Mike Hamer
Green Belt
While not formal BJJ training, I started training in IRT (which does cover alot of groundwork) when I was 18.
Age survey
- Thread starter paco99
- Start date
I'm 45 years old and practicing BJJ almost every day.
I've been doing some form of martial arts off-and-on for 20+ years. I officially started BJJ as my primary art about 5-6 years ago, but I had a couple of years off in the middle of that for health reasons.
Most of my classmates are about half my age and much more athletic. I have to compensate with patience and technique in order to keep up with them.
Things I find that help me, as an older practitioner:
1) Regular yoga practice helps keep my muscles supple and helps me avoid injury.
2) Staying calm and patient on the mat. Since I don't have the explosive speed and power that some of the young studs have, I need to take my time and look for my opportunities.
3) Leaving my ego at the door. Any time I have a break in my training for whatever reason (illness, injury, life emergencies), I know that my conditioning will fade quickly and I'm likely to take a beating when I start back on the mat. If I can let go of my embarassment at not performing up to par and just treat the whole thing as another learning experience, I can get myself back up to speed pretty quickly.
4) Constantly looking to refine my technique so as to require less effort.
Hope that helps!
I've been doing some form of martial arts off-and-on for 20+ years. I officially started BJJ as my primary art about 5-6 years ago, but I had a couple of years off in the middle of that for health reasons.
Most of my classmates are about half my age and much more athletic. I have to compensate with patience and technique in order to keep up with them.
Things I find that help me, as an older practitioner:
1) Regular yoga practice helps keep my muscles supple and helps me avoid injury.
2) Staying calm and patient on the mat. Since I don't have the explosive speed and power that some of the young studs have, I need to take my time and look for my opportunities.
3) Leaving my ego at the door. Any time I have a break in my training for whatever reason (illness, injury, life emergencies), I know that my conditioning will fade quickly and I'm likely to take a beating when I start back on the mat. If I can let go of my embarassment at not performing up to par and just treat the whole thing as another learning experience, I can get myself back up to speed pretty quickly.
4) Constantly looking to refine my technique so as to require less effort.
Hope that helps!
MattJ
Brown Belt
I started BJJ at age 37. Been out of training for the past few months, but looking to get back into it soon.
- Thread Starter
- #24
Steve,
That's fine. I don't mind at all. I appreciate the link to the article. it sounds like this is something everyone should be taking for better health.
I hope 4 grams a day is the right amount. That's what the directions said.
Frank
That's fine. I don't mind at all. I appreciate the link to the article. it sounds like this is something everyone should be taking for better health.
I hope 4 grams a day is the right amount. That's what the directions said.
Frank
