BJJ- a young mans sport?

[razrbak]

OK, I'm 36- been lifting hard again for a little over a year, prior to that I was moderatly sedentary for about 5 years.
I have started doing BJJ for various reasons. I enjoy it, but I have noticed that I am the old fart in the classes. Am I setting myself up for injury after injury? I seem to be injury prone in things I do these days- soft ball, dirt bikes, even lifting. Is this just part of getting old? Would I be better off taking yoga/tia chi & carrying a 357?
Thoughts?

[Grandnat]

OK, I'm 36- been lifting hard again for a little over a year, prior to that I was moderatly sedentary for about 5 years.
I have started doing BJJ for various reasons. I enjoy it, but I have noticed that I am the old fart in the classes. Am I setting myself up for injury after injury? I seem to be injury prone in things I do these days- soft ball, dirt bikes, even lifting. Is this just part of getting old? Would I be better off taking yoga/tia chi & carrying a 357?
Thoughts?


No, you are not too old, we have many old farts in our school.. even a couple over 50.

[PooterWS6]

I wouldnt think its a matter of age, within reason....
Just because ive seen plenty of older guys that can still throw down with the younger guys, and even kick their ass from more knowledge thruout the years, where as some of the younger guys get too cocky...
Only thing you need to consider is injuries that may take longer to heal, or soreness from an injury leading to something more serious.
Anyone can get hurt, it just might take longer to recover with age.

[JKD]

Of course not. But just like any other sport, but it's even more important that you stretch out everyday and drink plenty of water. I'm 32 and more flexible then most 18 year olds because I stretch daily. Just be smart in your training, but be a stubborn ass and refuse to tap when you need to. During training it's not about pride, just training. :cool:

[Scott H]

No, you are not too old, we have many old farts in our school.. even a couple over 50.

^^^

Ya, like everyone said, you have to be sure and warm up well, and it will take longer to heal, but you'll be fine. I'm 34, and I'd say I'm bretty much at the median age for our school. I have minor injuries all of the time, jammed toes, fingers, etc. That's just the nature of the beast. Every once in a while, I'll take a week and let myself heal. I'll still go to class, but I'll just take notes and watch the sparring, that way I'm still getting some exposure to new techniques, but I'm not exacerbating any injuries.

Also, watch out for N00bs! Unfortunately, I think the recent proliferation of MMA in prime-time media has drawn out a lot of wanna-be-tough-guys out of the woodwork. They usually come to a few classes, get tired of getting tapped by 150lb blue-belts and quit. But while they're there, they all have to try to prove how tough they are, so they'll flail around ("spaz") and are completely uncontrolled, so you have to watch out for them, especially the big ones. I get 10x more cuts and bruises from those guys than from the regulars. (Mostly from them just flailing around) I had my ACL torn by a guy who was not in control and didn't know what he was doing and accidentally heel hooked me and rolled over hard, popping my knee before I could tap (even if I would have tapped, he couldn't have stopped his momentum in time to release pressure.)

I used to take it easy on new guys and mostly just work position... but after that, I don't f-around. I make sure they are in a position where they can't hurt me, then let them try to esape. I don't go for the quick tap, because that doesn't do anyone any good, but I don't give them any space either. If they get cocky, or too amped up, I'll go for the insta-tap or something really embarassing, and hard to get out of like a crucifix-to-choke/armbar.

Anyway, sorry to go off on a tangent there, but the point was, avoid new guys until you can get a feel for how they roll and you'll avoid a lot of injuries.

NOTE TO NEW GUYS READING THIS: Don't spaz and flail around when you roll, it will just make the guy that's about to submit you mad before he cranks it... think about it ;)

[stegmonster]

Where do y'all train at? Any place around Irving?

[JKD]

Where do y'all train at? Any place around Irving?

I host an open training session in McKinney on Thursday nights.

[stegmonster]

Where and what time? Do I have to register or anything?

[OMEGA DOOM]

I wouldnt think its a matter of age, within reason....
Just because ive seen plenty of older guys that can still throw down with the younger guys, and even kick their ass from more knowledge thruout the years, where as some of the younger guys get too cocky...
Only thing you need to consider is injuries that may take longer to heal, or soreness from an injury leading to something more serious.
Anyone can get hurt, it just might take longer to recover with age.well said! :cool:

[JKD]

Where and what time? Do I have to register or anything?


Quad C on Thursday nights in Mckinney @ 7pm. It's the college and we rent a private training room complete with mats and equpitment. No registration or anything like that. All it will cost you is 3 bucks to get into the gym.

[stegmonster]

Thanks for the info. I will try to make it. How long does it last?

[razrbak]

Thanks for the tips, will put them into practice. Allready separated a rib while drilling...oh well, time to take notes from sideline.

[Scott H]

Thanks for the tips, will put them into practice. Allready separated a rib while drilling...oh well, time to take notes from sideline.


I feel you pain! I've been out for 3 weeks with one! I did technique today for the first time, but didn't roll... it sucked!

[Wario]

I feel you pain! I've been out for 3 weeks with one! I did technique today for the first time, but didn't roll... it sucked!


Funny, i've had a bad rib's for the past few weeks as well.

[Goose1]

Well i did Judo for 2yrs and now that im back home im looking into BJJ and was wondering if we have any PEAK BJJ member's here on the board i live close too it off RufeSnow and i know about Travis Lutter just dont want too have too drive as far...


so my question is what does Peak bjj charge and Travis Lutter charge..if ppl dont mind.

[Wario]

Well i did Judo for 2yrs and now that im back home im looking into BJJ and was wondering if we have any PEAK BJJ member's here on the board i live close too it off RufeSnow and i know about Travis Lutter just dont want too have too drive as far...


so my question is what does Peak bjj charge and Travis Lutter charge..if ppl dont mind.

Going price right now is 120 a month.

[razrbak]

Goose- I'm @ Peak- Paul trains w/& is good friends w/Travis- top notch guy. I have nothing to compare to & only been there a short while. Good group of people. Contact Paul & come check it out.
Eric