Benefits of training BJJ in your 40s

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is good for everyone. But what are the benefits for those over 40?

Throughout my years of training and competing, I have seen the very young, the very old, and the disabled do well and enjoy the art. I rolled with many retiree practitioners who took up the gentle art later in life, along with those who have started young and continued training well into their 60's.

The terms “BJJ over 40” and “Old Man Jiu-Jitsu”, are often thrown about, but what exactly are the benefits.

Below are the top 5 benefits for training BJJ in and over 40.

1. A New Passion: We often hear the term mid-life crisis, this usually is associated with partaking in an activity with the goal of recapturing one's youth, such as buying a motorbike or taking up skydiving. BJJ is an excellent avenue to fulfil the void you may be feeling.

2. Improved Health: Joining the 40+ club can come with a decreased desire to partake in general exercises, such as running or lifting weights. BJJ is a fantastic alternative to traditional training, the improvements in strength and cardiovascular fitness from participating in BJJ are very well documented.

3. Family Bonding: Many practitioners who take up BJJ after 40 do so after seeing their children enjoying their time on the mats. Many parents become somewhat detached from their children's activities and only play the role of spectator, I have witnessed Jiu-Jitsu unite families as both children and parents share a common interest of BJJ and often training in the same class.

4. Stress Relief: Unfortunately we all deal with stress. In our 40's is when this can start to become quite prevalent, mortgages, bills and work-related issues to name but a few can cause a whole host of mental and physical health issues. As with all physical exercise, Jiu-Jitsu is an excellent way to relieve this stress.

5. Sustainability: After spending the bulk of our adult lives in the workforce and then reaching an age or financial situation that can facilitate our retirement, the next battle faced by many is that of boredom. When a retiree trains in BJJ, apathy is never an issue, the continuous growth and learning along with the community that BJJ provides will keep you on the mats for a lifetime.

To find out more, book your free trial and join the ever-growing tribe of BJJ practitioners - of all ages!