I'm a 49 year old black belt. I've been training since 1997. I fully agree with everything in the video, but I believe this advice applies to people of any age. If I would have understood these things earlier, my jiu jitsu career would have been easier and more successful.
I am a 47 year old blue belt and I have been training about five years, and I have gotten to where I love your content Rick. I think that age is a major hurdle in your training, and many people don't understand that. Trying to match the younger peoples intensity and explosiveness is dangerous. It's also not conducive, as an older practitioner, to compare you performance level to equal rank but younger training partners. For the last couple years, I have been discouraged with my training because I see these younger blue belts and purple belts in the gym, and I feel like if I am not performing like they are, I am failing, or stagnating. Each persons journey is different, and you need to realize that you're not your training partners, and your journey is going to differ from other people in the gym. Keep up the great content.
Absolutely! It's spot-on! That is a definite challenge that requires a certain perspective. At 55, with my purple belt, I've encountered various scenarios. Among them, my favorite is witnessing the progress of someone with a white belt, possessing excellent athletic abilities, who's been training for less than six months but is already grasping foundational skills quickly. It's inspiring to see everyone providing opportunities to refine technical skills. However, I've found one of the toughest challenges is maintaining composure amidst focused chaos to identify openings for executing multiple sequences. It's definitely easier said than done, but it's an enjoyable journey!
I am 67 yrs old started training Jiu-Jitsu last week of December 2022; been training for almost 7 months and just got my first stripe last week; injury is unavailable but I think am beginning to love it even at my old age;
Model 1979 purple belt here. Great videos! 💪Let me share my thinking: One of the best decisions for me was when I participated a class which is designed for people +40. The number one rule there was avoiding injuries. During the years I have got bones crushed, black eyes and joint problems, mostly by not obeying the ninth commandment or/and having sparred with younger and heavier ones, who try to go as hard as possible.
I agree 100% sleep is when our bodies recover. Bad sleep negatively affects our ability to perform. I started taking naps 1x or 2x a week and it vastly improved my sessions.
Love this topic! I'm a 45 year old blue belt, and BJJ is definitely something that I want to continue practicing for a long time to come. These commandments are all great, and will serve well anyone who implements them. Learning to control the breath has been a big one for me (that I'm still working on). I have struggled with a few injuries in the few years I've been training, including what I believe is a recently torn shoulder labrum, and would love to hear more about how you dealt with your injuries, when you decided to keep training, when you would take time off and how you would return from a break, etc. Thanks for the content, as always!
Im 62 and holding my chin up on my new Jiu Jitsu journey down the local gym week 4.......No surrender, No going back,All or nothing .....! if ya dont give it a go yall never never know.....👍👍👍
This channel is gold! I started last year at 44 & now at 45, I earned my blue belt a couple of months ago. Your content has helped me to pace myself, check my ego, & learn with intention. I will replay these commandments as they're a good reminder to stay healthy, safe & positive about the journey. OSS!
Lol I’m only 30, but I feel like I’m already at the point where I need this! I think this is basically the advice of how to be an elite BJJ athlete, but if you are old you need to train like an elite athlete just to keep up!
54 year old 4 stripe white belt and training for 21 months. In the last couple of months, I have been focusing on these points and have enjoyed jiu jitsu much much more. I kinda love it when a young buck hesitates to roll with me because I make them work for everything and even get the upper hand. I currently train 3 days a week due to working two jobs but I am consistent. I would love to pick up a 4th day and i think that will come soon. Thanks again.
37F...returning to jiu-jitsu after being away for 8 years (and after gaining A LOT of weight). This helps a lot, even just the realization that I'm not the only one feeling not quite the spring chicken I was ❤ Thank you.
I'm 47, started 5 months ago, 2 stripes now, love it to death. I've been in really good shape for the past 3,5 years (yes, I used the lock down to start) but without some of the ideas from this video, that I was fortunate enough to figure out on my own, I would probably have already given up by now, even in my above average physical state. The guys I train with can be kids of mine, age wise. I always have a plan, I always pace myself, and everybody says that eventually it gets fun... I've been having fun since first week!! Spectacular video, 100% on point!
@@mfundimkhize3137 I became really diligent outside the mat, I'm always researching, but with a completely white belt mindset, focus on basics, improving few things at a time, don't care to win, always prioritize defense and position retention, always have a list of 3 or 4 thing to practice during rolls, because if you choose just one, the situation may not rise to it. And most important, I really try to be the best training partner I can be, lighthearted, helpful, attentive and never abuse strength or speed with smaller opponents. I can be tapped, surpassed, get tired, but I really have fun with it all, good and "bad".
Im' 41, I find your videos super valuable thank you! I have always stayed fit with consideration of trying to keep up with the overeating lol, I love to eat. I have been in bjj for 1 year just received my green belt. I'm at a awesome school with a great professor and awesome teamates. I really apprecaite your content!
As a 21 year old blue belt it's great to hear what to expect later on. It makes me able to get into the right mindset now, so I can do this art a lot longer!
At 33 yr old ex football player (Offensive Lineman) here, I'm already hurting more than I should after 10 round Tuesday. I realized quite fast there's only so many gym battles you can get in on some particularly brutal mats at my gym. I'm prioritizing drilling and being deliberate about how many of those Tuesday death matches I engage in. Or just break more between tough rounds like that.
