JiuJiu’s note: This was written by Flossie, an older woman in BJJ. It serves as a nice companion piece to “To the Fat Person Googling Jiu Jitsu.” Along with the question of “Am I too fat to do Jiu Jitsu?” I very often see people ask “Am I too old to do Jiu Jitsu?” I was so thankful that she took the time to address a lot of important concerns for older folks considering starting jiu jitsu. There are several articles available, but I believe this has different, and valuable information. Can Older People Do Jiu Jitsu? Over 40 – Why Jiu Jitsu is Good for You. Starting BJJ at 60-Years of Age. Why People Over 60 Should Do BJJ.
I started jiu jitsu after menopause. It’s advertised as being welcoming to people of all ages and abilities, and I’ve found that to be true. However, I also still in the minority being both older and female. So, I started looking around for other people, especially women, who started when they were older, so I could read their stories and, when I couldn’t find any, I thought, I’ll write mine. Maybe there’ll be someone out there who might find it interesting and helpful. So, here are my fears and how I’ve dealt with them.
While one finds company in himself and his pursuits, he cannot feel old, no matter what his years may be. —Amos Bronson Alcott
Jiu jitsu is too tough for older people
This is not true, and the proof of that is that I’m still doing it. However, jiu jitsu is indeed pretty tough. I thought I was in fairly good shape when I started. I had been lifting decent sized weights and I could run a mile or two without passing out. I had also taken classes in different kinds of martial arts previously, so I thought I was somewhat prepared for the physical demands of jiu jitsu. I wasn’t. Class was utterly exhausting. Even the warm up part was pretty tiring and we hadn’t even starting learning anything yet. I was drenched in sweat, flopped out on the bench, while my young and sprightly classmates continued long after I had given up. My first solution for that was only going to class once a week. I did that for a few months, but then I realized that I was 1) still exhausted and 2) not learning anything (see below under ‘I am slow’). My second solution was better and I’m still doing this to some degree – I limit my ‘warm up’ and pace myself so I am still moving at the end of class. It doesn’t help with the competitive streak which makes it hard for me not to do everything everyone else is doing BUT at least I don’t have to be carried to my car after class.
Gene Pace, 78, photo courtesy of Gracie Mag
Jiu jitsu is too painful for older people
This is also not true. However, jiu jitsu is indeed pretty painful. By that, I don’t mean the arm locks and pins. I mean the muscle pain and soreness after class. It goes on for DAYS. I am sure that I healed up much more quickly when I was young. There isn’t a fix for this – my advice – become familiar with the section of the drug store or supermarket labeled ‘painkillers’. Advil is a great drug.
Saulo’s observation about Helio, from Jiu-Jitsu University
Older people are too stiff and inflexible for jiu jitsu
And this isn’t true either. However, I have never been particularly flexible. I took ballet classes for years, and all my instructors commented on my lack of turnout and inflexible hips. That’s unfortunate, since hips seem to be pretty important in jiu jitsu success. Over the years I’ve also acquired a variety of injuries that have made things worse. The surprising good news has been that this has improved. Although other people can barely see any difference, from my point of view, the change has huge. I can now kneel down with my butt resting on my heels (knees – karate), and even triangle someone without getting cramp (calf -soccer). My worst jiu jitsu injury since I started class (carpet toe) only limits me from wearing really high heeled shoes and those probably aren’t good for you anyway.
The top 4 photos were all “donated” by folks from Old Man Jiu Jitsu. The Helvécio Penna photo from Meerkatsu
Older people’s bodies aren’t very reliable
I’m a little cautious about discussing this – but – since those advertisements that use words like ‘reflux’ and ‘leakage’ ALWAYS feature older people (you know what I mean), I don’t think this is just my concern. Alongside the section of the drug store labeled ‘painkillers’ is another section that is helpful for this kind of problem. I have two additional pieces of advice and those are 1) don’t eat for hours before class and 2) use the restroom without embarrassment before, during and after. Other than that, you’ve just got to ignore it. Young people have to deal with this as well and the adolescents tend to be MUCH smellier in the armpit department than I am. I’ve browsed the extensive area of the supermarket that includes all kinds of pads and diapers and decided that when I get to needing some of those I’ll definitely be too old for jiu jitsu.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlz1lh7Iudo]
Older people are too slow for jiu jitsu
Not true – but – there aren’t any world record holders in their fifties. I’ve decided that my slowness is actually welcomed as evidenced by the following story. When we warm up running around the dojo, I take the inside track, jog at my own pace and cut off the corners. I have found that very few students sprint past me and most of them seem quite happy to jog along at my pace. I suspect they’re grateful to have an excuse to go slowly as well. And, if I need to drill a move over and over because I’m a slow learner, there always seems to be someone who needs to drill it over and over with me. That’s just the way it is.
Aging is not lost youth but a new stage of opportunity and strength. —Betty Friedan
There’s no point starting something like jiu jitsu because you won’t be able to do it for very long
Well, how long is very long? Till I’m sixty? seventy? eighty? If it’s sixty, I have five years, and you can learn a whole lot in five years. Most people learn how to walk and talk from scratch in less than five years. If it’s seventy, that’s fifteen years, and in fifteen years I did school – elementary, high school and most of college – and learned an impressive amount of (most useless) information. It helps that I altered my perspective somewhat on what it means to do jiu jitsu. There’s a lot of language out there about ‘mastering’ martial arts. If it’s about mastery, then it’s about me mastering something, taking charge, being in control. Instead, I find it easier and better to think that that just I’ll go to class and see what happens. I’ll let practicing jiu jitsu change me. The art is in charge. All I get to do is put my feet on the path. You never know what’s going to happen and it might even be wonderful.
JiuJiu’s Question: Do you train with any older people, or were you older when you started doing jiu jitsu (or any other sport for that matter)? Please share stories and words of encouragement for older folks starting BJJ or other athletic endeavors!
Great article! I started jiu-jitsu when I was 42 and am 44 now. I can relate to some of the things in this article – having to pace myself during the warmups, working on flexibility, and becoming best friends with Advil. I’m a good 10 years older than most of my training partners but the Advil helps :D. Seriously, most of them didn’t realize I was in my 40s until I said something about it one day. I think if you keep going and modify where you need to you can do this sport for a long time! Keep going, keep it up, it will be hard but if you enjoy it then go for it!
I’m 43 now and started when I was 39. I’m usually the oldest person in class. I do find that the younger people tend to be a bit quicker than I do but that’s not always to their advantage! Sometimes it’s best to be slow & thoughtful on the mats. Another plus is that I weigh a lot more than I did when I was 23 and I have a lot more strength than younger-me too. So my game tends to play to those two advantages a little bit – advantages that the younger, skinnier guys don’t have because they haven’t filled out yet. Finally, I actually find BJJ is easier the longer you do it. I can now keep up with most of my classmates in the warmups and no longer have to pop Ibuprofens after every class! On the downside, I seem to be progressing slower than most of my classmates, although that might be more due to my complete lack of athleticism than my age. Fortunately at 43, my ego isn’t as tied-up in belt-chasing as it might’ve been had I started younger. I am, though still looking forward to earning my black belt before I retire!
Great job! My step daughter and I started 2 years ago and we are in our 60’s! It is so much fun and my instructor is brilliant in that he hardly distinguishes us from the rest of the class. One day he made me do an armbar drill 50 times with each person in the class and he told the class “You must keep drilling until Barbara has finnished doing the drill with each one of you” Believe me, that day, I learned how to do an armbar! BJJ has become a huge part of my life now and I love being the “Team Mother”. We are family, for sure.
Lol!!! It’s great to know that others also pace themselves during warm up. When facing teens and 20 year olds in rolling, this almost 42 year old MUST take a marathon approach or I will DIE.
On the positive side, it has forced me to learn to relax….breath…focus on technique. I will not out-cardio my rolling partners so slow, methodical technique is my friend.
Great article…..thanks!!!
