Coaching Middle Aged Clients with Martial Arts

I love training clients of all ages.  It’s especially rewarding when you train someone who is committed and
pays well.  But sessions have to be exciting for both the client and trainer to really keep the relationship going for a long time.  I have found that teaching martial arts to the forty five to sixty five year old group can be a solution to having a bigger bank account and happy referring clients.

And it’s really simple in getting started in what to teach and how to teach it.  You don’t have to be a master instructor or super martial arts champ.  Just use really detailed movements with slow demonstration and you’ll be the go to expert.  There are trainers who train with resistance, HIIT or even add focus mitt work for cardio and some fun.  But when you add kicks, elbow, and knees to the equation it is even better.  Using larger muscle groups to the small inner core muscles from high knees burn more and give you unlimited combinations.

Basics begin with stance.  Have your client stand feet shoulder’s width apart.  It’s much easier than showing them how to be in a guard stance or boxer’s fighting stance.  With hands under chin have them start with basic cross punches.  Hands punching in an X format ie” right hand moving towards left and left hand punching towards right.  Check their form so that they are twisting from the hips first, shoulder movement follows then making sure arms are at 97% extension to prevent hyperextension.  Now that form is good clock 1minute for non stop punching with alternating punches. Right after 1minute demonstrate high or in this case midlevel knee raises.  Their hands should be waist or chest height and have right knee touch the palm of right hand and same for left side.  Again 1 minute of alternating knees.  Third round is combining punches with knees. Just have punches cross and this time knees without palms as a guide.  This combined punch, punch, knee, knee round will get their heart pounding.

Now that they are warmed up you can move towards low front kicks and horizontal elbow strikes.  Always begin with basic demonstration.  Begin with the same motion as knee raise and extend leg as knee is chambered high.  Front kicks are super easy to execute when knees are raised high.  Alternate legs for kicking, coaching them to always raise knees high before executing kick.  Combine with alternating elbow strikes.  Have fists under chin then lift elbows as chicken wings except don’t flap just keep elbows in upward position.  With elbows parallel to floor rotate hips first then shoulders will move elbows side to side.  Combination set should start with front kick from each leg and then elbow strikes.  Kick, kick, elbow, elbow is the rhythm.  Always reminding to keep core tight and swing hips first.

When shadow boxing or striking in the air is executed with client showing good form progress toward pad work.  Foam shields, focus mitts or even muay thai arm shields can be used.  But be very careful not to hold to hard by giving resistance back.  50 year old moms have very tender metacarpals even with hand wraps and gloves on.  So I recommend using kicking paddles.  Traditionally used for TaeKwondDo and karate these pads offer softer striking with the flexible handles and are longer in shape so much safer for the trainer holding them.

Martial arts drills are so fun to use in a workout as they can be used as a warmup, finisher or even a whole workout session.  Take it slow and always have fun.

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