Am I Too Old for BJJ? The Encouraging Truth for Older Beginners(2025)

ByRay W. Swanson Updated on
Image of senior athlete running - Am I Too Old For BJJ article

Since publishing my article about starting BJJ at 68, I’ve received a number of queries from older readers asking the same fundamental question: “Am I too old for BJJ?” Most of the questions come from folks in their 50s and 60s who are intrigued by the idea of learning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu but worried they’ve missed their window.

In this article, I’ll give you honest answers about the physical realities, injury risks, and what success actually looks like when starting BJJ later in life. No sugar-coating, no false promises – just practical guidance from someone who’s still walking this path.