Excellent and inspirational article. Being a “young” 57 year old and starting, I definitely can relate to the “war wounds” from BJJ training. Anything labeled “painkiller” was my best friend for the longest but since I began continuous training, I no longer have to invest in their stock. Though plenty of ice packs and smelling like Tiger Baum and Deep Blue for the most part of the day, I’ve learned to conquer the aches, pains, bruises, swelling, aka war wounds. My longevity in my BJJ journey so far has been attributed to my younger fellow BJJ practitioners, instructors and professor. Surrounded by dedication to the art, assistance in learning the concepts and most importantly, with safety in mind, I feel confident I will be able to continue my BJJ journey for many more years to come. The physical and mental health benefits for someone at my young age, has improved my life.
42 years old here and I started this year. When it comes to general aches and pains, naproxen is my friend.
I’ve had a kind-of mixed experience, since I had a finger broken in my first class wearing a gi by young blue belt who demonstrated how to strip my lapel grip a little too enthusiastically. I’ve also had a couple of sprained arms from over-exerting myself during warm-ups and rolling too, Those facts aside, I don’t regret starting at this age and I’m definitely feeling more fit and have lost about 10 lbs in 3 months. To be honest, I think the biggest difference in starting when you’re older is that you have a lot of outside time commitments — for me: kids, wife, job, all of which I consider more important that any hobby, no matter how much I enjoy it.
Thanks for posting the article. I think its a good summary for older people who may be on the fence.
I started Jiu Jitsu at age 51. I’m the second oldest in the class next to a 52 year old purple belt. I’m in great shape condition wise, but I’ve found that I’ve really had to focus on technique because I can’t overcome my rolling partners with either weight or muscle. Most of them are far bigger and easily outweigh me.
My instructors and everyone I roll with have been great and are very patient in teaching techniques and in teaching me to enjoy rolling. All of this is so new, but I like it very much.
Some folks that I roll with seem to pick up the concepts really fast. I am nowhere near as fast as them. I am just focused on training and learning new skills. Some day I hope to get a blue belt, but do not have a schedule or timeline. Just enjoying myself. .
Flossie,
Thank you for the article! I could relate although I don’t do bjj. I am a long distance bicyclist, which I started to do in my mid 40s. A lot of what you have said is true for me as well! The most important thing I have had to humbly learn is the pain killer thing. I recently road my bike cross country (Korea is a small country, but still!) with a few 20 something’s. I took pain killers. At some point, almost every one of the younger riders asked me for some.
I also realized on that trip that because of my age, I enjoyed the trip in a way I wouldn’t have when I was younger. I talked to more locals, I had no ego about asking for help, I went slowly up the mountains, and I still got to the top of every one I attempted. I was last, but I was there! And oh how grateful I was for the birds, the sky, the river, the persimmon orchards. I was able to connect with the experience on a different level than when I took my body for granted as a younger woman.
And a lasted minder for you, one woman to another… Life is too short to wear tight shoes!
best wishes to you,
Pamila
I started training BJJ when I was 46 and that was 8 years ago. I am a Purple Belt under Professor Pedro Sauer in Sterling Va. I also train in Judo and trained up to a level 5 in Krav Maga. I haven’t felt particularly handicapped being older. BJJ has helped me with my balance, flexibility and overall coordination. I have lost about 40 pounds training. I have competed in both BJJ and Judo in local tournaments and did okay. My main goal, however, in training BJJ is learning self defense. I think that self-defense is there for everyone to learn regardless of sex or age. I have learned over the last 8 years a few things that are tips for being older and training BJJ. 1. Do take time to stretch before and after class. 2. Train slowly and thoughtfully. Really What do you have to prove that you already haven’t by stepping on the mat? 3. Pick your training partners carefully. I look for my training time to be productive. 4. Don’t resist a move so much that you get hurt. It does take longer to heal when you are older so train carefully. I want to spend as much time training as possible. I don’t want to be sidelined by an injury. And 5. Train with a sense of humor. I am both older and a woman. I know that I will not be competing in the Olympics or the next great MMA star but I do know that I can learn and teach this wonderful form of self-defense for many years to come.
Kathy…we are (almost) neighbors! Are you going to COPA on the 12th?
I too started training BJJ for self defense. Krav (level 6) is my primary defense. ..BJJ (white belt) is plan B. So many fights/attack situations end up on the ground….women need to know what to do if/when that happens. The hard part is leaving out the elbows while rolling in BJJ. lol
Excellent points, btw. Especially number two.
Great blog post and very encouraging stories in the comments! I started BJJ less than 1 year ago, so I’m still figuring out basics.
There’s one thing I agree so much with, I wanted to comment on it: Kathy’s nb 1 tip: stretch/ warm up before class ++
This is the nb one thing that makes a difference in how i feel after class. I like to spend 20/30 min before class going through my personal warm-up and whenever I skip it, i feel sore the following days. The class warm up may be enough for the blokes in their twenties, but it’s not for 39- years old (newbie) me! It might alleviate the need for painkillers in some? (and being older, who cares about behaving oddly?)
Yeah, I’m now sadly at the stage where if I don’t stretch my shoulder, it is VERY painful for days after. 🙁
Hi there are u still training? I started BJJ now at 44 and want to compete one day however everyone around me thinks I am but case because I am too old!
I approved your comment, so Kathy will now be able to see it!
LOVE this topic. One of our purple belts just won gold at worlds and says he’ll train until he can’t anymore.
I got some time to hang out with Eddie Kone when he was visiting the Valente Brothers down in Miami…one of their black belts, “Mr. Drane”, who was fresh off retirement, took us around the city after class.
Here’s a photo.
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Great article! I started at 54 and still going strong over 4 years later.
I’m seriously going to print this out and hang it up in the locker room.
Great topic! I was just thinking of writing something similar on my blog, but this one’s better than what I can tell.
I started Jiu-Jitsu at 27 and that was almost three years ago. 27 isn’t that old an age when you think about it, but where I’m from – Malaysia – it isn’t very common that ladies suddenly pick up sports (especially not full-contact combat sports!) past their teens. I’ve been told more than once to just ‘forget it’ because I’m too old and to pick up something mild and ladylike, such as Zumba instead.
When I started competing, some people even ridiculed me saying that athletes are past their expiry dates at my age. As a single woman, someone even suggested that this (BJJ) is why I couldn’t find a husband. Picking up Jiu-Jitsu is tough – even tougher when you’re older, female and live amongst a conservative Asian society. But props to everyone who are still pushing on! Despite everything my journey so far has been nothing less than rewarding 🙂
Great read! I started at 40 and this year at 43 I am proud to say I won Pan Ams in the “Masters” division and Masters/Seniors in the Senior 2. And I was by far NOT the oldest competitor! It was awesome seeing people a lot older then me kicking butt!
WOW!!! That’s AWESOME!! I’m so excited for you. I’m doing a tournament next weekend and I’m excited to be part of it. I saw your picture on Instagram! Congrats! You competed as a blue belt? How many were in your division?
Hi Nova! Thanks for writing in! I’d encourage you to write your own story on your page – you can link back to this particular article and it’ll give you a “pingback” which might get a few more readers for you. Plus, I think everyone’s story helps create a beautiful narrative about jiu jitsu.
Do you train with Su Ling? I went to Malaysia and visited her. I’ll be staying with her in Tokyo next weekend for the Asia Open!
I’m thankful that overall my culture doesn’t have that “you must be married and have kids to be complete” onus on it like many of the women in Korea have. I’m totally excited for you! I hope to read your story!!
Thanks! Yes. I competed as a Blue Belt. 14 in my division at Pan Ams but only 3 at Worlds . Good luck to you!!
Hi Julia,
Thanks and I will :).
No, I don’t train with Su Ling but I know her because the first gym I trained at used to be an affiliate of hers. I met her only once at the KL trials last year, sweet girl and a monster on the mats!
Good luck in Tokyo! Can’t wait to read your story on the experience 🙂
Hi Julia,
I’ve finally written my own story about starting BJJ late(r) in life. Do check it out! I’ve put a link to this blog post in the entry too :).
http://novarenata.tumblr.com/post/74337395763/how-old-is-old
I’ll be 51 next week, and am a psychologist by trade. I have been training BJJ about 15 years, and made the rank of black belt last year. I train 4 to 5 times a week, both gi and no gi; and, other than a persistent golfer’s elbow I have had for over a year, have found that my body has adapted to this training routine. My cardio and speed have both diminished, but my technique has compensated for these losses. I find I need more breaks when rolling, but still hold my own against the younger students, many of whom are professional MMA competitors. While I am one of the older students, I am inspired by a man called Oscar, who is 63, and recently received his blue belt. I train at Victory MMA in San Diego (as does Oscar), with Jeff Glover and Dean Lister. I should mention that in my early 40’s (after receiving a purple belt) I decided to quit, thinking I was too old. I took 3 and a half years off, watched a Jiu Jitsu class, and was hooked again. I am suprised that I convinced myself that I was too old several years ago, when the 51 year practitioner that I am today would easily tap the 42 year old who thought he was too old.I share this to inspire older students, let them know they can still be competitive, and that if they love BJJ, train smarter, but don’t give up on your dream.