I’m 46 and only recently realized how much harder I had been rolling than was necessary. A bulged disk in my neck finally taught me the wisdom of rolling lighter and with less competitive energy. I’ve become selective about who I roll with and avoid the muscled up white belts. Girls, other old guys, injured people, newbies that don’t have natural aggression… I pride myself on being the guy that gives those people fun, safe and informative rolls. I’ve learned way more technique and I can turn my head without wincing pain. It’s been way more fun and I can train way more often now that I roll light.
glad I found this video. #8 is big for me. I'm only about 160lbs, 5'9. 39yo but physically probably of someone in their mid 20s but lack the physicality! Rolled with a guy that was 6'5 and whatever the weight of that height, but was ungraded. Instant regret within 5seconds. Asked twice to lower their strength. I did get frustrated but it was a humbling moment to my ego to keep within my means! Thanks for this vid!
Thank you thank you Rick excellent video I have 53 years old soon I will be 54 and I recommend before Roll take creatine help tremendously. This video and all the videos that you do helping me so much brother .
Yup…52 year old featherweight Purple Belt here. As someone who doesn’t even have “old man strength” like some other older guys do, this is great advice I’ve been trying to adhere to for years. Thank you for making this video!
FWIW, I think "old man strength" is a myth. I've had some younger people say that to me and I can only think, "Ah, if I only had my 30 year old strength!" By comparison to myself 30 years ago, at 30, I am SO MUCH weaker. I've had a shoulder replacement (fell off a ladder 3 years ago) and my other shoulder has a nagging pulled muscle. Heck, I can barely do a pushup... ONE pushup, when I used to bench 275 at 30 years old. Being 40# overweight doesn't help either. It's amazing how added weight and weak shoulders limits your ability to move your body. It's coming back, but VERY slowly. Ugh! "Youth is wasted on the young!" 😏
I solved my hydration problem with sugar-free Gatorade G-Zero. I was POUNDING 1-2L of water a session--one of those big Stanley containers--with more even before and after. I simply could not stay quenched. I discovered that just keeping myself hydrated before class and drinking maybe 10-16oz of Gatorade before class helped me not feel like I was dying of thirst. It was probably 3 months on the mat before I figured out the importance of electrolytes.
47-year-old purple here. Warm ups are super important! Stretch before class and always do the class warm ups. Don't be a purple belt meme. Do the warm ups. Stretch after class too.
I'm 39yo and i've always been sedentary up to 2 months ago when I started training Relson Gracie JJ... I looks like your vídeos were made to me! What a great work you're doing!
This is why I train in a sauna suit hoodie and sweats I even mow the lawn in that stuff takes me 45mins to push mow the lawn you not only have to train the body you have to train the mind and I’m 46
I am a 55 year old black belt training since 1997. My suggestion is to always challenge yourself but be mindful of your limitations. When you recognize your current limitations, figure out how to expand them. If you have a hard stop limitation (I can’t do shoulder weights due to tendinitis) figure out another strategy to get the most out of your limitation then find a strength to possibly offset it. You can always become the best version of yourself which is often more than you expect.
Very insightful video. My only addition is to the stay within your limits section. There are certain inverted positions and takedowns I just won’t do. I respectfully ask my coach if there is an alternative technique which he is always happy to demonstrate. OSS.. 🤙🤙
Loads of good stuff here. Only thing is remember some older guys are naturally fit, strong, quick and tough. My 65 year old judo sensei (also a bjj bb) is an absolute super fit savage. Also a yoga, diet and lifting guy. Was a world class judo guy so a bit of a genetic exception.
I always take salted (fleur de sel) honey before & after my sessions! The medical condition is called Hyponatremia. Super nice that you have mentioned that! Super grateful for your content 🥰🙏🏼❤️🔥
Thanks a Bunch, great content as usual. Have you considered a more in-depth video with breathing techniques and some mobility drills. I would find it very useful. As always, thanks and appreciate you sharing your knowledge!
@@witchdoc5075 I get magnesium in the LMNT. Little bit of calcium is just to add a bit of hydration. It’s helped. It’s 105 here, and training jujitsu in the heat (the AC at the Gymn can’t keep up), dehydrates the heck out of you.
No I haven't. I had a micro-discectomy to remove the chunk that was pressing into my sciatic nerve. For me, surgery was mandatory because my calf went dead due to the nerve impingement. Recovery was pretty easy but it took me out of commission for a year. Been fine ever since, although as I get older I feel stiffness increasing in that spot. Good luck to you.
For me it was quitting. Or specifically, focusing on kickboxing. I’m 36 and my neck and back get sore pretty bad easily. I rather weight lift and do kickboxing.,
@@TheArtofSkill I ask, because I thought you were on a TV show or artist. I value your opinion about jiujitsu. I find it motivational, I had a purple belt for fourteen years. Where is your academy or school at......? I have also watched your instructor "Roy," and his videos online. I am intrigued by the origination your academy has as well as the methodology and pragmatic in gi jiujitsu.
Rule one. Nope. Enjoy your BJJ and you will develop. Turn up with the attitude that you always have to work on something can easily sour the joy. If, at 50, you’re not doing it for fun: what are you doing it for?
Agree. Enjoyment is different for different people. I’m 56 and been training for 6years but doing judo for 40 years. My newaza was always rubbish so cross trained - I just can’t do the slow orthodox positional bjj as I forget all the techniques. Like judo throws have maybe four or five subs that hit often and really enjoy going after it with the younger savages and getting completely exhausted. Yoga and lifting solves the aches and pains.
@@CJ-tz1iw You’re a freaking legend. I’m 52 and been doing jitz for 11 years and started judo 18 months ago. For sure yoga 10%. Just started getting back into strength stuff; forgot how important it is.
