I'm 55, started BJJ last year. Thanks a bunch for this video, so many of your points are spot on. I've already had a cracked rib and a strained back. Just returning from that last injury now after working with a physical therapist and developing a regime to strengthen my body to hopefully allow me to avoid injury. I especially appreciate your comments about how addictive it is and wanting to just get after it with 25 and 30 year olds, without having the right perspective about my limitations. I'll have to come back to watch this regularly to keep reminding myself! Thanks again.
I’m a 62 yr old 4 stripe Blue Belt with a litany of health issues- * Cerebral Ataxia: Google it * Right knee damage: Arthroscopic surgery * Separated ribs: (4-6) front and rear * Broken Toes- stuck in the mat during judo training * Fractured Left ankle- 3/2023 after 4 months out; surgery, recovery & rehab I’m back to training & the grind and I LOVE IT! #JiuJitsu4Life #CarlsonGracieTeam
I'm 51 train bjj on M-W-Th at 6am lift on T-F at 6am. Rest Sat Sun. It's working great and I have started some of the 15 minute mobility routines in your videos in addition in the evening after work. I feel amazing. Increased flexibility, strength, and also my ability to think clearly during rolling. Thanks so much for the content it's super great!!
BJJ is a family endeavour, all of us train. As a 48 year old mother of 4, this hugely helps me to narrow down the specifics of how when and with whom I should train with. I have a background in gymnastics martial arts & yoga and now I see the necessity to do some weight training and come up with some kind of a schedule in order to withstand my current Blue belt stage and beyond. Listening to your podcasts offers me a lot of guidance and motivates me to do things I need to do. Jill OSS
47. One month in. Active with things like snowboarding and biking but it's been 30 years since high school wrestling and guess i forgot how hard it is to control the intensity. Didn't even think of telling the training partners whoa there buddy. Appreciate the video.
You guys do a great job motivation for BJJ older grapplers like me just started and all levels for BJJ .your experience and info improves and inspires many
I'm 40 and was frustrated with my cardio so decided to do a one week BJJ marathon, starting no gi on the way, felt my body really tired on Thursday but pushed through for my 2nd no gi class, but strained my neck because I was tired and I suspect didn't have great muscle tonicity. It's been 4 weeks and I miss not having neck pain :D. Lesson learnt (hopefully).
46 yo purple belt. Glad to hear my own thoughts echoed here. I try to live by the whole growth mindset theory - where you’re never too old to try something new. I’m not looking to win tourneys or anything, but am looking to stay in shape and set a good example for my kids. Obviously I’m hooked like a junky and will be very sad when the day comes that a doc tells me to hang it up or else!
Ohhh boy. This topic is so relevant to me right now. I’m 46, been taking good care of my body, lifting cardio, then I started BJJ 3 years ago. Thought I could just skip the strength training and cardio and do pure Jits 5-6 days a week sometimes. Guess what. I injured my knee from a hypertension and I think it was from dropping all the strength training for the past 6 months. Ouch. Now I have to play the slow recovery game. All the points you made were spot on. Back to the basics. Fewer Jits days and a couple strength training days are back on the schedule for this old dude. Thanks!
I started BJJ in 1999. I got my blue belt in 2002. I quit in 2003. Took 17 years off, came back at 39. I’m going to be 43 in April of this year. I train exclusively no gi. It took me a good 2 years to get to where I’m at now. I train 5 days at 10 hours per week. I lift mildly heavy 5 days per week. I have kept up this level of training for a year now. I am old and communicate very clearly to my opponent. I just stopped using strength to strength. I have really figured out my angles and techniques. Getting nice and refined. I very rarely get tweaked or hurt. Now I seem to have a target on my back with these mid level white belts and low level blue belts that out age me by 20 years, and out weigh me by 25-30 lbs. I do two things with these guys. I give them a really easy submission. That sometimes calms them down. It they are a little more squarely. I submitted the shit out of them as fast as I can and let them believe it was effortless. That works for me. Plus they tend to avoid me afterwards.