Gordon, that is amazing! I keep wondering when I will be too old for this but, after hearing this and speaking to a women the other day who is 71 and started training 2 1/2 years ago, I feel very inspired and hope I can continue for a long time! Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
Hello Gordon, my name is Angela. So I was reading this article, since I am a 43 year old woman who just started training BJJ and I am thoroughly inspired by your comments. I am also glad to hear that I can get some longevity out of this sport if I choose to stay the course. Interestingly enough, we go to the same gym. I hope I see you on the mat. I shouldn’t be too difficult to pick out of the crowd. 😉
Angela, I hope to see you on the mat, and would be happy to help you in any way I can
Gordon, your post is indeed inspiring. I am 42 yrs old, blue belt in bjj, and I just feel drained the next day after a 2 hr rolling session. During the rolls, I feel like I don’t have the strength to complete the move or defend; Im not gassed out, It feels like I’m just fragile!! Its just frustrating me! I’ve even got Q5 natural supplements to help me; Launch fuel is my pre workout. I train next door to you at The Arena. I can only train 2-3x week where my body can handle. I would really like to train 5x a week, but I just don’t have the strength for it. Im not over weight (5’7″, 155lbs), Seems like loosing strength is my enemy. Any helpful tips to continue my bjj journey would be great!
Andrew, say hi to Baret for me. I’ll try to be inspiring first. I recently entered Naga in San Diego. I signed up for the executive division (50 to 59), but no one else signed up for this division. I tried for the directors division (again, no one entered), so I ended up in the Masters expert division. Despite being much older than my fellow competitors, I still earned a medal with a third place finish. Having said that, I now can only roll 3 times a week, and I am much more selective about who I roll with. I try to avoid much heavier beginners, or others who have crazy energy on the mat. I have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my elbows, and they are sore and swollen much of the time. I have much less stamina and strength than I used to, and I’m slowly coming to terms with these losses. I would say be more selective about who you roll with, have more fun, and try to take your ego out of your rolls. Find people who know what 50% is, and are not always rolling to try to tear your head off. Listen to your body in terms of intensity and frequency. Good luck and good rolls.
Thanks for an inspiring article and the inspiring comments! I started BJJ at 53 and am still in BJJ school at 54. I am the oldest, shortest, lightest and slowest learner in class but I keep coming back for more. Sometimes I feel embarrassed I can’t get the moves and sometimes I have performance fear and frustration. The benefits of jujitsu far outweigh my ego. In my second year of BJJ, I shed 17 pounds training, got bigger biceps and thigh muscles, and my blood pressure went down. Sugar and cholesterol levels good too! Yes!
Hi Susan! I’m so excited that you are with us, and that you’ve joined in the conversation here! I hope you’ll come back.
This week I had a bit of embarrassment. I have to do the moves slowly to get them right at first. I was trying to do them and my partner kept saying “TIMING” and saying I was too late. Cue embarrassment and defensiveness – “I know! I have to do it slowly when I learn it!” sigh.
Congrats on the bonus to your health!!
Great article Flossie!
In the women’s locker room of our dojo all the women who have had children line up for the bathroom before class. None of us can tolerate jumping jacks without it.
Susan – wow – same name – close to the same age.
I started at 55 because the instructors for my “stand up” martial arts (which I started at age 51) encouraged me to add the BJJ classes. A group of six women from the stand up classes all grouped together one night to try it. Only two of us continued, one who is younger, faster and picks it up very easily. I found it all so confusing that I have to take notes. I adored the instructor who was very kind to all the women. Then he when on a trip back Brazil and got stuck there due to a visa problem and still hasn’t returned. The other instructor was quite intimidating towards women (let alone older women). So I used the fact that I needed physical therapy because my hip flexor became so tight that it was causing back problems as an excuse to wimp out for 6 months.
I got over my wimpiness a few months after they hired a really great master instructor who also likes women. Now I’m back in again twice a week and it is a good thing because it really helps my tight hip flexor. I forgot just about everything, but there is also another woman who has a purple belt who is incredibly kind who has been doing Martial Arts for over 20 years who is older too and very encouraging. Really I am at slug level but it helps to have been a slug already – and read that I’m not alone. I must admit I wasn’t sure how to process the look on the new instructor’s face when he asked how old I was and it was much older than he expected.
OMG the comment about women lining up for the bathroom is hysterical. I actually discussed this “jumping jack” issue with my OB/GYN. He recommended a kegel exerciser. Ha, ha — which I have yet to see results from.
Took my training into my own hands last week. At Open Mat time, I use about 30 to 45 minutes or so to just drill one submission by myself over and over and over again. Hoping this helps cure my brain freeze when rolling. Thanks to everyone for all the great tips and insights I get from this site.
Oh dear lord – I had a wide-eyed moment last week when everyone started doing jumping jacks. O_O. It was during nogi and I was So Afraid that the dam would spring a leak that I just stood stock still. LOL.
I have to keep telling myself – I am not a slug; I am just older; in fact, I am the fittest, strongest woman my age that I meet daily. I’m also tempted by wimpiness (like this week when 1) it’s cold 2) it’s a holiday 3) my back is sore and 4) I’m sure it will be a tough class because the dojo is closed the rest of the week) and I have to tell myself – THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE BUT TO GO TO CLASS. I will only be older and wimpier next year. As for the jumping jack issue, I haven’t found Kegel exercises very helpful either, but I have decided that (maybe) you have to do them for a while before they start working. And progress, if any, will be invisible – I’ve enjoyed watching my biceps getting a little bigger and my underarms getting tighter but I don’t think I’ll have the same experience with the pelvic floor.
Keep training Flossie. At this point, I don’t always get a new move the first time it is introduced, but I know that with practice I always get it eventually. Never give up. sounds like you are doing great!
Omg I love that “I will only be older and wimpier next year” – that’s awesome!!
Yeah – I think I need to start doing Kegels. 🙁
Hello congratulations!!
I will start my bjj class this coming Monday, I’m 42 yrs. Old and I was not sure until I found this blog, you guys really inspired me.
What advised can you share, for me is the first time, and I’m anxious to start…..
Be patient with yourself. Don’t expect too much from yourself. Find the fun in it, and create small wins! Congratulations!
Good luck! Go to class regularly. Eat good, drink water throughout the day, get enough sleep. Treat yourself to a deep tissue massage and take a restorative yoga class so you can learn how to take care of your body and mind at home. Two stripes on my white belt and will be 55 next month. Everyone progresses at their own pace. Tonight my 17 year old is joining me at the bjj school. I think I inspired him.
My first martial arts instructor used to talk about putting your feet on the path. That’s all you have to do – just start going, and keep going, no matter what the setbacks. Every time you go to class you’re just a little better than the last time and you learn just a little bit more….
I love all the comments; thank you to everyone for reading and sharing your experiences, and helping me feel like I’m not the only one who has decided to do something that could be seen as totally age-inappropriate! We will age better than our peers who decide to stay on the couch.
Flossie! You are such an inspiration! Honestly, just being who you are and doing what you’re doing is inspirational to me. Thank you so much for sharing your story!
Keep training Flossie. I train in Maryland at a Pedro Sauer affiliate (Gracie Jiu Jitsu of Frederick.). I started in June of 2013 and at 52 I feel better and younger than I have in years.
This is a great article! These are all the excuses my dad poses when I tell him he should try out bjj with me! He has an interest but I think his pride may be getting in the way. I hope this article will help inspire him to put away his pride and learn something he is interested in.
Thanks for writing this article!
thanks SumoChris – tell your dad that if I can do it, anyone can! and it’s worth it…..
