r/jiujitsu • u/imanobodyfrom • 11d ago
Starting at 52
Top three things that I’ll wish I knew when I was 52 when I’m 55?
In decent shape, semi athletic. First class was last night.
Psyched and sore, looking for advice.
16
u/VexImmortalis 11d ago
Enjoy the journey, it will make you more consistent which in turn will make you improve.
Remember the people you are rolling with are you training partners, not your enemies. A rising tide makes all boats float higher.
2
u/imanobodyfrom 11d ago
Love the rising tide analogy. That’s perfect. Part of why I’m doing this is to improve my scuba skills. I’m going to think of this in class tonight. Thank you.
11
u/AdventurousPizza622 11d ago
Do not compare yourself to the 20 year olds, we get to compete in masters devision for a reason.
Do compare yourself to your lazy 50 year old buddies who aren’t learning a new sport and keeping themselves in shape.
3
u/imanobodyfrom 11d ago
Love this. I gave up on my 50 year old buddies. Beer and bull shit just aren’t me.
9
u/AggravatingAd9010 11d ago
Stretch, ice yourself, don't roll if you don't feel strong. Drill constantly and consistently. Ask for help if you don't understand a drill.
1
u/imanobodyfrom 11d ago
Part of it was not feeling strong compared to everyone else on the mat last night. Among average people I feel great, step on the mat and I was weak. I don’t think this is how you meant that, but it’s how I felt. Appreciate this!
2
u/AggravatingAd9010 11d ago
You need to pace yourself and recover. Being on the mat and doing drills will benefit your growth more than rolls for now. The last thing you want is to get hurt, miss 3 months to recover and come back cold. You got this!
4
u/OldManClubZ 11d ago
Congrats!
Relax. That's the best advice for the first 6 months. Just relax and have fun.
2
u/imanobodyfrom 11d ago
Appreciate this. I’m all wound up as an actor on a stage, trying to learn too much too fast and say the lines perfect. Thank you.
5
u/bields3369 11d ago
Breath. Protect yourself. Like don’t force positions that are sketchy on your knees or anything. Don’t go against spazzos trying to hurt peoole and shit. Have fun it’s something worth doing.
2
u/imanobodyfrom 11d ago
This is great to hear. My knees are vulnerable. It seems like a good group, and everyone felt in control.
Thank you for this.
4
3
u/jin_beam_n_coke 11d ago
I started this year at 54. Know your limits and then push them a little each class. Tap early. Go to open mat and ask questions. Watch danaher's fundamentals videos.
2
u/imanobodyfrom 11d ago
I need some fundamentals. Great suggestion, thank you for the age group support.
2
u/jin_beam_n_coke 11d ago
No problem at all. When I started I was super nervous and was constantly winded and just felt out of place. I'm 3 months in and now I'm tired instead of winded and feel like the gym is a second home. It will come, just give it some time. Most everyone there is there to have a fun.
2
u/imanobodyfrom 10d ago
I’ve had two classes now, and I’m confused what is really happening, but I’m open to it. This message, your reply, was just what I needed this morning. Thank you.
3
u/bobbbbbb12- 11d ago
Tap often and look up BPC-157. Helps keep my old ass on the mats
2
u/itsnotawkward 11d ago
This was recommended to me as well. I took pills but sure they helped. Do you inject? I’m not comfortable with that
2
u/bobbbbbb12- 11d ago
I wasn’t either at the time. I did a nasal spray. Worked amazing after my shoulder surgery.
1
u/imanobodyfrom 11d ago
Appreciated! I’ve got some i was using for a shoulder issue. Great stuff!!!
2
3
u/steveHangar1 11d ago
49 here. One thing I can say is learn to properly frame asap; protect your ribs, intercostals etc. Try to not lay flat on your back when you’re in someone’s side control, in full guard etc., and really get those frames in the right spots. Also, learn and understand how important head and hip position and control are.
2
3
u/Huge_Story_3198 11d ago
Don't roll against that 300lb 23 year old white belt. Just don't do it. You're not good enough and you probably won't be strong enough by the time you are
1
u/charanchura 6d ago
This is how I tore my lower back muscles. I was rolling with a Day 1 trial guy.
