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Jiu-Jitsu is not at all just a young-man’s game! Even when you are about to hit 70 or 80, you are still not too old to dip your toes into BJJ. Moreover, instead of just teaching you martial arts techniques; Jiu-Jitsu also benefits you in countless other ways during your senior years (or even if you are just 30+ and consider that “old”) while ensuring your overall physical and mental well-being.
First things first, let’s talk about what Jiu-Jitsu actually is. Originating in Brazil, it is deemed to be one of the most powerful forms of martial arts. While Jiu-Jitsu is centuries old, it still remains true to its original concepts and techniques.
The most interesting part of this art is that it allows a participant to turn the weight of his opponent into a weapon against him. It typically involves two participants, where one applies ground fighting techniques – chokeholds and joint-locks to bring his opponent on the ground.
Upon going to the ground, he will lock his opponent on the ground to disable the benefits of his strength and weight. Jiu-jitsu first came into public around the 1920s. Carlos Gracie was the person who first introduced it in Brazil and later along with his family, he progressively modified it to bring its present form.
Unfortunately, not everyone got to know about Jiu-Jitsu at the peak of their younger years. Also, its benefits were not widely known by many. However, because of the blessings of the internet, now we know that Jiu-Jitsu has so much to offer.
Aside from being just a combat sport, it educates you to become self-competent to tackle every means of iffy situations. Its benefits do not end here, as it also improves your physical and mental health, boosts your confidence and working spirit, and what not!
Due to all these benefits, people of all ages now aspire to train themselves in Jiu-Jitsu. But as age gradually decreases the strength and endurance, older citizens often worry whether or not they will be able to ace the art of Jiu-Jitsu.
If you too happen to be a bit older and found out about Jiu-Jitsu only recently; this is to let you know that Jiu-Jitsu is a sport where everyone can partake in regardless of their gender and age. So, if you are planning on going at it, scroll down to learn why!
Undoubtedly, aging gradually makes us weaker in strength and sicker in health. So, to keep yourself fit and sound during your senior age, the importance of regular exercise is beyond mention. Thanks to Jiu-Jitsu, as it will change your life for the better and will make you feel stronger than ever! However, Jiu-Jitsu not only takes care of that but also benefits you in more ways than you can imagine. Here are a few of its benefits for your consideration.
If you want to do something fun for good health whilst discovering how far your athletic skills can take you, Jiu-Jitsu is for you! For its cardiovascular advantages, it is one of the most recommended martial arts for seniors. It keeps high-level cardio in check, all the while strengthening the muscles and bone joints. A regular session of Jiu-Jitsu can also help you to get into shape. By keeping the body fit you can prevent chronic illnesses like arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure which mostly come with the age.
It’s no secret that a healthy and active body and good mental health are tied with the same knot. For older people, their brain doesn’t perform as well as it did in their formative years. The regular practice of Jiu-Jitsu can significantly help you deal with this condition. Just like other muscles in our body, our brain muscles need to be exercised too. Jiu-Jitsu allows you to let off your steam and boosts your cognitive ability for the better. It works like a charm by wiping off stress and putting you in a better mood.
As we get older, our bodies go through major changes both inside and outside. Perhaps, it mostly happens because of the great deal of inactivity during that time. Thereby, the reduction of collagen production also results in signs of aging. Jiu-Jitsu helps to rejuvenate collagen and strengthens ligaments, joints, and connective tissues. That’s how you can slow down aging and improve the posture of your body.
After retirement, it often becomes difficult to make new friends. BJJ is a community of people who share the same interests and challenge each other to push the limits. It may come as a surprise to you to know how Jiu-Jitsu training can provide you with opportunities to socialize and build new friendships.
Keeping all the positives aspects aside, we have to accept the fact that for old practitioners starting Jiu-Jitsu certainly comes with a number of potential risks. So, before stepping into the world of BJJ, below is a list of things you should keep in mind.
If you suffer from intense muscle or joint pain every now and then or have a previous history of dealing with arthritis and cramps, then rolling for Jiu-Jitsu would not be a smart move for you. Even though it is raved to be the gentlest and risk-free art form compared to all the other martial arts out there, it can still worsen your health. So, it is better to do some health checkups before getting yourself enrolled in this journey.
Just the fact that you are starting out late should not stop you from your goals. List down the things you want to achieve from Jiu-Jitsu and come up with a plan to bring those into reality. The small goal that you have set for yourself will push you through the hard times and motivate you to keep going. Otherwise, it will be hard for you to continue at times.
In your 60’s or 70’s, you cannot expect you to have the same physical strength you had in your 20’s. If you compare yourself to a young guy who has all the time and energy, you will only end up demotivating yourself. Hence, do not compare yourself to your fellow mates as it only brings disappointments. Rather, set your bar low and have faith in yourself.
If you want to ace the art of Jiu-Jitsu, eating clean is a must. Now that you are old, you cannot eat unhealthy foods and get away with it. The consequences will not wait and is meant to give you a hard time. So, it is better that you set up your diet plan that will boost your nutrition and optimize your energy levels.
This article covers all the tips and tricks that can help an oldie to sail through the game of Jiu-Jitsu. As you have done reading this, we genuinely hope all your doubts regarding whether Jiu-Jitsu would be great for older guys or not have evanesced now. So, what are you waiting for? Hurry up and kick off your Jiu-Jitsu training journey soon keeping all the tips and tricks in mind!
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I'm Timmy and I'm the chief-editor and co-founder of Jiu-Jitsu Street. You'll usually find me on the mats and also cross-training Muay Thai. Besides martial arts I'm also into functional fitness and all things health. Jiu-Jitsu Street was created to provide useful information for BJJ beginners and seasoned practitioners alike to help you on your journey and love for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Oss!
Jiu-Jitsu Street is a community of fun loving and hard rolling BJJ enthusiasts. Born out of our passion for the gentle art, we have decided to create this blog and help you on your journey. Let’s grow and learn together on this never-ending journey. Oss!
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