As someone who's 45 ++ and thinking about BJJ, this was a huge lesson. let them get a easy one, we're all friends, I'm not here to go to war with you guysa, but rather to practice. Of course, competion is a natural thing. You got to know how to nip it in the bud. 🙏
I am 45 90 days in jiu-jitsu And yes have got injured 2 times by young people Just did not know how to ask for the proper person to trained Now I ask or pass the roll or tell people that I am training in something specific Yes now on a good diet From 215 now 180 looking for 165 as a goal as long is healthier
I'm 44, did jiu jitsu briefly at 22, now getting back into it. It's a lot different, and I completely agree with the training volume, intensity, and recovery requirements. Sleep is absolutely key, and I like that you pointed out that it's a good idea to take off a day or go easy if your sleep is not on point.
I can relate. I fairly disabled myself. I was able to rehab myself to a point where I could consistently lift weights. Since I started BJJ, I cannot lift anymore cause I'm in an eternal state of pain and inflammation
I absolutely needed to hear this. THANK YOU! I've been watching my son train for 13 months and I'm fascinated. I did 3 classes when he started and realized very quickly that I was not in Jiu Jitsu shape when I caught a neck injury. I started working out to get in shape and caught another back injury. I'm sitting here with sciatic pain and extra 20 lbs thinking I should just try again. You probably just saved me from a lot of pain. I need to get back on track before I start.
Could you guys do some content around older grapplers and managing expectations. I started at 33 3 years yo blue, 7 years too purple. Hobbiest in it for the community. Not aggressive, not technical, not flexible. I still have trouble with the 20-30 year old white belts. Do strengh work and mobility work outside bjj. Just never hear people talking about the averige guy with responsibility, work and family who struggles with tapping to everyone in the gym when your supposed to be an OG in the gym
50yrs old. 3 months in. I can’t help but say I feel really fortunate to have heard this early in my journey. Cheers gentlemen. Thank you very much. A ton of key points made on this one!!
Will be 40 in a few months, and just starting in jiu jitsu. This was great info, im already full of nagging injuries from years of running and lifting, but can see how both of those disciplines are paying off on the mats. I definitely take my health for granted. Great podcast
great video! the secret is “keep it playful” and focus on longevity as grandmaster Helio Gracie always said… don’t worry about winning too much, specially not against the young lower belt on steroids 😅
I was a purple belt when I lost my leg in 1999 and stopped training. 25 years later, I'm training again at almost 50 years old. I opted to start over at white belt. I've been lifting weights for 25 years, which I think helps me avoid injuries. I'm training private lessons for 2 hours a week, and then I attend two 2 hour classes during the week. 6 hours total.
Good perspective. It's not so much age, as physicality. If you want to get fit and flexible, go do cross fit and yoga. Especially if you're over 40 and have been sedentary for a long time. When you are weak and out of shape, you won't be able to "do" much BJJ, and your weakness will mean you are far more likely to get hurt or injured. There is a baseline amount of physicality necessary to "do" BJJ and do it safely. Technique helps you overcome strength and weight, but understand that as a white belt who knows nothing, strength and weight are the only real differentiator as to who prevails. Strength can enable bad technique to still work, and be refined. So get ready to be frustrated as you find out just how weak you are compared with everyone else. Sometimes I think gyms should perform a physical test to level-set new arrivals, and be honest with them if they are too weak and immobile. Can't do a few pull ups? Realistically, you're too fat or too weak for BJJ. Can't do windshield wipers and hip ups, without leaning backwards on your hands? Too inflexible for BJJ. Can't crab walk 50 feet? Well, you get the idea. Which takes us back to crossfit and yoga...
@@bulletproofforbjj fair enough. Yoga for flexibility, mobility and body movement awareness, crossfit because bodyweight and weights. How would you measure the minimum physicality to "do" BJJ, and do you observe the self-selecting nature of "survival of the fittest" in the first year?
My toes and I haven’t talked in a long time. We still don’t talk but I’ve made it to my first stripe a few days ago. I’ll reach out to them and see if they’re willing to make amends.
New subscriber from UK , 37 year old blue belt also compete when the wife lets me 😀. When’s the app live fellas? Been taking on board what you say, started strength training and waiting for that mobility programme 👍
Hmm, when yhe wife lets you? I am married my self, i would never ask for permission as a grown ass man, ofc informing her with time is respectful, when I compete I take her with me, and make her part of the experience, do you feel happy like that? I mean wife is not gonna be happy with everything you decideto do with your life, woman are like that.