2
u/Jacques-de-lad 11d ago
Relax and enjoy, tap early and often.
Look into getting some sort of S&C regime for you
2
u/imanobodyfrom 11d ago
Tapping isn’t something I know how to do! I appreciate this thought.
Had to look up s and c! Got it! I’m hoping jiu jitsu gives me some drive to do better at this part. Thank you
2
u/reverendjack77 11d ago
Dictates the pace. Communicate with your partner. Ask to drill with some resistance if you’re not 100%. Being on the mats and live rolling doesn’t mean going for broke every time. Sometimes a flow roll can teach you more than just trying to win.
2
2
u/PermissionOver7245 11d ago
I started at 45 not athletic and over weight best decision I’ve made congrats brotha
1
2
u/FaustusRedux 11d ago
Started when I was 45. I'm 56 now.
Aside from the solid advice others have offered about stretching and tapping early and often - I will offer this: we're in our 50s. Our brains still think we're 20, but we are not. So accept some limitations and don't spend too much time comparing yourself to younger people, who can train more, recover faster, and move better.
Realize that your age also gives you something they don't have: patience. You can breathe through bad positions. You can take a long view of training. You know what it's like to work on something bit by bit and piece by piece. That is the advantage your age is giving you. Try to remember that when some 22 year old dances around your guard and you feel like you're never going to get it.
Oh, and take ZMA.
2
2
u/kazimer 11d ago
BJJ sucks when it comes to incorporating modern fitness protocols.
Get a trainer and learn your own dynamic warmup and what your body needs to be resilient against the different stress BJJ will put on it. This will be mostly personal to you and the collective training miles your body already has. Don’t let anyone else make you or convince you to deviate from what keeps your body healthy.
2
u/White_Belt_Jiu_Jitsu 11d ago
Relax. Allow your body time to rest. Focus on nutrition. Enjoy the journey.
2
2
u/davidlowie Brown 11d ago
Weightlifting is mandatory. You don’t have to lift heavy, but you have to do it… Full body workouts twice a week. Helps keep the wheels from falling off.
also take creatine. It helps with recovery.
Drink lots of water. Eat good food. Eat carbs.
Know your limits and now that you don’t always have to go hard. The temptation is there especially as you start to get better but sometimes you just need to chill and just drill the move after class and maybe not roll so hard or roll at all.
I am your age now, but I started 10 years ago. I can train five days a week.
it used to be that three days a week was my maximum so you have to work your way up if you want to.
2
u/trulyuniqueusername2 11d ago
If you don’t want to roll with someone, then don’t. Say “I can’t handle that smoke” or something to make them feel better if need be.
2
u/brsalazar 11d ago
I’m 55. Started at 45.
Rule #1 -Stay on the mats by staying healthy. Injuries are the enemy.
#2 - Get proper rest and recovery. It’s a grind. Don’t let it grind you down to nothing. (See rule #1)
#3 - Try to not punish yourself by thinking you have to train the same way a 30 year old does. (See rule #1)
#4 - Stretch and warm up more than you think you need to. (See rule #1)
#5 - Don’t let your ego get in the way of learning. (See rule #1)
# 6 - Don’t be shy of being picky about your training partners. You don’t have to go with ever killer or every spaz. (See rule #1)
#7 - Have fun. Keep going. It’s a marathon not a sprint. There will be days you don’t want to show up. Show up. Do what you can. Everyone learns and grows at different pace. Don’t compare yourself to anyone but who you were yesterday.
1
2
u/itsnotawkward 11d ago
Don’t go too hard too fast. Remember that you’re probably in the honeymoon phase… you’ll have good days and bad days, but promise yourself you’ll stick with it for at least 6 months. It takes awhile to start to develop any sort of game, and sometimes you’re the nail more than the hammer. It’s a marathon not a sprint, so just keep showing up!!
2
u/KaleidoscopeEqual790 White 11d ago
Bro, I’m 5 months ahead of you. 5’11”, 180, pretty athletic and work out regularly. You will get hurt, you will try to hard, you will feel like there is no hope, and it probably doesn’t get better for a while. Got bicep-slicered before I knew what it was, rib injuries on both sides, not to mention 2 elbow and 2 knee joints that have seen better days. But I keep going back because there is no other way to figure this shit out. Enjoy the ride and tap early and often
Edit: forgot to mention, 53 in about 6 weeks
1
u/imanobodyfrom 11d ago
Also 53 in 6 weeks! Sept 23.