Hi guys :) I'm 40 this year. Always i wanted train BJJ. I have "jumping" blood pressure. 160/90 and after few minutes of relaxing 135/85 ... stress, anxiety, bad diet, minerals and a lot of beer last 2 years. I want to change everything. Do you think should i get meds first for my BP? I will be thankfull for the answers :)
Thank you so much for this. I am a 51 year old male who started BJJ 6 months ago at a wonderful school. My fellow athletes are respectful, supportive and nobody takes advantage of me, the old guy.*s* Learning BJJ has been a very humbling experience. When I started, I was around 45 lbs overweight, depressed and lacking a lot of confidence. BJJ has helped improve all of these things. I still find some aspects difficult. I have never been a natural athlete so I feel like my improvement has been very slow. All the holds are very confusing Also, I seem to get hurt every week. Nothing too serious but enough to be in some discomfort for a few days. All in all, I am happy I started this journey and look forward to see where it will take me
49 here. I totally feel you. I'm about 25# over and I completely agree. It was funny when I got a 285# 6'2" knee right on my rib cage instead of knee on belly. It is true that white belts hurt white belts. The funny part was when I was letting the professor know why I was going to miss a few weeks was my adding in day 1: found strange bruises in strange places. Day 2: found interesting friction burns on top of my toes. Day 3: I couldn't lift my left arm above my head. Day 4: broken 7th and 8th ribs. I wonder what day 5 would bring!? I finally just got back after 5 weeks off and completed day 5, where they absolutely took it easy on me and I was obviously subconsciously guarding my left side. I still love it, but being selective of who you roll with is paramount!
I was getting hurt (very sore) every week, until I started to stretch every area that was specifically prone to injury. Over 40, you not only need to stretch, you need to stretch ALLOT. Since I started stretching more than anyone else in the class, I have had significantly less soreness and no injuries.
Stretching, like other have said here, is paramount. Hydration is super helpful, my biggest help has come from peptides like BPC-157, CJC-1295, etc. those peptides took it all to another level. I was resistors them as I thought they were performance enhancement drugs, they’re not. They simply simply sped up healing & recovery like you had when were when you where 20 years old.
I’m a 52 year old seasoned blue belt and I learned the hard way. Use to get hurt all the time. Because I’m in decent shape I thought I could hang with the super athletic younger guys. The next day I’d be in the hurt locker and they’re training just as hard, the very next day. It wasn’t until I started being smart that my Jiu Jitsu started to grow. And now I can get in a couple hard rolls with the same guys and be fine the next day. So long as I do my epson salt bath and taking my magnesium. Thanks for the extra tips. 👊🏼😎 24:52
I'm a newcomer to BJJ at 49 but was a professional kickboxer in my 20s and coahced almost 30 years in stand up arts. I've been fortunate that I've maintained a high level of flexibility and strength, and in my only 6 months of BJJ learned fast to slow it down even though mobility wise I can hang with the younger guys and my flexibility also gives me some options I found early on the more patient you are the more you learn and avoid injury
I'm 41 and have struggled with mental health issues for years. Im a white belt so not been training long, but jiu jitsu has literally saved my life. I can't explain it but when I'm on the mats its like everything is ok.
BJJ is very powerful that way. Sometimes people that are close to me will ask why I continue to beat myself up. It's because there is nothing quite like the "reset" you get after having trained.
I “ deliberately “ chose Bjj for mental health for myself and especially for my beautiful wife, it’s helped her immensely and I am happy to go on this journey with her. Bjj for me is a means of peace and added healthy lifestyle, the mental health help is a plus.
I’m a 56 year old blue belt, been in a real funk about BJJ for the last 6 months…been skipping more classes than I go to…really trying to figure out if I want to keep training…
45 year old blue belt, been training for 2 years. Thank you for this great video with such important reminders for us older athletes. All the points you mentioned are critical to any athlete but more so for those us that are older than our training partners. Here's my experience with each of these: Most challenging ones that I'm working on with my coach, to keep me safe and continuously progressing as I'm one of the few older guys in the gym: Manage Expectations (train and roll at my pace, not the younger, faster, heavier, stronger guys'). Stay Within Your Limits (learn to listen to my body and not go 100% with all of my rolls, learn to sit out some rolls). What I need to work on improving: Training with intention: go within with a specific goal/area of improvement for that day of training. While I do this some days, I don't do all the time. Recovery: I'm good in terms of active recovery (yoga every morning, moving throughout the day) but not so good in terms of training volume. I was training 4 times a week, 2 classes + sparring on every training day for almost 2 years straight. A recent groin & hip injury due to overtaining forced me to reconsider my training volume. I'm coming back slowly now 3 times a week, 1 class only. Once I'm back in shape, I'll go back to sparring once a week. Being selective with training partners: I'm only 115 lbs, most people in class are around 150 - 180 lbs which I'm fine with. There are some much heavier guys 220+ lbs which I can survive rolling with but at a much higher cost to my recovery. I've started excusing myself from those rolls as the risk of injury to me is too high. Game changers for me that I've already being doing: Mobility: most of my exercise outside of the Jiu-jitsu Academy is focused on this to avoid issues with my pre-existing back condition and shoulder issues. Hydration (also use LMNT): this was a game changer when I started drinking this during training sessions a few months after I started training. My energy levels increased and I don't feel as drained after training since I started drinking electrolyte drinks. Warmup (helps with my back, hips, shoulders) which I do before the class warmup begins and I also go through a cool down routine after the class which I find just as important if not more so than warming up. Breathing: learned this one early as a smaller white belt to be able to survive getting crushed by heavier guys. Tapping early: some people get annoyed when I do this (because they want to earn the tap) but I explain to them that my joints and range of motion is much more limited than theirs and I do this only when they've locked down the submission but before reaching the painful end range for me.