Interesting. 50 here. Seasoned hobbyist nogi. Humble early beginnings early 2000s. No one has my age where I'm at, so I bought a grappling dummy that I use 15 min daily. You read awright. 15 min daily. That made a huge difference in my game. Plus, I lift since decades, roll every two weeks. Young students get injure weekly where I'm at, its awful. They go balls to the wall and often cannot believe how I keep up with em at 50. I will never reveal my game to them. Never. Its the joker under my master sleeve: While they roll on a random purpose, or roll for subs only, I roll with a laser sharp zoom in technique. You'd be surprise how hard they find it to roll with me, if I only, for instance, insert my thumb in their throat, gently, but annoying enough to sytrack them and stop the progression of their sub attempts. I have lot of fun rolling this way. I often try to hide my smile while I annoy each one of em, they're simply cant find answers for one single technique I'll use against them. Beside that 20 year experience judo student, I have no match, and its ok. As far as belt goes, our academy go by the BJJ nogi belt system, but honestly, I dont give a flying F%$" !!! I am making amazing technical discoveries even after 20 years in grappling.
Hi fellas new subscriber from the uk, question, ive just turned 39 im dec, ive been strength training and active as in skipping and short jogs, never had any major unjuries done its of boxing and kick boxing in the past, im 5.10 103 kg, ive wanted to do bjj for years bit never had alot of time with work and kids, there are 2 local academies close to me, one of them at my gym but the timetable doesnt suit me, the other one is 15 min away and i can make 1 of the classes, tues gi fundamentals 1 hour then rolling 1 hour then thur is no gi fundamental then rolling, i can only make thr tues class which would be 2 hours per week of gi, im not worried about belt grading and being the best or competing i just want to get better and learn self defence it brings, what do you think on doing once per week 2 hours, happy to leave ego at the door just happy to learn and get involved thanks.
Just have a go mate. You are never going to be a world champion but who cares as long as you are enjoying it. I just started a few months ago after coming from a muay thai background. I absolutely love it, it is very humbling.
@@yourenotwrong3511 Thanks for the reply, yeah i mean 2 hours per week is better than no hours per week is how i see it i can only improve, ive always been active, i wish i would of started bjj when i was younger and had free time but there wasnt any academies where i used to live anyway so it wasnt really an option.
@@paulward8744 as i always say better late than pregnant mate. Just try it out and see how you go. If you like it just keep turning up when you can. Who knows your circumstances might change in the future and you might have more spare time for more classes.
Try it and see if you like it then increase based on how you feel and your schedule, I'm 36 and train 4x a week and compete but I started going twice a week then three times and so on
We have had this question come through many times- ultimately it's a question of health and energy. If you are healthy and energetic the DOB doesn't matter.
I'm 55, started BJJ last year. Thanks a bunch for this video, so many of your points are spot on. I've already had a cracked rib and a strained back. Just returning from that last injury now after working with a physical therapist and developing a regime to strengthen my body to hopefully allow me to avoid injury. I especially appreciate your comments about how addictive it is and wanting to just get after it with 25 and 30 year olds, without having the right perspective about my limitations. I'll have to come back to watch this regularly to keep reminding myself! Thanks again.
glad to hear it! Thanks for watching, and good on you for jumping into the fire. We here for you!
I’m a 62 yr old 4 stripe Blue Belt with a litany of health issues-
* Cerebral Ataxia: Google it
* Right knee damage: Arthroscopic surgery
* Separated ribs: (4-6) front and rear
* Broken Toes- stuck in the mat during judo training
* Fractured Left ankle- 3/2023 after 4 months out; surgery, recovery & rehab
I’m back to training & the grind and I LOVE IT!
#JiuJitsu4Life
#CarlsonGracieTeam
I'm 51 train bjj on M-W-Th at 6am lift on T-F at 6am. Rest Sat Sun. It's working great and I have started some of the 15 minute mobility routines in your videos in addition in the evening after work. I feel amazing. Increased flexibility, strength, and also my ability to think clearly during rolling. Thanks so much for the content it's super great!!
