Why Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu? BJJ For Women 40+

Women relax and chat on the tatame after a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu session.

How this intense sport made my life better

Just over two years ago, my daughter, who was nearly eight at the time, had the opportunity to choose a martial art to begin practicing. It was the right moment for her to start a consistent sports activity, and I believed a martial art would benefit her.

I genuinely expected her to select something like Kung Fu, since I practiced it in my youth. However, after reviewing videos of the various martial arts offered in our area, she opted for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. This choice brought about significant changes.

I searched for gyms and found one where I could do my workouts while she was learning how to do armbars and chokes. It was an ideal moment, as I had just decided to do something about myself and the changes in my body (see article about weightlifting).

After spending some time there, I got to know the BJJ community, including practitioners who lifted weights with me and the instructors. I was frequently asked why I wouldn't try it myself.

I must admit, initially, the idea of jiu-jitsu completely deterred me. All I could see was the physical contact, the sweat, the claustrophobic sensation of two people clinging to each other, and the heat. However, I couldn't overlook the joy people experienced, the evident sense of achievement, the friendships formed, and the fitness and health of those involved, regardless of their age.

So, one year later, in the middle of summer (!!!), I decided to give it a try. I went for a female-only class at first and decided to do it for a month, three times per week, and see how it goes.

It is funny to remember how I would have to be so extremely focused to be able to learn and do any move, because they are so complex, that I would forget the heat and physical contact almost completely while doing them. But also, as soon as the class had finished, I would only think of jumping into the shower! Mixed feelings all over, I would say.

However, very soon I was so involved in the learning process and the desire to do it better, the chess-like game it is to try to predict what the colleague is going to try and how I should respond (never works lol), the changes in my body and mind, that the heat and physical clinging stopped being a challenge altogether. I lost the excess weight, gained great cardiovascular condition, and a shape that, combined with the weightlifting, is just getting better and better. Now I train every weekday, and the days I can't go for some reason are never as good.

BJJ not only benefits your physical health but also greatly enhances your mental and emotional well-being. When you're on the tatami, your mind must and will focus solely on the present moment. You'll be entirely focused on each movement, breath, and effort. It sharpens your mind and leaves you feeling lighter, as if you've shed much of your daily burdens.

Of course, this is my passion, but it doesn't have to be yours. The key takeaway is that engaging in intense exercise, especially after our 40s, is crucial for us. We all desire to feel energized, strong, and capable. We want to age gracefully, remain independent, play with our kids, tend to our gardens, and explore beautiful places on our holidays—the list goes on! To achieve this, we need to stay as active as possible, starting now! It doesn't have to be BJJ; any HIIT-type exercise will do it. As long as it's intense, leaves you tired, and helps you escape everyday stress, it will work.

A woman in a BJJ gi sits on the tatami mat, attentively listening and smiling during a training session.