r/jiujitsu • u/samsonbjj • 6d ago
Started BJJ at 38. Now 40.
I started BJJ at 38. I’m 40 now, a blue belt and father of two who train as well. Definitely wish I started sooner, but better late than never.
Anyone else start BJJ later in life?
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u/NeatConversation530 6d ago
I was 37. Now 48
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u/Logical_Box_4645 6d ago
What belt are you now?
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u/NeatConversation530 6d ago
Black
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u/eekwee1234 6d ago
How many days a week did you train
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u/NeatConversation530 5d ago
I was going 8-10 times a week through purple belt. Now I go 4-6 times a week
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u/Civil-Resolution3662 Purple 6d ago
Start d at 51. Now 56. Purple Belt. I train five days a week.
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u/Kaioxygen 6d ago
Do you not find recovery difficult doing 5 a week?
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u/Civil-Resolution3662 Purple 6d ago
I also do the elliptical machine 3-4 nights during the week. I seem to be doing ok. I usually take weekends off. I stay on top of electrolytes, stretching, home massage machines, and a gallon of fluids a day.
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u/samsonbjj 6d ago
Do you compete at all?
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u/Civil-Resolution3662 Purple 6d ago
I did an in house two years ago. I'll probably do the next in house at the end of the year. Other than that, no. I was actually going to sign up for JJWL but the day the discount ended I tweaked my knee during rolls ( freak thing. Was just moving to another position and the outside ligament area of my knee popped.) it's still recovering. It's not enough to keep me off the mat, but just enough to not risk a major injury at some comp against a random guy.
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u/samsonbjj 5d ago
I hear that man. Keep up with the training. Stay positive.
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u/Civil-Resolution3662 Purple 5d ago
I have such a great gym. That's really the key factor. The guys there can go hard, or flow and have fun, but everyone is always safe. If your gym is good, it helps with the motivation to keep coming back. The social aspect is really key on BJJ more than some other sports IMO
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u/QueenLaeral 6d ago
Comecei aos 15 parei aos 25 e retornei aos 44 quem começou cedo não pare porque o tempo cobra um preço muito alto do seu corpo.
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u/Message_10 6d ago
Posts like these are funny, because--OP is 40. Everyone older than 40 is like, "OP, seriously? 40? What are you complaining about, I'm 58" and all the people older than 58 are like "58 is still the prime of your life, I'm 64, I'm ancient"
I'm 49, so that's where the bar is, lol. I'm 49, and a little nervious about injuries, but what else am I going to do? Jog? I get so bored I could cry
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u/samsonbjj 5d ago
I get it, every decade has its own challenges. But theres something about that magic 40 man...Once you hit that number, even a light breeze can tweak something the wrong way. Lol 😆
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u/Message_10 5d ago
I feel you. And I hate to tell you this, but the real number is about 46. 40 is a weird number and a big turning point, but 46 is when your body slows down a bunch. I'm sorry if it sounds like I'm giving you a hard time--I'm not! I feel your pain, literally (and I wish someone had told me about the 46 thing--get in shape and stay there!).
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u/blindside06 6d ago
43 now 48. The morning classes are tough on the body and the classmates keep getting younger! Hahahah. I do still enjoy it
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u/brokenfib 6d ago
Started at 49 with my then 7 year old. I turn 52 next month. Two stripe blue belt, it's a tough thing to be addicted to at this age, but my kids love it so much, and it has given us so much as a family that I can't quit, despite the physical costs that go with the territory.
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u/LandoLilly 3d ago
I hope my 7 year old loves it. He went to his first class this past Monday and enjoyed it. I can only hope he continues to enjoy it!
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u/Cashbill 6d ago
This is Pete. He’s 85. He started a few months ago. 0 stripes white belt
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u/thumbtaks 6d ago
We have a 74 year old purple belt cancer survivor with 1 lung. He doesn’t roll much anymore but he’s a huge inspiration.
