Posted: 2/9/2026 3:35:33 AM EDT
| S, I frequently see folks talking about this or that martial art being best. But I've got a question for all of the martial arts masters. What is your future in martial arts. Oh, not what type are you going to master next. I'm talking about when age and infirmity catches up with you. Or even a disabling injury. |
"Go low, go slow and preferrably in the dark", the old Sarge.
"Every man needs at least one good rifle and know how to use it," Dad.
"Every man needs at least one good rifle and know how to use it," Dad.
|
Originally Posted By jeepnik: S, I frequently see folks talking about this or that martial art being best. But I've got a question for all of the martial arts masters. What is your future in martial arts. Oh, not what type are you going to master next. I'm talking about when age and infirmity catches up with you. Or even a disabling injury. Gun Fu. After surgery (with stipulations like don’t lift anything over 15lbs. Maybe it was 10lbs), I realized I couldn’t fight off a pissed off 8 year old, so I began EDC’ing pepper spray (along with the knife and CCW). Once the post op recovery was done, I continued carrying all those. |
|
Just like there is no one specific gun for everyone, there is no one specific martial art for everyone. There are styles of martial arts that work best for some people due to body mechanics, physical capabilities, and limitations. I tend to agree with the mindset that firearms proficiency is a form of martial arts. Proficiency with a firearm is as important as proficiency with empty hands, stick, blade, etc. As you point out, humans age, and/or get injured. Adapting to physical limitations is part of life. Father Time is undefeated. The Tier 1 shooters who are blazing fast and never miss will eventually slow down, and lose a step or two due to age, injury, or both. What will they do then? They’ll adapt. My Father will be 78 this year. He’s been shooting since before I was born. I’ve seen him take his Gunsite Colt and his Left Handed Randall 1911’s out to 200 yards and make hits on steel. I’ve seen him stack rounds into the same hole shooting at distance and with precision. I’ve seen him win 2 gun matches at the range. Not saying he was as good as Jerry Michulek, but when he was younger, he was pretty good with pistols & rifles. He’s 78 now. Not as fast, not as accurate. But he’s still fast enough and accurate enough that people who assume he’s just a frail old man are going to have a rude awakening. Martial arts is the same. Practitioners get older, get injured, develop limitations, etc. True practitioners will adapt their styles and their responses to their capabilities. And people who see only age/infirmity, could be in for a nasty surprise. |
|
If a “master” replies, disregard what he says. Brown belt BJJ here. 57y/o. I have a cervicle issue that may dictate giving up grappling. I’ve started guitar lessons in preparation for the eventuality and will start lifting again for my physical outlet. |
"A mass production economy can neither be created nor sustained
without a leveled population, one conditioned to mass habits, mass tastes, mass enthusiasms,
predictable mass behaviors." John Gatto
without a leveled population, one conditioned to mass habits, mass tastes, mass enthusiasms,
predictable mass behaviors." John Gatto
|
Originally Posted By HELOBRAVO: If a “master” replies, disregard what he says. Brown belt BJJ here. 57y/o. I have a cervicle issue that may dictate giving up grappling. I’ve started guitar lessons in preparation for the eventuality and will start lifting again for my physical outlet. Oof I’ve got a list of injuries that one day will prevent me from rolling |