BJJ is a family endeavour, all of us train. As a 48 year old mother of 4, this hugely helps me to narrow down the specifics of how when and with whom I should train with.
I have a background in gymnastics martial arts & yoga and now I see the necessity to do some weight training and come up with some kind of a schedule in order to withstand my current Blue belt stage and beyond.
Listening to your podcasts offers me a lot of guidance and motivates me to do things I need to do.
Jill
OSS
47. One month in. Active with things like snowboarding and biking but it's been 30 years since high school wrestling and guess i forgot how hard it is to control the intensity. Didn't even think of telling the training partners whoa there buddy. Appreciate the video.
You guys do a great job motivation for BJJ older grapplers like me just started and all levels for BJJ .your experience and info improves and inspires many
I'm 40 and was frustrated with my cardio so decided to do a one week BJJ marathon, starting no gi on the way, felt my body really tired on Thursday but pushed through for my 2nd no gi class, but strained my neck because I was tired and I suspect didn't have great muscle tonicity. It's been 4 weeks and I miss not having neck pain :D. Lesson learnt (hopefully).
46 yo purple belt. Glad to hear my own thoughts echoed here. I try to live by the whole growth mindset theory - where you’re never too old to try something new. I’m not looking to win tourneys or anything, but am looking to stay in shape and set a good example for my kids. Obviously I’m hooked like a junky and will be very sad when the day comes that a doc tells me to hang it up or else!
I'm sure if you stay looking after your body and stay consistent you won't have to retire until you say so.
Ohhh boy. This topic is so relevant to me right now. I’m 46, been taking good care of my body, lifting cardio, then I started BJJ 3 years ago. Thought I could just skip the strength training and cardio and do pure Jits 5-6 days a week sometimes. Guess what. I injured my knee from a hypertension and I think it was from dropping all the strength training for the past 6 months. Ouch.
Now I have to play the slow recovery game. All the points you made were spot on. Back to the basics. Fewer Jits days and a couple strength training days are back on the schedule for this old dude.
Thanks!
Glad it resonated! Oss
I started BJJ in 1999. I got my blue belt in 2002. I quit in 2003. Took 17 years off, came back at 39. I’m going to be 43 in April of this year. I train exclusively no gi. It took me a good 2 years to get to where I’m at now. I train 5 days at 10 hours per week. I lift mildly heavy 5 days per week. I have kept up this level of training for a year now. I am old and communicate very clearly to my opponent. I just stopped using strength to strength. I have really figured out my angles and techniques. Getting nice and refined. I very rarely get tweaked or hurt. Now I seem to have a target on my back with these mid level white belts and low level blue belts that out age me by 20 years, and out weigh me by 25-30 lbs. I do two things with these guys. I give them a really easy submission. That sometimes calms them down. It they are a little more squarely. I submitted the shit out of them as fast as I can and let them believe it was effortless. That works for me. Plus they tend to avoid me afterwards.
this sounds like some Jedi mind trick business.
As someone who's 45 ++ and thinking about BJJ, this was a huge lesson. let them get a easy one, we're all friends, I'm not here to go to war with you guysa, but rather to practice. Of course, competion is a natural thing. You got to know how to nip it in the bud. 🙏
I am 45
90 days in jiu-jitsu
And yes have got injured 2 times by young people
Just did not know how to ask for the proper person to trained
Now I ask or pass the roll
or tell people that I am training in something specific
Yes now on a good diet
From 215 now 180 looking for 165 as a goal as long is healthier
Congrats on the weight loss!
I'm 44, did jiu jitsu briefly at 22, now getting back into it. It's a lot different, and I completely agree with the training volume, intensity, and recovery requirements. Sleep is absolutely key, and I like that you pointed out that it's a good idea to take off a day or go easy if your sleep is not on point.
glad it resonated. welcome back!
Been training over 20 years. Disabled vet . Not able to strength train . Just jits. Many injuries....
Thank you for your service.
Honest question here. No disrespect intended. How is it that you can participate in BJJ, but can’t do some weight training?
