Why is Martial Arts So Hard: 3 Reasons Your First Month is the Hardest (Adults).

A Martial Artist in Class

Preface: adults and kids have different experiences during their first month so this post will address adult students only. Enjoy!

Most adults quit martial arts within their first month, and not because they’re weak. It's because martial arts is a strange, sweaty, intimidating world. But if you know what to expect, you’ll be way more likely to stick with it.

Now, some people make excuses, and the real reason is more subconscious. Others just straight up aren't interested. But in general, people get a mix of the "obstacles" I will be discussing. Despite my aggressive opening (For views), I completely understand why people quit. I have felt the same way. I just hope to make people more conscious of these obstacles so they can either overcome them or move on to a hobby more suitable to them.

The Obstacles of Martial Arts

Physicality:

One's Physical ability is the most common excuse, but also the most understandable for adult students. I hear people say, "I am not ready yet, I need to get in shape." I also have people who jump in too fast, thinking they are still 20 years old, and end up hurting themselves and never coming back. Again, both are completely understandable.

So, what do you do? Well, two things. 1) Leave your ego at the door. Come in as you are, as a group, we can help you lose weight, and help you get through injuries. You don’t get in shape before starting martial arts—training is what gets you in shape. You wouldn’t shower before taking a shower, right? Same with martial arts. Show up as you are and enjoy the journey.

2) Don't jump in too fast. I see it all the time. People join, they love class, they want more, Bang! They are injured. Again, leave your ego at the door. The cool part about being a white belt is, no one expects anything from you. So, relax, enjoy the process of growth.

Making Friends:

This is one I usually struggle with, but I've only seen a few others deal with it. In my experience, the reason people struggle to make friends isn't because of their ability to socialize but their behavior on the mat.

Here are a few reasons someone might not want to partner with you: you smell, you’re too rough or unpredictable (‘spazzy’), or you give off the wrong vibe. Good news, this can be fixed! 1) Take a shower before class. 2) Slow down and stay relaxed. 3) Stay humble.

Culture Shock:

A martial arts school is a weird place. We usually have a bunch of weird rules that don't make sense. The entire premise is that you are learning to fight, which is frowned upon by many. There is no such thing as "personal space", especially while grappling or sparring.

Culture shock isn't the main reason why people quit; however, you can see how it creates more friction for new people to join and continue. The only way to get over this obstacle is to stick it out. Through time, you will learn the traditions and you will feel more comfortable training. Just give it time.

Conclusion

Every black belt once thought about quitting in their first month. The key is to show up, breathe through the weirdness, and give yourself time to adapt. You might be surprised how quickly it becomes home.

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