I will! I actually sent him a link to your article and I am hoping that he gets a chance to read it. I’d love to be able to learn a great sport like bjj together with my dad!
That’s wonderful – thank you!
I’m 42, a white belt, & I just hit my 1 year mark doing Jiujitsu. The academy that I attend is highly competition focused (BJJ, MMA, Judo) which can sometimes put off some older folks. I’m usually the oldest person in class. What I’ve done is to keep attending the fundamentals classes even when I was allowed access to the advanced classes. The fundamentals classes are all about learning technique & drilling. No rolling. So I use it to refine what little skills I have & as a warm up. I also see the improvements that I’ve made in comparison to the new guys, & it gives me added motivation to keep going. Then I attend the advanced class ready for the fire the young guys & girls put me through. It usually means that I’m worn out by the time sparring starts, but that forces me to work on my breathing, focus, frames etc. If you can go back to a beginners class & recharge those batteries.
Hi Marvin, my school doesn’t have fundamentals and advanced yet, so that isn’t an option for me, but it’s a great idea. I empathize with your comment,”I’m worn out by the time sparring starts”….happens to me every class!
Because I am short, I am often paired with the teens in the mixed methods of the “stand up” Martial Arts I’ve been doing for close to five years. The teens consist of a bunch of rambunctious out of control 14 year old boys and one girl. Most of the boys are like cats – a big burst of energy, a flurry of punches or kicks and they are done. They can’t keep it up. So if I defend well during their big burst, I hold my own. The one exception doesn’t listen to instructions and will surprise me by taking me down when we are only supposed to be doing Tae Kwon Do or Muay Thai or boxing. Somehow his ears don’t process “No take downs” very well.
There is also a 17 year old girl with her 2nd degree black belt who I’ve watched “grow up” in Martial Arts from the time my son now 14 year old son started at age 5. She is stellar – better than most of the adults.
She has been doing BJJ now for 2 years rolling with the hard core men – often the only female. She totally wears me out in both disciplines to the point I sometimes I confess I prefer partnering with the men. I have to really be on my toes when I spar with her and rolling is hard work too. She has a mean quick hook when she is upright and arm bars me faster than I can blink when we’re rolling.
On the other hand she LIVES at the dojo and has taken on an instructor role. So last night she figured out how I could improve one sequencing technique in “stand up” better than the instructor and did the same when we moved on to BJJ immediately after. I learn a lot from her. Needless to say, I feel asleep practically in my dinner plate last night.
Observing her progress, I am grateful for Title IX. This young woman is completely confident and enthusiastically embraces her physical prowess with gusto – at the same time that she is attending one of the most challenging science oriented high schools in New York City. She seems completely comfortable with the much older bigger men. So, although the current gender ratios are about 50:50 female to male in “stand up” and about 10:90 in BJJ at the dojo, when I see teens like her I know more women will follow and become very good at BJJ.
When I was a teen, women were considered too weak to do marathons and the only sports girls could play in high school were swimming, tennis, track, gymnastics and badminton. Our gymnastics team often had to cede the girls gym to the junior varsity boys basketball team because “everyone knows that people want to watch boys sports not girls sports”. We had to do the uneven parallel bars in a room so small that if you missed you would splat against the wall. When Olga Korbit transformed gymnastics in 1972 we had a slightly larger crowd of parents who watched us, but we still didn’t get to use the girl’s gym during basketball season.
Susan, I love reading your comments so much. I always appreciate the thoughtfulness behind them!
Have you seen the Nine for IX documentary series? It’s really fantastic. I bought them all on iTunes and they were well worth the money. I love hearing about the changes in women’s sports. Some of it feels so ridiculous!
Switzer was the first woman to enter the Boston Marathon – she did so secretly under her initials. This photo is of a marathon official trying to physically prevent her from running. One of her running mates physically blocked the guy and the official fell away. NPR had a blurb about this.
One thing I really like about jiu jitsu is that it is an ever evolving sport. I totally get that young folks, exposed to newer ideas, will respond to them differently than someone older. I think that a lot of that has to do with brain elasticity – which BJJ does help with! (hooray!)
Jiu Jiu – I want to see the full Nine for IX documentary series – the clip I saw was fantastic.
Marvin – that’s great. Since I’m a slug in BJJ, barely beginning and hardly remembering anything, Professor Jucao is very kind to me as are all the men. I learn a lot, but retention is still a problem because I don’t have the basics. The good thing is that having worked on “stand up” for five years, I know that the basics will come with time. Still I have to constantly remind myself to not get frustrated because it is so much more complicated than remembering how to do kicks and punches.
In “stand up” we have two 5th degree black belts. Both are short. One is quite and contemplative, the other reminds me of a golden retriever – full of energy all the time. The latter is a two time Hall of Fame inductee. He CONSTANTLY sneaks up behind me and grabs me when I least expect it before and after class, which actually really helps my reflexes. I feel like the Pink Panther anticipating Cato’s attacks. The quiet one teaches me dirty tricks to get in close because I don’t have the arm or leg length to do anything from a distance.
I am lucky to have two exceptional female instructors at my academy. One black belt, one brown belt, both multiple time world champions. Their techniques & attention to the details are flawless. I get my butt kicked often by both. I love it. How often does one get to challenge a world champion in any arena? Win or lose (I’ve never even come close to winning) I learn from each session.
“Late in life” is such a subjective thing! There’s a guy I train with who is 26, he started when he was 23, and his biggest regret about BJJ is that he “didn’t start it when he was younger”. I’m in my early 30s and just getting started, so it feels odd hearing him saying that. Then again we have a couple of guys that could be classed as “old”, and they’re purple belts that do really well even against the younger guys so what does age matter?
I was a clumsy and slow kid, so I hate it when people say that things are easier for youngsters – I’m stronger, faster, more flexible and have better balance now than I did as a teenager, purely because I’m learning BJJ in an environment where it’s OK to try and fail ten, twenty or two hundred times before you get things right. When I was at school, if you messed up in a team sport you were bullied mercilessly. From what I’ve heard from the kids at Karate class, that hasn’t changed 🙁
IMO It makes sense for a kid who has natural talent to use it, and that kid might end up being really good because they have so many extra years to practice, but that doesn’t mean that an adult can’t take advantage of their own talents (better ability to concentrate, better understanding of self-directed learning, more confidence to pursue what they want) to get better too.
Etali – so true. Very often in life it is those who may struggle initially but work very hard who end up better because of their determination.
Interestingly, rumor has it that our Professor Jucao never won a single tournament until he was a black belt. He’s still winning international tournaments at age 48.
I think there is a difference between team sports and individual sports. I was always the shortest lightest kid when I was growing up so I was always picked last for every sport – which always seemed to involved catching and throwing balls. I HATED those sports. I was on the badminton team in high school which because I thought it would look good when I applied to college. I never one a single game. Not one, not ever. I was literally the worst badminton player on the team and if they had more players I’m sure I wouldn’t have been on the team. I tried and failed and never got beyond the failing part. I stuck it out til the bitter end of that season of humiliation and have never touched a badminton racket since. I just don’t seem to connect very well with flying objects in the real world. I’ve gotten better, however, with flying objects in the “virtual world” thanks to xbox.
The gymnastics team was better because we were the first team our high school ever had. So none of us knew what we were doing. Our coach channeled us into focusing on our improvements. We bonded as a team because we were the worst team in the league and we had nowhere to go but up. I liked it better than other sports because I didn’t have to catch or swat at flying objects, I was the flying object (sometimes unintentionally when I shouldn’t have been).
It was only when I read your post that it dawned on me that for most of my life I thought I was really bad at sports. I totally forgot that I was really good at one sport that was individual. By the age of five I could waterski. By the age of 9, I could single ski. I could jump wakes. Then my dad cut out a circular piece of board so I could stand on that and I learned to spin around on that board. I LOVED waterskiing with a passion. My dad used to have to stop the boat because I wouldn’t tire and his efforts to try to make me fall by zigzagging the boat always failed.
At the age of 54 we were on vacation and my son and his friend decided they might want to try waterskiing. Then I thought, “Why not? I’ll try it again too”. The guy running the waterski trip cautioned me he had men that were professional football players that tried it, fell a lot, and found it exhausting. So, I was almost afraid to start with a single ski. So I told him, let me try it once and if I fall I’ll take the second sky. He was surprised that popped up out of the water and I lasted the whole time without tiring.
