha
Haha same here lol
I'm 19 n just realized i'm not too old lmao
I started boxing last year aged 37 with zero previous martial arts training. For the first few weeks I felt too old but after 6 months of training and hard work I now feel a fairly competent fighter. I accept that I'm never going to be heavy weight champion of the world but that hasn't stopped me from developing a new skill and gaining discipline that has helped almost every other aspect of my life.
Its a blast
I'm already accepted that I'm not going to be any top tier athletes, hell not even a good athletes in a states but I will makes sure to be the best version of myself.
I could learn a lot from you as far as your state of mind because I am about to be 45 years old this year and it truly feels as if I'm too old for anything. You on the other hand or 37 and judging by what I just read have a great mindset. I honestly wish I had that mindset.
@@emmanuelhurd866 You're not too old. Once the world get back to normal give it a try 👊
@@ronnymorts Will do. Training is all I think about now. Thank you for the vote of confidence.
I would argue that 14 could be too young for serious training - kids should at least wait until their brains stop developing before they spar hard or fight, because any damage during that process can be way more serious.
I definitely wouldn't put my kids into competitive striking. They can do as they please once they're legally independent.
@xxzodiacxx01 It's more about the fact that fighters have a shelf life. It's cool to see someone young have hard core skills, but the avg age of champion MMA fighters isn't all that low. They can become skilled later on with the added benefit of sparing many of those 16 year old girls nasty damage that maybe they won't think was worth it later on.
Especially in developed economies where cognitive capacity is super valuable.
Id say its a perfect age to start practicing your dexterity, basic head movement and grappling skills
i say have them wrestle as a kid to start for a base in it
Some professional fighters started when they were around 19 year old. So there is the answer. I love the fact that you are a advocate for light sparring by the way. It will save your brain and your body so that you will have a longer and healthier fighting career.
@@daniel-zh9nj6yn6y Yeah more and more people need to realize that hard sparring isn't necessary. Sure you should spar with decent power once in a while but don't try to make every sparring session in the gym like a fight. In real competition you will most likely get hit enough to cause some braindamage, so let's make sure that in training we minimalisme powershots as much as possible while still keeping the training realistic.
I started Muay Thai fairly recently and was discouraged, being in my early 20s next to guys who do it from age 13 until I met a two time kick boxing World Championship medalist who started kickboxing at around 30 with a couple years of boxing before that.
I also started muay Thai its just been a month and i am 22 and in fairly good shape i don't if i should think of compete or just keep it as a hobby...
Holy shit that's impressive
Perhaps the issue of people my age (25) and younger thinking they may be "too old" to train is tied with the fact that we are ingrained with the idea that we are supposed to have what we want to do with life by the time high school is over. Just food for thought there.
I was listening to this in the background and I thought I was high when I heard you talking about the elder scrolls.
Thanks Ramsey, I'm 17, started kickboxing at 15 and fell in love with mma at 16, which I'm now doing, and that definitely proves my dad wrong, on how to be a good fighter you need to be fighting since you were a just a baby, I never believed in that, and now I have full proof I was right
14 is about a perfect time to start anything. young enough to not have too many bad habits, old enough to focus. i used to teach a kids TKD class, for most younger than you its organized recess more than real training. dont get me wrong there is some benefit to it, but champions arent made in grade school.
I didn’t start training in martial arts until I was 24. I’m 37 now and it was the best thing I ever did. I wish I had started earlier but hey better late than never.
Started my martial arts training in my early teens. Then life got in the way when in my 20's. Got back into it in my late 30's. Age is just a number.
I started when I was 8. Then in my late teens life got in the way and didn't get back into until my late 20's...now am in late 30's and I feel too old to get out of bed most days.
Get back into it bro. You'll feel better after a few weeks
I am 21 ... never trained any sport , with a round belly
Before watching your channel I thought I was both too old and too unfit to even start training in MMA ...you have changed my mind
Ima come clean. I don't even practice martial arts in any capacity. I come here for your philosophy. You're brilliant. These gems translate to my own niche hobbies and interests incredibly well. Stay blessed
Lol not at all. I wish I was 14 again, I wouldn't waste one moment of my young life. I regret at 30 wasting so much.