I can relate. I fairly disabled myself. I was able to rehab myself to a point where I could consistently lift weights. Since I started BJJ, I cannot lift anymore cause I'm in an eternal state of pain and inflammation
My coach told me yesterday that if i want to get better, i need to really focus on my core...what a let down, but the truth hurts.
I absolutely needed to hear this. THANK YOU! I've been watching my son train for 13 months and I'm fascinated. I did 3 classes when he started and realized very quickly that I was not in Jiu Jitsu shape when I caught a neck injury. I started working out to get in shape and caught another back injury. I'm sitting here with sciatic pain and extra 20 lbs thinking I should just try again. You probably just saved me from a lot of pain. I need to get back on track before I start.
Yes you really do need to fortify your body before getting back out there. Let us know if you have any specific video topic requests.
Could you guys do some content around older grapplers and managing expectations. I started at 33 3 years yo blue, 7 years too purple. Hobbiest in it for the community. Not aggressive, not technical, not flexible. I still have trouble with the 20-30 year old white belts. Do strengh work and mobility work outside bjj. Just never hear people talking about the averige guy with responsibility, work and family who struggles with tapping to everyone in the gym when your supposed to be an OG in the gym
50yrs old. 3 months in. I can’t help but say I feel really fortunate to have heard this early in my journey. Cheers gentlemen. Thank you very much. A ton of key points made on this one!!
Will be 40 in a few months, and just starting in jiu jitsu. This was great info, im already full of nagging injuries from years of running and lifting, but can see how both of those disciplines are paying off on the mats. I definitely take my health for granted. Great podcast
great video! the secret is “keep it playful” and focus on longevity as grandmaster Helio Gracie always said… don’t worry about winning too much, specially not against the young lower belt on steroids 😅
Yeah man, gotta enjoy the rolls.
Absolute legends!
As an older guy I appreciate this video and your content in general. Excellent stuff.
Thank you all for this. I really needed to hear it.
Our pleasure!
I was a purple belt when I lost my leg in 1999 and stopped training. 25 years later, I'm training again at almost 50 years old. I opted to start over at white belt. I've been lifting weights for 25 years, which I think helps me avoid injuries. I'm training private lessons for 2 hours a week, and then I attend two 2 hour classes during the week. 6 hours total.
Lifting always helps!
Good perspective. It's not so much age, as physicality. If you want to get fit and flexible, go do cross fit and yoga. Especially if you're over 40 and have been sedentary for a long time. When you are weak and out of shape, you won't be able to "do" much BJJ, and your weakness will mean you are far more likely to get hurt or injured. There is a baseline amount of physicality necessary to "do" BJJ and do it safely. Technique helps you overcome strength and weight, but understand that as a white belt who knows nothing, strength and weight are the only real differentiator as to who prevails. Strength can enable bad technique to still work, and be refined. So get ready to be frustrated as you find out just how weak you are compared with everyone else.
Sometimes I think gyms should perform a physical test to level-set new arrivals, and be honest with them if they are too weak and immobile. Can't do a few pull ups? Realistically, you're too fat or too weak for BJJ. Can't do windshield wipers and hip ups, without leaning backwards on your hands? Too inflexible for BJJ. Can't crab walk 50 feet? Well, you get the idea.
Which takes us back to crossfit and yoga...
Not completely in agreement with crossfit and yoga as the way forward, but i agree with the sentiment for sure.
@@bulletproofforbjj fair enough. Yoga for flexibility, mobility and body movement awareness, crossfit because bodyweight and weights. How would you measure the minimum physicality to "do" BJJ, and do you observe the self-selecting nature of "survival of the fittest" in the first year?
My toes and I haven’t talked in a long time. We still don’t talk but I’ve made it to my first stripe a few days ago. I’ll reach out to them and see if they’re willing to make amends.
i believe you can both work through this
You guys are great! Thanks for the content!
Where do you guys get your tees? 👍🏼
Can even get tru warmup
"Hey, man, I want to take it a little bit easy today...and then I take that mother fucker's back". Just brilliant !!!!
I'm 41 and looking to start BJJ. There are Gracie BJJ schools around Brisbane and I'm wondering is it better for older people than regular BJJ?
