jitseasy

Older Grapplers: Choose Your Training Partners Wisely

Gary Berger — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 10:33:52 +0000

Who you roll with really matters — especially as an older grappler. The wrong partner can cause injuries and setbacks, while the right one helps you stay on the mats for years.

In this clip, black belt instructor Marc Barton shares Tip #1 from his Top 5 Tips for Older Grapplers video. A former emergency medicine doctor who started BJJ at 30 and earned his black belt at 40, Marc now trains and teaches full-time at 49 — stronger and more resilient than ever.

Download the free How to Suck Less at Jiu Jitsu eBook: https://www.jiujitsubrotherhood.com/pages/how-to-suck-less-at-jiu-jitsu

New to BJJ? Get the free Beginner’s Guide to BJJ: https://www.jiujitsubrotherhood.com/pages/beginners-guide-to-bjj-signup

#bjj #jiujitsu #oldergrappler #bjjtraining #bjjlifestyle

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BJJ Over 40, 50 & Beyond | Tips for Older Grapplers

Gary Berger — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 11:30:03 +0000

Are you training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in your 40s, 50s, or even 60s? This video is all about how older grapplers can stay healthy, avoid injuries, and keep improving on the mats.

I’m Marc Barton – black belt, full-time instructor, and former emergency medicine doctor. I started BJJ at 30, earned my black belt at 40, and now at 49 I feel stronger and more resilient than ever. In this video, I share my Top 5 Tips for Older Grapplers – practical advice backed by science and experience.

What you’ll learn:
How to choose training partners wisely and avoid unnecessary injuries
Why strength training off the mats is essential after 40
The best mobility and warm-up routines for older grapplers
Nutrition strategies that actually improve recovery and performance
Why sleep is the ultimate recovery tool for BJJ longevity

These tips are for anyone training BJJ later in life – whether you’re a beginner starting at 40+, a seasoned grappler in your 50s or 60s, or just someone who wants to train smarter and roll for years to come.

Who this video is for:
• BJJ beginners starting later in life
• Grapplers over 40, 50, and beyond
• Instructors who want to help older students train safely
• Anyone interested in injury prevention and Jiu Jitsu longevity

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and drop a comment if you’ve got your own tips for training BJJ as an older grappler.

Want even more help improving your Jiu Jitsu? Download the free How to Suck Less at Jiu Jitsu eBook here: https://www.jiujitsubrotherhood.com/pages/how-to-suck-less-at-jiu-jitsu

Massive thanks to the legendary @jamescooperbtx for making this video possible!

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References & Further Reading

Tip #1: Training Partners & Injury Risk:
– Scoggin JF, Brusovanik G, Izuka BH, Zand MS, Rettig AC. (2014). Assessment of injuries during Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competition. Orthop J Sports Med, 2(2):2325967114522184.
– Andreato LV, Lara FJD, Andrade A, Branco BHM. (2017). Physical and physiological profiles of Brazilian jiu-jitsu athletes. Sport Sci Health, 13:157–165.

Tip #2: Strength Training & Longevity:
– Westcott WL. (2012). Resistance training is medicine: effects of strength training on health. Curr Sports Med Rep, 11(4):209–216.
– Momma H, Kawakami R, Honda T, Sawada SS. (2022). Muscle-strengthening activities are associated with lower risk and mortality in major non-communicable diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies. Br J Sports Med, 56(13):755–763.
– Fragala MS, et al. (2019). Resistance training for older adults: position statement from the National Strength and Conditioning Association. J Strength Cond Res, 33(8):2019–2052.

Tip #3: Mobility & Warm-Ups:
– Behm DG, Chaouachi A. (2011). A review of the acute effects of static and dynamic stretching on performance and injury prevention. J Strength Cond Res, 25(12):327–341.
– Herman K, Barton C, Malliaras P, Morrissey D. (2012). The effectiveness of neuromuscular warm-up strategies, that require no additional equipment, for preventing lower limb injuries during sports participation. Br J Sports Med, 46(14):103–110.

Tip #4: Nutrition & Recovery:
– Morton RW, et al. (2018). A systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression of the effect of protein supplementation on resistance training-induced gains in muscle mass and strength in healthy adults. Br J Sports Med, 52(6):376–384.
– Monteiro CA, et al. (2019). Ultra-processed foods: what they are and how to identify them. Public Health Nutr, 22(5):936–941.

