At what age should you stop competing in Jiu Jitsu ?

[AJ Camacho]

I'm 31. And reading how Louis copes and adapts to his injuries definitely inspired me to figure out ways to work around my injures rather than plowing through them or even just sitting it all out. Thanks Louis.

[John Hickman]

I'm also 31. I won't quit until my body won't let me train anymore. I've already had a bunch of injuries, but my love for jiujitsu is just too strong.

[Enrique "Kiko"]

32 here, I feel like I'm still in my early 20's, minus the presence of injuries now. So far wearing wrestler gel knee pads, ear guards, motocross light rib protector, cup, and mouth guard seem to be keeping me more injury resistant =D. Also I firmly believe that solid warm ups then stretching before rolling will keep my injuries as minimal as possible. Any other expert advice on how to train and roll injury free?

[James Steele]

Any other expert advice on how to train and roll injury free?

Only roll with the kids.

[Enrique "Kiko"]

Only roll with the kids.

I mostly roll with 18-25 year old "kids." =D I'm doing it right then.

[Rob Cavinii]

Gonna be 35 this august and in the best shape of my life. going for 6 months now, 3 to 5 days a week to class and have 2 jobs. We've got 5 or six guys my age or a little older.

[Matthias Sieber]

Stop competing when you're 1000 years old

[robert gero]

i be 36 in august and i feel great...

[manny]

I'm 39 and rolling some say I look younger.. I have not yet competed but getting there. I have lower back pains my right leg will not bend all the way plus I have like 5 operations on that right leg including the ankle.. oh, yes 39 and rolling, I feel great after a days work out.. but later I feel the pain..lol don't matter I just take some aleve and suck it up and keep going until the next day to repeat the same thing. We all love the art that's what keeps us going back for more.

[Enrique "Kiko"]

We all love the art that's what keeps us going back for more.

We do don't we Manny? There are people in my life who don't understand why I'd want to put myself in a situation, multiple times a day, 3-6 days a week, where people try to kick, punch, choke me, and bend my limbs in positions where they're not supposed to bend. I could go into the health benefits of doing any sport. I could get into the mental acuity and self-discipline it takes to stay calm and focused in an emotionally heightened *due to the fight or flight syndrome caused by combat,* I could even go into the "increased chances of survival in an actual confrontation," *notice I said "increased and NOT guarantee'd" Sorry to burst the martial arts bubble for those who believe a black belt will stop bullets, or a knife, or enables one to consistently win fights vs multiple attackers.

All I usually say is "I love what I do."