Well at least you won’t have to go through puberty at 30 that’s one of the bright sides
Well you can live your 30s without wasting a single day instead!
Jorge Rivera didn’t start training until he was 25. Jimi Manuwa, I believe, was 26. Both had UFC careers.
Randy Couture famously didn’t have his first fight until his mid-30s. Dan Henderson was late 20s. Both won world titles in large organisations and fought at the top level into their 40s.
Randy Couture was a multiple time greco roman wrestling champion/world medalist, Hendo was a similarly accomplished greco roman/collegiate wrestler. Imo those guys wouldn't count as late starters.
I'm 42 now experienced in Muy Thai. Was thinking of taking up boxing. I don't plan to jump in the ring with Benard Hopkins anytime soon. Just stay active and pick up a skill. This motivated me to start. Well, after this Covid is over. Your inspirational keep up the good content.
I turn 38 this year and joined an MMA gym 3 weeks ago with the long term goal of eventually stepping into the cage. Best decision I've ever made. My question to you is should I train all disciplines straight off the bat (I'm getting between 3 and 4 days training per week and can pick and choose my classes between boxing, Muay Thai, MMA and BJJ) or should I spend a few months honing my striking skills first then move onto the grappling side of things? Thanks in advance
Angus Mcmungachuck ✊
Do it! Ima be 28 soon and starting muay thai. Looking to get into the ring atleast once to get it off my bucket list. We got this!
Ramsey, would you have a look at the anime "Kengan Ashura" and say what are your thoughts about it? It's a netflix show.
Baki the Grappler is pretty good too
You my man....just earned my respect...
cosmo best boy
Just wait for Gaolang vs Fang
Wowsa, kids are getting old at 14 now? at 37 I'm still out performing my 18 y.o running times. Didn't grow a set of abs until I was 28/29... At this rate of improvement I'll be ready for the Olympic Games by the time I turn 50
lol! I started Taekwondo 2 years ago at the age of 45(!) to encourage my daughter to continue training and fell in love with MA (moved over to Karate though).
My opinion~ I think most Japanese Karate is better than Taekwndo!
Great that while trying to assist your daughter you benefited your own self * * * * *
Good For You !
True
Paul D'
@@PunchProfessor thanks! I agree with your point about K vs TKD, I do think Karate is more 'real world applicable' and the training seems a lot more structured (although that's probably more down to the individual instructors)
I do not understand the concept of being too old for anything if you’re healthy enough. Unless someone wants to be the world champion. But if you want to do something for yourself, for fun, as a hobby, then what’s the difference how old you are. Besides what’s the alternative? To start even older or never.
Didnt start until I was 19. 4 years later and I've lost 20 kilos and had 9 amature fights, a 45 year old started with the same time as me hes now about 45 kilos lighter and had 4 or 5 amature muay thai fights, never told old to get started
I am about to turn 42, and I am whipping myself into the best shape of my life! It is never too late to gain mastery over yourself. Life is evolution. It is about becoming something better than you ever were before. Train Hard! I love learning martial arts, and although an old man I will one day be, I will be the baddest old man on the block :)
You're never too old to learn. I would highly suggest learning how to be a humble, respectful human being before learning how to break someone's arm, but that is just my opinion. I of course must say that martial arts does help to teach those things, but I've just seen too many young men learning how to injure people before they are grown ups, and they become sadistic sociopaths. Maybe this is coincidence with context only to me, but maybe not. Feel free to disagree.
Pretty sure there was a boxing heavyweight champ who started boxing at the age of 30.
I wish I saw this at 21, which is when I started training. I had to stop after 2 years, and I felt too discouraged to continue because I had to teacher and I felt too old. Now I am starting again after random inspiration, and I am like, wow, 21 was PERFECT. And now, at 31, I again feel to old, but I guess I will be thankful for starting now when I am 41.
@Ramsey Dewey
You’re a dancer! Wow
Man of many talents
Fighter
Coach
Trainer
Professional radio Voice over (should be!)
Yul Brummer stunt double
Entrpreneur
TH-camr
Man of many talents!