Failure and triumphs, such an interesting journey.
Well done for sticking out the badminton team for so long! I did something similar with long distance running. I have a horrible running gait which makes me pretty slow – my cardio is good, but the combination of being short and having a bad gait mean that I’m just plain not fast. I was on my school cross country running team, and I was the slowest person whenever we did track stuff. But they kept me on the team to make up the numbers. I “earned my place” one time when someone knocked a sign over and all the other runners got confused – I ended up placing near the top of a national competition just because I was one of the few people who didn’t get horrendously lost.
I’m impressed you did so well getting back on the waterskis after so many years! That saying about “just like riding a bike” must be true? Did you continue waterskiing after that, or was it just a one off thing?
Ah Etali – that is such a great story about the runners getting confused. Yes, for me waterskiing was just like riding a bike. Waterskiing is expensive because boats are expensive so it was a once off thing. I’m feeling really sad right now because my Dad – who was the one who had endless patience with not just his kids, but any of the cousins or friend’s kids that came on our camping trips, would spend the entire day teaching all of us to waterski, just passed away a week and a half ago. Back in the day having a little boat wasn’t that expensive but when my Dad bought it my Mom almost divorced my Dad because they didn’t have very much money. Now it is such a favorite memory of all of my siblings and my cousins.
Susan, I am sorry for your loss. It’s so tough when our parents pass away – my mother died four years ago and I miss her every day. I’m thinking of you.
My journey to martial arts started when I was 37. I thought I’d take a taichi class for relaxation and balance. Then I started trying out a little jujitsu in the class that followed the taichi class. I remember saying, at the time, that I’d better do jujitsu in my thirties because I wouldn’t be able to do it in twenty years. And that was twenty years ago. So, this time around, I’m not saying I won’t be able to do it in twenty years. You never know!!
Flossie – my dh has an uncle who is now well into his 90s who is still working. Not as much as he did because he’s handed some of the work to his son – but still goes to the office every day. He and his wife started exercising with a personal trainer a few years ago. They are vital and fit and who knows that they might not make it to 120. So 20 years doesn’t seem like such a stretch. One of these days I will have to ask Dan how old he is now. He started “stand up” when he was 57 and got his black belt – before my son did. My son got his black belt at age 10 and is now 15 so Dan must be at least 67 if not 70 and he shows no signs of slowing down. You really never do know.
There’s an older black belt at my club too. I think he’s in his late 60s but I’ve never dared ask! All I know is that he’s fitter than the vast majority of the kids, and more flexible too. He entered the adult sparring tournament just for fun last year, and came third, beating several 19 – 25 year olds in point sparring to get that far. He admits he’s not as fast as the two lads that came first and second, but he’s still got amazing balance, reflexes and timing. I’m sure your peak deterioates with age, but really, how many of us are the best version of ourselves we can be?
Maybe not so good to eat painkillers all the time…
http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_article/most_recent/do_pain_pills_impair_muscle_growth
I have heard studies both ways on this. It’s hard to know which to believe.
I do think you have to be judicious in what you take, and how much and how often; there’s no such thing as a completely safe medication (natural or not!). I’d rather not take anything if I can, and I try and avoid pain meds as much as possible. Unfortunately, things hurt so much more now than they did when I was younger that the balance more often comes down on the side of taking something…….
Yes, agreed…
I am closer to 50 so I also take when needed, but only then.
Good to know the down side any way, so one can think about it before taking them.
Really like your article! Nice to know there are others out there…
[…] was sent to me in January by Flossie. It got buried and I just uncovered it. As you may remember, Flossie wrote an article about being a much older woman doing jiu jitsu. Her story is quite inspiring, and I hope you continue to be […]
I am 46 and started jiu jitsu a month ago, after 10 years sitting behind a keyboard all day i am 40 lbs over weight and am very unflexable. I am the oldest one at my school, that includes instructors. I am the last one to finish the drills and am completely out of breath while the young bucks finish and are barely breathing hard. I am the slowest to learn the techniques as well, they go through them quick and while others seem to understand i am left asking “ahh, where do i put my hand again?” I know its because of my age, we just dont process or remember info like we use to. With all that said, what helped me the most so far is a few things:
1, stretching before class
2. Writing down what we went over that night
3. Picking my partners if i can
4. Leaving my ego at the door
5. Taking it easy when i roll.
The last one is a big one. The harder i roll with another 20 something or any age really, the harder they roll with you. Being a white belt is all about learning and surviving and not about beating someone.
I learned real quick the quickest way to get hurt is by rolling at even 80 percent with another white belt. Ill save that for when im in better shape and have more technics down. So many kids show up with egos the size of texas, you really need to protect yourself and basically learn and survive to roll another day. Its alot of fun so far, glad i gave it a go.
Hi there! You got caught in my spam filter – you should be auto approved to post after this. 🙂
Sigh – I’m still trying to get in the habit of stretching, and I KNOW I need to. I just haaaate stretching. I think you have some great advice here, and I’m really glad you shared! Thanks!!
Awesome on you for sticking to it! I hope to see you around here more!
Hi Dave – writing it down has got to be the right thing to do; just wish I was better at doing it! As for the rolling thing, I’m still figuring that one out. I tend to roll with the same 5 or 6 people with whom I feel confident that they 1) won’t hurt me and 2) will help me learn something. And there are some people I actively avoid, either because they’re just too good and there’s no point, or I don’t trust them not to hurt me. Nice to meet you.
Good for you Dave! Like Flossie, I wish I were better about writing stuff down. I am learning who are the ones who are best to roll with for teaching purposes. Amazingly, I swear, weighs 200 pounds more than I do. He’s a big giant teddy bear. I work with Professor Ailson “Jucao” Brites who I think is now about 49 years old and still winning world class tournaments. At age 57, it makes me feel much more comfortable having an older “professor” to work with. None of the young bucks can touch him. He moves with such fluidity and grace. There is only one person I avoid because he is all limbs and really rough on my arms. I can’t say that there is anyone else that I truly avoid.
I usually don’t stretch because I do BJJ immediately after the “stand up” MMA I’ve been doing for six years. By then I really should stretch but the thought of adding that into the mix just seems to much.
In my “other” mixed martial arts I sometimes just get a little too tired to deal with Syms. Another giant of a man (but probably more like 200 lb). He lives and breaths Martial Arts and I think that he must think about it all the time. He is very kind but he does punch hard – not too hard — but hard. Sometimes I am just not up to dealing with him because not only is he good at the mixed and then he throws the BJJ stuff in at the same time (which I am new at) and then I get completely exhausted.
Lately though he has been cracking me up. He does this horse stance with this face intended to intimidate me and then just stands there. It just makes me want to laugh. Last night I had a big discussion with one of our instructors for the MMA class — he’s a fifth degree black belt hall of famer – solid as a rock but fairly short guy. We discussed what might happen if I ever tried to tickle Syms when he did his intimidation stance. I tried it today when he sneaked up behind me before class and landed a light leg kick (they do that in MMA not because I’m training for my blakc belt now) and the dude is NOT ticklish. Sigh.
Doing static stretches AFTER you exercise is really important. I say that and never do it. Sigh. It’s sort of like flossing – you KNOW you should do it…but it rarely happens. 🙁
Hahaha I once asked if tickling was illegal in jiu jitsu. People gave me this “hrm” look. They were not amused.
Right now I roll with folks in my comfort zone. I KNOW that in the future, I’ll need to step outside this comfort zone in order to improve. For now, though, I stick with what I’m happy with.
Interesting that I would have never asked Professor Jucao about ticking in BJJ. The two fifth degree black belts for our mostly standing up MMA are younger guys who like to goof around, especially Phipps who likes to sneak up on people. BJJ sometimes reminds me of how my siblings and I fought when we we’re kids. My little sister usually won because she kept her nails long and also bit.
I am 45 now, but started training BJJ way back in 1995; trained 1x a week for about a year, then trained on and off for a few years bouncing between a few academies, hitting blue belt eventually, but finally gave up for a long 6 or 7 years with no BJJ training at all. Finally this year I started it up again, regretting all those wasted years. What was I thinking?! haha. Now am determined to stay in until I can no longer train physically. Good to see others are staying on the mats as well!
