Fitness 40 and over - 6 Reasons to choose Jiu-Jitsu.
Are you 40 or over and looking to get in shape, have fun, make friends, and learn an invaluable skill that will change your life?
A question that I am often asked is "am I too old?". And I always answer "no", but there are precautions that you have to take when you get older. Our bodies don't recover as fast and injury becomes a bigger concern when training with younger, faster, stronger, and more athletic training partners.
I've seen a growing interest in the 40 and over demographic and over 40 myself I understand it first hand! We have the responsibilities of family and our careers before and after class, so while the benefits of learning and training Jiu-Jitsu are appealing the concerns of risk of injury are real and something that needs to be regarded.
6 Benefits why Jiu-Jitsu is Good for You!
1) Get in Shape
I hear so often what Jiu-Jitsu has done for my students. I lost weight, I feel better, passed my company health exam with flying colors. You will be stretching and drilling techniques that will strengthen your core, tone you up, burn fat and make you more flexible and all while having fun. Click Here to read an article written about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu on a fitness site called Breaking Muscle.
2) Stress Relief
Life can be stressful and we all have ways that we try and cope with it. Your doctor will tell you that virtually any form of exercise can be good for relieving stress. Exercise increases your overall health and your sense of well-being, which puts more pep in your step every day. The physical activity will pump you up with endorphins also called a "runner's high". You focus on what you are doing physically and it becomes an active meditation that will energize you and clear your mind. And exercise through Jiu-Jitsu can help lower depression and anxiety, help you sleep better thus giving you better control of your body and life.
3) Mentally Stimulating
Learning Jiu-Jitsu is like learning chess with your body. You will be challenged to remembers single techniques then string them together in different sequences. You will incorporate strategy with these and learn to execute them in different ways. I've talked to my doctor, who is also a Blue Belt, who was a junior chess champion and he told me that Jiu-Jitsu is far more mentally stimulating to him than chess ever was.
4) Self-Defense
Just Google the effectiveness of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and you will find 10s of 1000s of articles about this. Jiu-Jitsu is incorporated into every successful MMA fighter's arsenal. It is by far the best single martial art on the planet to defend yourself with. In this class, you will be learning the best Jiu-Jitsu techniques and how to apply them.
5) Comradery
I've made so many friends through this sport. You are out there learning, challenging yourself with and against others in a fun atmosphere day after day, and over time you really begin to bond with these people. I have retired military people come in and say that the comradery is one of the biggest things that they miss about being actively enlisted and here in the gym they have found it again.
6) The Jiu-Jitsu Lifestyle
This is one that I learn to appreciate more every day that I am involved in this sport. This encompasses the life changes that take place as a result of your training Jiu-Jitsu. The longer you stick with it the more it becomes apparent. This can be anything off the mat, diet, cross-training, solving problems, etc. The Jiu-Jitsu lifestyle is something you discover and embrace as a way of life!
Contact us and schedule your first class today!!
See you on the mats!
Alan Stockman