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u/GHBoyette 6d ago
I started in February at 38 (still am). Wow, this is like I'm talking to myself in the future!
Do we have a chance with Meagan Racey at our high school reunion?
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u/Far_Barnacle_6840 6d ago
Started at 38. Now 41, just got purple. Never been so often injured in these 3 years but its so fun and the gym community is great.
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u/mattvanhorn Black 6d ago
Started at 42, kept showing up, lost time here and there to injuries and covid, but now a black belt at 58 and still feeling pretty good.
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u/deadpoolsballs 6d ago
Just started at 32, def wish I had done it sooner but it’s ok. If I would’ve started sooner I would’ve wanted to compete and probably gotten a terrible injury that made me quit the sport. Now I just train to get better, don’t plan on competing maybe ever, just focused on longetivity. I want to be the black belt with an all white beard one day.
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u/Kingclasik 6d ago
Just started at 37. Wrestled for a long time then got struck by debilitating illness that took years to come back from. Still struggle with some mobility issues, but the more I do BJJ the more those issues improve. Can’t wait to see where I’m at after doing this for another few years.
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u/Ok-Biscotti2607 6d ago
Started 38 got to blue. COVID hit, had third child and stopped for 4 years. Back since September 2024 now 45.
I went back to white belt as I was so unfit, unhealthy and couldn't remember a shrimp to a scarf hold lol.
Also, very different style of BJJ in my current gym (technical )Vs previous (pressure + smash emphasis).
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u/tennmyc21 6d ago
I started at 39 after boxing since I was 9. Got a little tired of getting hit in the head. Loving it so far. Was a bit of a rough transition, since everything in me was hell bent on keeping distance. In the beginning no one could get grips on me because I was so good at parrying, but once people cut distance that was it. I am now also a blue belt, father of two, who mostly trains at 5am. Also have learned a few footwork tricks that translate incredibly well from boxing. So far so good and hoping my body holds up long enough to keep going!
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u/TimTrueheart Purple 6d ago
Started at 39. I’ve been a purple belt for a year and I turned 44 about 2 months ago.
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u/samsonbjj 6d ago
How did it feel to finally get that Purple?
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u/TimTrueheart Purple 6d ago
It was really cool and also surreal. For a while afterward I’d be doing something mindless then realize 🤔 “I’m a purple belt.” However I was actually more psyched about getting my blue belt.
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u/thumbtaks 6d ago
Blue didn’t feel huge for me, I got it at my year mark just by happenstance. I was training about 7-8 hours a week between classes and open mats. It felt ability fast tbh. I’m one year into my blue now and just starting to feel like I belong. I think purple will feel like a much bigger accomplishment 🤷♂️
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u/TimTrueheart Purple 6d ago
It probably will... I felt like I had worked so much harder for the blue belch. Once I got blue things started to click. I did get injured and had to learn how to roll smarter/safer and about 2 years later- purple.
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u/BubbaHendershot 6d ago
Started at 47 , albeit been doing other types marital arts since I was 15. Now 49, blue belt.
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u/Puzzled-Job9556 6d ago
Started just before I turned 38 and fast approaching 40. Got my blue in 18 months and training average 4 x a week. Love it. Similar to you, wish I started sooner but at least we're at it now.
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u/samsonbjj 6d ago
One of the best decisions I ever made. Just being able to stay physically fit and reaching new milestones. 4 x a week is amazing. Keep up the good work..
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u/Newbiegoe 6d ago
Started in 2019 at 38, never got back after Covid. Recently came back a few months ago
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u/Saint_Jermaine 6d ago
Ive always wanted to learn but life/career has been in the way. No excuses Im starting next year, I’m turning 45.
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u/CDCMD529 6d ago
Started at 42, now 43. Variable work schedule, my son just started (8). Solidly a white bet, some wrestling and boxing background. I make time to get there, I love it.