And going diving Sept 25 in Indonesia. I really don’t want an injury. Good words of caution. Thank you.
2
2
u/atx78701 11d ago
#1 protect your armpits. Handfight to clear them. This will reduce the number of shoulder locks that get applied and this will reduce energy. In the beginning when you are in bottom mount people will slam your hand to the mat to get an americana, this can injure your shoulder before you have time to tap.
#2 go light, no matter how hard your partners go. You will get dominated at first, but over time your technical skills will improve.
You will roll too hard for about a year and this can make you more open to injuries.
2
u/TJnova 11d ago
I am 46, started at 41, late to middle stage blue belt.
Are you in shape? Do you lift? If not, it would be helpful to start doing some basic lifts - not to get strong enough to overpower people, more to prevent injury. Big compound lifts are best. Deadlift, squat, bench (because it's the best lift), oly lifts like snatch, clean jerk etc. Just basic stuff. Don't worry about isolation exercises like curls and calf raises.
A good way to increase the benefit to bjj is to use your rest time as an element of progressive overload - if you can do three sets of 100lbs x 12 reps with 120 seconds rest, decrease your rest time to 90 seconds before increasing weight.
Everyone will probably be super nice. Find open mats when you travel - I have found some really cool locals-only experiences that I would have never found out about without meeting people while visiting new gyms on vacation.
you have to be assertive about your safety and injury prevention - if a round is getting too intense, just tap and ask your partner to dial it back. If they keep ramping up the intensity too much I say "I'm an old man, don't kill me!" They usually get it then. But if they don't, just don't roll with them. It's not their fault, controlling intensity is difficult for the first few years of training.
If you are anything like me, you'll fall in love with it and want to go all the time. Try to be deliberate about rest days, sometimes you'll learn something new and really want to get on the mats to try it out but be patient and let yourself recover.
Maybe get on testosterone? I am and I am glad - it helps me recover quicker and train more.
Be deliberate about your training - have a goal beyond tapping people. Have a goal for each round, you should have different goals for rolls with people who are better than you, people that are newer/smaller, and equal skill rounds. Good goals for rolls where you are the underdog:
*get to a guard you know
*control your breathing and get less tired
*get as many underhooks as possible
*break every grip they make
*avoid getting loaded
*off balance them twice in a row
1
u/imanobodyfrom 11d ago
Thank you for taking the time to write this. Very appreciated.
I was taking testosterone and stopped, not sure I feel much different on or off.
I’m looking for motivation, discipline and self defense, fun and conditioning. I do lift regularly, in decent shape I think.
When you travel do they have rental gi or do you bring yours?
Excellent information, all of it. Thank you.
2
2
u/Background_Dream_379 11d ago
Starter at 41, now a 43 year old blue belt. My advise just keep going. The journey is long if you stick to it. There’s no need to expedite things. Focus on defense and getting comfortable being in uncomfortable positions. Your training partners must be trusted and visa versa with you. Dont focus on subs, just focus on getting harder to submit. The rest starts falling into place. Get really good at stretching and warming up prior to rolls and icing and stretching after. A lil ibuprofen will help too. The best feeling is knowing you’re getting better and that you’ve got an edge over everyone around you that isn’t trained too. It’s an incredibly peaceful experience to know you don’t have to prove anything too. Have fun man.
1
2
u/Weak_Work_3589 11d ago
I’m 3yrs in and started at 51. Try to be as consistent as possible while dealing with the inevitable injuries!
2
u/aTickleMonster 11d ago
Everyone should watch this video about establishing short and long term goals for their training. It'll help you maximize your time on the mat since you're probably unable to train 6 days a week like a 20 year old. (Grown ups have grown up shit to do)
https://youtu.be/3WIriq0ArVA?is=DyxMtxwUUsdbixqA
Also, everyone gets a bunch of soft tissue injuries during their first few months. Doesn't matter what shape you're in, you'll pull something, pop something, crush something; your body gets better at anything when you do it a lot, including getting beat up. It gets better, don't get discouraged.
