Brazillian Jiu Jitsu has been growing in popularity for quite some time now and it is enjoyed by all sorts of people from all walks of life.
Though Brazillian Jiu Jitsu is known for its long slog to reach the black belt, it can be practiced by anyone.
You don’t have to start training just to reach the black belt. It is an extremely rewarding martial art to get involved in and the physical and mental benefits alone are wonderful.
You might be asking yourself if 50 is too old to start practicing Brazillian Jiu Jitsu and if you are, don’t worry! We’ve got you covered! Read on to find out… the answer will surprise you!
Is 50 Too Old To Start Brazillian Jiu Jitsu?
So, is 50 too old to start training in Brazillian Jiu Jitsu? The short answer is no! It isn’t!
Though it might not be as realistic to achieve your black belt if you start later on in life, that doesn’t mean you can’t reap the benefits of practicing.
The beauty of Brazillian Jiu Jitsu is that it has been adapted so anyone at any age can practice it.
Is There A Cut-Off Age To Starting?
Even if you’re older than 50, there is no cut-off to when you can start practicing Brazillian Jiu Jitsu.
Whether you are 8 or 80, there is a training program in Brazillian Jiu Jitsu you can enroll in. Its adaptability allows people of all ages to get involved.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is one of those things that actually gets better with age. Whereas it does help to start young, that doesn’t mean you can’t start later.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a great way for you to get your fitness up and it does wonders for your mental health. There’s more to it than reaching the black belt!
Two wonderful examples of older Brazillian Jiu Jitsu practitioners are Master Carlos Gracie and Master Helio Gracie.
Master Carlos trained well into his 60s and Master Helio still trained students well into the middle of his 90s!
If you do feel that you’re too old, then we can promise you that you aren’t!
You’re never too old to try something new, and even if you do try it and end up feeling like it’s not for you, at least you tried it in the first place!
Does Age Limit Your Ability?
While age doesn’t really affect the technical skills you need to learn in Brazillian Jiu Jitsu, you do have to be mindful of your physical ability.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu requires you to be able to move quickly, and be susceptible to conditioning, recovery time, and discipline.
You should be under no illusion that a lot of moves in Brazillian Jiu Jitsu require you to move quickly and speed naturally decreases with age.
Another thing that decreases with age is reaction time, which is also important for practicing Brazillian Jiu Jitsu.
This doesn’t mean that you can’t practice it though, it just means you’ll have to take it at your own pace and fitness level.
You will have trainers to support you who have learned how to work with older students, so they’ll know exactly how to make your lesson beneficial and realistic for your ability.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has a lot of rolling and sparring involved in its training, but don’t feel intimidated by this!
Most of the time, the rolling and sparring training is usually optional and if you really feel like you aren’t up to it, you can talk to your teacher about it.
If you’ve never practiced Brazillian Jiu Jitsu before, your main focus will be mastering the basics, so rolling, sparring and other cardio exercises won’t be a huge part of your training.
Manage Your Expectations
If you are older and you’re just getting started with Brazillian Jiu Jitsu, it’s important that you manage your expectations and keep them realistic in order for you to enjoy your experience.
If you go in with the expectation that you’re going to become a black belt in a year, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment.
It takes on average 10 years to become a black belt, and that’s for any age. While it’s not impossible for you to become a black belt, you should expect it to take a long time.
It is important for you to know your limits, both physically and mentally, and to not try and push yourself too far out of those limits.
If you’re realistic with your expectations and you can manage them accordingly, you’re less likely to be disappointed or frustrated.
Learning Brazillian Jui Jitsu is meant to be a fun experience, it’s not meant to cause you to stress!
Take Your Time
The most important thing you need to remember is your Brazillian Jiu Jitsu journey is personal to you and it’s not a competition.
If you need to take things slower, then you need to take things slower!
As we get older, it takes us longer to learn and absorb new skills, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t learn them.
Patience is an important skill you need to put into practice when training in Brazillian Jiu Jitsu, and that’s at any age.
Make sure that you don’t rush and you take all the time you need to perfect what you’re currently learning.
When you do start to get good at it then, you’ll feel a great sense of accomplishment and overall you’ll have a more enjoyable experience!
Conclusion
If anyone ever tries to tell you that you’re “too old” to learn Brazillian Jiu Jitsu, then they are lying! You’re never too old to learn a new skill and you’re never too old to enjoy yourself!
Brazillian Jiu Jitsu has classes and trainers that are catered toward older people, it is one of the most adaptable martial arts you can get involved in.
Just take your time, know your limits, and most importantly, enjoy yourself! You’re never too old to practise, regardless of what anyone says!
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