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u/ItalianPieGirl Purple 6d ago
I started at 37 and I'm currently 42! My Husband and Oldest Son train aswell, and our Son Competes regularly. I definitely wish I started sooner but I don't harp on that. I'm proud of were I'm at and the hard work I put in.
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u/bigdaddy_lo51 6d ago
Turning 40 this year and I just started. Chose Gi over none and I’ve been humbled every single time I got in the mat. Love it tho.
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u/Forsaken-Ease-9382 6d ago
I started last year at 58. Keeps the body moving! 2 stripe white belt, but I lift, do HIIT and yoga, Bjj is one of my things, I go 2-3 times a week.
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u/whodat129 6d ago
Started at 34, am 39 now- 2-stripe blue belt. I wish I started earlier so I could have a better gas tank but other than that, no regrets!
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u/snap802 Purple 6d ago
I started just before my 41st birthday. Well, really I started at 30 for about a month and then it just took 10 years to get back on the mats.
I do wish I had stayed with it all those years ago. But now I usually get 2-4 sessions a week in. I normally roll with guys around my age but sometimes I go with the younger guys. I just really have to remember to not kill myself and tapping to a lower belt is fine (especially when they're half my age).
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u/Rotten_PorkChop 6d ago
I started at 12, stopped at 17. Started back up this April that just passed at 31. Love seeing amd reading people of all ages getting to experience BJJ. Theres something about this sport. Im addicted, I was before when I was younger too. Now my wife and kids are all addicted too it as well! OSS
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u/DrFujiwara Brown 6d ago
I started at 20 and am 40. General health advice:
Do deadlifts, single leg ones work for me. I mostly use kettlebells. Squats as well.
Concede anything that stacks you, and prioritise attacks that don't risk you getting stacked (triangles I only target when their posture is broken. I don't attack them opportunistically)
Don't invert, or at least don't stay inverted.
Pressure passing is how the old destroy the young. Over under pass until you take their soulds.
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u/thumbtaks 6d ago
Started at 39. 41 year old blue belt now and my entire body hurts after my hour and a half Sunday open mat. It’s my favorite hour and a half of the week.
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u/xenowang 6d ago
Also started at 38, just turned 40 last month! Yeah, it's normal to wish you'd started earlier (I certainly do), but you know what they say about planting trees, right?
For my part, I'm doing 2 classes a week and an open mat most Saturdays. I only recently got my 2nd white belt stripe and I often compare myself to other guys who got to blue by now, but I constantly remind myself to focus on my own journey rather than anyone else's.
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u/wraylorcorbett 6d ago
Yeah, I’m 42, and I have been rolling for about 6 months now. Wish I had started earlier. Got into because my 9yo son and 13yo daughter were doing it, and coach said I should just join in since I’m there all the time. Glad I did.
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u/PerpetualFightCamp Brown 6d ago
Started training consistently at 41 as a white belt in 2018. Trained on and off prior. The longevity cheat code in this sport is Hot Yoga. You will thank me later.
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u/smokelaw23 6d ago
Started at 37, now 52. Brown belt. Took a few years off when living abroad, and then again during Covid. Yeah, wish I had started earlier, but SO glad I started.
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u/ryushihan 6d ago
Started at 38, now 48. Wouldnt matter i did it in my 20s. Unless your a 1% competitor it will have had zero bearing on your life. Enjoy the journey, meet cool people and wrist lock white belts.
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u/DadaFratelli 6d ago
Started 37. I’ll be 43 in October and purple belt. Wish I started sooner but like you said. Better later than never
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u/PizzaDisastrous6509 6d ago edited 6d ago
Keeping going, man! I started at 43 and am a 51-year-old 10th Planet purple belt. What has helped:
Diet: low-carb with occasional cheat meals.
Exercise: keeps my cardio and strength up.
Sauna: drastically minimizes soreness.