Really great advice here. Especially the knowing your limits bit. If your gym culture doesn’t reinforce respect for the old guys who are still able to train at 40+, it should change. The hardest part is admitting to yourself that you aren’t a spring chicken anymore and being wise enough to avoid being baited into rolls you will likely regret later. Sort of the “you calling me chicken?” as seen in the fine 80’s classic Back to the Future. Also love the point about declining rolls - many of us will not do this. I don’t unless it’s severe. I won’t sit out rounds, but I will find the guys who appear to be gassed and convince them to just roll light with me - and my line “it’s always better to be moving than sitting out” seems to resonate! Ossss.
Time stamp 7:26 commandment number four when you said, "the quality of your jiu-jitsu is directly proportional to the quality of your movement" really got me thinking and hit home for me Rick. Thank you for sharing! 53 year old male three stripe white belt.
I'm in the masters 4 bracket. Apart from my coach, I'm the oldest guy in my gym. I received my blue belt tonight and I'm dreading how my training will manifest from now on. Your advice really helps. Thank you.
TLDR: This is related to the "10th Commandment", Prioritize Recovery. About 35 years ago, I worked in a health club as a trainer and was a non-competing bodybuilder. Another guy who worked with me, a retired NFL player, turned me on to something by Arnold Schwarzenegger. When Arnold first moved to the US, his agent told him to change his name because "no one will be able to pronounce" his last name. So he changed it to "Arnold Strong". Yeah, "Strong". 🙄 Anyway, he published a pamphlet, literally a bunch of 8.5 x 11 pages, folded in half and stapled in the middle, about the core of his bodybuilding routines and philosophy. The relevant part of that pamphlet was his view about recovery. He summarized it into the following saying: Don't run if you can walk, Don't walk if you can stand, Don't stand if you can sit, Don't sit if you can lie down, Don't lie down if you can sleep. The point being that when you work out, give it the intensity you can (healthfully), but when you are recovering from that workout, be aware of the hierarchy of activities. As you go down the list, each activity enhances your recovery over the previous activity, with sleep being the ultimate recovery activity. This embodies a recovery PHILOSOPHY to avoid overtraining and injury prevention. Kind of like the "young bull vs old bull" approach to things or "smarter, not harder". Anyway, I'm a 60 year-old blue belt, who picked up BJJ last summer after a 15 year layoff (knee replacement, from a non-BJJ injury 20 years before the replacement). My previous gym was competition-oriented and I can't maintain that level of intensity anymore. Ironically, I'm progressing far faster now than I was before because I'm able to work on LEARNING BJJ rather than just surviving. I hope this adds to the conversation...
00:28 | 1 TRAIN WITH INTENTION
02:55 | 2 MANAGE EXPECTATIONS
05:06 | 3 STAY WITHIN YOUR LIMITS
07:27 | 4 FOCUS ON MOBILITY
09:47 | 5 HYDRATE PROPERLY
12:50 | 6 WARM UP THOROUGHLY
14:57 | 7 LEARN TO BREATHE
18:16 | 8 BE SELECTIVE WHEN ROLLING
19:50 | 9 TAP EARLY
21:37 | 10 PRIORITIZE RECOVERY
Some heroes don't wear capes... Oss!
Thanks for doing this!
Thank you
I've listen to this twice while driving, thank you. These made it to my notebook!
Rule 0.9: You're old and you're NOT GETTING PAID... Quit, you fool!
I'm a 49 year old black belt. I've been training since 1997. I fully agree with everything in the video, but I believe this advice applies to people of any age. If I would have understood these things earlier, my jiu jitsu career would have been easier and more successful.
54 year old brown belt here going through a training rough patch. I needed this video - definitely going to help me recalibrate.
Right there with you brother... 54 Brown Belt and some days wondering how I got here.
I started Jiu-Jitsu after stop smoking at 34. Now Iam 46, blackbelt an still love it. ❤🥋 oss
Good for you! Stopping smoking is a huge accomplishment. BJJ Black Belt is a big deal, too! OSS 👊
I am a 47 year old blue belt and I have been training about five years, and I have gotten to where I love your content Rick. I think that age is a major hurdle in your training, and many people don't understand that. Trying to match the younger peoples intensity and explosiveness is dangerous. It's also not conducive, as an older practitioner, to compare you performance level to equal rank but younger training partners. For the last couple years, I have been discouraged with my training because I see these younger blue belts and purple belts in the gym, and I feel like if I am not performing like they are, I am failing, or stagnating. Each persons journey is different, and you need to realize that you're not your training partners, and your journey is going to differ from other people in the gym. Keep up the great content.
Indeed, you're only in competition with your old self.
you should switch style before injured
Absolutely! It's spot-on! That is a definite challenge that requires a certain perspective. At 55, with my purple belt, I've encountered various scenarios. Among them, my favorite is witnessing the progress of someone with a white belt, possessing excellent athletic abilities, who's been training for less than six months but is already grasping foundational skills quickly. It's inspiring to see everyone providing opportunities to refine technical skills. However, I've found one of the toughest challenges is maintaining composure amidst focused chaos to identify openings for executing multiple sequences. It's definitely easier said than done, but it's an enjoyable journey!
I am 67 yrs old started training Jiu-Jitsu last week of December 2022; been training for almost 7 months and just got my first stripe last week; injury is unavailable but I think am beginning to love it even at my old age;
71 and I so appreciate your channel. Just 3 months into my white belt. Love jiu-jitsu ❤️.
👏👏👏
Amazing!
Legend
Good for you 💪👏
That's awesome! Good luck to you.
Model 1979 purple belt here. Great videos! 💪Let me share my thinking: One of the best decisions for me was when I participated a class which is designed for people +40. The number one rule there was avoiding injuries. During the years I have got bones crushed, black eyes and joint problems, mostly by not obeying the ninth commandment or/and having sparred with younger and heavier ones, who try to go as hard as possible.
