Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I took BJJ for 2 years in my late 30s. One of the most important things is to make sure you tell your partner what speed you want to go when you roll (spar). That's when things get injured. I had an accumulation of small injuries that built up over time. Something in my ankle was stretched/torn and I had trouble squatting on that foot for a while. My right thumb was sore for months. Stuff like that. But I was also in the best shape of my 30s.

If you are in the MoCo area, I recommend the Foundry because they have an amazing group of women to train with and even a women-only class. I hate rolling with men. They smell bad, sweat more, and always weigh more. I'm not saying I smell like roses when I'm exercising, but men were always worse than the other women.

Ok, but if the actual goal is learning self defense, you should practice against men, because it is a larger, heavier man who is most likely to attack you.

BJJ is a sport and should in no way be considered self defense. You don't even punch or kick in BJJ. It may give you a small advantage if you are attacked - mostly because you will be used to being in uncomfortable physical situations - but it will not save you. If anything, rolling with men has shown that such a large weight and strength difference will almost always beat out technique unless the woman is lucky and can break a bone or dislocate a joint in the first seconds.

If realistic self defense is your goal, you should look at krav maga and/or workshops where the instructor wears padding and you can really go all out on the nasty things like eye gouges.

Anonymous wrote:I took BJJ for 2 years in my late 30s. One of the most important things is to make sure you tell your partner what speed you want to go when you roll (spar). That's when things get injured. I had an accumulation of small injuries that built up over time. Something in my ankle was stretched/torn and I had trouble squatting on that foot for a while. My right thumb was sore for months. Stuff like that. But I was also in the best shape of my 30s.

If you are in the MoCo area, I recommend the Foundry because they have an amazing group of women to train with and even a women-only class. I hate rolling with men. They smell bad, sweat more, and always weigh more. I'm not saying I smell like roses when I'm exercising, but men were always worse than the other women.

Ok, but if the actual goal is learning self defense, you should practice against men, because it is a larger, heavier man who is most likely to attack you.

I took BJJ for 2 years in my late 30s. One of the most important things is to make sure you tell your partner what speed you want to go when you roll (spar). That's when things get injured. I had an accumulation of small injuries that built up over time. Something in my ankle was stretched/torn and I had trouble squatting on that foot for a while. My right thumb was sore for months. Stuff like that. But I was also in the best shape of my 30s.

If you are in the MoCo area, I recommend the Foundry because they have an amazing group of women to train with and even a women-only class. I hate rolling with men. They smell bad, sweat more, and always weigh more. I'm not saying I smell like roses when I'm exercising, but men were always worse than the other women.

Anonymous wrote:I know nothing about jiu jitsu, but I took up short-track speedskating in my 40s and I love it. I say, do it unless and until (a) you stop enjoying it or (b) injuries become a problem.

I would love to try speed skating and am in my late 30s! How did you learn and how good a skater were you before? I can go forward but can't do crossovers or stop other than slowing down or grabbing the wall...I am assuming I need to figure those out before anything else, huh?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know nothing about jiu jitsu but what does being over 40 have to do with anything? What exactly are you worried about?

I knew a bunch of people over 40 who took up (or restarted) martial arts, soccer, or volleyball and blew out an Achilles’ tendon or tore an ACL. Old bodies aren’t as durable.

I can see that being true for someone whos out of shape and been sedentary. But human bodies are amazing. And in OPs case she is already fit and does HIIT regularly. I'm over 40 and work out daily (sometimes 2x/day) and do a mix of distance running, HIIT with weights, weight lifting and spinning. I've never been in better shape and have had very few injuries. Not saying that will last forever but for now I feel good and enjoy it so I'm just going to ride it out until I don't anymore. I suggest OP do the same - go slow, listen to your body, rest, get adequate nutrition and see how it works out. You'll never know what your body is capable of until your try.

My daughter does jiu jitsu and loves it. She’s been doing it 3 years. Our gym had a womens class s couple of times a week. I would think it’s slightly less physical then the coed class. If your gym offers that you should try it.

I know nothing about jiu jitsu, but I took up short-track speedskating in my 40s and I love it. I say, do it unless and until (a) you stop enjoying it or (b) injuries become a problem.

Anonymous wrote:I know nothing about jiu jitsu but what does being over 40 have to do with anything? What exactly are you worried about?

I knew a bunch of people over 40 who took up (or restarted) martial arts, soccer, or volleyball and blew out an Achilles’ tendon or tore an ACL. Old bodies aren’t as durable.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know nothing about jiu jitsu but what does being over 40 have to do with anything? What exactly are you worried about?

OP here. Just unexpected aches and pains and vulnerabilities from the sport itself. As I mentioned, I've been an avid exerciser/fit person for my entire adult life so if someone posed this question about running or HIIT workouts or dance or step classes, I probably have something to share. Hope that makes sense.

My H and kids did Jui Jitsu and I think it is the single best sport they did, and they did many.

But my h had to stop because of the high number of injuries and old bodies do not heal quickly.

But, perhaps, grappling for women is less violent. IDK.

Pp comment about why does she matter show they have no idea what they are talking about.

OP here, thanks! Can I ask what kind of injuries? Sprains and pulled muscles mostly? I stopped playing rec soccer because of the sprains and pulled muscles I got from sprinting and stopping and from the sudden and quick moves the sport requires.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know nothing about jiu jitsu but what does being over 40 have to do with anything? What exactly are you worried about?

OP here. Just unexpected aches and pains and vulnerabilities from the sport itself. As I mentioned, I've been an avid exerciser/fit person for my entire adult life so if someone posed this question about running or HIIT workouts or dance or step classes, I probably have something to share. Hope that makes sense.

My H and kids did Jui Jitsu and I think it is the single best sport they did, and they did many.

But my h had to stop because of the high number of injuries and old bodies do not heal quickly.

But, perhaps, grappling for women is less violent. IDK.

Pp comment about why does she matter show they have no idea what they are talking about.

Anonymous wrote:I know nothing about jiu jitsu but what does being over 40 have to do with anything? What exactly are you worried about?

OP here. Just unexpected aches and pains and vulnerabilities from the sport itself. As I mentioned, I've been an avid exerciser/fit person for my entire adult life so if someone posed this question about running or HIIT workouts or dance or step classes, I probably have something to share. Hope that makes sense.

Are you doing it through a class? If so it should be fine
If you're just doing it on your own, get someone to train you!

No first-hand knowledge, but I have a friend who started in her 50s and loves it.

I know nothing about jiu jitsu but what does being over 40 have to do with anything? What exactly are you worried about?

Any over 40 women who started Jiu jitsu when they were over 40? My kids have been doing this so I'm not unfamiliar with it and was considering trying it out to add to my exercise routine. I'm fit and strong but perhaps that is making me overconfident that I'll be fine. Anyone have tips or things that surprised them about it? Thanks!