Thanks for sharing your gifts with the world.
Keep it up. Learning lots from you!
It's something you have to decide for yourself. Every coach will say no, you are not too old - but some just want your money. A better question is - I am old. Is MMA the right martial art for me? Is this MMA gym too intense for my age? Would I be better served with another martial art?
Most coaches I know WILL tell you you’re too old and they’ll refuse to train you if you want to be a fighter. If you just want to muck about in a group class, they’ll be happy to take your money though.
I'm 19 and plan on starting mma training in July once I run my ultramarathon
Hell I started at 18 I am 20 now... but i was an athlete since age 6 sooo.....a bit easier to get into fighting by being fit from a “young” age
I decided to retire at Birth. It was a difficult decision but we can't do this for ever. Keep up the great content Ramsey 👍
Up until around 20 I learned super fast. I could see something done and mimick it nearly perfectly. After that time it takes me longer to learn, but because it takes me longer to learn it sticks in my head better.
But can one really learn martial arts from observing and mimicking? 🤔
How else do you learn if no one shows you how?
I used to stress out about being too old for MMA, but the fact of the matter is that at my age, you need movement. The alternative is trying to find happiness at the bottom of a sippy cup.
I'm currently 23 and I started learning boxing this year. I feel like I'm too old to try to be a pro boxer for example, but I know I'm not old to learn how to fight. I really envy people who started training on their childhood or teenage years, but I gain nothing from whining about it, so I'll just keep training and giving my best to be good.
Dancing Burn or get Burn since 1967 Brooklyn is what started me (James Brown?Bruce Lee also)in Martial Arts ,see Uprocking. The Art of Fighting without Fighting. I continue to teach in semi retirement and feel blessed to follow our passion. Oh I also played hoops in HS and College.So my kids range from 3 to 73 foundation is key everyone grows.
I started at 19, but only at 21 now have I gotten more consistent lol
Ramsey im still in the womb and started boxing last week. Never too old.
i started wrestling at 4 years old. For the first few years, it didn't matter to me if i got trophy for 1st place, a medal for 2nd or a ribbon for participating. I didn't really understand the concept. I remember i couldn't read the word "participation", so i thought i got a sweet ribbon with a big important word on it.
I'm 15 and wanted to start at 14 or earlier but my mum didn't let me I trained muay Thai for 1 and a half months but had to stop due to a 3.rd lockdown in the U.K. I had also been going to the gym for a year and lost my most of fat and gained an ok amount of muscle, I became a good fitness level before starting Muay Thai.
Sensei Seth has a great channel!
The last 2 minutes of this video hit me so hard I needed that wake up call thank you your videos are always amazing to watch
I sometimes wish I started earlier but I noticed that I'm the youngest in my gym and that gives me hope for growth and the future
Hi Ramsey, I am 21 years old. I’ve been training martial arts since I was 12, stopped at 16 and
continued about 6 months ago. My first experience with MA was training alone in a park, home, with friends and without and it was for the most part the most amazing time of my still young life! I didn’t have equipment nor coaches do we did our best to pursue our dreams, each one had a slightly different one. My one was motivated by getting beaten up and not being able to help others yet my dream teansformed into pure MA love. I just had no other reason but training martial arts, Muay Thai in particular. Later on I was going to a Muay Thai gym secretly from my mom who didn’t want to sign me in. So I always made excuses to earn money for my trainings and even did some jobs to earn a penny. I was so complete once I had my own gloves and a punching bag in my room. I can share the idea of that question from a guy you just discussed who is 21 yo and I agree with you completely. Yet from a perspective of someone who’s breathing to train and share this beautiful experience with others and listening to people 30-40 yo and always telling you that the health and mobility at that age is way different and you realise you’ve already passed 2/3 of that time makes you think: am I too old to restart now, even though I will and I wouldn’t care as for itself but if you truly want to become the best performing athlete in terms of MA as you possibly could then wouldn’t that make you question if it isn’t too late? And you feel the difference in mobility from when you were younger even though it sounds hilarious being said by 21 year old lad... what are your thoughts on this?
