Too old to learn Chinese martial arts?

Question

I'm 17, and a teacher told me that in china they start from the day they can walk, and that I shouldn't waste my time because I will never be as good as the Chinese. Can I catch up in skill? (I'm 17), very athletic. And if I'm not too old, what should I learn? Wushu? Sanshou?

Thank you so much for reading and the response.

Answer 1

Do I Look like Jackie Chan Here!

Answer 2

You are never to old. Either art you mention is OK. Wushu is more for demonstration. For a fighting art I would chose Wing Chun Kung Fu. This is the root art for Jeet Kun do. Shop for a good school rather than an specific art.

Answer 3

Never, Never, NEVER are you too old to begin study of martial arts (okay, maybe 95 and bedridden will disqualify you). And starting later does not necessarily mean that you will forever trail those who started before you in skill level. Some people have the inate ability to take to martial arts like a fish to water. Some people take to it with the ease of a dog riding a bicycle. You won't know which one you are until you start training, so stop delaying and get in the gym!! My own experience at the age of 36, and starting DEDICATED study of martial arts (I piddled with it for years), has shown me that starting later does not necessarily mean moving slower (except for the day after training/testing). I WISH I had dedicated myself to training at your age; I could have quite a few years of teaching under my belt by now, and would have had more opportunity to have dedicated study in other disciplines.

Another factor to consider is that at 17, your physical ability is far beyond that of a 6-7 year-old, and most assuredly more advanced than a child who has just learned to walk.  Your teacher is misinformed, ignorant of physiology, and most likely either bitter or a self-defeatist who feels that he would be unable to acquire any skill in martial arts, so he figures no one else can either. If you are interested in martial arts, by ALL means, get involved. And don't measure yourself against Shoalin Monks who spend 7 days a week, nearly every waking moment of their lives, studying and perfecting their art. Unless, of course, you intend to study 7 days a week, every waking monent of your life.

Answer 4

You do have a huge disadvantage and will probably not be as good as most of them but u may be. if u stick with it long though, you can surpass many

Answer 5

You are not too old. You might not be as good as chinese but if you train hard you can get far.

Answer 6

A teacher that tries to discourage a student who wants to learn is not a teacher worth listening to.

Answer 7

No, you're not too old.

But don't forget that you'll have a hard time catching up to anyone who started their martial arts training at age 7 (or younger).

Answer 8

You are never too old to learn! It doesnt matter how old you are, if you are truely commited to it and give it your best you will do great in it, im also glad to hear you are atletic because this will be to your advantage, especailly in a physically demanding sport such as martial arts. I say, go ahead and prove to everyone ou there who has this negative perspective that you can do anything and be successful if you put in your best effort! I wish you luck and hope that you will enjoy seeing their faces when you are able to kick butt! =P Hope i helped...

Answer 9

I must say, with all do respect, the teacher you mention sounds like a *******,  to leave you walking away feeling unsure of yourself and such, to say nothing of what a bad business practice that is. Yes, people push children into the arts at 2yrs.old not just in China but all over the free Martial Arts world and while conditioning at such an early age does have a benefit or two well,..."woopdeedo" for them!  

If you want to train then train.  Age should not stop you!  Don't worry about being better than,..?  There will always be someone better so get used to that fact and just be the best student you can be.  In the end, that's all that should matter to you, what YOU do.

Wushu sounds fun to me however, pick whatever style you want.

Btw, I have classmates who are 40+ and 50+yrs. old and  I can guarantee nobody in their right mind would want to go up against them!

Good luck and have fun!

Answer 10

Your teacher does not know what he is talking about.  I regularly have had people old enough to be your grandfather start martial arts training and do very well.

Answer 11

ur not too old, try a good school instead of an actual art good luck

Answer 12

You're still young and not knowing this teacher, he sounds like a moron.  Heck, at 17 very little breaks that can't heal quickly.  In my home country we start pre-army training at 14 (Israel) and rigorous PT starts at a younger age.

I have been involved with Krav Maga for 34 years, a few years ago I decided to learn Wu style Taiji, and I did.  I do push hands and spar.  I really enjoy it.

Wushu is really pretty cool but I would go with a Kung Fu/Taiji mixture, learning an external style (Kung Fu) and an internal style (Taijiquan, Bagua, Xing Yi).

You are looking at opening a treasure chest of knowledge, all you can do is enjoy the beauty of it, as I do.

I have included a couple of links in my area that teach both internal and external styles, and one that teaches the two in tandem

Answer 13

no one is too old to begin learning martial arts. of course, it would have been better to learn it at a young age, but you can always learn it when your 17 and be good at it. go to this website, it has info you'd want to know about Chinese martial arts: http://wushuaustin.com/faqs.php#age

erm.. if you're still not convince, i would recommend you to learn karate.

good luck--

Answer 14

The teacher who told you that you are too old to study Chinese martial arts is completely full of $h#%. Especially since you're only 17 and many elderly Chinese people who have never studied martial arts begin taking up Tai Chi at age 65 or older. I recommend that you study Wing Chun. Wushu, San Shou, San Soo, and Sanda are also great styles.

Answer 15

you are never too old to learn, but you will probably never be as good as them. lol.

       im korean, 13, a girl obviously, and i got my tae-kwon-do black belt when i was 8.

    it doesn't matter how old you are, anyone can learn, but don't expect to be able to catch up to those asian kids anytime soon - to them martial arts is their life =]]