I'm 51 now. 16 years training bjj. Two stripes brown belt. Brown in judo too. I never ever train hard anymore. I don't even do hard warm ups anymore. Take it from a guy with a Master's of Science in physical performance, you don't need to train hard to progress your skills.
50 years old, been training a little over two years. Just received my blue belt recently. I try to train 3 days a week but usually make it twice. The key for me is communicating with my training partners. Some days I feel good enough to go hard and can hang with the young guys, other days I just let them know I can’t go hard. The gym I attend has a bunch of people that respect each other and don’t let their ego ruin the experience for new folks and in my case an old dude. I started BJJ to get off the couch and regain some flexibility I had lost over the years. I love every minute of it and want to train as long as the body will allow it. To do this I have to respect my body and understand I can’t recover like I used to. Great video, much respect!
Started BJJ @ 57 at the beginning of this year. I train hard occasionally and I am in tune with my body. Train Smart my fellow 50. Plus brothers and sisters
Almost 56. Had a very physical life and career. Years of stunt work and jiu jitsu my body is simply degrading despite weightlifting and doing other exercises. BOTH Shoulders shot, ripped biceps, damaged back and neck etc... Professor, you are 100% right. what I learned from experience is this, when I roll: I try to pick my partners, I roll for technique (and cardio) and not necessarily to tap people. Can I? Sure. But doing so sometimes requires extra strength because of my age and that brings up the risk factor of injury VERY HIGH for me. I always try to tap early and simply enjoy the moments. I know older (than me) students that still roll hard. But they don’t have the history of what my body went through. We’re all different. If you’re a senior student and wanna do this all your life - Speak up, tap early, choose your partners and stay technical (having a few sneaky tricks never hurt either:))
Have Fun yeah I get it. But you know... even with the strenuous life style of Jiu Jitsu for us older guys, compared to the average guy on the street at our ages, we aren’t doing too bad :-))). Off to class.
@T L being good in BJJ is based on experience (how much you roll). Just keeping rolling and you will get the knowledge that makes you better. Don’t worry about fancy moves. Simply perfect your “basic” moves and understand how and when to apply. That will come with the time you roll. It’s not a race... it’s a combination of art and science so. Just get the basics down with timing.
Even at 47, usually the oldest guy in the gym, I stay technical for endurance. I studied karate for years and WAS very flexible, that is gone. Most nights I can roll 4(6min) rounds in a row. The recovery is the issue. I can do that but only 2 days a week. However, if I go 3 days or 4 days a week, I cut it short at 3 rounds. Friday night after class, I do an epsom salt bath and I cry. Also, I watch videos of technique. The videos help my technique and every once and a while I catch the young guys with my technique but never my strengths. Having no ego, helps a lot too. Thanks for helping the older folks to think smarter and not work harder. Mahalo Ryan!
Brandon Gamble I’m 46 , and I agree with you. You need to be an expert in technicality to survive with the young ones, like knowing weak body parts that no strong man can resist
another thing you can try, Brandon, is to train MORE days per week, but train a little lighter (on average) each day. i'm 51 this month, and am on the mats 6-7 days a week, with no issues. the key, is moderation. but a WEIRD thing is, when i was in my early 40s, if i trained 1x/wk, days 2,3,4 i felt like a truck hit me. if i trained 2x/wk, same thing. 3x/wk, same thing. but when i began training 4+days/wk, i STOPPED being sore. i seem to think it's the "jackhammer worker" effect. the more you do it in a week your body actually gets USED to the activity. but like i said, as you age, moderate your daily VOLUME of training, but keep the "FREQUENCY" high.
Thanks for the advice Ryan. My work schedule permits 2 to 3 but I will try 4 days a week this summer. I also teach a karate class 2 days a week during the school year at the university where I work but the karate workout is not the sams as BJJ.
Exactly. If you haven’t come to grips with the FACT that you aren’t going to become a world beater in your 40s or 50s then you’re setting yourself up for disappointment and probably injury. I had to have this conversation with myself because otherwise I shouldn’t even start back. Being competitive is great but not being honest with ourselves is dangerous and unfair. Thank you very much for the words of wisdom.
