Starting karate as an adult
You are not too old, too stiff or too unfit. What adult beginners can realistically expect from karate training in the first year.
Published
A lot of adults assume karate is something you have to start as a child. It isn’t. Shotokan was taught to university students and working adults in Japan long before children’s classes were common, and the syllabus still works well for grown-ups.
The three worries
“I’m not fit enough.” You get fit by training, not before it. Take breaks when you need them, and build up.
“I can’t touch my toes.” Stances and kicks are done at whatever height your body allows. Range of movement improves steadily when you train twice a week.
“I’ll be the oldest beginner.” Adult classes include people in their twenties and people in their sixties. Everyone started as a white belt, and most remember how it felt.
What the first year looks like
Weeks 1 to 4. Everything feels awkward. Left and right get mixed up. Your legs ache after class. This is the stage where most people who quit, quit. Keep turning up.
Months 2 to 3. The basic stances and techniques start to feel natural. You learn your first kata, Heian Shodan, from start to finish.
Months 3 to 6. Your first grading. You show your basics, your kata and a partner drill, and move up a belt.
Months 6 to 12. One or two more grades. You notice you’re stronger in the legs, your posture is better, and you can follow a class without watching the person in front.
Advantages adults have
Adults concentrate for longer than children, ask better questions and practise at home on purpose. That tends to produce clean technique early.
Training with an old injury
Tell the instructor before class. Most techniques can be adapted, for example by keeping kicks low or stances higher. If you’re under treatment for something, check with your doctor or physio first.
How often to train
Twice a week is enough to make steady progress. Once a week works too, though each class will feel like more of a restart. Five minutes of stance practice at home on the other days helps more than you’d expect.
Where to start in Christchurch
Tomyris Karatedo runs adult beginners karate classes on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at Waimairi School in Strowan. Read what to expect at your first class, then get in touch.
Come and try a class
Send us a message on Facebook and tell us who the class is for. We'll reply with what to bring and which night to come.