I really think number 1 should be sleep. It’s the most difficult to focus on at any age. Also difficult to do
Naps too
I agree 100% sleep is when our bodies recover. Bad sleep negatively affects our ability to perform. I started taking naps 1x or 2x a week and it vastly improved my sessions.
Love this topic! I'm a 45 year old blue belt, and BJJ is definitely something that I want to continue practicing for a long time to come. These commandments are all great, and will serve well anyone who implements them. Learning to control the breath has been a big one for me (that I'm still working on). I have struggled with a few injuries in the few years I've been training, including what I believe is a recently torn shoulder labrum, and would love to hear more about how you dealt with your injuries, when you decided to keep training, when you would take time off and how you would return from a break, etc. Thanks for the content, as always!
I've gotten that request from a few people, so I'll definitely cover it in a future video.
Outstanding advice, I’ve been on my BJJ journey for 5 months, I’m 53 years old, and the advice here is on point
Im 62 and holding my chin up on my new Jiu Jitsu journey down the local gym week 4.......No surrender, No going back,All or nothing .....! if ya dont give it a go yall never never know.....👍👍👍
This channel is gold! I started last year at 44 & now at 45, I earned my blue belt a couple of months ago. Your content has helped me to pace myself, check my ego, & learn with intention. I will replay these commandments as they're a good reminder to stay healthy, safe & positive about the journey. OSS!
Thank you! I appreciate it.
Such good advice!
Used to train in my 20s and 30s. Now in my early 40s and just had a hip replacement - 2024 is the year I come back!
I'm 34 but let's learn early :)
I'm 54 so let's learn too late! haa
@@shabblabbat better late than never! ;)
Haha, you beat me to this.
🧠
Lol I’m only 30, but I feel like I’m already at the point where I need this! I think this is basically the advice of how to be an elite BJJ athlete, but if you are old you need to train like an elite athlete just to keep up!
54 year old 4 stripe white belt and training for 21 months. In the last couple of months, I have been focusing on these points and have enjoyed jiu jitsu much much more. I kinda love it when a young buck hesitates to roll with me because I make them work for everything and even get the upper hand. I currently train 3 days a week due to working two jobs but I am consistent. I would love to pick up a 4th day and i think that will come soon. Thanks again.
37F...returning to jiu-jitsu after being away for 8 years (and after gaining A LOT of weight). This helps a lot, even just the realization that I'm not the only one feeling not quite the spring chicken I was ❤ Thank you.
As a 46 year old beginner I really appreciate this video, Thank you.
41 here practitioner(white belt),anyone who does jitsu MAD RESPECT . If you train WATCH THIS VIDEO! 100% you'll relate to it all. Thank you 🙏
I’m an older bjj guy and love these videos. Appreciate you sharing your experience and knowledge. 🤙🏼
I'm 47, started 5 months ago, 2 stripes now, love it to death. I've been in really good shape for the past 3,5 years (yes, I used the lock down to start) but without some of the ideas from this video, that I was fortunate enough to figure out on my own, I would probably have already given up by now, even in my above average physical state. The guys I train with can be kids of mine, age wise. I always have a plan, I always pace myself, and everybody says that eventually it gets fun... I've been having fun since first week!! Spectacular video, 100% on point!
2 stripes in 5 months, how come so quick? 😮
@@mfundimkhize3137 I became really diligent outside the mat, I'm always researching, but with a completely white belt mindset, focus on basics, improving few things at a time, don't care to win, always prioritize defense and position retention, always have a list of 3 or 4 thing to practice during rolls, because if you choose just one, the situation may not rise to it. And most important, I really try to be the best training partner I can be, lighthearted, helpful, attentive and never abuse strength or speed with smaller opponents. I can be tapped, surpassed, get tired, but I really have fun with it all, good and "bad".
@@nelsonsimoes896 This. 100%. Started about a year ago at 48. Slowly learning the moves and how to stay safe / not injured so I can keep training.
You’ve described more than a hobby, a passion. Not wrong but depends on your intended commitment.
I’m a 39 yo 3 stripe purple belt who has a cervical spine fusion. I felt each and every one of these points. Great vid
Im' 41, I find your videos super valuable thank you! I have always stayed fit with consideration of trying to keep up with the overeating lol, I love to eat. I have been in bjj for 1 year just received my green belt. I'm at a awesome school with a great professor and awesome teamates. I really apprecaite your content!
As a 21 year old blue belt it's great to hear what to expect later on. It makes me able to get into the right mindset now, so I can do this art a lot longer!
That's smart.
Yes, very smart. I think "old man" JJ is about training as efficiently as possible, and anyone can benefit from that.
At 33 yr old ex football player (Offensive Lineman) here, I'm already hurting more than I should after 10 round Tuesday. I realized quite fast there's only so many gym battles you can get in on some particularly brutal mats at my gym. I'm prioritizing drilling and being deliberate about how many of those Tuesday death matches I engage in. Or just break more between tough rounds like that.
I’m 46 and only recently realized how much harder I had been rolling than was necessary. A bulged disk in my neck finally taught me the wisdom of rolling lighter and with less competitive energy. I’ve become selective about who I roll with and avoid the muscled up white belts. Girls, other old guys, injured people, newbies that don’t have natural aggression… I pride myself on being the guy that gives those people fun, safe and informative rolls. I’ve learned way more technique and I can turn my head without wincing pain. It’s been way more fun and I can train way more often now that I roll light.
glad I found this video. #8 is big for me.
I'm only about 160lbs, 5'9. 39yo but physically probably of someone in their mid 20s but lack the physicality! Rolled with a guy that was 6'5 and whatever the weight of that height, but was ungraded. Instant regret within 5seconds. Asked twice to lower their strength. I did get frustrated but it was a humbling moment to my ego to keep within my means! Thanks for this vid!
