Early 40s...stiff as a board..out of shape..aikido vs bjj

[OldManJim]

Thanks for all the information/encouragement. I'm going for the bjj free class Monday. The plus size is I'm a big guy and the coach told me they have a lot of big guys there too, so maybe I won't be the only one moving like a turtle on a frozen lake.

 

[Hanzou]

Let us know how your free class went.

 

[Steve]

Thanks for all the information/encouragement. I'm going for the bjj free class Monday. The plus size is I'm a big guy and the coach told me they have a lot of big guys there too, so maybe I won't be the only one moving like a turtle on a frozen lake.

Just remember to relax, breathe and don't try to muscle anyone around. You're there to learn Jiu Jitsu, not to learn to be big and strong.

 

[greytowhite]

If you want to get looser I recommend Feldenkrais work. Moshe was a judo black belt who developed a method to rehabilitate himself after a knee injury.

openATM.org : ATM Recordings

 

[LeftchopFTW]

Hey OldManJim, great post and great name lol.

I think it is absolutely FANTASTIC you are getting out there.

Who cares if you are a bit stiff? I mean women might love that haha

My advice is do whatever is the most FUN, do what makes you HAPPY, do something that makes you fill with JOY when waking up!

Sometimes in life you have to acknowledge you cannot change the direction of the wind, but what you can do is adjust your sails to reach your destination and the best preparation for tomorrow is simply doing your best today.

Kind Regards,

LCFTW

 

[Ironbear24]

Basically the thread title says it all. I'm early 40s, could stand to lose 20 lbs and have become stiff from inactivity. I'd like to try bjj but I don't know if I could hang. It's closer to me than the aikido school, but I've heard aikido is good for "old people" lol. I've got some mild carpal tunnel too and most mornings I wake up with stiff joints, especially my knees. I'm really leaning towards bjj but I don't want to get injured because I'm like a board! Is bjj good for loosening a person up? How about aikido?

They are both going to kick your ***, but that's a good thing. That will get you into shape.

 

[OldManJim]

I will let you guys know how it goes if I ever get to go. Since ive made this post, ive had dental work, worked late and two snowstorms. I'm beginning to think its a sign! lol

 

[Ironbear24]

I will let you guys know how it goes if I ever get to go. Since ive made this post, ive had dental work, worked late and two snowstorms. I'm beginning to think its a sign! lol

Sometimes things happen and get in the way. Right now I am dealing with an ankle injury. We just gotta make the time to go when it is possible.

 

[OldManJim]

Hey I finally made it to my free bjj class and it wasn't no where near as bad as I thought. I was a little winded, I was a little sore today but nothing I haven't been before. I absolutely loved it. I got paired up with a blue belt around my age who gave me some great pointers as well as a pretty good white belt lady who helped me out too. Awesome time and wish Id went and had the time sooner. Cant wait til the no gi class tomorrow night!

 

[Spinedoc]

Buy an elastic back brace, and wear it during training.
.

BY the way, as a spine specialist, please do NOT do this. Back braces actually come with a cost, that being a deconditioning of the very muscles you need to strengthen. Unless you have a legitimate reason, which only your doctor could tell you, stay away from bracing. It comes with a cost.

 

[FriedRice]

BY the way, as a spine specialist, please do NOT do this. Back braces actually come with a cost, that being a deconditioning of the very muscles you need to strengthen. Unless you have a legitimate reason, which only your doctor could tell you, stay away from bracing. It comes with a cost.

Sweet, I'm glad that a professional is posting about this. I hope that you don't mind my arguing this point....as I really want to hear what you have to say. I was told this same thing by my chiropractor, who said that braces will inhibit the natural healing, strengthening and functioning of the injured body parts.

But here's the thing....I don't exercise like the average person do and I'm getting old. My training on average is 2-3 hours a day....which is 2 classes in an MMA gym, back to back. Most average people in their 20's, can hardly do 1 class a day when new. And in BJJ, it's extremely taxing on the lower back. It's constant combat during sparring, with the other guy trying to wreck the hell out of you....and they're in their 20's to 30's. Most are strong, in good shape and can be pretty big. The 20 minute warmup itself is no joke to the new beginners. The lower back, where this brace goes, is the first thing to get hurt...especially when you're being put into a pretzel during sparring.....get stacked (where the other guy is trying to push your own butt into your own face)... after 5 years of this and hurting off an on, a lot....was when I found out about the back brace and started wearing it more (maybe about 50% of the time whether my lower back was hurting or not)..... and year 5 to going on 10, it's much more livable. With the brace, I'm hurt less, while getting older.

 

[Junbu]

Could you tell what type of Aikido dojo it is , I mean do they study yoshinki that is the style that holds closest to its jujitsu roots . It's important to find out what type of jujitsu dojo also Gracie or a traditional Japanese school