Advice for Doing BJJ When Over 50 • Ft John Frankl and Matt Thornton

[@WConn100]

I'm 73 and just started this week, four lessons, four days in a row. I'm retired so I have the time and the money. Have a Judo, TKD, boxing, wrestling and KravMaga background. Hurt my. back a couple of years ago and just now am feeling okay, not 100 percent but well enough to move forward.

[@vjimmers1]

Go for it! I'm planning on doing the same. BJJ is great because they don't try to hit you! I've got a 70 year old BJJ black belt friend that can do a few sets of 250 push ups so good luck with the young guys on him! Old guys just have to work harder but its good for the brain!

[@phantiasmic]

Started within last year at 50 and loving it. Lot to learn and holy hell it is HUMBLING. Takes longer to recover though, strained ribs due to my ignorance did not help haha but just have to adjust and I embrace it.

[@PaulPedrazzi]

"Like Jiu-Jitsu more than you like winning." - Professor John Frankl

[@Slamminbassplayer]

Ha! Done. Can't fight time. Make the most of it. Cheers!

[@lordbwithu1747]

Don’t think us old guys can’t win. Beware of the man who’s been in the fight game longer than most competitors have been alive…

[@kengoldie6363]

WTFF??

[@joebank1472]

LMAO !dude ! Go see a shrink 😂😂😂

[@kevinjones7083]

Dude you're entertaining asF ! 😂😂😂

[@leebruno1722]

I trained at a john frankls affiliate gym in korea. They really emphasize what he says about technique being supreme over any short term success. Best gym ive trained at by far.

[@ssgdean1969]

I have been doing BJJ for about a month and I'm 54. It is very humbling to be in a position where I have absolutely no clue as to what I'm doing at this age, and I thought I was in good shape but I see how much I need to improve. I love it.

[@b4dmaash]

90 yo white belt here, just started last week. Was put in side control and woke up in hospital, but will try and roll again soon.

[@braddixon4686]

Thank you, Coach Frankl and Coach Thornton. This is important instruction for me. Beginning Juijitsu in my 50's and having a knee that is not structurally sound, likely reinforces the need to heed the message that you share here; trust that technique and breathing control will become better with time and allow my results to become more optimal.

[@stevenslawson8926]

I'm not sure I agree with this breathing focus. 53 years old, 4 stripe brown belt (Judo brown too), 19 years training. My best advice - choose your training partners very carefully. My main goal is not to maximize anything - including breathing, strength and conditioning, etc. My goal is to not get hurt in day to day training. Find training partners who know how to keep it playful. If they can't do that, you shouldn't be rolling with them. Your cardio is best improved with Zone 2 training, not esoteric breathing practice.

[@TheOnlyOneStanding8079]

I'm 52 and I would just learn BJJ for preservation of my body not chasing a belt which is fine if your young

[@TheOnlyOneStanding8079]

@Remix God I'm sure they would take it easy on me .. Thats what he told me. It would be like Pilates with BJJ techniques

[@hoppy760]

I would add that cardio/conditioning diminishes quicker when you take time off in your 50s. In my 30s I could take 2 weeks off and still get back on the mat and feel pretty good. Not so in my 50s.

[@michaelmaddux7375]

The book "Breath" by James Nestor is good if you want to learn more about the physiology of breathing.

[@danielmccarthy9065]

Hey John. It is Dan McCarthy. John was one of my first teachers. Amazing bJJ.

[@JamesSpurgeon-w6p]

I am 61 years old. I started at 58 and have lost time due to multiple injuries that put me out for weeks at a time. I saw the guys I started with promote well ahead of me and it was mildly discouraging. I earned my 4th stripe 6 months ago and never quite felt as....dominant.....as I should have when rolling with new guys. I still feel that way now and I still feel like (know) that I totally suck. But, apparently, I suck less. That's what the OG's tell me. I had my first class as a blue belt last night and got absolutely DESTROYED by everyone I rolled with. Granted, these were a black belt, 3 purple belts and a 4 stripe blue belt, but I still did not even feel competitive. It was VERY discouraging. I think my biggest problem is "imposter syndrome." I roll with higher belts CONSTANTLY and rarely get advantageous positions, let alone the occasional (super rare) submissions. Now that I am a blue belt, I still feel like the worst guy on the mat. Last night did not help that insecurity. I try to give myself a break because I realize most of these guys are 25-40 years younger than me and it's kind of a miracle that I'm even on the mats. However, I still see the world through my "Young Man's Eyes." Hopefully, resilience, practice and continuing to "show up" will help my game. Its all I think about. I train 3-4 days a week (not counting the weight room at the gym) and still get crushed on nearly every roll. I'll never quit though.

[@omoplatallama1800]

Never forget you are judged within your physical class. You’re 61 years old! You’ve lost half of your mitochondrial efficiency, a third of the collagen in your soft tissues, two-thirds of your T levels, a big chunk of your neuro-plasticity, etc. 25 year old me at solid blue beats 53 year old me at new black 9 out of 10 in competitive no gi match. Age is a massive factor. So compare your performance to other 61 year olds!! In a room full of 61 year olds, I’m sure you’re a legit blue. Trust your coaches.

[@davidlore1998]

BJJ Masters Are Bananas !

[@samhard7799]

Indeed

[@owmcommunityasiapacific6513]

@47... on my way to a bjj trial class....