Ages 30 to 40 are peak athletic ages. If people that age are whining at you about how ancient and feeble they are, they don’t adhere to principles of athleticism.
Actually, I've been learning since the age of 7 or 8, duelling with my brother, through various school fights, and the obligatory martial arts stuff - kung fu, judo, etc.. I'm a slow learner. Now, at the age of 65, I think I might know how to fight, though I lack the motivation. Unfortunately, although I'm still relatively strong, I can see the decline on the horizon. Mai Pen Rai, as they say, nowadays it's all about maintenance, after some health scares, I'm happy to be moving around unaided. Having said that, a walking stick can be pretty lethal. I'm very tempted to pretend infirmity just to have the walking stick by my side. Ha!
Damn! I really needed to watch this video. I'm 26 and recently started developing great interest in MMA, Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu. Thank you so much, Mr. Dewey!
Most of these people are just comparing themselves with others. Or as in my case, their parents are comparing them with other kids or people younger than them. Not healthy at all.
I had this problem when I first started I was 18 I wanted to compete and make it to the UFC and I was worried that I wouldn't have much time to make it to UFC and then not have much time as a career until everyone assured me I was entering it if anything early compared to most people
I just gained so much respect for you hearing your favourite elder scrolls too :D
Hey Ramsay. Hope you and your family are safe from this global cathastrophy. I just want to say one big THANK YOU!!!!!!! for this video. It just boosted my motivation from 10 to 11 and made more eager to start training again and progressing. I have to take another brake due to the gym being closed because of the global epidemy nowadays, and before this I had an elbow fracture which ended with surgery and recovery. Thank you very much for it.
I dont know if you are too old for mma but you sure as hell are too cool for school Ramsey. Rock on!
I remember being let down hearing the myth about being too old to start a muay thai career because all the thai's start at very young age. Don't let them crush your dreams.
I’m 5 years old am I too old to train?
Everyone knows you will never truly master the techniques unless you start before you learn your first language
I love youre videos, you not only teach and explain martial arts but you also teach the values behind it. You are the type of person I want to become
I've been watching you for months and didnt even realized that I wasnt subscribed lol
14 is a good age if your going into it professionally. If you start like that. Sadly I started at 14 but wasted a few years, now at 16 and I take it seriously I essentially have 2 years to reach the point where I decide if I can hack it. Quite a few steps behind.
Lol this was the first vid to introduce me to your channel coach!
Thanks Ramsey. Shoutout to Sensei Seth!
When I was 13 I tried boxing then quit within 2 Weeks. Now I'm 19 and I am absolutely serious about boxing.
Son I started karate at age of 26 and became a champion.After taking a brake I took up boxing at 33 and I hard spar with amateur boxers. Sadly there isn't a good mma or bjj or judo club where I live. Would give them a go. NEVER TOO OLD
I’m 41 son.
@@RamseyDewey LOL I was refering to any 14 years old my bad
Hey Ramsey, you should try the Dungeon & Dragon games, both the electronic and table-top (whatever you enjoy the most), a lot of fun for the whole family !
Thank you, Ramsey. I just started a couple of months ago at age 31 and it has been kind of bothering me. You really put things into perspective and gave me a confidence boost
I'm 12 (13 in about a month) and I'm going to start wrestling and possibly boxing. I'll also start lifting (I can't lift my body weight yet, I never really did much/any strength training so maybe I'll start at half of my body weight about 30-35kg).
As long as you're athletic enough to walk, throw punches/kicks, and roll around on the floor without hurting yourself you're not too old to start training. Plus most ppl trained in something that can be transitioned into fighting. Dancing, Gymnastics, Football, Basketball, Baseball, Soccer, Volleyball, Tennis all develop footwork, coordination and athleticism which are all important aspects of fighting.