Tip #5: Sleep & Recovery:
– Walker M. (2017). Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams. Scribner.
– Fullagar HHK, Skorski S, Duffield R, Hammes D, Coutts AJ, Meyer T. (2015). Sleep and athletic performance: the effects of sleep loss on exercise performance, and physiological and cognitive responses to exercise. Sports Med, 45(2):161–186.
– Mah CD, Mah KE, Kezirian EJ, Dement WC. (2011). The effects of sleep extension on the athletic performance of collegiate basketball players. Sleep, 34(7):943–950.
– Spiegel K, Leproult R, Van Cauter E. (1999). Impact of sleep debt on metabolic and endocrine function. Lancet, 354(9188):1435–1439.

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Longevity in BJJ with Mike Mahaffey

Gary Berger — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 14:00:15 +0000

In episode 396 of The Strenuous Life Podcast I talk BJJ longevity, weight training, practicing at home, and optimal training methods with BJJ old-timer Mike Mahaffey. I think there are a TON of valuable takehome lessons here for anyone who trains jiu-jitsu, and ESPECIALLY the over-40 crowd!

Look for The Strenuous Life Podcast anywhere you get your podcasts from.

Also check out BJJ Foundations, the brand new Grapplearts instructional that gives you the best jiu-jitsu technique and training method curriculum I’ve ever seen at https://www.grapplearts.com/foundations

Cheers,
Stephan Kesting

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Tips for Training Jiu-Jitsu as an Older Grappler. #bjj #graciejiujitsu #jiujitsu

Gary Berger — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 20:22:51 +0000

It’s important to have a healthy mindset in your training as you get older. Set realistic goals for yourself and achieve them to keep yourself safe and motivated.

The post Tips for Training Jiu-Jitsu as an Older Grappler. #bjj #graciejiujitsu #jiujitsu appeared first on jitseasy.

Guard Passing Concept: Stop Trying to Pass Established Guards, Instead Do These 2 Things Instead

Gary Berger — Thu, 29 Sep 2022 03:13:19 +0000

Instead of letting your opponent establish a dominant guard you should either establish your passing position or create movement and then pass guard retention movements. From https://www.grapplearts.com/oldpass

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What's In the Guard Passing for Old F***s Instructional?

Gary Berger — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 00:22:07 +0000

Here are the techniques, strategies and drilling methods that’ll keep your guard passing safe and effective into your 40’s and 50’s. From https://www.grapplearts.com/oldpass by Stephan Kesting and Rob Biernacki.

Also available in app format for your iPhone and/or Android device in the FREE Grapplearts BJJ Master App. More info about that here: https://www.grapplearts.com/masterapp

Good luck with your training!
Stephan Kesting

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Combining the Stack and Leg Drag Pass to Smash Flexible Guard Players!

Gary Berger — Sat, 24 Sep 2022 23:40:54 +0000

Extremely flexible grapplers can make your life hell from the bottom – here’s how to smash their legs and pass their guards! From https://www.grapplearts.com/oldpass
00:00 Flexible Guard Players
00:19 The Stack Pass
04:20 Leg Drag Pass

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Tripod Guard Passing for Gi and No Gi Jiu-Jitsu, with Rob Biernacki

Gary Berger — Wed, 21 Sep 2022 20:58:18 +0000

Tripod guard passing was inspired by Demian Maia passeing guard in MMA. It’s a highly efficient and stable guard pass suitable for older grapplers in both gi and no gi. https://www.grapplearts.com/oldguard for more info about how to dominate and smash younger grapplers on the mat without throwing your back out, losing your breath, or tearing a hamstring.

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Training Advice for Older Grapplers

Gary Berger — Thu, 08 Sep 2022 23:11:47 +0000

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How to do the Reverse Armbar and the Shoulder Clamp in Gi and No Gi

Gary Berger — Fri, 13 May 2022 21:00:10 +0000

The shoulder clamp and the reverse armbar are fantastic attacks that you can use to submit a younger, faster, more athletic opponent from the closed guard. First the shoulder clamp grip stops him from moving around and standing up to break your guard. And then the reverse armbar is the first submission in a highly efficient attack series that you can use from the shoulder clamp.

This is from the brand new instructional BJJ for Old F***ks featuring Rob Biernacki and Stephan Kesting. It is available in online streaming, physical DVD, and/or app formats right now at https://www.grapplearts.com/oldguard

Check it out and let me know what you think!
Stephan Kesting

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