I’m so glad for you! Welcome back! It’s such a great decision, I think.
You just have to keep going to class – so simple and SO difficult. I’m trying to do three classes a week, but some weeks I manage one. Now if I didn’t have to work, didn’t have a family, and didn’t need sleep, things would be different….
You and me both, lady!
Hi ,I started bjj this year and I am 47 years old. I am enjoying reading all of the comments. could anyone advise if it is safe to do bjj whilst on warfarin. Normally it is said that contact sports and this therapy do not mix. However I am really enjoying bjj and feel that there would more risks going for a bike ride. I am also finding that bjj is not really an understood art/self defence system within my circles of family and friends. As soon as I mention it I get the comment “what is that ” ” and it sounds really rough”, I have tried aikido which was very different however to me I feel that bjj is going set me up to deal with life’s many challenges. I just would like bjj to better understood. Would anyone have any similar experiences they would like to share ?
I would suggest telling them that it is the gentle art – no striking whatsoever, and that you have the option to tap at any point – you can make it stop. I would also tell them that it can be very smooth! If I had the preconception that it was very rough, this would feel incongruent to me.
I’m really glad you’re enjoying it!
many thanks for your feedbck Eva. Will be discussing a plan with the Gracie Barra professor and instructors. i think bjj Is a relatively unknown activity that older folk start in Sydney. i have had people ask if it is like karate boxing. Anyway , maybee there is need for promotion of this wonderful art in my area?
Hi Damien! Sorry about the delay in approving your comment. You are now auto-approved to comment! The end of the semester is in 2 days, and I was drowning in papers until this weekend!
Hahahaha karate boxing?? hahaha That’s a great comment.
Welcome to the blog!
I think you’ll have to take the issue of Warfarin up with your doctor. Most of us would not be qualified to understand its impacts on phyisical activity. Regarding jiu jitsu, many folks that we all interact with just don’t get it. I think you’ll find that if you keep training, you’ll add a wonderful new group of friends to your circle who do get it. Your good friends over time will just come to understand that bjj is your passion and while they may not get it, they will support you as you continue to grow your skills.
hi just thoughtdI’d provide an update from my last posting….well I am off warfarin now so I can now not worry so much when rolling. my haematologist thought that this medication was limiting my enjoyment of BJJ so I am now taking Cartia which is very low risk . this info may be helpful for any of your readers. I am third stripe white belt now and the family are actually happy that I go to classes as they know it helps me with everything else in life…which it does….Oss.
Hurray for modern medicine! And even more hurray for your persistence and commitment. good for you and your family – it takes a bit of adjustment, I always think, when one family member takes up something new. Doesn’t mean it won’t work out for everyone, but it might take a bit of time. Congrats on that third stripe – means you’re getting there!
That’s really cool – I’m so glad it’s working for you. I’m curious – in which way does BJJ help with other things in life? Is it the exercise? Positive physical touch? Burning off excess energy?
Hey there Damien, I was just replying to see how it all worked out for you and any advice you can lend? I am 25 and looking to get into BJJ. I am working with a doctor to find a solution but hoping to get your take. Was there any complications? Blows to the head? – I am eager to get in to the sport but most doctors I talk to about it don’t understand what it is and have trouble clearing me for it. Thank you in advance
I cannot believe a blog like this exists! I’m so happy to have found this and the article about googling if you’re too fat for BJJ. I’m dusting off my gi next week and needing a good push. You rock.
I’m so glad to hear it! Please check back in. You rock, too!
There’s a guy who trains with us who is in his 70s. He’s been doing martial arts at our place for like ten years and that’s really cool.
That’s fantastic! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for this…just stumbled onto this site and it has quickly my favorite…I was 54 when I started training last year and immediately fell in love with the sport…I had started No Gi work the year before and my friend and coach suggested I try BJJ with a Gi to smooth out my game (I didn’t realize I had a game) and to provide opportunities to compete. I competed in nine tournaments my first year and two so far this year and I’m still looking for that first win. I give up about ten to fifteen yrs on my partners but it is what it is and regardless of the lack of wins I can almost guarantee that no one is having more fun than I am. About nine months ago I decided I wanted to make an impact on the sport so with my coach and another friend started our own gear company Rolling Bones Gear. I design every Gi down to the stitch, we all have input on the rashies and shorts but so far most of the creative efforts start and end with me. Thrilled for the opportunity to be involved with the sport, the training, the competition, and the friendships. Old ain’t cold!!
Hahahaha “Old ain’t cold.” Never heard that before!
Congratulations on your training and on your gi company!! I’ve toyed with the idea of making a rashie. Awesome on you to take your dream and roll with it! This blog is borne from that same “impact on the sport” feeling.
High fives to the both of us!
Damn right high fives to both of us!! Send me you design and maybe we can dial it up.
Nice! I’ll send you an email about this before Monday.
Susie
I am 72 started womans self defence 11/2 years ago taught by my son Pat McGuigan, Rolston Gracy black belt and fell in love with jujutsu. I now train 2 to 4 times a week am working on stripes for my white belt.
I also surf a little and paddleboard, these things all help keep me young and healthy both physically and mentally.
I need some input from you guys, I would like to start a 50 and up class, have the warm up moves taylored for older people to start with. Any ideas on how to get older people to there 1st class!!! that seems to be the biggest problum.
Hi Susie! So sorry that this sat in my queue for a month – I was off getting married! You’re now auto-approved, so when you reply it will show up immediately.
Congratulations on starting! I feel like having an older person training really does negate a lot of the bs “but I’m 25, so I’m too old to start jiu jitsu.” sigh.
I would perhaps suggest talking to the instructor.
First, get the ideas fleshed out. Figuring out together what the class would look like – meaning, put together a curriculum. You could make a plan for the first 10 classes.
Then, see what the times available at your gym would be, and how much (if any) you would charge. It might be a good segue into getting folks to join your gym. It could be that their first X classes are free, then after that they’re charged $5 or $10 a class, or $X per month. Or perhaps if they’ve been going to this, that their first month of BJJ is half price, etc. Again, talk to your coach about this.
Next, figure out where your students are! This is the hardest part. Will you talk to a local retirement community? Will you ask folks to invite their parents? Will you put this out in the community or make a flyer or Facebook ad?
Finally, you need to figure out your benchmarks. At what point is this a success or a failure? After one month, how many students = continue the program? What if you have only 2 students who are coming every week, but no new ones are coming in. Do you continue in hopes of attracting more students? At what point is it a dead effort? This one is hardest to figure out.
Good luck to you! I hope you check in with us in the future!
Great idea – I’ve thought about doing that, but life is a little too busy!! I feel like I’d need some teaching practice and coaching in the art of teaching jiujitsu before starting my own class – maybe you could do a few practice teachings at your school’s women’s only class (if they have one). good for you – planning to still be out there when I’m 70!
Hi Suzanne! Let us know it goes re: your bjj and attracting older students. You are the BOSS! And I thought I was old (started bjj at 53 and am now a blue belt at 56). My dojo has two or three Dads of kids who train, but we still have not attracted anybody over age 50. Had an executive class for a year (age 35+) but I was the only one in it so now all the older students train with the 16 and aboves. There was a woman in my neighborhood who began training karate in her early 80s after being mugged. She achieved a black belt and lived to 100. Keep on rolling, go at your own pace. I wish there was a class or a meetup for older people who train bjj also…
Hi Susan, welcome to the site, and CONGRATS on your blue belt!
Have you checked out Old Man Jiu Jitsu? https://www.facebook.com/OldManJiuJitsu and their site http://www.omjj.bigcartel.com/
Thanks for reminding me of them! It’s a good resource (or potentially one!).
Love this thread. I’m 48 and have just taken the plunge into bjj. Just got back into karate after a 25 year break and went to a bjj seminar at the mma club up stairs – loved it and decided to take the plunge. Loving it but can only make training once a week at the moment. There’s lots of us old ‘ uns out there. If we could just convert some of our buddies and neigh sayers. The reasons for not doing it made me laugh as I’ve heard most of them from my wife ! 🙂
Congrats on your new addiction!! Sorry about how long this took to get out of the approval queue. I was off getting married, but I’m back now! From now, your replies will be auto-approved.
