Im 14 and I want to start Shotokan Karate, am I too late?

Question

Kids about 7 are at the level im starting. Everyone my age attending this academy are black belts should I start now or not?

Answer 1

14 is a great age to start martial arts.  7 is way too young, but like another poster said if you are going to be in a class with a bunch of 7 year olds, find another school.  Find a school that has a teen program or will allow 14 to attend adult classes.

Answer 2

Join adult classes if you feel uncomfortable with younger children.

Answer 3

I started taekwondo at 17, and im 19 now and im still in it, so no, your not too late. in fact, its better that your starting at 14 because you will be able to comprehend more and you wont have such a hard time if you pay attention. dont worry, its hard at first, but you will get the hang of it. also, karate is good because you guys have take downs in your curriculum. the only reason I have takedows is because i get taught hapkido with my taekwondo :D

Answer 4

Absolutely! I gaurentee the kids who are 14 and have they're black belts don't have real black belts. They more likely have the equivalent of a adult blue belt or even purple. 14 is about the perfect age to start any martial art. Now if you are going to be in class with 7 year old's i would find a diffrent school but if you  would be in adult classes go for it. Watch out though if the kids who are black belts are teaching classes i would steer clear of the school in general. Check out www.bullshido.net and research McDojo's the website will let you know what to look for in a good school.

Answer 5

If you wait to start until your older, then you'll even be more behind.

Answer 6

no you are not to late.

its never really to late to start unless you cant actually move anymore.

i feel the same in one of my karate classes im 18 and most of the people are under 10 the couple of people my age are all black belts.

Answer 7

hey dude, I'm 21 and started to choose tai chi or kung fu toa !!!

Which one of us do you think to start the practice is late for?

absolutely none of us! many people start tai chi at the very old age!!!

Answer 8

I recently met a woman who started Karate at age 47.  She is now 74 and running a school with 100 students.  By the way, she looks ten to 15 years younger than she actually is.  So, find a school that makes you happy, and get started.

Answer 9

Dude that sounds fishy...14 year old kids should not have black belts...period

if everyone your age has a black belt, its a mcdojo, stay away..

Answer 10

Absolutely! So what if they got there before you? The goal is worth pursuing in and of itself.

Answer 11

Don't go there... many 13 year old black belts means it's probably a mcdojo... The youngest black belt in my school is in his 30s