Very helpful. I’m 38 and started a month ago. Was going five days per week and my instructor wisely told me to reduce the intensity on certain days. I feel so much better having taken his advice.
48yo 3-stripe blue belt: I love the art and under no illusion that I’m headed for the UFC. Catch a clean sub and I know I’m behind the curve or locked down and I’m tapping long before it hurts. Maybe that means I’m not training in beast mode, but it keeps me on the mats and able to sleep without pain waking me up every time I roll over. ;) Thankful to have a Professor that stresses the full self defense curriculum as Helio taught it, where I can practice for many years to come.
I am turning 40 and I really appreciate what you have said on this video. I am noticing that I do not have that extra edge anymore. I see the plus side where I now have to force myself to be more technical now. Thank you for sharing. It's good to know that I am not the only one who is going through the transition.
Im fifty... I roll 4 times a week. 3 times a week 5 minute rounds for 1 hour, 1 time a week for two hour open mat.... the other three days I lift. you shouldn't put yourself in a box because of age. just my two cents. been at jits for 17 years.
Im 49, just short of one month in to ju jitsu, thanks so much for your videos and your selfless advice, very big help and inspiration. It is easy for me to feel lost and overwhelmed at this stage, but your videos have often helped put things into a better perspective.
Nice tips ! I’m 46 , I’m strong lifting weights for nearly 28 years . To be honest, my strength saved me many times, but deep inside I know that I’m not me 20 or 10 years ago. So I started to get smarter like those Asian old masters who can tap you with a finger .. lol. I’m kidding, my motto now is to keep fit and increase my defensive skills in order to survive with the strong young guys . It’s beautiful feeling when they can’t tap you, and you can’t too lol. To me I won this fight because I learned to defend my self and I put them in a tiring position where they spent their energy and it’s my time to go offensive. It’s all fun . Thanks
Great insight! I appreciate all your videos. I’m 52 and tried a free class at an academy in my area two days before you posted this. Tweeked my right shoulder. Definitely relate to what you said about knowing your body! Going forward I’ll be training smarter! Thanks
Started at 57 ...after 20 yrs NYPD...what you say it's true there are limitations you have to put on yourself...been training for a year with a lot of younger guys ...get injured easily which is frustrating but I love this art and will not give up
Bruce Lee once said, "No Limitation as Limitation". But then he never made it past 32 years old and would have probably felt different if had made to be an old man.
Love your humor Ryan! Thank you for your videos. Doing what you suggest on your videos has made my coach have faith in me and spends more time with me. One month into Jiu-Jitsu and it really is the funnest activity by far. Hope to meet you one day!!!
56 year old white belt here, started just over a year ago. It's absolutely correct: old bodies should be treated differently. The problem is, there are very few BJJ coaches formally qualified in the theory of training, and most instructors' solution for every problem is "more". Tap early, take longer breaks, don't go into every roll if you are not properly recovered.
Thanks Ryan for the follow up. Right now I’m doing the Fundamentals class only. There’s no sparring/rolling. It’s 45 mins long including the warm up and cool down. It’s a perfect way to get back into Jiu-Jitsu after a break, it’s also a great way to ease beginners into Bjj. My professor is self defense based. He learned from Renzo and Ryan Gracie. There’s a good mix of young and old students. I’m consistent with 3 days a week right now and no “major “ issues. I need to wear a knee brace though. Lol. Thanks again for your insight!
I got my head stuck between someone's legs. After class my jaw hurt and was unable to chew on one side. Didn't feel it during the roll but 3 days later man haha I should have tapped.
I find my strength gets in the way of technique. I'm 50 and I tend to keep up with the young guys by muscling my way out of bad spots. Maybe my ego needs to be tapped!
Professor, all of your videos are great and this one specially resonated with my situation once again. I'm 45 in a few months and began Jitsu two years ago (got my blue belt a few months ago). I'm at a very competition minded school where most roll very hard and we have a high attrition and injury rate. My biggest take away from your video is to roll easy and not worry about winning. Something I have failed at thus far which has resulted in many injuries. I have decided to switch schools where the other may not be as competition focused. Having been a police officer for 21 years, I have lots of on the job wear and tear which has not helped.