What you said feels like it could be made into a meme. “48 and a new white belt. Your arguments are invalid.” 🙂
Congratulations on your new white belt – I started out once a week, but it really didn’t work (see above in the blog), so now I try to do three times if I can, and twice if I can’t. I just took nearly a month off to go on vacation, and it’s taken nearly a month to get back to where I was. Sigh! everything is slower when you’re older; JiuJiu be warned!! Glad you’re back, I’m looking forward to reading your stuff regularly again.
Hi Jiu Jiu, Flossie, and gang,
I just wanted to throw my hat in the ring too as an “older” person just starting BJJ. I’m 46 year old woman and have just started training (July). I am fortunate to live near an established school with a UFC fighter at the helm (he is a 5th degree black belt and a really nice guy, to boot). Anyway, class is twice a week (our school branch is new – there’s a bigger, more established branch about an hour or so away) and there’s no weekend roll time (there’s a no gi class at the big branch on Saturday mornings, but I think it’s mostly upper belts and I find the whole thought pretty intimidating at this point!). Mind you, I’ve only been at it about a month, and tonight I rolled with my coach and while he said my conditioning was very good, my technique needs a lot of work (he wasn’t being a jerk, he’s right). I was wondering if anyone has any advice for (1) what might have helped you on your own time (more drilling?) and (2) how I might manage to increase my time on the mats? Has anyone ever gone to another school to roll with friends for Open Mat? I know we are not allowed to take instruction elsewhere (nor would I want to), but I was wondering if I should check out other open mat times at other places? Or if I should bite the bullet and go to the other branch of the school on weekends? What has helped the rest of you improve (and believe me, I’m not expecting to breeze through being a white belt! But, it would be nice if I could be the chick people like rolling with!)
Thanks everyone, and Jiu Jiu, I love this blog. So helpful and encouraging!!!!
Hi all
Great posts, I’m 57 and been training about 18 months, now a white belt with 3 tips and counting. Found this blog after needing a bit of inspiration recovering from injury from a roll. Went to a seminar at our gym a couple of weeks ago with Professor Rigan Machado. Worked through the pain but am paying for it now. Needed this to get me going again. Got into BJJ through my son, aged 11 who is a yellow belt and likes to point out he out ranks me. Luck with that son. So now were both hooked and the wife still thinks I’m crazy. Anyway great to read all these inspirational post and know I’m not alone out there. I’m the oldest at our gym although not by much, but am continually encouraged by all the men and women in class/club to keep going. We are a gym from Napier, New Zealand and train mixed classes. I train 4 hours a week and do open mat on Sundays for 2 hours. Having a heart condition has not slowed me much and my doctor thinks its great. Fitness is up, weight down and flexibility has improved. I have fun training with the younger partners you let them go at their pace and wait until they tire and then do your move. Doesn’t always work but fun none the less. Keep rolling all………..that’s it from the dinosaur dad.
I’m so excited for you!! I’m glad you found the blog – hopefully you’ll come back!
Your training sounds really awesome, plus, how cool is that that you can roll with your son!
Maybe the tagline for this blog should be “You’re not alone.” 🙂
Good for you, Steve. Maybe your wife can come and join you and your son at class? Never too late to try something new…
Thank you so very much for this article. I am 43 and just beginning BJJ. I look at everyone in the class and wonder if I am crazy like my mother says I am. When we are warming up and running around the mat and everyone is passing me I sometimes allow myself to think I shouldn’t be doing this. I see lots of posts about starting BJJ later in life, but none of them feature women. I really needed this.
Hi Liz! Thanks so much for your comment! So sorry this got caught in my black hole of a comment section for over a month! You’re now auto-approved, so if you write anything from now on it will immediately show.
How has the past two months gone? I assume your mom still thinks you’re crazy! I’m now easing back into jiu jitsu after a hiatus, and I’ll tell you, it beats up your ego to have beginners stomp on you. Ah well. I’m glad you found the blog, and I hope that you’ll be back!!
Thank you Cory. I’m happy that you took the time to reply no matter how late. I’m still at it. It’s something my husband and I decided to try together. He’s already earned his first stripe. I, on the other hand, have had 2 injuries back to back and only one of those was BJJ related 🙂 I’m not quitting though. I went from runner’s knee to a shoulder fracture. I haven’t been injured since I was 10 so my ego is a bit shattered. I’m grateful for a really great school with humble teachers, fellow students that are willing to help and a diverse group of ages.
Hi Liz, jiujitsu has a habit of shattering the ego. Just keep going to class; before you know it, those stripes start to arrive. Glad to see Jiujiu back blogging again!!
Awww, thanks!!
Hi Liz, you aren’t the least bit crazy but maybe I am. I started Mixed Martial Arts (more Tae Kwan Do than anything else) at the age of 51 because an unrelenting 25 year old instructor wouldn’t leave the moms alone and my son was prepping for his black belt test and I felt sorry for him. So I started off huffing and puffing and barely able to lift my leg up for a kick. At the age of 57 I got my black belt in that “mixed” discipline, but a few years before I got my black belt I started to dabble in BJJ at the same dojo. At first I did once a week, but the Professor disappeared down in Brazil with visa problems and couldn’t get back. Plus I found it much more complicated than kicking and punching. Then I returned when a new Professor started at the dojo who was almost 50 and was wining world championships so I figured I’d give it another go. It has been so helpful for my flexibility and my arthritis and my Mixed Martial Arts. I have been getting deeper and deeper into it and now train BJJ 5 times a week. Morning and evening on two days and morning class on another day. I do the MMA classes about 4-5 day a week, sometimes overlapping with the BJJ. Anyway, the morning guys have talked me into training for a tournament. I’ve been arm barring one of the guys who is a white belt medium heavy who is winning medals in the IBJJF tournaments (or at least I was until he got a silver by losing to someone who arm barred him so now he’s much better at escaping my arm bars). I am planning on prepping for a year and then seeing what happens if I enter as a light feather white belt female – hopefully in a Master level – but not too many women in my weight class so I’m afraid that I’ll have to compete with much younger women.
Hi Jiu Jiu and everyone else!
Several months ago I was somehow thinking about my childhood dream- martial arts. And started google it. I was thinking, life is not that long, maybe I will live 10 or 30 more years (or I can get hit by car tomorrow), if I want to do something with my life, I better do it now than never. And then I found your inspiring blog…that was the last poke I needed. It gave me hope that there is life after 50 lol!
Well, now, few months later, in age 53, I just got my first black stripe in BJJ! And I love it!
My background is gymnastics (Pre-Olympic team) many decades ago, and being professional ballerina in eastern Europe. I am familiar with heavy duty training and injuries.
It is definitely not easy to be “well aged” scrawny (100 pounds) woman in class of younger strong males! And oops- injuries don’t heal as fast as we would like to anymore! No mater what kind of sport you pick up, we get sore faster and recovery takes longer. We have to closely monitor our “pains and aches” during training. Is it normal pain or does it feel strange? In case of strange pain, we have to stop that certain movement immediately, or risk long weeks, possibly months, of recovery.
Ice, heat pad, Tiger balm and Epsom salt became once again my best friends. I love my life!
Hi Monika!! Congrats on pursuing your dreams!! My doctor last week told me that we can be active and have arthritis or we can be inactive and have heart disease – our choice. heh. I picked the arthritis option, so I have that to look forward to.
Holy moly!! I legit ballerina!! Was this in the Soviet Union? Whereabouts? I lived in Ukraine for two years (2007-2009) with Peace Corps.
Oh my gosh. Husband and I both talk about our longer recovery time!! We MUST warm up before and stretch after or we regret it so much!! He has lately been feeling so tired, and we wonder if it is just because we are getting older and need more sleep. Nooooo! Ah well. The pain reminds us we are alive, and makes us appreciate being able to move our bodies!
Hi! Love the blog and conversations. I started 3.5 years ago at age 54, still a white belt. I have had some setbacks: pneumonia, kidney stones, gall bladder surgery, and I got married. I hate that I am slower and stiffer than my younger peers. I have been more careful of who I will roll with since I experienced a wicked arm bar. (The girl didn’t realized I tapped and kept going. We are still friends, but I will not roll with her.)
