31 Years Old Too Old to Start with BJJ or Muay Thai?

[ChristmasFnatic]

Im not going to competitions but just wanna have a good striking/grappling experience. If they will let me join competitions, why not? But its not my main reason.

Am I too old to learn and cant compete with younger guys or just go?

[icetrauma]

Never to old. I'm 2 months into BJJ and loving every minute of it.

[ChristmasFnatic]

Never to old. I'm 2 months into BJJ and loving every minute of it.

30s like us dont get outgrappled by younger folks more often than not? Lets admit it, theyre faster and hungrier.

[NoLimitAthlete]

Im not going to competitions but just wanna have a good striking/grappling experience. If they will let me join competitions, why not? But its not my main reason.

Am I too old to learn and cant compete with younger guys or just go?

If you wanted to compete in jiu jitsu it wouldn't be a problem at. My instructor is 46 and competes still and does fine. Just take care of your body, eat well, and don't over do it. Believe me you can kick our young asses too! The great thing about jiu jitsu technique always wins and jiu jitsu means "the soft art". Mostly white belts fight very tough because they are not used to rolling with technique and being fluid.. I think you will do just fine my friend!

[icetrauma]

30s like us dont get outgrappled by younger folks more often than not? Lets admit it, theyre faster and hungrier.

They also gas early because of lack of discipline. Thats the good thing about bjj. Good discipline and a decent gas tank can get you far against a spazzer.

[icetrauma]

If you wanted to compete in jiu jitsu it wouldn't be a problem at. My instructor is 46 and competes still and does fine. Just take care of your body, eat well, and don't over do it. Believe me you can kick our young asses too! The great thing about jiu jitsu technique always wins and jiu jitsu means "the soft art". Mostly white belts fight very tough because they are not used to rolling with technique and being fluid.. I think you will do just fine my friend!

Very solid response.

[ChristmasFnatic]

Thank you all. Reps on recharge.

How about Muay Thai though? Anyone here can advice about it?

[mophatthedamaja]

yea man..you're too old..i wouldn't take the chance of learning something new you may get hurt







































http://www.insidebjj.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/helioGracie222.jpg

jk brah you live once do it

[HitNLift]

Never.

I supervise sparring classes with dudes in their 50's whooping the asses of guys in their twenties! Absolutely love seeing up themself twenty-somethings thinking they're what's-what then getting their ass handed to them by guys old enough to be their dad. Lets just say the "supervising" slips a little when that happens ;)

[AlbionOakley]

Nah get yourself involved. Ive been training BJJ for 9 months and love it. Plus if you are over 30 you get to compete in the "masters" age division against other 30-35 year olds. ENtered my first comp 5 weeks ago and loved it, won the "Masters" SHW division. only one opponenet but I beat him twice :)

[cgc]

to echo what's been said - no, you're not too old.

Skill in bjj goes pretty far when it comes to age vs youth. If you have decent cardio and work it like a chess match rather than checkers, you'll do well.
Striking you may not be as quick as some of the younger guys, but that's not to say you won't be able to hold your own at the very least.

Also with grappling tournaments, you'll have the option of competing by age group as well as weight class if you like.

that all being said, just go in and enjoy the new hobby...if you get a chance to compete that's just the cherry on top.

[ChristmasFnatic]

Heh. Thanks!!!

[mEDo]

Age is mostly in the head :)
ok, body will notice years over time, but nothing to worry about. In fact, you can easily compensate 'age' with discipline in and out of the gym and with more strength - most guys that I know are stronger in thirties than twenties. Stamina is maybe lower, but as someone already said - discipline and you will do fine :)

beside - I am almost forty years 'young' and I feel stronger and stronger (selfdeception, here I come :) :) )

[MastaM]

Im not going to competitions but just wanna have a good striking/grappling experience. If they will let me join competitions, why not? But its not my main reason.

Am I too old to learn and cant compete with younger guys or just go?

No way are you too old. (Is there even such a thing)? We have guys just started out in their 50's+ at our gym. Good luck brother.

[rkobo719]

We have plenty of guys that are 50+ training at our gym. There is no such thing as too old to train BJJ, it's called the gentle art for a reason, everyone can do it. I'd definitely suggest starting, I'm 23, and a purple belt, and when you first start, you'll get smashed whether you're 20 or 60 :P

[Justin23454]

31 aint even old :/ Maybe if your 60-70 might be alittle old to start Muay thai lol

[jmil]

Just to chime in on what everyone else is saying. I'm almost 31, and I'm in better shape than most people I meet who are 20-30. I know this adage is used constantly, but "Age is just a number". Go train, and have a great time doing it! I'm warning you though, it's very addicting :) Goodluck!!