They're the same thing! Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is also known as Gracie Jiu Jitsu (which is a hotly debated topic).
Started BJJ at 54. Train hard, and don’t skip stretching.
Do not do Jiu Jitsu to get in shape. Get in shape, then do Jiu Jitsu.
New subscriber from UK , 37 year old blue belt also compete when the wife lets me 😀. When’s the app live fellas? Been taking on board what you say, started strength training and waiting for that mobility programme 👍
Hmm, when yhe wife lets you? I am married my self, i would never ask for permission as a grown ass man, ofc informing her with time is respectful, when I compete I take her with me, and make her part of the experience, do you feel happy like that? I mean wife is not gonna be happy with everything you decideto do with your life, woman are like that.
@freedomproject i imagine that comment about his wife was said with a hint of humour : )
App is now live brother! Get in there and have a go - app store and play store.
@@bulletproofforbjj I hope so 😄
Interesting.
50 here. Seasoned hobbyist nogi. Humble early beginnings early 2000s. No one has my age where I'm at, so I bought a grappling dummy that I use 15 min daily. You read awright. 15 min daily. That made a huge difference in my game. Plus, I lift since decades, roll every two weeks.
Young students get injure weekly where I'm at, its awful. They go balls to the wall and often cannot believe how I keep up with em at 50.
I will never reveal my game to them. Never. Its the joker under my master sleeve: While they roll on a random purpose, or roll for subs only, I roll with a laser sharp zoom in technique. You'd be surprise how hard they find it to roll with me, if I only, for instance, insert my thumb in their throat, gently, but annoying enough to sytrack them and stop the progression of their sub attempts.
I have lot of fun rolling this way. I often try to hide my smile while I annoy each one of em, they're simply cant find answers for one single technique I'll use against them. Beside that 20 year experience judo student, I have no match, and its ok.
As far as belt goes, our academy go by the BJJ nogi belt system, but honestly, I dont give a flying F%$" !!! I am making amazing technical discoveries even after 20 years in grappling.
Sounds like you're in a good place, sir!
Everything ive ever done for fun in my life has put me in the hospital.
Hi fellas new subscriber from the uk, question, ive just turned 39 im dec, ive been strength training and active as in skipping and short jogs, never had any major unjuries done its of boxing and kick boxing in the past, im 5.10 103 kg, ive wanted to do bjj for years bit never had alot of time with work and kids, there are 2 local academies close to me, one of them at my gym but the timetable doesnt suit me, the other one is 15 min away and i can make 1 of the classes, tues gi fundamentals 1 hour then rolling 1 hour then thur is no gi fundamental then rolling, i can only make thr tues class which would be 2 hours per week of gi, im not worried about belt grading and being the best or competing i just want to get better and learn self defence it brings, what do you think on doing once per week 2 hours, happy to leave ego at the door just happy to learn and get involved thanks.
Just have a go mate. You are never going to be a world champion but who cares as long as you are enjoying it. I just started a few months ago after coming from a muay thai background. I absolutely love it, it is very humbling.
@@yourenotwrong3511 Thanks for the reply, yeah i mean 2 hours per week is better than no hours per week is how i see it i can only improve, ive always been active, i wish i would of started bjj when i was younger and had free time but there wasnt any academies where i used to live anyway so it wasnt really an option.
@@paulward8744 as i always say better late than pregnant mate.
Just try it out and see how you go. If you like it just keep turning up when you can. Who knows your circumstances might change in the future and you might have more spare time for more classes.
Try it and see if you like it then increase based on how you feel and your schedule, I'm 36 and train 4x a week and compete but I started going twice a week then three times and so on
Like others have said, get in there and have a go! If you love it you'll find a way to make it work.
TRT is the key. Chuckles
the not so secret sauce!
What do you mean by older? I'm 43 is that old??
We have had this question come through many times- ultimately it's a question of health and energy. If you are healthy and energetic the DOB doesn't matter.
Hello
you guys are fucking brilliant 🤣 I defo need my balls shaved😎
You have to eat acai if you're serious. It's time to stop fucking around and drink some water melon juice.
you know what, you're right.