Think I'm up for it?

[Jigglez]

My friends say that I'm too fat to join Kendo.
I can run an up-and-downhill mile, but I'll be dead at the end. So I dunno.
Judge for yourself plz.
http://img70.imageshack.us/img70/4462/img02347tf.jpg
http://img70.imageshack.us/img70/906/img02331qq.jpg
http://img70.imageshack.us/img70/9437/img02324ji.jpg

[Anime12478]

I've seen bigger people do Kendo. As long as you have the desire and the health to do strenuous exercise (which you are based on what you said) then you can do kendo. It will be difficult as you will get tired and you will ache but it's just a small problem that can be dealt with easily.

If your friends are saying that you are two fat for Kendo, then it can be one of these scenarios
1) They are just pulling your strings so they aren't to be taken seriously
2) They have never done Kendo themselves
3) They might have started weeks ago so they don't know a lot about it yet

[nysamurai]

Jigg,

These "friends" of yours, are they kendoka, do they practice kendo?

Only you can decide if you're "too fat". Don't let anybody else make up your mind for you, and that includes your doctor, but I would go and see him or her as a prudent preliminay step before undertaking any sort of rigerous training.

If you are out of shape and you take up kendo, perhaps practice a couple of times per week to start, you won't be out of shape for long. If you are fat, ditto (assuming you're not going straight from the dojo to McDonald's).

Go visit the local dojo, watch practice, ask questions. Then decide for yourself. Good luck...

[Kiki]

Go for it! Nysamurai and Anime12478 are right on target. Not every in kendo is in perferct health - or young for that matter. I hope you enjoy yourself.

[Jin509]

yea man. i was out of shape and fat but after about half a year of kendo..i got into shape and lost a lot of weight. if i can do it then anyone can!!! Just do your best in kendo.

[Jigglez]

Thanks Guys, I soo appreciate it!

[rainmaker]

I have seen someone who is much bigger than you. I have to say you will not be fast as others. You might lose number of games but we all do. At the end of the day, it is your own game. Your worst enemy is yourself. If you think you are ready, just go for it. Forget about other people.

[WolfofMibu]

Hey dont worry about what your friends say. i am bigger than you are and i have been doing kendo for three years. I am faster than people half of my size in the dojo so eventually you will get much faster. just run a bit and work out some more and trust me it helps. you may not lose any mass but you will sure get better stamina...
try it out. it will be a good decision if you do and see if you like it

[Ignatz]

Please start kendo. You will be leaner, stronger, faster and will have more stamina. Your friends however, will still be stupid.

[JoonShik]

I'm pretty big myself, started Kendo off as a weight loss thing, but didnt really lose any. In 2 years, I went from 230 to probably 210-220, but that's it. Really, its all in your mind, being big doesnt mean that person is slow, he may be even faster. For myself, people say I'm pretty fast for someone my size. It's up to you if you wanna go at it, but I gotta warn you, you're gonna get tired often, but you'll get over it easily.

[Fudo-Shin]

No matter what your body type in Kendo, you can always become good. Big, small, tall, short, fat, skinny....each bodytype has some sort of advantage.. You will eventually find what "style" or "mind-frame" you are good at, just keep building on experience and doing your best. It doesn't even matter if you win or lose when it comes to competition. Kendo is just about bettering yourself through the principles of the Katana (sword).

I personally find that larger people have really strong fore-arms compared to me. Sounds like you have the right attitude to become a good Kendoka, I hope the journey is enjoyable for you as it has been for me. I hope it never ends.

[steelkendo]

My friends say that I'm too fat to join Kendo.
I can run an up-and-downhill mile, but I'll be dead at the end. So I dunno.
Judge for yourself plz.
http://img70.imageshack.us/img70/4462/img02347tf.jpg
http://img70.imageshack.us/img70/906/img02331qq.jpg
http://img70.imageshack.us/img70/9437/img02324ji.jpg


heeeyyy..you're not fat!! you're just a little bit chubby! I can see a lot of " growth" in you ( both in a martial and physiological sense of course!)

[Soja_Rain]

I had/have the same feelings as the poster. I am a little apprehensive about starting my Toyama Ryu class yet because I am a little well ok "a lot" over weight. Good thing for me though my work is keeping me away until August so I have a little over a month to loose some more weight. *grin*

That being said, I have so MUCH work to do between now and then that I just don't have time for the gym either. Its six one way half dozen the other. So basicly I have drasticly changed my diet and it seems to be working, allbeit slowly...1-2lbs loss a week.

[Neil Gendzwill]

Go for it. As long as you don't have any other health issues, you'll be fine. If you enjoy kendo, it will be a very positive step for you. Your "friends" can do you a favour by shutting the hell up.

[Paikea]

The fun part for you will be called Tai-atari. Where (what region) do you live?

[ChaShu]

YOu sure are. The only problem I may foresee is the bogu or armour sizing. I came 2cm to having to get an oversized do (chest/belly protector), which would have cost me extra, otherwise, no worries. I myself have ssues with the pace and aerobic physicality involved, but it has only inspired me to work harder, with the help and advice or many of the good people here who have answered your post and many others on this forum and in the kendo world. Good luck!

[joekc6nlx]

If you happen to go to a tournament, you'll see people of all different shapes and sizes.

In the dojo, your body size isn't what's important, it's the size of your spirit that's important.

As everyone here has advised, go for it. It's tough, demanding, and seems like at first, nothing goes right, but soon enough, things start to click.

Plus, you get to meet a really great group of people.

Have fun!