Thank you thank you Rick excellent video I have 53 years old soon I will be 54 and I recommend before Roll take creatine help tremendously. This video and all the videos that you do helping me so much brother .
Yup…52 year old featherweight Purple Belt here. As someone who doesn’t even have “old man strength” like some other older guys do, this is great advice I’ve been trying to adhere to for years. Thank you for making this video!
FWIW, I think "old man strength" is a myth. I've had some younger people say that to me and I can only think, "Ah, if I only had my 30 year old strength!"
By comparison to myself 30 years ago, at 30, I am SO MUCH weaker. I've had a shoulder replacement (fell off a ladder 3 years ago) and my other shoulder has a nagging pulled muscle. Heck, I can barely do a pushup... ONE pushup, when I used to bench 275 at 30 years old. Being 40# overweight doesn't help either.
It's amazing how added weight and weak shoulders limits your ability to move your body. It's coming back, but VERY slowly.
Ugh! "Youth is wasted on the young!" 😏
I solved my hydration problem with sugar-free Gatorade G-Zero. I was POUNDING 1-2L of water a session--one of those big Stanley containers--with more even before and after. I simply could not stay quenched. I discovered that just keeping myself hydrated before class and drinking maybe 10-16oz of Gatorade before class helped me not feel like I was dying of thirst. It was probably 3 months on the mat before I figured out the importance of electrolytes.
Thank you for this. Very well reasoned points. I'm watching this while I'm out injured and have made many of the mistakes you mention.
47-year-old purple here. Warm ups are super important! Stretch before class and always do the class warm ups. Don't be a purple belt meme. Do the warm ups. Stretch after class too.
I'm 39yo and i've always been sedentary up to 2 months ago when I started training Relson Gracie JJ... I looks like your vídeos were made to me! What a great work you're doing!
Thank you, I appreciate it!
Thank you from this side of the grave! I will try to put this into practice.
This is why I train in a sauna suit hoodie and sweats I even mow the lawn in that stuff takes me 45mins to push mow the lawn you not only have to train the body you have to train the mind and I’m 46
Honestly this is just good advice for any age. Just needs to be more emphasis on these as you get older.
You gave me hope. I am going to train BJJ for the first time real soon and i’m gonna he 40 soon
52 year old purple, could not agree more. Listening to the body has served me well
38 white belt taking these to heart
I am a 55 year old black belt training since 1997. My suggestion is to always challenge yourself but be mindful of your limitations. When you recognize your current limitations, figure out how to expand them. If you have a hard stop limitation (I can’t do shoulder weights due to tendinitis) figure out another strategy to get the most out of your limitation then find a strength to possibly offset it. You can always become the best version of yourself which is often more than you expect.
91 year old athlete here, just started bjj last week, haven't been back as I think I need a month of to recover.
😂. We all had been there.
This is a great list, very well produced
Very insightful video. My only addition is to the stay within your limits section. There are certain inverted positions and takedowns I just won’t do. I respectfully ask my coach if there is an alternative technique which he is always happy to demonstrate. OSS.. 🤙🤙
u are a beautiful soul friend. thank you
That's very kind of you. Thank you!
Loads of good stuff here. Only thing is remember some older guys are naturally fit, strong, quick and tough. My 65 year old judo sensei (also a bjj bb) is an absolute super fit savage. Also a yoga, diet and lifting guy. Was a world class judo guy so a bit of a genetic exception.
I felt that beginning frustration. I can relate. Lol
Great video!
This is great. 45 year old rugby player,.1 year into jiujitsu journey. Im stay stiff AF!😂
I always take salted (fleur de sel) honey before & after my sessions!
The medical condition is called Hyponatremia. Super nice that you have mentioned that! Super grateful for your content 🥰🙏🏼❤️🔥
Yes, hyponatremia! Thanks for the reminder.
Excellent video!!
Great advice!
Ive learned most of these by experience. Wish I would have run across this advice a couple years ago. 😅
Im 28 yrs old but Im willing to learn news things to add to my game from the “old guard”
All good tips whether your over 40 or not ..
Great video! In your forties, you are young enough to go really hard, but old enough to get really hurt.
Agreed. All of my serious injuries were in my 40s.
@@TheArtofSkill Sorry Brother. It's a labor of love, isn't it?
Love the advice, but gotta say, I’m disappointed you don’t have a tee saying “Old women would have quit…” this 60 y/o 👩🎤would have bought that! 😊
Thank you!
thank you
55 year old Blue Belt here. It's tough in my gym because I am the oldest amongst a bunch of savages!.
Great content. Thank you.
Thanks a Bunch, great content as usual. Have you considered a more in-depth video with breathing techniques and some mobility drills. I would find it very useful. As always, thanks and appreciate you sharing your knowledge!
You're welcome. I plan to create a mobility course once the course I'm currently working on gets released.
Awesome thanks😇🙏
Solid Ten Commandments!
Brilliant
46, couple months in. 🤙🏽
thanks, wrote each one out .
I just recorded a video and did the same thing yesterday, except it was through my webcam. LOL SOOO I have to redo it today haha. OSSS
Sound advice. 44yr old blue belt here
I use LMNT too, it’s been a game changer. I am considering adding some calcium to my mix, also.
Ensure that calcium supplement (if you choose to do so) has some magnesium in it. Dehydration and excessive oral calcium will cause constipation.
@@witchdoc5075 I get magnesium in the LMNT. Little bit of calcium is just to add a bit of hydration. It’s helped. It’s 105 here, and training jujitsu in the heat (the AC at the Gymn can’t keep up), dehydrates the heck out of you.