[@johnwill8467]

Breathing ... yes. Just wish I could. Farkin covid! Thanks for the good work guys. x

[@carringtonmcrae9963]

thank you i needed this.

[@bananapatch9118]

59, overweight, been to 4 classes and GASSED after rolling a few times. Going to practice nose breathing. My only problem is knee stiffness. I have never had knee issues but being on the mat on my knees....wow. If I do classes two days in a row I hobble like I’m 100. I know muscle soreness will get better with time but the knee stiffness ??? Thx !

[@edgarloeb422]

Good start. At 50, I have to remember breath control as well.

[@jeffdbmb]

I have issues with stiff knees to.. make sure you do deep body weight squats it really gets the blood flowing and warms them up

[@bananapatch9118]

@@jeffdbmb Like before class ? I’ve never had knee issues before so this does make me wonder….after a month or two will my knees get used to time on the mat….or am I too old to do jiu jitsu and this is going to mess up my knees for the next 20 years ?

[@jeffdbmb]

@@bananapatch9118 yes before class I come in 15 minutes early and warm up with body weight squats do 2 sets of 50 then sit down and stretch out your quads and hamstrings stretch your calves to... everything above the knee joint and below it

[@jeffdbmb]

stretching is key for knees and age I know so many people that changed everything with a stretching program ... its a must over 50

[@blockaderunner]

My problem is I'm white belt right? new, and the blue belt I'm partnered with puts his shoulder into my nose (can't breathe), and I've got a mouth guard in, so I tap.

[@tededo]

Your option is with Chad THE BEAST Hardy, kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4faeY19drFqna8, learn to defend the shoulder crush, even works for a jaw crushing defense.

[@spaceman61]

63, starting now

[@hopeloos1972]

Nice video!

[@russellbray4594]

Martial arts in middle age cannot be trained the same way as in your twenties. Definitely time to focus on technicality rather than brute force.

[@thedudeabides7652]

I've found that the biggest lie being told by practitioners of the sport is "leave your ego at the door". It's said by all by practiced by few. Yes, your ego is crushed and left at the door in the beginning. But eventually you get that first win in class or a tournament and don't want to lose that feeling. Then you go for tapping everyone, then not losing to anyone. I think this leads to injuries and slowing development of your skills. I am 52 now, did i practice this at 30? Nope, because my body was not the shape it was in now, and vice versa.

[@MonacoRocha]

I was in Great Shape since 1967 Boxing Karate Swimming Long Distance running Gymnastics Cali. Yoga I train every day .. I'm 63 now & AM I TOO OLD TO START BJJ.. I HAVE TONS OF FIRE LEFT IN ME....

[@popsmorris5887]

I’m 65 and I just started training in BJJ. Just take care of yourself and have fun. Don’t let your ego get you injured and you should be fine.

[@MonacoRocha]

@@popsmorris5887 good for you..thanks for the advice...

[@brucebarth6714]

I started at 63 and a year and a half in. The injuries have been minor, Its helped with my flexiblity, weight and my head. For me the fact that I am not progressing as fast as my must younger opponents is reality. It's the hardist thing I have ever done but am loving it.

[@MonacoRocha]

@@brucebarth6714 Forget About How fast OTHERS are advancing just Worry About How You are Progressing.. Youre MUCH better than when you started....All Good & Positive....Good Luck Bruce ...

[@popsmorris5887]

I’m not chasing belts, just knowledge.

[@hi-q2261]

When you say I like Jiu-Jitsu more than I like winning you're basically telling everyone you're getting ragdoll all over the mat 😆

[@kengoldie6363]

Jiu-Jitsu is a Joke and it never works EVER .jiu jitsu ain't even a sport !

[@TheOnlyOneStanding8079]

What do you suggest

[@joebank1472]

To all ya so called bjj pranksters: YOU ARE FAKE NEWS

[@vjimmers1]

I started BJJ at 50. I was working out and could bench 285 at 5'9, 150 lbs (185 at the time). The first 15 minutes of BJJ a little girl could have killed me because my cardio was non existent. Three years later I was brawling with 25 year olds. Open mouth, deep breathing was good for me and always trying to keep a bit hyper ventilated. Three years later I could go forever without getting tired! That's what you need to roll with younger, stronger guys. Cardio, Cardio, Cardio and two on one!. Legs as arms! At 65 and getting ready to start BJJ again for brain blood flow (and a ton of fun) I'm thinking I just need 10 hours a week of medium to heavy exercise! Oh, and what's all this about leg locks? What are those?

[@jasonabc]

Yeah but you are not starting after 50 that's a totally different subject. You are a black belt who happens to be over 50. I want to hear about people becoming a black belt STARTING AT 50

[@sbgipdx]

One of our black belts in Portland started at 65. What would you like to know?

[@jasonabc]

@@sbgipdx - Their training, how they stay healthy rolling with 20 year old white belts and how they progressed through the ranks. I find it it odd to hear that someone starting at 65 could get a black belt. They must have had a black belt in judo or something. Even for talented young grapplers it takes 10 years to get a black belt. So you are saying this person started at 65 would now be 75 and hitting black?

[@noblea3927]

😂

[@dwk8081]

WOW ... Breathing thru your nose??? WOW Thank you for that advice!

[@rns7426]

I’m training to breathe through my ears.

[@stevenslawson8926]

I agree, not great advice at all. Cardio is improved through zone 2 training, not trying to mimic Rickson's breathing.