This channel is amazing thank you for your work, will recommend to my fighter friends
7:59
They had the power
we stay hungry
we devour
put in the work
put in the hours
AND TAKE WHATS OURS
I practice and teach karate. To kids even. I started to practice when i was 12 and now that i´m 28.Our youngest student is like 3 1/2 years old. Our oldest student is 65 years old. Will the 3 1/2 years old get something out of it? Probably as Ramsey said just to pay attention and not to run arround in circles when the teachers is explaining. Also some exercises to help with their motor skills and propioception. We also teach them the basic katas and the basics of point combat. Most of it it´s fun and games for the first few belt degrees (like basic techniques separated by some game activities in between to stop them from getting bored) and then once you have them interested in the art you can start dedicating to actually teaching them. I think one is never too old to start practicing in anything. Just have the motivation to start and as Ramsey says getting out there and training
11:33 i would say i have a pretty good idea....my cousin showed me a thing or two about street fighting and the overall history of mma and alooot of injuries....one in particular that stood out for me was a guy who literally had his head split open like a cantaloupe and was bleeding all over the mat and i thought to myself....yeesh....then in boxing, men continuing fights with broken jaws imaging the PAIN.
This motivates me to one day do an actual martial arts themed daycare, but instead of advertising it to make your child a warrior, it would just advertise it as a daycare. Normal "Martial arts schools" with kids curriculums have classes for kids who didn't teach me much about fighting when I did tkd. But now, if I open one myself, their parents would be surprised how strong their kids would be after like a month of 'daycare'. Because I would be actually teaching them how to fight! Children are jerks so obviously we would humble the bullies at a young age and such. Open to ideas too.
Hahahaha! And at the same time 🤔
As a chess coach I couldn't agree more. Hope to find you at Lichess one day
I'm 18 this year and I was gonna start training when I was younger but I couldnt find a gym close by, and I now feel like Its too late since everyone else has a headstart but might do it anyway, always a good skill to have anyway
Cass * * * * *
18 is an excellent age ~ Get training today !
Best wishes to you !
True
Paul D'
thanks
You’re hella right, I didn’t realize but legit I’ve grown up knowing of the ufc and nothing before it. I’m 18 and forsurley shooting for the top now
You surprised my when you talked about skyrim. Its crazy how you relate 2 random things to prove a point. Love your videos man from 🇱🇧
some would call it wisdom, others call it man I really want to talk about the elder scrolls.
Daggerfall on the unity engine is TREMENDOUS. Couldn't manage to get out of the tutorial dungeon running it with the original controls
Ramsey Dewey is into The Elder Scrolls too? What a guy this Ramsey fella is.
I'm 31 with no martial art experience an I want to learn boxing Muay Thai an BJJ/Judo ... I just relocated to a new state an dont have an income yet but when i do I'll start my mission.
@JULIAN JULIAN thanks
Man you should be making money narrating movies, your voice is amazing. (But until that i love your videos)
Perfect age for fighting, don't know abbout mma, daycare serviced martial artists tend to end up Larpers in my experience
I started martial arts at 9. Judo was the first,takwonda the second and kempo was the third. I haven't been in martial arts since I was 13 and I'm 35 now and still remember some of the martial arts training. Thinking about getting into jujitsu. Of course now I have a job and can't afford to be getting injured so I would have to be careful.
"Morrowind is my personal favorite." I see you are a man of culture! :D
I’m 33 just started training.
Thank you i was wondering the same thing 😊
I remember there was a time where MMA/UFC was disavowed by some of those traditional martial art people that were emphasizing on respect way too much to spar.
If you want to see some NHB stuff, Igor Vovchanchyn had lots of those. I recently found some full events from the 90s, from an organization called IAFC (also bareknuckle).
Immediately subscribing morrowind ramsey and martial arts hell yeah
Hi Ramsey, I'm watching KLF repeat now, end q4 2019 events with you the English language commentators on HD sports channel while the city on lockdown. No new series yet, hopefully the new event kicks in fast.
I know the ring girls are materialistic not friendly in reality but I enjoy looking at them. Can you tell the fighters to stand close to flag bearers & ring girls so that I can see them more?
Get KLF to invite Master Wong to compete just 1 match vs you in MMA match. Rating will be really high if it's you vs Master Wong. He didn't improve on grappling despite training with UFC coz he's still stubborn refused to fight full contact sparring in class, forever won't learn.