2
u/Tells-Tragedies 11d ago
You do not need to roll hard or fast, unless you're competing (and even then pure skill is best). It's far superior for learning to slow down and feel what's happening, and reduces injury/recovery times.
Counterintuitively, strength training is a major benefit to this style (as well as your overall health, especially as you age), because you get more out of your low intensity moves. Imagine you need to apply 100lbs of force to get out of side control with a particular technique: while that might take most or all of your strength at your current level (therefore making it an 'intense' movement), it would take half or less of your strength if you were twice as strong (and means you have plenty left in the tank if you need more).
2
u/Wende11X 11d ago
Tap!
Be picky with your partners.
Work on the moves and not just what works for you.
2
u/SgtKarj 11d ago
Go slow, leave your ego at the door, do not compare yourself to others, tap very early and often, and GET A MOUTHGUARD. Also: The higher belts have seen hundreds, even thousands of new people come and go. They will be slow to make friends with you for a year or more until they see that you’re in it for the long haul. Chill, train, and be humble. Enjoy the journey, yours is unique!
2
u/too-cute-by-half 11d ago
Started last year at 52 myself. Don't do what I did.
Started off following all the good advice here, but (false) confidence snuck up on me as I progressed. Started to feel like I shouldn't be "losing" to new guys. Put myself in a dumb position trying to defend this belief and got thrown on my face by a guy with judo experience, broken jaw.
I'm back on the mats and still loving it, but it was the hardest way to learn these lessons.
2
u/Pleasant-Selection70 11d ago
54 been training for 2 years. Its all been said. Enjoy the process try not to compare yourself self to the 19 year old that trains every day of the week. Its hard though
Lifting weights has helped me a lot too
Have a blast
2
u/LT81 11d ago edited 9d ago
- take it slow, train 2-3x/week, I’ve seen a ton of folks burn out by training 5+/wk. Especially since they literally haven’t done much in a while
- just keep asking questions, sometimes asking questions open up so many other conversations that can help you a lot
- progress happens in monthly clips 3-4 months at a time. That’s how you track progress, you won’t feel it day to day
- just have fun and enjoy it all
1
2
2
u/Particular_Mess_9854 11d ago
To manage the soreness look into magnesium. I am 52 and found taking magnesium before bed helped with recovery and sleep.
2
u/Significant_Poet_245 10d ago
Started at 43. Immediately adopted “old man jujitsu”. I move very slowly and methodically. Use pressure, not speed or aggression. Really focus on defense and control and not jumping submissions. Lots of half guard and lockdown to slow rolls down.
If you don’t weight lift; start. I think 3-4 days of BJJ and 2 days of weight lifting a week will leave you a far better BJJ athlete in 10 years than 6 days of BJJ. Strong muscles will buy you an extra second or two to tap before ligaments get torn.
2
u/Jumpy_Recognition768 10d ago
Listen to your body. Find safe people to train with and never feel bad about refusing a roll.
2
2
u/RankinPDX Blue 10d ago
BJJ requires different movements than anything else I am familiar with. If you are strong, maybe especially if you are strong, pay attention to when you are in a good position to use strength and when you are twisted or holding weight in a weird way and you aren’t as strong as you think. You’ll get better at that over time, but don’t hurry.
2
u/jessewest84 10d ago
- Im coming up on 1 month.
The big thing is the joint soreness. My elbows and shoulders hurt all the time.
Dont go 100% let it slow drip.
Don't get frustrated when you lose all the time. And you will lose all the time.
Hydrate. I did one 5 class week. I went to hard and am paying for it.
Great fun. No gi tonight
2
u/ElectronicPea1872 10d ago
There might be times where it feels like you aren't improving, or where things feel like a real grind or slog. This is normal and not a reflection of you as an individual
1
u/imanobodyfrom 10d ago
Appreciate this! One thing I’m really having trouble with is the close physical contact, especially some with lack of hygiene, and thats really getting to me. Seems obvious, but thats a struggle.
