For many, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu becomes a lifestyle. Regardless of what age they begin to practice at, most people fall in love with the martial art, never stopping to consider how quickly the years go by. Before they know it, they are past fifty and wondering, “Is it still safe for me to practice BJJ?”
Others find themselves getting interested in BJJ once they’re already past forty, fifty, or even sixty and wonder, “Is it too late for me to start practicing? Isn’t BJJ a young person’s sport?” We’ll go over everything you need to know about BJJ as you get older in this post. Let’s dive in.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu As You Get Older: A Good Idea?
Depending on your mindset and approach, BJJ can be a fantastic way to stay fit, but it can also lead to issues that take a long time to resolve. Whether you’ve been practicing BJJ for decades or are now considering trying it for the first time, what matters most is your intensity and the effort you exert. If you want to practice BJJ safely well into your fifties and beyond, you need to be careful.
Most notably, you need to check your ego at the door and keep it there, never allowing it to take over your decision-making. For instance, some older trainees feel they need to win every single roll, regardless of what it could cost them because they’ve reached a certain level. Sure, you might win, but at what cost?
How to Keep Practicing BJJ As You Get Older
As you get older, it becomes imperative to choose your training partners carefully. Roll with people who, like you, are also there to stay active, maintain their skills, and have fun. Training with a young competitor might be good for your ego, but things can get serious. You might feel the need to prove something and hurt yourself as a result.
The older you get, the more you should seek to enjoy the art and find pleasure in less intense matches. This is also the time to start listening to your body more, tap out early, and avoid pushing your body beyond its limits. So long as you do that, you should be able to practice BJJ well into your golden years.
Conclusion
If you’re interested in a fun, safe, and encouraging environment where you can learn and practice BJJ and other martial arts, come down to Dream Martial Arts and Fitness in Santa Clarita. We offer classes and guidance for folks of all ages, and everyone is welcome.