38 y/o starting bjj- choices in OC

It looks like my 3 local choices in south Orange County are:

Gracie Barra
Royce Gracie jiu-jitsu USBA
Carlson Gracie jiu-jitsu club

As an old beginner, any reason why one of these would be preferable to another? How do I choose?

Thanks guys

 

Have you visited them yet? Take them for a test drive and see what YOU think.

 

I hope you've got good insurance, Gramps!

Because your odds of getting hurt at that age as a beginner are HIGH!

 

Lol....thanks. That's kinda why I need to find the one with a wide range of ages not the one filled with 20 year old ultra aggressive UFC bound dudes going full throttle

 

Start a flexibility routine now because it's unbelievably easy to hyperextend something while rolling.

 

That Royce school looks incredibly McDojo-ish, but it might be exactly what a middle-aged beginner needs.

 

Do you think Gracie Barra is too hardcore?

 

Maybe, maybe not. Gracie Barra tends to be all over the place in terms of instructors and students. I would definitely check it out though.

 

In Orange County, or cali. You can't go wrong with a GB school. All great instructors, great mix of causal and competitive trainers. Also if u train in 1 gb you can train in any gb, allowing you to be able to train after work, meetings, etc.

 

I'm 38 (purple belt) - I'm a lot more brittle than I was when I started sad to say. It takes you a lot longer to heal too. Tap early and often and keep yourself healthy, tell your training partners when something hurts so that they can avoid it, avoid ego like the plague because that will get you hurt. You have advantages as an older guy though - old man strength is real and you may find your grip to be stronger than younger guys - use strong grips to slow down their game.

 

Awesome thanks

 

Thank you...really good tips.

 

UFC gym Lake Forest has a solid bjj program under coach Earl. There's a good mix of beginner to advanced. Rates are probably much more reasonable than GB.

 

What are your goals. Self defense, get in shape, tournaments? Any background in grappling or other martial arts?

 

Well I'm in pretty good shape already so my goals are really to have a hobby that's physically and mentally challenging.. I wrestled all through high school and miss having a physical outlet like that. The gym just gets so boring. Learning self defense would be a huge plus too...

 

If you're too old I'm a dead man. 45 just started. Figured if not now then maybe never.

 

What Carlson school are you looking at? Also like GB if you train at Carlson you can visit other Carlson schools.

 

You really need to try to take the classes at each school you are considering. They all should offer some form of trial class/period without any commitment from you as a beginner. Each school will be different and it will be up to you to find a place you are comfortable with. Just remember you are a customer and you want to try the product. You wouldn't buy a car without test driving it.

 

I started at 44 been 2 yrs now and im hooked. I have limitations on my body due to old sports injuries so find yours and learn ways around them.

most places offer free trial classes. I would try them all and see which one is the most comfortable for you.
have a good journey.

 

Ha I'm 46 and started GI last week (although did some no gi like a decade ago when I was doing mma). Good advice on talk it slow, it's what I am trying to do.