Is sauna good for recovery?
have you done a video that gives more details on that bulging disc injury? i am fighting that now and its keeping me off the mats
No I haven't. I had a micro-discectomy to remove the chunk that was pressing into my sciatic nerve. For me, surgery was mandatory because my calf went dead due to the nerve impingement. Recovery was pretty easy but it took me out of commission for a year. Been fine ever since, although as I get older I feel stiffness increasing in that spot. Good luck to you.
Great Excellent video
This is great..44 going on 45 .... White belt.
Good stuff.
For me it was quitting. Or specifically, focusing on kickboxing. I’m 36 and my neck and back get sore pretty bad easily. I rather weight lift and do kickboxing.,
38 here!
Are you a singer or actor?
I sang and played guitar in rock bands in my 20s. Why do you ask?
@@TheArtofSkill I ask, because I thought you were on a TV show or artist. I value your opinion about jiujitsu. I find it motivational, I had a purple belt for fourteen years. Where is your academy or school at......? I have also watched your instructor "Roy," and his videos online. I am intrigued by the origination your academy has as well as the methodology and pragmatic in gi jiujitsu.
@@veteransowhat5669 Thanks. I used to have a school in Wyoming but I sold it last year when I moved to San Diego.
My problem is the warm up
White belt 44 and 2 1/2 years in.
Breath out through your nose when you can. It increases the nitrogen exchange in your breath.
About to start at age 48
Hi can you use Dioralyte as an Electrolyte???
Anything with sodium and potassium works.
11th Commandment... "Cheat" as much as you can!!! The older you are, the more you must cheat!!
Rule one. Nope. Enjoy your BJJ and you will develop. Turn up with the attitude that you always have to work on something can easily sour the joy. If, at 50, you’re not doing it for fun: what are you doing it for?
Agree. Enjoyment is different for different people. I’m 56 and been training for 6years but doing judo for 40 years. My newaza was always rubbish so cross trained - I just can’t do the slow orthodox positional bjj as I forget all the techniques. Like judo throws have maybe four or five subs that hit often and really enjoy going after it with the younger savages and getting completely exhausted. Yoga and lifting solves the aches and pains.
@@CJ-tz1iw You’re a freaking legend. I’m 52 and been doing jitz for 11 years and started judo 18 months ago. For sure yoga 10%. Just started getting back into strength stuff; forgot how important it is.
torn labrum, torn rotator, bulging disc ?? jiu jitsu?? no thanks. id rather just get beat up, less injuries. lol
Meh. Pretty common sense
Hi guys :) I'm 40 this year. Always i wanted train BJJ. I have "jumping" blood pressure. 160/90 and after few minutes of relaxing 135/85 ... stress, anxiety, bad diet, minerals and a lot of beer last 2 years. I want to change everything. Do you think should i get meds first for my BP? I will be thankfull for the answers :)
Thank you so much for this. I am a 51 year old male who started BJJ 6 months ago at a wonderful school. My fellow athletes are respectful, supportive and nobody takes advantage of me, the old guy.*s* Learning BJJ has been a very humbling experience. When I started, I was around 45 lbs overweight, depressed and lacking a lot of confidence. BJJ has helped improve all of these things. I still find some aspects difficult. I have never been a natural athlete so I feel like my improvement has been very slow. All the holds are very confusing Also, I seem to get hurt every week. Nothing too serious but enough to be in some discomfort for a few days. All in all, I am happy I started this journey and look forward to see where it will take me
49 here. I totally feel you. I'm about 25# over and I completely agree. It was funny when I got a 285# 6'2" knee right on my rib cage instead of knee on belly. It is true that white belts hurt white belts. The funny part was when I was letting the professor know why I was going to miss a few weeks was my adding in day 1: found strange bruises in strange places. Day 2: found interesting friction burns on top of my toes. Day 3: I couldn't lift my left arm above my head. Day 4: broken 7th and 8th ribs. I wonder what day 5 would bring!? I finally just got back after 5 weeks off and completed day 5, where they absolutely took it easy on me and I was obviously subconsciously guarding my left side. I still love it, but being selective of who you roll with is paramount!
I was getting hurt (very sore) every week, until I started to stretch every area that was specifically prone to injury. Over 40, you not only need to stretch, you need to stretch ALLOT. Since I started stretching more than anyone else in the class, I have had significantly less soreness and no injuries.
Stretching, like other have said here, is paramount. Hydration is super helpful, my biggest help has come from peptides like BPC-157, CJC-1295, etc. those peptides took it all to another level. I was resistors them as I thought they were performance enhancement drugs, they’re not. They simply simply sped up healing & recovery like you had when were when you where 20 years old.
I am 54 . I don't see myself as "the old guy". Keep the good work
I'm 37, been training since 29. I think this video is totally applicable to practicioners of all ages/ranks!
I’m a 52 year old seasoned blue belt and I learned the hard way. Use to get hurt all the time. Because I’m in decent shape I thought I could hang with the super athletic younger guys. The next day I’d be in the hurt locker and they’re training just as hard, the very next day. It wasn’t until I started being smart that my Jiu Jitsu started to grow. And now I can get in a couple hard rolls with the same guys and be fine the next day. So long as I do my epson salt bath and taking my magnesium. Thanks for the extra tips. 👊🏼😎 24:52
I'm a newcomer to BJJ at 49 but was a professional kickboxer in my 20s and coahced almost 30 years in stand up arts. I've been fortunate that I've maintained a high level of flexibility and strength, and in my only 6 months of BJJ learned fast to slow it down even though mobility wise I can hang with the younger guys and my flexibility also gives me some options I found early on the more patient you are the more you learn and avoid injury
I'm 41 and have struggled with mental health issues for years. Im a white belt so not been training long, but jiu jitsu has literally saved my life. I can't explain it but when I'm on the mats its like everything is ok.
