Starting in jiujitsu after 50

The best age to start doing jiujitsu is as soon as you can get around to it. For you or someone you know, that might be in your fifties. But, like for all other possible starting ages, it's good to know what kind of goals you will be pursuing.

PT:

Começando no jiu-jítsu depois dos 50

A melhor idade pra começar a fazer jiu-jítsu é assim que você puder. Para você ou algum conhecido seu, a hora pode finalmente ter chegado depois de meio século de estrada. Mas, assim como em qualquer outra possível idade de início, é bom saber que tipo de objetivos você vai perseguir.

O mestre Rickson Gracie recentemente falou conosco sobre como ser um principiante com 50 e tantos anos. Aproveite abaixo a sabedoria dispensada por ele.

[RicoMnc]

I am a 62yr old 130lb blue belt, started at 58. Thank you very much for the wise and encouraging words.

[joestevens]

I started at 50 and It has done wonders for my depression.

[TenchiBushi]

I joined a BJJ dojo in Aomori, Japan as a birthday present for myself on my 53rd birthday. I'm 55 now and still training.

[danieltang]

I am 70 and a blue belt. Been doing jiujutsu for 5 years and still can't get enough of it. I had a few injuries over the years. The key is finding partners who are gentle. Even for younger people, it doesn't make sense to roll in a crazy manner before you master the techniques.

[EOW-nvnc]

59 years old. Been training BJJ for 28 years. This is the best advice for any age.

[James-lvmw]

I'm a 49 year old brown belt. I've trained with Royce, Royler, Rickson, Kron, Ryron, Renner and Rolker Gracie. I have never found a better teacher than Rickson and Pedro Sauer. Become a nightmare to submit and your attacks will come. "Jiu-Jitsu is timing, it's knowledge about the technique but it's timing" -Rickson Gracie

[BOBBOB-txox]

I started at 61, I have always stayed in shape. I don't hold back when rolling with much younger students, I just outthink them. You can always tap. If you look at it as just learning and not trying to beat up everybody its enjoyable, at the same time you are learning. Most of the real crazy aggressive students quit within six months anyway.

[TrishCanyon]

I started at 71 so I really relate and am appreciative of the mindset to conserve energy, modify where needed, be careful with choosing partners, no early sparing.

[ctb]

Started at 47 and could not agree more. Thank you!

[GTCTraders]

Started at 51. Very athletic. Look very young for my age. "Old man strength" :)

Totally appreciate the counsel. First few months, just "try to win this roll" ... keep rolling and rolling and rolling with the younger guys in their 20's. Not only as a white belt, but at 51 ... my body let me know real fast:

_Mate ... you are 51. Knock it off_

Took a couple of weeks to rest from an injury. Learned to roll, when I feel GOOD to roll. When I don't? I don't? Judicious use of strength as a supplement to the technique; with technique coming first. Finding good partners to roll with. Great Professor as an instructor. It's made all the difference.

Thank you for sharing the wisdom and experience! Blessings ...

[davebond]

Thanks rickson ive been injured for 2 years. Im now 54 been. Still trying to heal. My motivation is still strong. Hope i can make it back.

[andreasplienegger]

I'm 56 and got my blue belt last year. My experience when I started was that I pretty soon had to take a step back in order to protect my shoulder joints and my back. I then systematically strengthened these parts of my body so now I can train and roll even with the young folks who compete.

[thirdactwarrior]

Great advice, thanks! I started BJJ at a sport club at age 68. I trained for a year, but then had to quit because I needed a knee replacement, not caused by Jiu-Jitsu. After recovery, I started back at a Gracie JJ school at age 70 and I'm still there almost a year later. I find the Gracie approach much better for me and I really enjoy it. I have so far avoided injuries that would put me out of training.

[FR-tyvn]

Beautiful - about to turn 57, 3-stripe purple belt - makes a lot of sense - tremendous respect, Rickson - I’ve learned a ton from you - I wish you well…

[doca]

Great advice. I’m 54.
I started under Rickson at 34, got my blue belt from him. Got my brown belt from Kron.
I definitely play it smarter now and just try to enjoy rolling, hardly ever go for taps, but I hardly ever get tapped out either.

[STARSanSTRIPES]

Im 72 and training Jiu-Jitsu for a year now. In class today doing #11 Elevator Sweep, I had my hips very wide and a heavy partner and I felt a little pain in my hip (the other hip is titanium 😂). So I take it easy. Prevent injury. Learn and practice with safety in mind. Thankfully my partners seem to take care of me and I appreciate they're willing to train with an old lady. ❤

[The-Contractor]

67 and starting BJJ as a hobby. Timely and perfect guidance. Thanks for what you do.

[thedudeabides]

I'm 54 and have been training on and off for 24 years. I am at the point now where if I sweat and don't get hurt in class, I am happy. There will come a time when you aren't as fast, as strong or as agile and then your mind and technique will have to be whats left.

[loa]

I started at 57. I am 64. It can be done. But know that it can be both fun and extremely challenging. For me, mostly psychologically.

[sumo_steve]

Excellent video for those of us in our 50's.
These are the exact things that Master Luiz Palhares told me back when I turned 50. Enjoy the sport, go at your own pace, listen to your body, etc. and it was worked VERY well for me. Now, I am a 54 year old purple belt and see no end in sight. Many thanks Master Rickson.
OSS