Hi Everybody! (some weight questions)
 

Greeetings!
First of all this is such a great resource for anyone interested in aikido, big thumbs up to the webmasters.

As for the introduction:
I haven't begin training (yet) but I will start soon, because the dojo that I will probably join (which I found thru the dojo search engine ;) ) is the university's and the semester is still on a break.

Here's my question. I'm currently 5'11" 240 lbs, I've been on a weight loss program, no drugs/surgery or anything just strict diet & exercise, and I've lost 20 pounds since I started. Am I too (still) too heavy for aikido?

Should I start my training now or wait until I'm lighter?

I hope in the near future I'll be able to contribute to the discussions on this board.

Thanks,
Thomas

Re: Hi Everybody! (some weight questions)
 

Thomas, I've known folks carrying more weight, folks walking with canes, who managed to get onto the mat and start to train. Might not be able to start rolling and falling as soon or as easily, but yeah they started, they kept with it, and in the long term they thrived.
Aikido alone is probably NOT going to be much of a weight reducer; you may want to continue doing a separate cardio workout, and also be aware of possible need for strengthening (core, hamstrings, quads in particular) and flexibility/stretching as supplements to your aikido.
Best of luck! and hope to see more posts after you've gotten on the mat.

Re: Hi Everybody! (some weight questions)
 

Start now.

By the by - one of my new students started at 156 kg. He's on his way down taking the slow but sure path - Aikido, exercise, moderated diet.

There are some things where his weight does interfere, most notably forward roles and some stretching - but he is doing will everywhere else and will eventually in the more troublesome areas.

Re: Hi Everybody! (some weight questions)
 

[Here's my question. I'm currently 5'11" 240 lbs, I've been on a weight loss program, no drugs/surgery or anything just strict diet & exercise, and I've lost 20 pounds since I started. Am I too (still) too heavy for aikido?

Nope.

I'm the same weight and height. Train 2-3 times per week with no problem

Enjoy your training.

Re: Hi Everybody! (some weight questions)
 

Hi Thomas,

Let me add more 'weight' to the 'start now' advice. What have you got to loose? Aikido should be for everyone. After plenty of practice you may find yourself to be more confident, flexible, empathetic, fitter and possibly even slimmer, just to highlight a few of the benefits. You'll only discover that if you do it. :)

Good luck

Mark

Re: Hi Everybody! (some weight questions)
 

Thomas, I've got a gi that weighs more than you... There is no reason to wait. In fact, there is every reason not to wait. You will learn very quickly the right and wrong ways to take falls, because you will feel it when it's not right. It will be easy to learn to keep your center low and to "think" your weight into your lower body. And don't discount the cardio benefits: getting yourself up off the mat a couple of hundred times in an hour will benefit you there. Don't think of yourself as heavy, think of yourself as "horizontally gifted". :D

Re: Hi Everybody! (some weight questions)
 

Thank you all for that! :)

I'll be sure to start ASAP.

Thanks!

Re: Hi Everybody! (some weight questions)
 

You will do just fine. Time to rock and roll! :D

Re: Hi Everybody! (some weight questions)
 

Get active now, waiting to lose weight only prolongs you getting active. Circular I know, but that's the kind of dead end cycle we set up for ouselves. (I know this because I wrestle with weight issues myself.). I'm female, 5'5" tall and started aikido weighing 195 pounds. Yes, I could do aikido. Aikido was and still is my best means to maintain an active lifestyle.

Re: Hi Everybody! (some weight questions)
 

Just came back from my first practice last night.

Nothing says "I'm out of shape" than training with a group of people and barely being able to stand up at the end of the session. :uch:

Still a long way to go, but I'm loving it.

Thanks for all the reply.

Re: Hi Everybody! (some weight questions)
 

Keep training, it looks like you have a good attitude and want to take care of your health and Aikido is a good way of doing it. Your weight issue will take care of itself. I have seen this over and over with fellow aikidoka, including myself!! :cool:

Re: Hi Everybody! (some weight questions)
 

Congrats on the weight loss thomas.

Have no fear about your weight, hell when I started training I was about eighty pounds heftier then I am now ;) Do what feel comfortable and given time you'll be able to do more and more. Even now I'm not the lightest bell of the ball, A hair short of 5'5'' at 198, I've never had a complaint at any of the dojo's I've practiced.

Keep up the good work!

Regards,
Elli

Re: Hi Everybody! (some weight questions)
 

I've yo-yo'd in my weight in life and in aikido and found that a bit heavy (not much, but a bit) actually was best for me in aikido. Right now I am outright fat but still practicing. Don't worry about it; I don't think our partners are concerned about it as much as we are ourselves. People usually do lose weight when they start aikido - unfortunately aikido alone isn't enough to exercise off the pounds some of us carry.

Glad to see you have started, and hope you fall in love with this art as so many of us here have.