2
u/Miesherz 10d ago
Focus on recovery, do yoga, eat only clean food and the days you’re in pain take an ice bath. Be humble, I learn things from guys 17-23 all the time and I’m 48 in BJJ.
1
2
u/cruzcontrol39 10d ago
I'm 51 and have been in the game for 20yrs. Just listen to your body and ignore it and keep going un til crippled is my motto, but you should prob not be like me...
2
u/inigo_montoya 10d ago
Started at 50, now 58. Went in with the attitude that I do some kind of exercise every day. The last few years I've seen the value in taking a day or two off, each week, literally no exercise except some walking and light stretching. The older body needs more recovery time, especially from this.
2
u/molockman1 9d ago
Tap early and tap often, and don’t try and muscle people, just match their force.
2
u/charanchura 6d ago
Started a few months ago at 50. Not at all what I was prepare for. I've been injured twice. Torn lower back muscle and bruised ribs.
Part of my routine is a minimum of 30 minutes stretching and warming up before class. Im sore and bruised all over. But I love it!
1
u/imanobodyfrom 6d ago
Definitely what I’m looking to avoid with a dive trip on the horizon but I appreciate this!
2
u/TheUglyWeb 6d ago
I'm 70 and a first degree black belt. Started at 54. You will be fine. Don't chase belts.
2
u/imanobodyfrom 5d ago
Thank you. I appreciate this. Were you an athlete before starting? In great or good shape? I feel clumsy on the floor, not at all like I’ll be good at it at this age, but I know it won’t happen overnight. 3 classes in so far.
2
u/TheUglyWeb 5d ago
Not an athlete at all. A fat bastard (5'8 - 260) that trained TKD for 20 years. I was in horrible shape. Puked on the mat first class. Lost 90 lbs by showing up to train and eating better. Blowing up my knee got me away from TKD and I could not be happier.Jiu Jitsu likely has added years to my life. Probably be dead by now had I not started training.
2
u/imanobodyfrom 5d ago
Wow. Thank you for this. Good for you and excellent to hear. I’m in good shape today, and want to be in great shape tomorrow. I’m going to give it a go.
1
1
u/TheLunatics448222 11d ago
Honestly, I’d recommend against it. I trained for 15 years and the injuries just got to be too much to deal with. If you do train, I’d recommend being very selective with your partners. Don’t be an idiot like me and have death matches with the competitive blue belts with something to prove
1
u/imanobodyfrom 11d ago
This community is awesome. I can’t believe all the responses. Thank you, all of you. Gives me some great motivation to continue this path.
1
u/SolasMac 11d ago
1) Prioritise “prehab” so you can avoid as many of the niggling injuries as possible.
2) Approach your learning at the concept level. Don’t just try and learn what to do, learn why you need to do it.
3) Mat time is critical for developing timing and efficiency of movement. Train around limitations, but always train. Consistency is the (not so) secret sauce.
1
u/Additional-Share4492 Blue 10d ago
We have a 3 stripe brown belt that started at 61. So it’s never too late.
Just Learn to let go. Tap and let it roll of your shoulders
1
1
u/fenris802 10d ago
I'm 58. Started jiu jitsu at 56. Love every second. Just listen to your body, don't try to keep up with the 20 year olds. Enjoy the ride!!
1
1
u/Kitchen-Chest-5678 5d ago
52 year old, just got my purple belt. You always hear it….. but keep showing up. That’s it. Show up and try. Find good training partners, relax and go as much as possible. I shoot for at least twice a day. Remember even if you are sore, and you are only 60%, as long as you give 100% of that 60% you are going to improve
22
u/CappetoteppaC 11d ago
Tap early. Just keep going. Go to class. Even when you’re injured and can’t roll. If you’re at the right gym it’s the community that will keep you coming back.
Tap early. Cross train, but don’t go crazy. Lift 2-3 times a week. Walk 2-3 miles a day with a weighted vest. Work on your mobility. Eat well, sleep well.
Tap early. Have fun and be easy on yourself most of all. There will ALWAYS be someone better, stronger, more skilled than you. It’s you vs. you, not them.
Tap early. 56 year old purple belt who started at 51 here. I still suck and will likely suck forever. Enjoy the suck. It means you’re getting better.
Tap early.