100% agree. I train at Gracie Barra which is very completion based. I love the people and the professors there, but I could care less about which position is two points etc... I'm in it for camaraderie, cardio and learning the art. I don't have any problem with completion based Jiu Jitsu, but it's just not for me. I do not care for when if gets close to competition times, we do "Fight until someone submits" sparring sessions. We're all type A meat-eaters and no one wants to tap. So you end up with a death match and for an older guy (and many of the youngsters too), potential injuries. We just don't have the option to pick our sparring partners at my school which is too bad.
Gosh how we need a school of yours on the Central Coast of CA! Please come have a visit, you might like it. Clean, pure, uncrowded coastal living at its finest. The only thing missing is a Kama school!
Ah man, I don't attend any local schools to invite you to. I was turned off by the massive egos and awkward rituals at the schools here only a few months in. That's what I mean, this area is fertile soil for a school like yours and Dave's. Now I'm old and dreaming of being able to attend a school similar to what you describe. I know of several others that would love it as well.
Also each person lived different lives if your a hard drinker and one guy is a health nut and they start jiu jitsu ones body has less wear then the other
I'm only 33, but I'm probably in the worst shape of my life. I have many issues in my body, and I very recently started training in Jui Jitsu. My question is, do I train hard trusting the process and taking necessary steps outside of class, or do I take it easier and slower accounting for my body issues?
Sensei, I'm 77 trained in judo and later Shorin-ryu kenpo between early twenties and late thirties. I've trained with weights since 18 years old and still continue to. I have double knee replacement and have nerve problems in my hands that have effected my grip. Being able to defend myself is something I still want to be able to do. Should I forget using Jui-jitsu for this purpose?
39, almost 40. 3 stripe white. 18-ish months in. I go at 70% most of the time, sometimes more. I find if I'm not hulk-smashing I can focus more on technique, and focus on not getting hurt.
That was excellent - so well spoken. I'm 53, 165lb, 5'8" in first months of BJJ - if I could go to an easier academy with some older guys, I would, but not around - I'm at a Renzo Gracie affiliate where last 10 minutes are "live" from Day 1 and full force intense - roll with primarily 20-somethings. The live training intimidated me at first considering I was lean but out of cardio/calisthenic shape, but facing that psychological intimidation was a good thing. I just take the approach that I have to have fun, pace myself, and not care about others passing me up or constantly making me a human pretzel - it will feel futile and I'll quit if I think I have to beat anyone but my former self of the week before. The injury concern you mentioned is indeed a real concern, though - no real way around that other than to tap frequently.
Why even bother going hard? I hate when people do that... If you can't do by technic, you can't do it by getting emotional and rolling hard. I go hard when partners get frustrated and start doing dirty stuff, just so they can say that they tapped me. Then I show them that my hard is far more brutal then theirs. Too many times I got injured, because of idiots who don't control their push, pull, finishes, emotions...
Is it disrespectful to let lower belts tap you out? Does it hurt their learning curve if you let them? I'm a blue belt and often like rolling with the higher white belts, but don't want to be a dick and be constantly submitting them. If I feel like they are unable to tap me I will give them something to submit me with. Is this condiscending?
You're asking the wrong question. You SHOULD train harder but NOT in a combat sport. This is where the GJJ guys are too close to the subject to make a rational decision. At age 54 I rode an 10 mile course at an average speed on my bike, of 18.3mph with a top speed of 23mph at the beach. I did it using basically ONE LEG since I had bad sciatica in my left leg. So PUSH yourself to the point of throwing up (yes I did that too) but not in BJJ. You CAN recover (I even did two a day workouts!) but not in a COMBAT SPORT. Wake up and learn how to see things from the 10,000 foot level. The world does not revolve around your ego (or GJJ/BJJ).
Professor Young, LOVE your videos. Thank you for the message. I think at this year I came to the realization that I don't have to show people up anymore. I choose my training partners, I don't roll any more than three times per session, and no more than two sessions a week with a third session just training and reviewing technique. Bump the haters. Oss.
