How old is too old to get good?

I'm wondering what peoples thoughts are on age and the 10th Planet system? I was talking to an acquaintance who does traditional BJJ who is 37 and he was saying that he liked the system, but felt it was a 'young man's system' and that advancing to a decent level of proficiency would be difficult for anyone over 30. I'm not sure if he was trying to talk me out of doing it and bring me back to that "pure Gracie jiujitsu". Personally, I'm 35 and haven't found the flexibility requirements are that bad as long as work on it (I've done yoga for about 5 years regularly).

I'm just wondering what the more experienced peeps here think?

If a move isn't working for you, there is a replacement. Stretching is important for injury prevention as you age anyway. If your interested in training 10th Planet, go for it, you for sure will be no where close to the oldest student.

I have a student in his 60's that drives in for private lessons all the way from Houston because he feels he has plateaued with the traditional jiu-jitsu hes doing and hes looking to add something else. It is working GREAT for him and he is loving it and has become a huge 10th Planet fan.

Thanks Brian.

Yeah, at this point to be honest I'm honestly loving the system and approach too much to quit. Just sort of wondering what peoples response to that view is as because I've only been at it for a short time, I have no real long term perspective.

I'm 32, coming up on 33 shortly, and in my mind I still have an enormous amount of room to grow and improve inside of the 10th Planet system, and I have never once thought that my age may become a limiting factor. I work on my flexibility daily, because I want to be able to use it to my advantage where possible. I think it's a misconception that 10th Planet is heavily flexibility-based. If you look past the rubber guard, there aren't that many techniques which require advanced flexibility. I think this is especially true considering that the system has grown to include such a focus on leg locks recently.

I started up mid 40s and I am not very flexible - except for hindu control there is not much I have run across that is problematic for me. Most of what may appear like it requires excess flexibility doesn't - you need to learn how to move your hips and angle properly.

age is just a stupid number

It all depends on what kind of shape your body is in or what kind of shape you can get your body in

Gracie jiu jitsu for defensive foundation, 10th planet game to round out the offense. This is equivalent to playing Mario party 3 on N64 and doing dual mode, and getting a strong offensive partner like Boo in front of you and a strong defensive partner like that frankenstein wall dude behind you. Don't force anything if it feels uncomfortable. Stay injury free above winning the roll. Cheers.

I started Jiu-Jitsu and 10th Planet when I was 35. I am 39 now, while I do feel injuries a bit more, I feel that I am still improving and can provide a challenge for any opponent.

A young man's system? In what way? It's all just jiu jitsu. I don't think your friend knows what he's talking about. There are certainly plenty of people over 30 doing both traditional BJJ and 10th planet.

In traditional BJJ somehow easier on your body? I don't think so. In fact you could probably make the argument that gi-based jiu jitsu is harder on the old guys. They say the grips are the first thing to go. In the gi you are nothing without grips. Are you too old to clinch?

I'm over 40, and not doing too bad. If you love the movements, it will make all the difference. I honestly feel younger than ever thanks to the system.

Bro ... I am 40, I just started learning the system after 9 years of traditional BJJ, age is not a factor, just go for it, yesterday
at an open mat session I pulled an electric chair sub, an old school pass, and was close to getting to the truck, if I can do this, no doubt you can too.

I started at 30, got my blue at 33, and will be 36 in May and I'm still going strong. You can do it!

Technique is everything. Stretching is key for life, not just jiu jitsu but I think people think 10th Planet requires more flexibility than it actually does. I'm constantly inspired by guys older than me and I'm 37.

I'll Be 40 in a couple months. I trained gracie system back in 1996 for a minuet and then picked jiu jitsu back up again in 2015. It was then I learned about 10P, and once I started learning it I loved it. Especially the 10P community. I have more problems with my short legs keeping me from some of the moves, but flexibility isn't much of a problem for me. If you can do full butterfly and sit in full lotus I'd say that's pretty darn good. As for it being a "young mans game", that's not true at all. I roll with younger guys all the time and I can hang. Don't let age discourage you at all man. Good Luck!!

I have to think that it's a hard question to answer.

What does good mean? I'm 36 and a new blue belt. I wish I had started earlier. But I reckon when I'm 46, if I don't quit, I'll be wrecking 20 year olds. I just won't be destroying at ADCC. ;)

I started at 45 and got my blue belt at 48. I have plenty of issues (past surgery on wrist, ankle and toe) plus soft tissue issues like most of us but I feel that jiu jitsu helps me with these injuries rather than prevent them. I competed a couple of times last year and have no problem rolling hard with folks much younger than me. A few things that I have learned along the way: don't let your ego get in the way and not tap, even to the much younger guys. I did not learn that at first and kept getting injured, which really prevented me from getting better. I also make sure my body gets what it needs in turns of nutrition, physical therapy (I see an ART therapist about 2x a month). Also, the mental aspect is huge. Sometimes the body can't do the things it wants to do as strongly or quickly as I want them to but in time, technique wins out.

You may not be able to get "good", but you can always become better.

Who cares about good, have fun man

Im 30 and getting better every session. I felt traditional gi jiu jitsu did a lot more damage to my body than 10thplanet has.

thing about age is , your only as old as old as the woman you feel

I'm 34 and have trained more in the gi than nogi up to this point. I can tell you that when I trained gi my hands were screwed all the time because of the focus on grips and grip fighting. I've a new found appreciation for nogi and really enjoy it more now. The great thing about jiu jitsu is you can figure out what works for you. There is no set mold you have to follow. There are so many body types and different types of players. The variety is what makes jiu jitsu so dynamic and fun.

I'm 38 and only just dipped my toe into jiu jitsu 1, 1/2 years ago when i went along to the only 10th planet in Scotland. I fell in love with it instantly. As for age!! It really is just a number. I also was forced into ill health retirement due to Multiple sclerosis and I can honestly say that since putting my time into 10thplanetjj I feel healthier and more flexible than I ever did when I was apparently younger and fitter! I've competed 4 times so far including twice in Naga. 1 x silver and 3 x bronze. Age is unimportant just the strength of your mind!

I'm 32, have been training at 10p Birmingham UK. Started with no jiu jitsu experience. I love it and I'm steadily improving. I've let go of the idea of 'progression' in the traditional belt sense, as the system seems more focussed on developing a rounded and proficient personal set of skills. Who knows where I'll be in several years? I do know that if I commit and dedicate myself I'll progress and that's good enough for me.

Hi Guys, I'm 57 and find the system is just fine. I do spend a fair bit of time stretching and try really hard to avoid injuries (they take heaps longer to come back from). But as for techniques, I haven't found anything I can't do yet. My flexibility is not quite double lotus, say 1 and a half haha. I came to 10PJJ from 35 years of Karate, so there was a background already there. But I don't see age as a barrier at all. I certainly don't hurt myself when I fall over any more, that's for sure.

A lot of people say age is just a number. Weight is just a number too, and strength, flexibility, experience... they are all just numbers. Age is one of many numbers.

Started at 40
Did my first comp at 41
Got average flexibility.
Still keeping up with the young savages..There are so many options you have to choose what works for you. That's the beauty of Jiu Jitsu you choose from a variety of weapons. Every advantage has an option to overcome it like speed and strength.
Think you need to be more concious about warming up and down and regular stretching as you get older I Want to go until I can't go anymore which will hopefully be never. I have slowed down but I feel fitter and stronger than I did in my 30's without a doubt.