60 is the new 40? Training Regimen for Old Farts

[Andy_S]

Gents:

Was just having a chinwag with a pal of mine over lagers last night and he said words to the effect "Guy acts like he is 50" and we both looked at each other as the shocking, hideous realization hit us: Both of us are within TWO DAMN YEARS of that testicle-shriveling date.

The good news, of course, is CMA. I know of no other society that has such an excellent regimen of exercises to keep old farts strong, supple and mobile. Personally, I am fitter now than at any time in my life: I truly believe that one does not need to slow down in one's 40s, but should keep training like a bastard until one's 60s and maybe later....(?) But this is just my opinion/experience.

I wonder if any of the more clapped out members of the forum (Ken, Delvesy, et al), as well as those who teach CMA to imminent wormfeed, would care to chime in on advice for tailoring one's training program to slow down the aging process?

How do those legendary Chinese masters who are so damned strong and fit do it?
How does one's training change in terms of regularity and intensity?
What emphasis should one put on:
Strength
Flexibility
Agility
Speed
Stamina
What kind of supplementary training should one do alongside CMA (running, walking, weights, bodyweight, meditation, etc)?

Any other lifestyle advice related hereto...?

TIA.

[edededed]

One good thing about the bagua walking is that it is, well, walking, so old codgers can maintain the same brisk walk they had as whippersnappers, instead of the dragging-along hobble that most old persons get eventually. (My teacher's teacher in Beijing is 80+)

Some of those old xinyiquan/xingyiquan guys in Shanxi do the stretching exercises pretty religiously - so you get old farts who can stick their head almost up their arses... it's healthy!

[Steve James]

Any other lifestyle advice related hereto...?

If it's working, and you can still do it, just keep on doing it.

[Wanderingdragon]

Im walking into my 60th year, I've come to the conclusion, you do what your body allows, but the most important to me now is nutrition. My body says it will kill me with pain if I run, but is more than happy to do Xing I as a replacement for my aerobic fitness, it also told me I'm fine riding the bike. My body has never liked lifting weights, but will still allow me, push ups and sit-ups, with hi rep low weight dumbells mixed in. Form work and breath work is excellent heart health. Basically I'm just doin what I do because I can.

[windwalker]

wow, getting close to 60 myself

my teacher 93 now, just got back from visiting him.
he practiced at least 6 hrs a day for most of his life.
now he takes it easy,,,guess he's feeling his age

I think the most important thing is to be happy at what one does
and enjoy the craft.

as far as training regimens, as one understands
the craft, IMO, it actually becomes harder, but in a different way,
as one actually can feel/ what one has developed and is
constantly improving it.

[johnwang]

3 miles and 3 times a week running is one of my must training. I'll try as much as I can to maintain the following abilities. I'll be happy if I can still do this when I'm 80.

- kick leg straight up over my head,
- inside crescent kick over my head,
- outside crescent kick over my head,
- head down leg up.

IMO, "flexibility" and "single leg balance" are extremely important in old age. If you can throw an inside crescent kick followed by an outside crescent kick, your chance of falling and break your hip during your old age will be reduced.





If you can still do this (I do this everyday),



you won't have this problem.

[roger hao]

I am sure you will be kicking butt and taking names at 80 John.

[chenyaolong]

The real secret is brewing snakes, animal penises and ginseng into your alcohol. And eat lots of sea cucumbers and other weird sea creatures... at least that's what most of the masters in Shandong do.

[chenyaolong]

Seriously though, the thing that amazes me in China, particularly the north, is how these masters drink and smoke so much, eat super greasy salty food all the time, live in hardcore pollution, and yet are still amazingly healthy.

Is it partly mental attitude?

[Ian]

Steve Morris is in his 70s, and moves like a 30 year old in his prime, including better than many pro mma fighters.

And he'll teach it to you without holding back the secrets, and without esoteric theory.

I'd look to him first, rather than the vast majority of CMA masters.

[Andy_S]

Morris is an inspiration, but I can't think of too many others like him in MMA. In CMA, OTOH, it seems - if not commonplace- at least commonly attained with the regimens.

On this thread, I am not too concerned about street or ring-fighting ability; this is about being fit and healthy (two different things) in later years.

[RobP2]

Im 51 and all my Systema teachers bar one are older than me and can kick my butt on just about everything. Mobility is key, physical and mental agility, smooth movement, good posture and breathing. Plus doing training and exercises that don't wreck your body

[Patrick]

Light to moderate activity for a prolonged duration with regularity wich includes:

Stability/Balance training for bone and muscle health (prevents sarkopenia, fraility, osteoporosis, back pain)
Low impact endurance for cardio health (long walks, hiking, easy long runs, rowing)
Mobility/flexibility (maintain rom, elasticity, relaxation)

[GrahamB]

Andy, we need to talk about my new TaiYogaLates (tm) programme. Call me.

[Ian]

Morris is an inspiration, but I can't think of too many others like him in MMA.

That's because guys in mma aren't training like he's training.

And I'm talking about healthy movement as well as fighting ability.