I just started at 25 I’m more motivated then ever
Having no role models growing up, except a full time drunk, I was so confused and believed- so many lies about how old people allegedly "were" when they made they're "Mark" in the world and that was before I started reading people's biographies & I remember thinking I was over the hill when I was about 13 and my life was over and I missed my chance at success in life and wasted my life already.
if I only hadn't thought that way, how different a path my life would have gone if I hadn't had to learn about life the hard way.
There is no age limit/requirement for learning how to defend yourself or those that you care for--as long as you can do it----do it
At least in BJJ, the best age to start is the age at which you'll be accepted in classes for adults
I started Taekwondo at 52 my grandson who I have guardianship started tradition Taekwondo at 6 years old I do a more self defense class which I am learning the kicks like the Taekwondo. I haven't sparred or practice much since I got out of the Army in 1989. I use to wrestle some boxing and a little martial arts but never a single style. In 5 months of training I can do some good kicks and can do some kicks I DIDN'T know at 20 years old. In 5 months I went to being a diabetic to a none diabetic 6.2 AIC to 5.7 blood sugar went from 150 to 103 . your never to old . Kinda funny sparring people half more age or more but they learn form an old Army guy. Hell I am thinking I might try a tournament some day. Martial arts or MMA training is great.
I'm 49 and just started last year and things are going JUST fine.
HUGELY agreed on dancing and other arts involving a lot of movement that requires a lot of proprioception being underrated. We're made to move and dancers learn to do that really well. The two guys I have to work hardest against both have a dance background and one's a huge Ido Portal nerd.
I'm a bit perplexed about this whole 'plant your feet' thing. It's tiring to halt your own momentum rather than maintain it and I'm hitting harder while in motion (even just a casual stride) than if I stop and try to 'channel my energy from the ground'. It's a bit awkward against a heavy bag, but heavy bags aren't people. Was standing still part of any of the old TMAs that were around back when people actually had to use them to survive? Or is this a new phenomenon?
I'm just not doing it and old enough that nobody pushes me on it, but it seems to be helping me a lot and I feel weird having an advantage caused by not listening to the coaches.
What do you mean by “plant your feet thing”?
@@RamseyDewey I'll get some video in a couple of weeks to demonstrate...a lot of this probably sounds outside the box but I really think it isn't. I wanted to get a couple of tests in just in case my brain turned to mush between the 80s and now and had a couple of days to test with the locals here in Madison before things started to get cancelled. (I was trapped in Dallas and dreaded finding a great gym, getting attached, and living through another 105 degree summer! My wife was here in Madison and this place has good memories and is a bit weirder)
AAANYWAY..ugh this is going to be long.
Back when I was a reckless idiot and got into a lot of scraps (nobody should be like I was, it's embarrassing to look back on) I have no recollection of anybody talking about planting your feet firmly on the ground as part of the striking process. We just kind of thrashed at each other and people hit plenty hard. My dad was a master chief in the Navy and gave me some pointers but that was mostly Bas Rutten type stuff and he was big on advising me to NOT stand still. Then later I calmed down, joined the Navy myself and then did some travel and was kind of a nerd for the more traditional martial arts and would usually try to find anyone who could teach me things...more because at that point it was the 90s and we had so many fun Bloodsport type movies (and yeah, everyone said that was pretty fake back then too, but it still kept the interest). I did run into some guys that would utterly wreck me, I remember an old Tai Chi guy and a tiny little Thai guy (it wasn't really Muay Thai like we see it though and I do NOT remember how he described things). They were VERY mobile and never once do I remember them standing still.
I DID get talked into trying boxing and while I hated the pillows and the ring, I don't remember much talk of 'planting your feet' then either. I DO remember one guy advising against doing that when sparring against the heavy bag, in a "don't stand still like this in a real fight" sort of context (I may have missed something and didn't box for long because it just wasn't for me, so take all that with a grain of salt...maybe more advanced boxers did that)
Then most of the next 20-odd years was me raising a family and being completely oblivious to martial arts in general. I thought MMA was Pro Wrestling until really recently (and of course revealed that in a dorky embarrassing way).
