When you think of a lifetime sport, golf and tennis are among those that come to mind. But how about martial arts? Even with the high-level of athleticism, flexibility, and stamina needed for martial arts, it is an option for just about all ages.

There are a handful of martial arts studios in Newtown and Sandy Hook, offering a variety of classes and instruction for a wide range of students. How wide of a range? The youngest students are 3 and the oldest in their 60s, according to representatives from each of the studios.

Participation in martial arts, as with any athletic activity, can be beneficial to students for both mental and physical reasons. Students learn various techniques, including kicks, self defense, and discipline.

"The key thing is to modify, like anything else," said Master Russ Moore, 40, owner of Extreme Fitness Martial Arts, 266 South Main Street, noting that martial arts students can do what their body will handle.

Master Moore is a fourth-degree black belt, who notes that "overall mental, physical health, and wellness" are benefits of martial arts. "The stress-relief alone is a huge asset of this. There's nothing like coming and punching and kicking stuff to relieve stress," Master Moore said.

Extreme Fitness Martial Arts has a variety of classes, including kickboxing and boot camp for adults, kicknastics - which combines kicking with gymnastics - as well as weapons classes for children, and parkour training.

"We have a very high-level of quality people who are very accomplished and provide exquisite teamwork," Master Moore said.

"It helps you get better no matter where you are in life," adds Porco's Karate Academy instructor Amelia Schwartz, 30, who has been a part of Porco's since first taking classes as an 8-year-old. "It's altered my way of thinking and my way of life."

Ms Schwartz has taught at Porco's Karate Academy, located at 113 Church Hill Road in Sandy Hook, since she was 18, and began training to become an instructor at 14.

"My goal is to keep training, keep learning," said Ms Schwartz, a second-degree black belt, adding that she strives to share the same benefits she got while learning karate as a child with today's youngest students.

"Our core beliefs are to instill within our students integrity, concentration, perseverance, respect, self-control, humility, and an indomitable spirit," said Porco's Master Michael Porco. "Our studio motto 'We train the Warriors for Today's World' speaks to our goal of helping build life skills within our students to help them conquer any obstacle in life that they may encounter."

"I love it. I love teaching martial arts," said Chris Schaefer, 36, a fourth-degree black belt and chief instructor at Steve Demasco's Shaolin Studios, 6 Queen Street, which has been in town for 16 years.

Mr Schaefer started training in 1988, and like other instructors, continues to advance in martial arts. "It's a lifelong thing," he said. "It's part of my life. I feel like I was meant for it and vice versa."

Mr Schaefer notes that martial arts are beneficial to younger participants because they learn discipline, and the adults gain strength and conditioning; and it is more about health and body awareness.

"Stress management is really important. Confidence is a big part of it," Mr Schaefer added.

"I do it for exercise and clearing my head," said 55-year-old green belt Neal DeYoung, a three-year student at Newtown Moo Duk Kwan classes held at NYA Sports & Fitness, at Fairfield Hills, under the instruction of Rich Ahlers.

Mr Ahlers, 38, chief instructor and owner of Newtown Moo Duk Kwan, which means Institute of Martial Virtue, and has been in business for three and a half years, recently tested for his fourth-degree Master rank. He has been involved with martial arts for more than 30 years, and is also ranked in Japanese karate.

"The milestones with children is what keeps them going," said Mr Ahlers, noting that they get a kick out of learning to block, punch, or jump over a target during their training. Mr Ahlers combines the disciplinary element of martial arts with humor to keep the students engaged.

The youth participants, roughly ages 7 to 11, develop into strong martial arts competitors and are the most impressionable students, Mr Ahlers added.

Mr Ahlers notes that full body, weight-based movements used for the older participants is ideal for them.

Three Decades Of Training

Porco's, which has been open for more than three decades, offers a variety of classes for the following age groups: 4-6, 7-12, and 13 and older. Instruction is offered for a variety of techniques including open hands, feet, partner work, forms (combination of hands and feet in patterns), weapons work, and more.

Porco's recently held a parent night, giving moms and dads of students a chance to engage with their children and their activities. This was a win-win scenario for the parents and their children alike, Ms Schwartz said.

"You could see how the students took pride in teaching techniques to their parents," Ms Schwartz said.

The reasons for younger students participating range from learning discipline, having fun, and working in groups, and for older students, learning an ancient Korean art, getting exercise, and having an outlet, Ms Schwartz said.

Master Porco notes that Porco's, founded by Master Mike Porco Sr in 1983, is Newtown's longest-established martial arts studio, and has produced more than 25 black belt instructors, five world champions, 15 New England champions, and has trained more than 2,500 students from Newtown and surrounding communities.

More Options

There are other martial arts options in the area, including American Tiger Martial Arts in Bethel. Master Rob Barghaus, who holds a fourth-degree black belt in tae kwon do, has been practicing for more than 20 years. Tae kwon do classes are offered for children, teenagers, and adults, and self-defense and kickboxing classes are offered for adults at the 78 Stony Hill Road location.

"The martial arts offer a pathway for practitioners to surpass their preconceived self limits and improve their lives for the better," Master Barghaus said.

The DOJO Karate Training Center is expected to open at 224 South Main Street in Newtown in early February. Jared Dunn, 22, and a fourth-degree black belt, and Junior Olympic gold medalist, will be the head instructor. The Dunn family opening the business also owns Connecticut Martial Arts in Danbury.

Master Dunn is ranked third nationally on the North American Sport Karate Association circuit in the adult division. He has studied martial arts in Korea, Thailand, Mexico, and has attended training camps throughout the United States.

"It has been an amazing experience traveling and learning different styles of martial arts" Master Dunn said. "My goal is to pass the tradition on to my students. I hope to build a school that empowers kids to bring out their full potential. I have seen so many lives changed through the martial arts. I am so excited to reach out to the Newtown community."