What is the best age to start training BJJ? I hear this question a lot in forums online or from parents in the gym where I train. I have heard people jokingly say: "The best time to start BJJ is at 11 years old or right now". I think I can offer a unique point of view since I started at 38 and my son (in the white gi below) started at 3. My answer is this: Anytime is the best time but be realistic in your or your child's goals. Kids: We have kids starting in our gym as young as 2 and into their late teens. Each age comes with it's own mental and physical limitations and the value the get from BJJ is going to be very different. At 3 and even now at 7, it's my goal for my son to have fun in each class. Sometimes I catch myself coaching him as I want to be coached as an adult or trying to be the coach that I think he needs. In those times, I have to remind myself how I would feel if someone was watching my every move on the mat, judging me, and giving an opinion on my performance after every roll. I would hate it and I might even be driven to quit. With older children and teen, they start to run into more bullying, risk of physical violence with other kids and the insecurities that come with adolescence. With tweens and teens, I think the same rule applies.. they need to have fun or as Rener Gracie says, "keep it playful". While any pressure we put on them comes from a good place, it's best to keep it playful and let the Jiu-Jitsu bug bite them. In time, as their skills improve, so to will their confidence and competitiveness. Even then, keep it playful. Adults: The light side. (Health, confidence, and tribe) As people transition into adulthood, it seems that many of us let ourselves go physically. The gym can be boring and between jobs and families, we have very little time to for physical activity and diet planning. I fell into this trap. While working 10-12 hours a day and trying to manage a family, I began to see my body deteriorate. With that said, ...