BJJ is very powerful that way. Sometimes people that are close to me will ask why I continue to beat myself up. It's because there is nothing quite like the "reset" you get after having trained.
Congrats brother, enjoy the journey…
I “ deliberately “ chose Bjj for mental health for myself and especially for my beautiful wife, it’s helped her immensely and I am happy to go on this journey with her. Bjj for me is a means of peace and added healthy lifestyle, the mental health help is a plus.
I’m a 56 year old blue belt, been in a real funk about BJJ for the last 6 months…been skipping more classes than I go to…really trying to figure out if I want to keep training…
45 year old blue belt, been training for 2 years. Thank you for this great video with such important reminders for us older athletes. All the points you mentioned are critical to any athlete but more so for those us that are older than our training partners. Here's my experience with each of these:
Most challenging ones that I'm working on with my coach, to keep me safe and continuously progressing as I'm one of the few older guys in the gym:
Manage Expectations (train and roll at my pace, not the younger, faster, heavier, stronger guys').
Stay Within Your Limits (learn to listen to my body and not go 100% with all of my rolls, learn to sit out some rolls).
What I need to work on improving:
Training with intention: go within with a specific goal/area of improvement for that day of training. While I do this some days, I don't do all the time.
Recovery: I'm good in terms of active recovery (yoga every morning, moving throughout the day) but not so good in terms of training volume. I was training 4 times a week, 2 classes + sparring on every training day for almost 2 years straight. A recent groin & hip injury due to overtaining forced me to reconsider my training volume. I'm coming back slowly now 3 times a week, 1 class only. Once I'm back in shape, I'll go back to sparring once a week.
Being selective with training partners: I'm only 115 lbs, most people in class are around 150 - 180 lbs which I'm fine with. There are some much heavier guys 220+ lbs which I can survive rolling with but at a much higher cost to my recovery. I've started excusing myself from those rolls as the risk of injury to me is too high.
Game changers for me that I've already being doing:
Mobility: most of my exercise outside of the Jiu-jitsu Academy is focused on this to avoid issues with my pre-existing back condition and shoulder issues.
Hydration (also use LMNT): this was a game changer when I started drinking this during training sessions a few months after I started training. My energy levels increased and I don't feel as drained after training since I started drinking electrolyte drinks.
Warmup (helps with my back, hips, shoulders) which I do before the class warmup begins and I also go through a cool down routine after the class which I find just as important if not more so than warming up.
Breathing: learned this one early as a smaller white belt to be able to survive getting crushed by heavier guys.
Tapping early: some people get annoyed when I do this (because they want to earn the tap) but I explain to them that my joints and range of motion is much more limited than theirs and I do this only when they've locked down the submission but before reaching the painful end range for me.
Really great advice here. Especially the knowing your limits bit. If your gym culture doesn’t reinforce respect for the old guys who are still able to train at 40+, it should change. The hardest part is admitting to yourself that you aren’t a spring chicken anymore and being wise enough to avoid being baited into rolls you will likely regret later. Sort of the “you calling me chicken?” as seen in the fine 80’s classic Back to the Future.
Also love the point about declining rolls - many of us will not do this. I don’t unless it’s severe. I won’t sit out rounds, but I will find the guys who appear to be gassed and convince them to just roll light with me - and my line “it’s always better to be moving than sitting out” seems to resonate! Ossss.
Time stamp 7:26 commandment number four when you said, "the quality of your jiu-jitsu is directly proportional to the quality of your movement" really got me thinking and hit home for me Rick. Thank you for sharing! 53 year old male three stripe white belt.
I'm in the masters 4 bracket. Apart from my coach, I'm the oldest guy in my gym. I received my blue belt tonight and I'm dreading how my training will manifest from now on.
Your advice really helps. Thank you.
TLDR: This is related to the "10th Commandment", Prioritize Recovery.
About 35 years ago, I worked in a health club as a trainer and was a non-competing bodybuilder. Another guy who worked with me, a retired NFL player, turned me on to something by Arnold Schwarzenegger.
When Arnold first moved to the US, his agent told him to change his name because "no one will be able to pronounce" his last name. So he changed it to "Arnold Strong". Yeah, "Strong". 🙄
Anyway, he published a pamphlet, literally a bunch of 8.5 x 11 pages, folded in half and stapled in the middle, about the core of his bodybuilding routines and philosophy.
The relevant part of that pamphlet was his view about recovery. He summarized it into the following saying:
Don't run if you can walk,
Don't walk if you can stand,
Don't stand if you can sit,
Don't sit if you can lie down,
Don't lie down if you can sleep.
The point being that when you work out, give it the intensity you can (healthfully), but when you are recovering from that workout, be aware of the hierarchy of activities. As you go down the list, each activity enhances your recovery over the previous activity, with sleep being the ultimate recovery activity.
This embodies a recovery PHILOSOPHY to avoid overtraining and injury prevention. Kind of like the "young bull vs old bull" approach to things or "smarter, not harder".
Anyway, I'm a 60 year-old blue belt, who picked up BJJ last summer after a 15 year layoff (knee replacement, from a non-BJJ injury 20 years before the replacement).
My previous gym was competition-oriented and I can't maintain that level of intensity anymore. Ironically, I'm progressing far faster now than I was before because I'm able to work on LEARNING BJJ rather than just surviving.
I hope this adds to the conversation...
Definitly stick to sparing with those in your own rank to avoid injuries.
My heart is willing but my body is yelling calm down foo your getting OLD! Amazing video THANK YOU 🤙🏽
I'm 56 and still willing to roll . No, I'm not a wrestler by any stretch of the imagination . A couple of injuries but nothing I can't work with .