Why Many Women Start Karate as Adults

A woman in a Philadelphia courtroom told the jury that her elementary school aged son took karate, but she was compelled to start only days after she was assaulted by a man she knew:

“I took self-defense classes, in case I’m ever under attack. I took karate. I earned my purple belt (in the months following the attack),” she said on the stand. Before that day, she had not even considered it. She reported that her group martial arts classes were some of the best moments in those months.

Myth vs. Reality: Why Women Take Self-Defense Classes

Self-Defense Statistics Every Woman Should Know

Self-Defense for Women at Any Age and Fitness Level

Action Karate teaches tactics and moves anyone can do at any fitness level to defend against the most common threats that specifically target women.

Many women can relate to being in situations when they wished they reacted in a different way or said something. They want a sense of control.

This has nothing to do with how many push-ups you can do, or what belt you earn. This isn’t about a cage fight. It’s about at any age, being able to react in the moment when someone is trying to hurt you or someone you know.

How Karate Builds Confidence and a “Happy Strength”

The regular classes – the workout, the techniques, the punching, hitting, kicking, laughing with peers, figuring out logistics, carefully forcing a training partner to drop to the ground –gives women a happy strength.

We’ve heard tons of in-the-moment stories of martial artists escaping getting jumped, car jacked, choked, groped, robbed at gunpoint, shootings, domestic violence – and for those vicious scenarios, karate is a catalyst to regaining confidence.

More and more, female students are coming in saying they were followed down the street or scared or abused or insecure or accosted and didn’t know what to do.

Students regularly tell us things like “I wish I’d known this before” and, boldly, “Now that I can imagine what I’d do, I feel more confident as a person.” “I now know I could do something to protect myself.”

Real Stories of Adults Who Started Karate Later in Life

60+: Am I Too Old to Start Karate?

A woman skeptically smiles as her granddaughter bounds off the karate mat straight to her, pleading. “Please Grandma, take a class with me.” Grandmom was hesitant, and had never dreamed of doing martial arts. She had already had 4 knee surgeries in the last 10 years. As far as she was concerned, these legs were not for kicking.

But she relented. “And that was it for me,” Ms. Francine said. “Once I stepped on the mat, I never stepped off.”

She stuck with it and earned her black belt after 70, followed by her second-degree black belt. She had fun plus got benefits she did not anticipate at her age: She moved around better with her grandkids and pet dogs. Her doctor reported improving health. She made friends and inspired classmates.

When someone asks, “Am I too old to start karate?” the answer is, ask Ms. Francine, age 74.

Her martial arts journey is markedly different than her grandkids – Older adults rely on their voice, composure, confidence, awareness, maturity and experience as they progress in martial arts. They are typically self-motivated to improve their lives and appreciate the supportive environment and opportunity to learn something new alongside people of other ages and abilities. They are amazed at the mental and physical benefits as they find out they can really do this. They like having the accountability of an instructor and the inspiration to set and meet goals with friends.

50+: You Don’t Need to Get in Shape First

A mom enrolled four of her kids in karate but confessed, “I would love to do this, but I haven’t worked out since I had my kids. Once I get into shape I’ll start.” Over the next few weeks, she went to spin classes and the gym, but she wasn’t motivated to push herself. She did the bare minimum but struggled to make it a habit or priority. Finally, realizing she was wasting time on the sidelines of her kids karate classes, she jumped into her own pursuit. She lost 50 pounds and gained a black belt – and all of it was a side benefit to the strong consistent bonding time with kids and friends.

“I realized, I didn’t need to get in shape first. I was able to do all the moves in class, and I got better as my fitness improved,” Ms. Alina said.

Martial arts is extremely accessible for all body types and fitness levels. Coming to class alone isn’t enough for wholesale weight loss, but it is a first step. It’s a good workout and can be modified in any direction.

40+: Everyone Starts Somewhere

A 40-year-old man lives on the same street as an Action Karate instructor. He saw his neighbor practicing and said, “I’ve been watching Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan movies my whole life. I always wanted to learn, but didn’t get the chance.”

The instructor replied, “Come to a class.”

“Won’t I look ridiculous next to people who’ve trained for years?” he asked.

The instructor answered immediately, “No, everyone is still learning. And everyone starts somewhere. Every time I learn new moves, I feel awkward.”

The man took him up on the offer and showed up to a karate class. He was surprised when higher belts slowly demonstrated the moves to him, and when he got the gist of it in a couple classes. He was even surprised just a few months later when he was able to make corrections and help newer students. He loved it and began training for his black belt.

A few months later, he was in a bike accident and sprained his arm. He worried his martial arts pursuit was over. He spoke to the instructor and found some decent modifications to keep pressure off of his arm but keep progressing. He stayed in classes with people with longstanding sports injuries.

It’s Never Too Late to Start Karate as an Adult

If this resonates with you

Karate is one of the few activities you can start as an adult and continue improving for decades. You don’t need to be athletic, young, flexible, or experienced. You just need to show up, stay consistent, and give yourself permission to be a beginner.

Everyone starts somewhere. The hardest part is walking through the door. After that, we’ll help you with the rest.

What I Tell Every Adult Before They Start Karate

• 1. Give It 4 Weeks

• 2. Aim for Two Classes a Week

• 3. Tell Your Instructor About Injuries on Day One

• 4. Go at Your Own Pace

• 5. Pick a Goal That Isn’t a Belt

• 6. Don’t Disappear When Life Gets Busy