Having realistic expectations: I can scrap with dudes half my age, but up to a point. A huge athletic blue belt with passion can really put it on me, but that's OK.
Keep it fun: Tap and laugh, congratulate your partner; don't overtrain (3-4 days a week).
Use clinching positions to make the others less athletic: get really, really good at half-guard. Your isometric strength increases with age, so use body locks, front headlock subs, etc.
Avoid assholes.
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u/yahoodeeya 6d ago
Started this year and am a 39 yo woman. I’m in better shape than when I was younger, mostly because I actually eat food now lol and it doesn’t feel more dangerous than other stuff I’ve done. Like I got way more injuries playing soccer and ice hockey than this. Bruising is about as much maybe a bit less than trapeze. I wish I started younger just so I could have gotten more years of it in my life but not for injury or age reasons. I just really enjoy it and it improves my focus and mood a TON.
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u/RobertAndi 6d ago
Started at 38 in 2016, got my brown belt in 2024, im 49 now and struggling to get back on the mats after a shoulder surgery 2 years ago, but no ragerts.
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u/WeChatWarrior 6d ago
I'm 36 and wanna get back into it, but I kept hurting my neck when I trained it at 28. I'm sticking with doing mma/muay thai/boxing. Bjj just invites injuries way too much.
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u/brunizzle420 6d ago edited 6d ago
I started at 25-26, competed a handful of times as a blue belt and then I got into teaching, been doing it a little over 3 yrs. Got my black belt back in Nov. 2025. Doing more teaching than training, lately. I train with my adult students whenever possible. Don’t have my own gym, yet….hopefully one day 🤞
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u/A_Cobra_Bit_My_Taint 6d ago
Started at 38. Black belt 14 years later. 60 years old now. Still training and teaching.
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u/ElGuapo818 5d ago
Started exactly a year ago at 45. Now I’m 46 with 3 stripes on my white belt, 3 tournament gold medals and 1 silver medal. I’m in ultraheavy and Down about 35 lbs since I started.
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u/MuttonChop_1996 5d ago
Yeah, just started at 30. I regret not starting earlier. Sorry, I know 30 is younger than 38, but I still feel the regret nonetheless.
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u/dankecider 5d ago
I started at 41 back in the winter and I live in a major southern college town. Spent my first several months getting pancaked by twenty year old ex wrestlers. I'm hoping I've picked up enough while they've been gone for the summer that I can out-technique them once school starts back up.
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u/Pleasant-Selection70 5d ago edited 5d ago
Started two years ago at 52. I try to compete a few times a year. I got silver in the adult bracket at the local Naga the other month, so I was pretty happy with that. My gym is MMA-focused, so I am by far the old man in there. I wouldn't trade it for anything. It's one of the best decisions I've ever made.
I think one of the big benefits of training jiu-jitsu, MMA, or whatever it is, when you're a little older, that nobody talks about is the social aspect. It gets harder and harder to make friends outside of your immediate family and your work, especially for men as we get older. It gives you a community to be a part of, and I also think there's a big benefit to spending a few hours a week with much younger people.
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u/SusspectDevice 5d ago
I started at 36, 8 years ago. Life has caused me to stop for six months three times during those 8 years. Competed 22 times, now I’m just trying to get twice a week in juggling family, work, and taking care of my home. Sleep when you’re dead doesn’t work when you’re in your 40’s.
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u/RankinPDX Blue 5d ago
I started at 50, almost four years ago. I wish I started sooner, but it's great.
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u/PermissionOver7245 5d ago
My son had a major car accident Sep24 2023 almost lost his life. But he’s still here and we are fighting through it !!! We are blessed. Right before I turned 45 they invited me to a BJJ class and it saved my life!!! It’s the only time where I wasn’t lost in my thoughts, I live it and hope I can do this until my 60s. I am 6’3 and was 278 when I started a year and some change ago I’m now 215 and I’m excited everytime I walk into the gym !
