Top 3 Tips for Starting BJJ Over 40

[frankmoore]

I’m 44, white belt, and I go 5 days a week. I think a good and humble attitude goes a long way. Epsom salt hot baths are golden! I do a 2 hour gym session as well

[smartin]

I am a 52 year old purple belt and i think this is a nice video but I have to strongly disagree with one of the key points. I do not believe in any arbitrary limit on live rolling. I think it misses the point entirely. It is not how much you roll that matters, it is how and with whom you roll. I know that it is difficult but you MUST find good training partners. Usually not too big or too young and usually not white belts. Guys who you can roll with every day and nobody is trying to rip the other guy's head off. That's how you get better. Lots of live rolling but not so crazy aggressive. In order to do that you have to find your trusted training partners who will not continue to up the ante every time someone gets the upper hand. I don't go 110% against the young bucks. Not five times a week, not twice a week. Not at all. Too easy to get hurt. Good luck and enjoy.

[nickurbanik]

Blue belt after two years, age 65 in a couple of months. I agree with everything you said, especially tap early, tap often. My gym is full of kind, respectful people, even though the average age of all people there (including the three instructors) is less than half mine. Not been injured, except for a small cauliflower ear. I will keep doing this till I die, because I love doing it. I thought everyone who tried it would be hooked for life, but five of six workmates stopped after their first class. Horses for courses. I'll ride this one into the sunset.

[malikabdul-aziz]

Geeat video, great advice. BJJ is my 1st ever martial art. IM 48 and have 2 months in. I used to play football and wrestle but that was 30 years ago. I train twice a week. When I spare I got 2 rounds then sit one out. Im way out of shape and hypertensive but I love this. Add to that my 9yr old is 2 stripe white and you can emagine how much fun Im having.

[gabepizza]

I'm 45 and have been doing Muay Thai for 8 years but am thinking of mixing in some bjj when covid is over.

[hugorodrigues]

I am almost 40 and I already feel great difference in my physical condition. I started training 11 months ago. As the age advances, it is becoming more and more difficult. Fortunately, I'm in a school that everyone respects and it helps a lot. I really enjoyed your tips. Thank you very much and a big hug from Portugal. Oss!

[icenic_wolf]

4 weeks in, and 45 trips around the sun so far. I did take my time to find a school that I really vibed with. Thanks for the tips!

[FR-tyvn]

50 year old blue belt here - started 17 months ago - black belts in other disciplines - agree with this advice.

[eddiewright]

Im 52. I wish i would've watched this video before paying up front for one year at a gym im not one hundred percent satisfied. Moreover, i learned that in the beginning, until i get conditioned i cant attend three or four times per week. On my third class, we rolled six rounds at six minute round. It took me five days to recover from that! Too much too soon. I really like bjj, but ive learned the hard way im going to have to be smart, intentional, and deliberate with this awesome hobby. Lesson learned. Thank you for sharing!

[WestcountryDude]

I did BJJ for a while in my late thirties, about a decade ago, and I think that my ego, and the failure to live up to my own unrealistic expectations, contributed to me quitting. The part about having a humble mindset really resonated with me. BJJ is a truly fabulous way to get fit and I'm considering giving it another go. Helpful video. Thanks.

[grussem]

Sounds like excellent advice. I'm nearly 42 and just started training about 3 weeks ago and decided to limit (at least for now) myself to 2 classes per week. Twice a week seems to be good right now between home and school obligations and allowing my body to recover.

[drewp]

Wow!! So helpful. Started BJJ in 2000 at 25 years old.

Now back as a white belt still in 2020. Just broke my rib passing guard .. hurts like hell.

[richdome]

I've been blessed to start training since 99 Bjj rec Blue 2001 Purple 2009 now 62 brown 4 stripes! I've taught thousands in a martial art career since the 80's. Quality education from an Instructor with said lineage. I always ask students of any issues prior to class health or otherwise. I have a following still that allows me to follow my passion. Not all world champions can teach!

[mislai]

Thanks for the advice!
Im 43 just about to start BJJ with sometimes backpain and not 100% left knee. I will do 2 trainings a week, not more, and I will no have problem to tap for a younger or lighter. :)

[KelpWolf]

Great tips, thanks!

1. Find a school that works for you. 2. Start slow, 2-days per week and limit live rolling, pay attention to your body. 3. Tap early and tap often.

This third one is good for everyone who wants to learn Jiu Jitsu, young and old. While training, if someone catches you in a technique, grant them the win, tap, and restart. You and your training partner will learn so much more from doing a whole bunch of repetitions of techniques than you will from grunting and straining and trying to use your strength to power out of your partner's technique.

That said, make your partner work for it. Don't tap if your partner failed to do a technique and apply pressure properly.

[didier_lu]

I am 51 white belt, second Week of BJJ, ... and I love it, doing a lot of running etc but BJJ is definitely very different and I am my body is feeling it 🙂. Excellent video. thank you!

[Daniel-yoes]

Im 50, two stripe blackbelt... Im in it for life. don't limit yourself because of age, in any way....

[danburiac]

Thanks for the tips. I am 51 and took a trial class last Friday. Only young guys, extremely competitive. I have bruises all over my body, I got kneed in the face and head butted once. I would like to continue, but I have second thoughts.

[BlairLSK]

Cool vid. I totally agree. I only roll 2 or 3 times a training and I'm just at the bottom trying to get the other guy to breathe harder than me.

Do you rate the Boyd Belt system when measuring age in BJJ? 10 years of age or 10kg (20 lbs) of weight is the same as a belt grade. Example 1: I'm 44 year old 90 kg white belt and I have good evenly matched rolls with another white belt who is 20 years younger but 20 kgs lighter. Example 2: I am mismatched to the 35 year old blue belt even though I am 10 kgs heavier than him because the age and weight cancel out leaving him a belt grade above me.

[realitywithmj]

47, been competitive kickboxing, karate and wrestling including sparring and rolling daily since a kid. combined with lifting and diet is awesome, no injuries no belly and not worried about getting roughed up or robbed. you get out of it what you put into it. don't hold back and feel like you need to take it easy unless you feel tired or hurt.