[ICEMANLIDDELL]

ju-jistzu is more about technique, maui thai is very taxing, but you will be able to get the hang of either of them eventually, in fact the place where I train maui thai, there is a bloke who is, get this....57! he's a nut case, just keeps going and going, he's fitter than most of the guys there, ( except the experienced fighters ).

have a go at both, you will love how much there is to learn!

[FernandoVenezue]

you're never too old. 31 not that old. you start losing testosterone as early as your late twenties, so I mean, as long as your not competing against twenty two year olds. it will give you a good advantage in bar fights, which is what really matters. MMA being primarily a sport for homosexuals.

[fplinski]

Never too old.

[j1akey]

I just started at 34 and honestly I couldn't care less if I compete or not right now. I'm just in it to have fun and fun it is. I'm having the time of my life. Although learning how to hold my ground if the need should ever arise is pretty nice as well.

[KrisDeagle]

I'd agree with what others have said. Muay Thai may be a lot harder to do at that age (depending on your fitness, you might be an ex-Seal for all I know and be like Sam Fisher haha) but it's still possible, you just have to train hard, eat smart and rest well.

[ScaleAndSteel]

Just a note bro...I am 31 this summer and I will be starting kickboxing soon and BJJ in the fall. I feel the same way about competitions. I don't plan on doing any and don't really care but if the opportunity is there and I am doing decent I would have no problem giving it ago. I wouldn't let age be an issue. It's all about conditioning. I am in far better shape now then virtually every early 20's person I know (outside of a few college athletes). Experience and discipline goes along way. Anyways, just wanted to get in here to say go for it and you're not the only one bro.

[NextNextLevel]

ur not to old bro, go for it.

[Harvey95]

Am I too old to learn and cant compete with younger guys or just go?

No your definetly not too old. My dad started when he was 44 and he loved it. He stopped after a few years just because he had to work so much. I am starting in the late summer and im really excited.

[Llty92]

Im not going to competitions but just wanna have a good striking/grappling experience. If they will let me join competitions, why not? But its not my main reason.

Am I too old to learn and cant compete with younger guys or just go?

My main teacher turned 37 year old. He told me that he started training BJJ at the age of 31 and he is now into the competing scene. He is currently a purple belt and just won the Ontario Open, a couple of months ago!

[wanaBsedated]

Im not going to competitions but just wanna have a good striking/grappling experience. If they will let me join competitions, why not? But its not my main reason.

Am I too old to learn and cant compete with younger guys or just go?

Wrestlers typically peak at 30-35, add a couple years if you have good genes and are fit and NOT beaten down from injury. You're fine and can compete at any level if you have the skill to do so.

[HoustonShrader]

Im not going to competitions but just wanna have a good striking/grappling experience. If they will let me join competitions, why not? But its not my main reason.

Am I too old to learn and cant compete with younger guys or just go?

If you competed, you would compete in your age and experience group. I don't know them off the top of my head, but Senior group is 35+, so you are easily young enough to start at 31.

[whitey247]

I know two guys who started judo in their late 30's and another two who started BJJ in their mid 30's. They are all black belts now. They inspired me to start training again at 32. Train smart and have fun.

[wanaBsedated]

The best triathlete in the world is 40

there is someone well into his 40's famous for running ultramarathons.

There are successful strongmen into their 40's

Several good mma guys didnt start till late. Dan Cormier, couture, henderson. One of the best boxers on the planet is nearing 50 (it is a deeper sport) Bernard hopkins.

Competing into older age is more about taking care of yourself. Most athletes peak in their mid 30's

The people who age fast are usually the ones who start very young or have harsh lifestyles outside of the gym.

[simodasink]

My Dad started karate at about mid 40s an kept it going til over 50. Got his bb as well so its possible! Might hurt a bit but its possible! Good luck

[Decado90]

Im not going to competitions but just wanna have a good striking/grappling experience. If they will let me join competitions, why not? But its not my main reason.

Am I too old to learn and cant compete with younger guys or just go?



If we're born in March, and each season is 7 years, then you're summer isn't even halfway over. Enjoy it!

[JVRICHARDS]

Thank you all. Reps on recharge.

How about Muay Thai though? Anyone here can advice about it?

Never too old. I'm 33 and my new years resolution this year is to fight an amateur kickboxing match. Why? ****s and giggles. Don't put limits on yourself.

Being realistic is the quickest road to mediocrity.

[Teddy1231]

never say never its never to late, you got to work hard for it and go for it against all odds. You got this.