The perfect time to start training martial arts is NOW. It is that simple. It’s not about what age you are, it’s not about the fitness level you’re at, and not even about what prior experience you have.
It comes down to you making a decision, and sticking to it. Get on the mat. Try a class. Let your curiosity for something be stronger than your fear of looking silly. And you might come out with a number of benefits, even some unexpected ones.
Why is this important? Because martial arts, at a good dojo, becomes about so much more than the physical training, skill and discipline. The lessons you learn from training martial arts extend beyond the time you spend on the mat. Into everyday life. And that is to your benefit at any age, any fitness level and regardless of prior experience.
At the dojo where my daughters and I train, the youngest student is 5 years old and the oldest is 75 years old (and she started at 60). She was my motivation for starting at 39 years old. The Senseis themselves are 15 years apart in age.
What we all have in common is that we start with zero experience, wearing a white belt, and earn every belt after by showing up, listening, and being willing to try what our Senseis tell us to do, and adjust according to instructions.
Martial Arts pushes us physically, and with each punch, each kick, and each kata (form) we learn, we train our body in various ways. Flexibility increases, muscles grow stronger and memory improves.
The beauty of martial arts is that while you can train all of these things off the mat, when on the mat, we train all of them at the same time.
Our sensei often tells us “the mind will give up before your body”, when he can see us struggling to complete an exercise in class. We know something is hard, and we cave when it starts to feel uncomfortable.
In martial arts, we learn that discomfort is not always dangerous. Our nervous system signals that we should stop when we get tired, our training is telling us we can do more than we think. It teaches us to push past the limits our minds have put up.
This translates to real life in ways that can benefit anyone, at any age. A tough assignment in school becomes a challenge we know we can push through, a difficult boss becomes a problem to navigate, not run from. Struggles and trials in life become just a little bit less intimidating, because we have already had the chance to prove to ourselves, on the mat, that we can do hard things.
A friend of mine said some time ago “I came for the martial arts, I stayed for the community”. I could not agree more.
My daughters and I have attended several of the events hosted by our dojo that have been outside of training. We have made friends, we have become a family with the people we train with.
A child needs help, there are several moms on deck to help. We help each other with car pooling, getting our own and each other's kids to class. We push each other in class, we support each other off the mat.
It is something special to see kids train, and then the parents do the class right after. A good dojo will create more than a physical place to train martial arts, it will foster an environment that is built on genuine care and trust, which leads to safety for all.
A good dojo is focused on building good humans who can defend themselves and others. A great dojo teaches that the best defense is not to put yourself in a dangerous situation in the first place. Awareness, confidence and safety are the driving forces.
When it comes down to it, there will never be a “perfect” time to start martial arts—except now. Every class, every drill, and every connection you make on the mat has the potential to impact not just your physical health, but your mindset, your confidence, and even the relationships around you.
Whether you’re 5 or 75, whether you feel strong or unsure, the first step is simply showing up.
If you’ve been thinking about trying martial arts, let this be your sign. Walk into that dojo. Take that first class. Let yourself experience what it’s like to be challenged, supported, and strengthened in ways you may not expect.
The perfect time isn’t some far-off day—it’s today. And the benefits will carry with you long after you leave the mat.
At On Track Wellness, we don’t just teach martial arts—we live out everything you’ve just read.
The perfect time to start is now. Come try a class at On Track Wellness and see for yourself how martial arts can strengthen your body, mind, and spirit—both on and off the mat.
In an upcoming blog post we dive deeper into looking at the mental benefits of training martial arts: “The Mental Edge: How Martial Arts Shape More Than Your Body.”