Beginning BJJ at 37

[wedge21]

Hey Folks,

because I'm fed-up with self-defense paranoids, Wing Chun/JKD theorists, and everything I've done in the martial world in the last 10 years, I have decided to begin BJJ with a Gracie Barra instructor (two lessons per week) and to train Western Boxing (just the physical and technical preparation and light sparring).
Of course I'm an amateur, I don't need to enter NHB competitions; however, I want to take it seriously in the sense that I want to train properly, to get benefits in terms of strength, stamina, resilience, and skills.
Has anyone out there begun with modern grappling systems at 35-40 yrs old?
Just want to know your ideas about your training and being a beginner at an elder stage

[Hardball]

I started JJJ at age 40, I'm 52 now. The biggest thing is the recovery after a hard training session. Be sure to learn RICE. (Rest, Ice, compress and elevate) The biggest stressors is in the shoulders which comes from taking the falls and all of the locks. Invest in some Tiger Balm and Epson Salt and you should be o.k. Remember, Ice it in the first 24 hours and soak it after that.

Good luck and train hard.


EDIT:I started grappling when I was 40; I did Korean Karate and Japanese Karate from age 35 to 40.

[WildWest.]

Go for it Wedge.....it will be a bit of a shock on the body to begin with but the rewards are more than worth it.

[wedge21]

Thanks guys, great advice - I'll let you know how it develops!

[Mr. Miyagi]

Good luck!

You sound like you know what you're doing and are in good shape.
There are tons of 37 year olds out there that are better shape, stronger, and more flexible than guys who are 22.

[Michael Wright]

Hey Folks,

because I'm fed-up with self-defense paranoids, Wing Chun/JKD theorists, and everything I've done in the martial world in the last 10 years, I have decided to begin BJJ with a Gracie Barra instructor

Just to point out an inconsistency and contradiction there.

JKD people were largely responsible for introducing BJJ into the martial arts community in America. Guro Inosanto sponsored several of the Gracie Brother's visa's back in the mid 80's. Paul Vunak was training with Rorian, Royce and Rickson in their garage back in 1986 before anyone had heard of them.

Gracie Barra has flourished here in the UK thanks to JKD people like Rick Young, who is a Gracie Barra black belt and 3 x World Champion.

JKD and BJJ have been brothers from the start, and many top JKD people are also top BJJ people. I thought I had better point that, because I would wager you are going to meet a lot of JKD people on the mat

[wedge21]

Mate, it wasn't my intention to speak of JKD badly. Instead, I like the JKD history and especially the Inosanto - Vunak line. They were among the first to train BJJ and they've always had an open mind.
What I was referring to is the sad situation here in Italy, where 90% of people who train WT and JKD like to portrait themselves like the "true street-oriented" fighters... while training in a sloppy way, avoiding full contact. That's why I'm fed up with their world and endless discussions about "the real original lineage" etc

[Michael Wright]

No problem bro, I see now where you are coming from, that's cool.

Fair play to you. One of my teachers started BJJ at 40, another at 46 and another at 50. You're well ahead of the game )

[bjjinspector]

Michael Wright is spot on when he says that as far as bjj in America goes - JKD and bjj were together from the beginning. If you were to look at the first 10 or 12 bjj black belts in America at least half of those guys were JKD guys just trying to solidify their all around game. One thing that I might add though it is rumoured that Vunak was the first JKD guy to do bjj but that is not true. Not many people know that it actually was a guy named Rick Minter, the 4th American bjj black belt. Great thread!