After that I had a stretch working on biomechanics...working on algorithms for robots like Boston Dynamics' Atlas and studying primate movement in general and gibbon movement in particular (Not as similar to us as chimpanzees, but readily available and we still share a LOT). Part of that process did kind of involve testing on myself because when we first made those robots and tried to copy people they'd fall over ALL the time. It wasn't until we started doing that sloppy leg movement that you see in those robots now that we made any progress, and I trained my legs the same way in the process. I also did a TON of work with brachiation reflexes and movements, which never made it into the robots but the whole process was good on my body, especially the rotator cuff complex.
So, a year or so ago I ended up getting back into martial arts and I expected things to have advanced a lot, and in some ways it has (BJJ for example is really fascinating!), but when talking about striking it feels like some things were added and some things were lost. I understand kinetic chains just fine, but that concept only applies when you're starting from a standing start. If you're in motion then you're not the momentum of your skeleton, you've got a whole bunch of forces being applied simultaneously...and it changes throughout your body over time...everything from how the Reynolds number changes as things scale to how forces are transferred by the deep fascia to hydraulic pressure to another several hundred things. I don't think there's a way to model it mentally but our bodies have evolved to take all those forces into account from the individual cells all the way up.
That's part of why we struggled so much with those robots early on, even the very simple versions had a hard time taking all the forces into account with all the processing power we could bring to bear, and that was the EASY version.
So, long story short (too late, I know) I talked to a couple of dozen people who have been saying some very specific things about how bodies work that I have no recollection of from the late 80s and 90s and also is at odds with the biomechanical work we had to do to make robots not fall over all the time. One of them is 'the best way to punch is to plant your feet and push off the floor'. It's been nagging me a bit and I finally started testing on real people and while the testing has been limited thanks to COVID19 I'm no longer the only one who think's there's a conversation to be had.
One of the guys I was sparring with brought up something interesting that I wish I'd have thought of earlier. If somebody wants to master fighting as a human, then part of the process should have been to make sure we'd mastered the entire 'ape' moveset and before starting to add 'human specific' things. (This is part of why I like being back in Madison. Lots of nerds :) ). I think perhaps some of the people who started a lot of these concepts didn't have the knowledge we do and in trying to explain them in pictures and video while not being able to actually fight some things may have gotten lost that are waiting to be rediscovered.
This PROBABLY needs a video and now I'm ready to put something together and have people I'd like to train with and explore this with so it's now an option...but honestly I'm also really surprised at how -I- responded to some people telling me that certain things were wrong when it appears that they were not and just needed somebody to do things 'wrong' well enough that they became effective.
The only reason I'm saying this to you as opposed to any of the other people out there is...honestly I like your brain and I think you've got a pretty advanced way of approaching problems that I don't see much. (You're the sort of person I'd recommend hiring in my field even though it's not yours because people who think well are more important than people who are well educated sometimes.) I figure if anyone might not just 'click' but also race past me it's you.
That being said. I owe you more than a long diatribe and was planning on it sometime soon. I'll see what I can do to accelerate that process now.
I was in my 20's when the first UFC debuted. I took some Karate before that. The Karate annoyed me because even then I knew katas proved nothing. And watching BJJ for the first time taught me that the Karate class I used to take was basically pointless. I decided to try Judo instead because to me it seemed to be the more useful martial art for self defense. Then I tore a costal cartilage in my chest in a training accident. I couldn't even work out after that for years...and years. The instructor was only a blue belt, and I found that suspicious. His training methods were questionable in my opinion.
I actually just started doing muay thai last October, I'm 17 now.
If you're "too old", embrace it, and become one of the guys who are cited in 15 years as someone who started at: 30, 35, 40, etc., and fought their way up to a really high level.
So best way to get the most out of a class when most are kids? Onfortunately it seems more and more beginners are kids. So taking training seriously can be hard. Some schoold still have adult classes but some have gotten rid of them because there was just not enough adults attending. So its eaither train with kids or stop training. Yes you can look into other schools however depending on location that may not be an option to some.
I think people believe they are too old to start something because they don’t see themselves competing against the world’s best practitioners, and therefore it’s now a waste of effort.
It’s good to think big, but somehow people took this to an extreme that became so toxic, that it just prevented them to start anything at all.