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What makes a 40-year-old want to train in BJJ? At 29 Karl Pravec began training in jiu-jitsu. The Renzo Gracie black belt now 47-years-old says that BJJ is about “challenging

yourself to be better”. Learning and executing good technique and leverage means success in BJJ not age according to Pravec. Carlos Machado black belt Alvis Solis set a lofty goal at 46 to compete in 50 BJJ tournaments by the time he is 50. Solis’s motivating journey can be followed at www.50by50blog.com. It is obvious that Alvis wants to challenge himself. A challenge that cannot be satisfies through exercise or sports like tennis or golf.

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Brazilian Jiu-jitsu is a contact sport - a contact sport that’s a “gentle art”. Boxing and karate require athleticism, power, and quickness to be successful. Those traits can allow a BJJ practitioner to be successful, but it is not a requirement. As mentioned by Karl Pravec... success in BJJ is about technique and leverage. Another consideration is that there are always bruises, black eyes, and busted lips associated with the striking arts. While there is muscle aches that go along with BJJ, there is only an occasional black eye or busted lip that you may encounter.

Are the above reasons still enough for middle aged folks to want to participate in this sport?

No... Wrestling and judo are sports that have similar characteristics to BJJ. They’re definitely not jiu-jitsu. BJJ is more than a sport. It’s a test - a game. It requires intelligence and skill. Marcelo Garcia brown belt Leo Kirby says that the reason he trains is because of the mental aspect. At 49-years-old and 10 years of experience, Kirby enjoys the mental side of BJJ that goes along with the physicality. Leo’s reasons are part of the essence of jiu-jitsu. Capitalizing on your adversaries mistakes, forcing your adversary to make a mistake, and tricking your adversary into making a mistake.

That’s one reason many smaller guy’s can tie bigger guy’s into a knot..... Or older guy’s tying younger guy’s into a knot.