The Biggest Challenge For Older Grapplers Starting Jiu Jitsu

[@chuckduncan9098]

Great suggestions. I started at 72 and we were sparring on day 1. I had 2 injuries in the first year that kept me out of training. Now at 75, I've learned to slow my roll and concentrate on breathing and feel physically and mentally better than when I started. I also, do cardio and weights 2 X per week and flexibility at home 3-4 times per week.

[@ghostrider532]

As a new brown belt and being 54 years old I’m 2 to 3 times older than most of the guys in our gym. I finally realized I can’t roll like the young guys do, I’m so sore for days after class it’s not even funny. I’ve started working on new techniques or trying to perfect the ones I already know and not worry about tapping anyone.

[@nahoon68]

54 yr old brown belt here, I feel you.

[@kodokan-no-oni]

hop on TRT 😈

[@patriciomezcal6307]

Took me a solid year, maybe year & a half to condition to the physical stresses of the sport, starting at age 46. At 15 months of training I competed for the first time and had a great experience. It’s not for everyone, but I had a great coach who never tried to force anything.

[@wilbcn]

I’m 43 and started 3 months ago. Completely agree with Bernardo. White belts are the more challenging because they use strengh over technique. It feels safer rolling with higher belts.

[@manolopapas]

I started at 51, 6 months ago. Injured on second week-damaged shoulder. At most 3 times per week, NO sparring, choosing partners, don't push hard just try to understand the movements without pushing.

[@RicoMnc]

Fortunately for me the school I trained white to blue at required beginners learn and demonstrate defensive survival techniques in all positions before they would allow us to free roll. I like this approach. I still should be picky about choosing partners, sometimes I don't have much choice, so I make the best of it if I end up in another opportunity to improve my defensive survival tactics, heh...

[@Thismanisright]

First Bernardo video I’ve watched without “huge honour for me”

[@bmstylee]

Absolutely. Training/rolling with upper belts is usually better. They should have the ability to control the round to keep you safe.

[@Jusgoaway]

Depends on the coaches and the type of people that are members at that gym- be aware, there are a lot of egos in these types of gyms👍🏼

[@arenamananeraswgoh141]

I started at 50 almost a year ago. My school does full sparring every class and the beginners class only had white belts....still the vibe is good and no one really goes too nuts (it helps that I am big, like Bernardo's size when hes gone for picanha 😂😂😂, so that helps me defend myself). Even so the girls were putting me in triangles from day one.... I have been lucky and only missed like 2 weeks of training in the beginning (pulled a hamstring). I pace myself though. I do every other roll only and I do try and pick my partners. TAP EARLY that's important. No point in spazzing out. I also concentrated not on winning but on doing technical moves. If I could get a move to work I was so happy, even if then I lost it and got submitted. In my head it's a win 😅. I also tried to do the move taught in class...even if it made me lose. You can do positional during the sparring. Ask you partner...let's start in half guard, or whatever. Practice what you learned. I also seem to only be able to train 3 days a week. Any more and I'm just too tired. Like my coach Gabriela says: descanso tambe e entreno 😂 😂😂 Hope this helps anyone and big oss...Bernardo I am a great fan but I still haven't figured out the deep half 😢 working on my over and under now😊

[@robZAL2823]

Great ideas, thanks for sharing.

[@in2ww2]

Excellent advice!

[@Huedo.c]

This helped me very much thank you

[@pawekrawczyk6625]

Eh,yesterday I went back for a training after a couple years break and last 15 min were sparrings. During one sparing one guy was pushing too hard and I got injured so completely agree.

[@jims512]

Nice Arnold impression

[@Criedons]

Sparring is the best bit though

[@clarkaprosperi]

UM DIA DESTES VOU TE VISITAR BLUE BELT RABJJ VALEUUUUU

[@leestefanski1989]

A 2 stripe white belt is the most dangerous person in the gym

[@BrotherKluft]

Extra dangerous if wearing wrestling headgear :)

[@irbadltald2532]

Train 2-3 times a week and add strength training and flexibility other days. Watch out for spazy white belts and wrestlers. Remember you can turn down rolls, you're paying for it after all

[@1601mat]

Can the over under pressure pass work for a lighter person (130 lbs) when rolling with larger people? (I am 58 and started Jiu Jitsu about 3 months ago. I am a fan of your videos. Thank you for your efforts.)

[@BrotherKluft]

Blue belt here - yep over under will work on larger people. Now remember it’s not magic, size helps a lot, everything is harder on bigger people. The possible exception is toreando pass, sometimes guard retention is hard for bigger dudes and if you speedy Gonzales around them it can work well. Source? - I am a bigger dude

[@conquerorhapkido]

Hi Bernardo; I have a question for you. What are your thoughts on traditional belt tests vs getting a belt when your professor feels that you are ready?

[@edbroggi]

haha avoid young white belts key

[@bmstylee]

As a white belt I can attest to friendly fire is always on.

[@RicoMnc]

Yeah, it only takes many of the young beasts about 6 months to learn enough to overwhelm me physically most of the time, and I'm a blue belt training 5 years. When they mature a bit and realize if they just immobilize me for 5 minutes neither of us are really learning much, and they learn how to roll at a lighter training intensity I have a better experience rolling with them. However, it is very satisfying the few times I am able to bring my A game and slow them down, stay on top, threaten submissions etc.

[@MhUser]

id say hit the gym first for a year; get strong and flexible; then go for some basic gymnastics like rolls, roundoffs, handstands, cartwheels; at this point your body should be ready for sparing and competition

[@Agtren]

The biggest dangers for beginners are injuries and burn out. I don't recommend sparring with people you don't know, because you are going to be dominated and terrified. You don't gain anything from that except bad, negative experience. Burn out is real, and it's a bad experience as well. Say 'Hello' to Seattle. Find a good gym and a teacher with whom you can be buddies.

[@shaunwhite3249]

Im a 57 year old purple belt train 3to5 times a week and all of the gym are younger than me enjoy it take youre time use technique not strength

[@Emotionlessxartist]

Also if you do GI your joints and fingers get absolutely wrecked. I prefer no gi

[@bmstylee]

Gi definitely beats on the hands. As a musician I am protective of them. Thankfully because I do a lot of weight training my hands are pretty tough. But I find that no gi guys are obsessed with leg locking everyone. I'd rather have sore hands than a popped knee, ankle, etc.

[@patriciomezcal6307]

Age 48, haven’t trained in the gi in over 6 months. Leg lockers haven’t been a problem, but also I can play that game as well. But also, tap early & often especially when you’re starting out.

[@mattpilcher9413]

51 y/o, been training almost exclusively gi since I started about two years ago. No grappling experience. I boxed and did powerlifting prior to taking up jits. I’ve only had about one week where I had pain in my hands from grips. I prefer the gi overall as it seems like a slower game, less athletic, less explosive, more technical. Overall, it feels more suitable and safe for a 50 something heavyweight like me.

[@BrotherKluft]

Corollary - no gi is tougher on the neck because of snap downs, collar ties and more guillotines.

[@PaulJohn283]

Injuries, cardio, getting absolutely demolished by the younger guys on steroids.. train smart, proper warm up, rest injuries, stay away from the young roid heads at all costs ..rely on efficient high percentage techniques only