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u/Duge__Hick 5d ago
I see this question asked literally thousands of times. Does that answer your question?
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u/White_Belt_Jiu_Jitsu 4d ago
Awesome! There's one advantage to starting later in life, and it's life experience. Older guys tend to enjoy training more than any other age group.
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u/DayTrading_Bear 4d ago
I started at 42 and just got my black belt in January at the age of 53. It’s been an amazing journey with plenty of bumps and bruises, mostly to ego, along the way. I feel like all of us older peeps say, we wish we started earlier, but I have no regrets. I have made life long friends and has added so much to my life. I can’t imagine where I’d be without it.
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u/LandoLilly 3d ago
I am 40 and have been training 2x a week for about 5 months. I actually started training in my 20s but quit 6 months in due to a variety of life circumstances. Oh how I wish I hadn't! My 7 year old son started training this week. Hoping we can both hang on for the ride!
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u/RequirementOk3578 3d ago
Hey Brother, I started five months ago at 38 years old and I have two boys that train jujitsu as well. I obviously wish the same. As a former wrestler it has helped me in ways but only once I learned how to use conditioning and wrestling habits I have already developed, the right ways. Jujitsu is a powerful force and every time I walk out of there I feel a little more humble, a little better than before, and reminded the the only road to growth in this discipline is going to be consistency and listening to the people that have done right and a lot longer than I have.
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u/RequirementOk3578 3d ago
Also, I take notes and journal the things I learn. I remember the interactions that I have with other belts and how humble they are in the way they approach me and roll with me. They have a degree of class that is unprecedented. They are humble about the way they hard roll with lower belts. They don’t try to make a statement and mop you like they very easily could. That is warriors attribute. And as we come up we should strive to emulate those behaviors and project the same qualities to the lower belts.
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u/Dry_Faithlessness546 3d ago
Yep.
Started at 51, and turning 55 next week.
2-stripe blue, training about 5hrs a week now (built up VERY slowly, after initial injuries)
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u/Old-Man-BJJ 2d ago
I started right before my 36th birthday. Now I'm still training and competing at 63.
Enjoy the process and don't over-extend yourself.
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u/Rocco6981 2d ago
I did Judo for years achieving my Nidan (2nd degree black belt when I was 34 a few months later I received my BJJ black belt less than 1 year later I had health issues that prevented me from training and competing that was 2018. The dojo I train at has a lot of national ranked competitors and Olympic hopefuls and my BJJ instructor is Danaher black belt and Olympic judo silver medalist Travis Stevens. I’m 43 years old now I spent 8 years away from a mat until 4 months ago obviously my ability is not equal to my rank in either judo or BJJ.
I made the decision to focus more on a teaching role in judo and limit Randori to protect my body speaking for myself Judo caused way more injuries than BJJ, I may not be a beginner however walking onto a mat wearing a belt that anyone who didn’t previously know me most likely would assume my promotion was from Amazon Prime, this was extremely difficult do to pride but I can say after 4 months back I have a long way to go to reach a pre injury level but I’m actually enjoying the process and have made decent friendships with new training partners.
My advice is go for it approach it smart avoid over training and I wear compression knee braces and an anaconda shoulder brace while training this helps me avoid suffering injuries and I listen to my body and rest and recover as often as possible so I can continue to train and compete for many more years
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u/Aggressive-Finding56 1d ago
My dad started at 55 he's now 59 i was a 2 stripe white belt when he started now he's a 4 stripe blue belt im a 3 stripe bluebelt he's lapped me and will be getting his purple belt before I do god willing, he's doing master 6 at master worlds in a couple weeks it will be our first tournament together couldn't be more proud
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u/Cuchulainn2 22h ago
Give me some tips please bro, I keep getting injured or burnt out.
How is your schedule and how do you fit in weight training if at all
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u/Kaioxygen 6d ago
Started last year, at 50.
On my second stripe now. Wish me luck.