I recently found relief for my shoulder that I wanted to share. Originally I went to sports medicine specialist, orthopedist. Nothing torn, sent me to PT. it didn’t help. Our gym has a connection with a chirpractor that works with the PTs in the same office/therapy room. It is awesome! I have had more range of motion in my shoulder and feeling more confident to get on the mat.
I have some restrictions until my shoulder is better so focusing on fitness with kickboxing.
Hi Susan! Welcome! Congratulations on your journey, and for not letting age stop you from doing what you wanted! That’s very cool that you found shoulder relief. My husband has such bad shoulders. He stretches it out every day, and it’s somewhat better, but he still has Range of Motion issues.
Hello, JiuJiu~~
I’m Mj from Korea, south ^^(I was glad that I found you started BJJ in Korea).
I started BJJ on Jan. 4th this year and I’m 45.
At first, I bugged my purple belt instructor with complaining about pains and not having women peers at the gym.
I know that was absurd, but on the first month, I didn’t know anything, so I just told him everything I felt or think.
When I was into the slump, your blog made me go back to the jiu-jitsu gym. THANK YOU, JIUJIU!
Now I have 7 other women peers and still don’t know what to do, hahaha…
Anyway, I will help myself and my peers with your experiences on this blog and try to keep going.
Hello MJ! I’m so glad you are doing jiu jitsu! Are you in Seoul? You should meet Lee Hee Jin! She is the first (and only) female black belt from Korea! She has some women’s only open mats once per month. She is a wonderful woman and wonderful teacher.
Thank you for the kind words. I miss my Korean gym very much, but I like my gym now, too. Just keep going to class and things will get better! 감사합니다!
I love that the piece I wrote three years ago is still getting responses. Thank you JiuJiu for putting it out there on your site and making a place where we can share our stories. Hello MJ – just keep going to class; it worked for me!
Thank YOU for being quick to respond to folks!!
Love the connection!
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! I am 38 this year and will be starting my class soon. I am quite anxious that I will be too old to start jiu jit su. Your sharing and everyone in the comment gives me hope. Thank you!!!!
Congratulations! I’m hitting 40 next week. I can assure you that you’ll FEEL too old, but that’s your brain deciding “Ummm, the couch is waaaay more comfortable.”
You are all just babes!! It’s more than twenty years since I (aged 37, pudgy and weak) put my first foot on the martial arts pathway. I do love the couch, don’t get me wrong, but I’m not giving up any time soon. Sixty here I come!!
I started jujitsu 3 years ago doing womans self defence at age 70. By the way every woman should take womans self defence, it will I’m power you and help keep your safe in today’s uncertainty world.
I now train every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Yes, the worm up is a big change I do what I can and try to keep moving. Just can’t aways keep up with the much younger partisipents.
I believe jujitsu helps keep me young and limber. The other members of the class always treat me with respect when rolling and instructors help to modify the moves for me.
So yes older woman can do jujitsu.
Hey Susie, I just approved your comments, so now they’ll be auto-approved in the future!
I agree with Flossie, yes older woman can do jujitsu. Like Flossie I can’t find any older women who do jujitsu. If you are out there please let us know. I am 73, roll with the boys Monday and Wednesday. Friday I take womans self defence. Everyone is at least 30 years younger than me. Not that it matters, everyone has my back and watches out for me. I would like to have a grappling partner my own age to test my skills against. I am usually out of breath before the buzzer sounds when rolling, is it me or my age?
I am working slowly twords my blue belt, if I get it it will be one of my proudest moments. So if anyone has questions about gender or age I will be glad to share. My name is Susie
Hi Susie! Thanks for joining in on our conversation! I hope that training continues to go well for you!
What a wonderful and inspiring article. You know what? I just might give it a go.
Mike! It’s now been almost 2 months! Have you gone? What’s stopping you?
HI I am going to be 74 in Feb. Am working twords my blue belt. I started BJJ at 71. You ate never to old for jujitsu.
That’s awesome!
I’ve said this before – it’s AMAZING to me that people are still reading this and even finding it helpful. You are all superstars!! Even though I’ve been a bit of a slacker recently and skipped a week or two here and there, I am still going to class. Keep it up everyone – the more I know the more I realize I have to learn.
Flossie, this is definitely one of my most active articles. I have about 5 that still, years later, get just as much traffic and bring in new readers. These are themes that are not going to go away – insecurities! 🙂
Thank you for keeping this going! I love reading your blog and feeling like I have some friends to relate to!
Awesome! Super glad to hear it!
I just signed up for Women’s JJ at 50 years old…wish my luck…I have know idea what I got myself into, but I’ll find out! I have no ACL on right so this could be a bit of a challenge for me.
We all have challenges, and hopefully if you let your instructor know this, they’ll be able to help adapt some moves for you. It definitely means a rougher learning curve between the “What can I NOT do because physically unable vs newbie” sides of things. 6 years in I can generally get a feel for that and I’ll ask to make sure OR to get a modification.
Good for you Nancy!! Congratulations on starting something new, and enjoy yourself.
I started at the age of 68 and had two subsequent shoulder surgeries. I never had any form of martial arts training prior. I am now 71 and am probably the worlds oldest white belt. I train at least once a week and hope to have my blue belt by the end of next year. Taking up this discipline is one of the best decisions I ever made. Love it.
I’m so glad to hear it, Roland! One of the gals mentioned that her boss wanted to try it out, but he was 60+. I immediately referenced my article and all the wonderful stories of older folks who start. It’s so helpful knowing you’re not the only one, and it ABSOLUTELY is possible!
Thank you for sharing Roland Couillard. This is very encouraging. I started in January, going on a year, and I am 44. I currently have 2 stripes. I fractured my shoulder in my first month of training. I had to take off an additional month a few months later due to recurring pain from the injury so I got some physical therapy. I haven’t quit yet and don’t plan on it. There are weeks when I can only go once because of work and family life. But I just keep reminding myself that I am in no rush for a colored belt. I just want to take my time and learn the techniques right. I have no intentions of competing, this is something I am doing to keep myself moving and active and I have enjoyed it so far.
Keep going. I started BJJ with Gracie Barra a few years ago. I will be 50 soon and 4 stripe White belt. I have had gout , thrombosis and now hernia surgery however I have very supportive Professor s. Jiu Jius blogs are great as it is good to read about like minded BJJ practitioners . Hope to return soon even if it just to watch techniques until I am recovered from the hernia op.
Thank you so much Damien
My pleasure, one very important aspect I would like to mention is lifestyle. I also have family and work commitments however it so true that BJJ is a lifestyle..by that I mean that diet and off the mat things I do to prepare for classes…I stretch all the time even sitting behind my desk and walk alot. I take magnesium and fish oil and drink tap water by the litres. Have not really changed my diet but make sure I get some protien. I have a glass or two of red wine on Saturday but no beer. I was almost Type 2 diabetic before I started BJJ however I am now not even in the pre diabetic range. Hope the above assists somewhat ?
Holy moly that’s awesome that your lifestyle helped change a health condition! I think that as much “health” as you can integrate into your life, the better. I’m lucky (Hmmm wrong word, but it is what it is) that when I started BJJ I was in a foreign country, so I wasn’t around my old life. All my friends back in America were gamers, and most of them had very unhealthy lifestyles (but oh so fun – all day gaming plus pizza and soda – amazing), and the composition of my friends group was entirely different. Instead of having all gamer friends, I had all jiu jitsu friends, which encouraged me to do more jiu jitsu, which strengthened our friendships, which encouraged me to do more jiu jitsu, etc.
Oh it most definitely does. After I completed PT for my shoulder the therapist gave me exercises to continue at home for as long as I am practicing BJJ or doing any weight lifting. The exercises are to strengthen my back and shoulders and they help tremendously. I take my multi vitamins everyday and I have also added in Collagen supplements. Adding Turmeric to smoothies also helps with swelling I get in the knuckles, likely from grip fighting.
Ok great. I might try the Tumeric as I get swollen fingers after some sparring. ( Just now planning on my BJJ aims for 17. Cheers Liz.
Hey Liz – what exercises do you do at home? Do you have a link or can you post a picture of them?
An aside: I honestly thought I had arthritis after starting BJJ because the knuckles closest to my nails were enflamed, sore, and I couldn’t often close my hands. Nope, it’s just from my white belt grip of death.