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I'm 51. I was into MARTIAL ARTS. At age 10 I started taking Judo because I saw Enter the Dragon with Bruce Lee. It changed my life. Took judo until collage, when I got hurt. Bad. Then I took Wun Hop Do Kung Fu. Even more fun because now I got to learn exotic weapons. Then White Lotus King fu. Then Savat: French Kick Boxing. Then Muay Thai Kick boxing. All great fun. But, I racked up so many injuries that by mid 40's I was in too much pain to practice anymore. 

I also did weight training... got a bit crazy about it and was working out twice a day. I didn't get huge, but went for my "fighting weight". 

Anyways, now at 51, I have chronic unending, 24 / 7, pain. I have back pain, joint pain, bad knees, etc... 

I've seen over a dozen Physical Therapists. 4 internal medicine doctors. 1 pain specialist. 1 physiatry specialist. 3 chiropractors. I1 neurologist. 1 neurosurgeon. Several message therapists... and so on. 

I used to say "no pain, no gain".

Now I dream of "No pain, no pain."

Martial arts & hard contact sports are great fun. Love 'em. 

But, a word of caution; if you're taking martial arts, go slow. Know that you have to take care of your body like a machine. It's the only one you are going to have for your WHOLE life! Treat it gently. Warm up properly. If you're hurt, don't push on. Let your body heal when it needs to. I know you feel immortal and indestructible at 20. But think about what it'll feel like at 50. Or 60.

Pain can ruin your life. Change your personality. Destroy your career. 

Be physical, of course. It's important to keep your "machine" running well. But, do it smart. Treat your body "nice" like a classic car you'll own forever. 

Now I'm struggling to just take nice walks every day. Easy, low impact stuff. I