At El Dorado Hills Jiu Jitsu, we often get asked if there’s a class “for older adults,” especially from people in their 50s or beyond who are just starting out. And while we don’t have a specific class labeled for older adults, we have great news: you won’t need one! Out of the 100 or so adults training with us, only 5 are under 30. That means most of our students are in their 30s, 40s, and 50s, training and improving every day.
Jiu Jitsu is a lifelong art. It’s not about brute strength or being the fastest person in the room—it’s about technique, strategy, and patience. Our students, many of whom began their journey in their 40s and 50s, prove that age is no barrier to learning and enjoying the benefits of Jiu Jitsu. The community you’ll find at our school is supportive and understanding, and your training partners will work with you at a pace that suits your fitness and skill level.
If you’re worried about being too old to start, consider this: some of our members are in their 60s and thriving on the mats. Jiu Jitsu provides a fantastic way to stay active, build confidence, and develop self-defense skills—all while being part of a community of people with similar goals.
So, if you’re in your 50’s and wondering if there’s a place for you, the answer is a resounding yes. You’ll fit right in. There’s never a perfect age to start Jiu Jitsu—there’s only the perfect time: now!
This month marks an exciting return to gi training for our youth classes at El Dorado Hills Jiu Jitsu after a summer of nogi training. Students will now have the chance to build upon their nogi skills by adding the intricate techniques of gi training, where grips, fabric control, and different submissions come into play.
To ensure all of our students are ready for this transition, we’re hosting a Gi Swap. Here’s how it works:
Trade: Swap your old gi for one that fits better.
Leave One: Got an extra gi? Leave it for someone else to use.
Take One: If you need a gi, grab one for free from the swap pile.
This is a great way to make sure everyone has what they need, and it reinforces the sense of community we’re building at our gym.
Guardian El Dorado Hills Scholarship for Teens
We’re also proud to offer the Guardian El Dorado Hills scholarship, which provides financial assistance for teen students to train in Jiu Jitsu. This scholarship is part of our commitment to making martial arts accessible to all and helping teens benefit from the physical and mental growth that Jiu Jitsu fosters.
Whether you’re coming back after a summer of nogi or just starting your Jiu Jitsu journey, we’re excited to support you with the tools and opportunities you need.
Today marks an exciting transition at El Dorado Hills Jiu Jitsu as all of our youth classes—Peewee, Kids, and Juniors—move from No-Gi to Gi training. This shift will help our young athletes focus on the fundamentals of traditional Jiu Jitsu, providing them with new challenges and techniques to master.
Wearing the gi brings a different dynamic to training, as students will learn to utilize grips, manage the opponent’s clothing, and develop a deeper understanding of leverage and control. It’s also an excellent opportunity to further instill discipline and respect, as wearing the uniform reinforces these important values.
What Does This Mean for Students?
New Skills: Students will now learn how to apply techniques that involve the use of the gi, including lapel chokes, grip breaks, and gi-specific sweeps and submissions.
Discipline and Respect: The gi is a symbol of the martial arts tradition. Wearing it encourages mindfulness, respect, and care for the uniform and each other.
Excitement and Growth: Gi training challenges students to expand their game, making them more well-rounded grapplers.
Gi Rentals for New Students and Trials
If you’re new to the gym or trying out a class, we’ve made it easy! El Dorado Hills Jiu Jitsu offers gi rentals for new students and trial members. When you arrive for class, let us know you’d like to rent a gi, and we’ll provide you with on for free during your first week. This allows you to experience gi training without needing to purchase your own right away.
Remember to have your gi clean and ready for each class, and we look forward to seeing how our young athletes grow and develop in this new phase of their training!
This past Friday, El Dorado Hills Jiu Jitsu hosted our highly anticipated “Ruckus in the Hills” in-house competition, and it was a tremendous success! The energy in the room was electric as competitors from all levels showcased their hard work, skill, and determination on the mats. From our youngest Peewees to seasoned adults, everyone brought their A-game in what turned out to be a night full of exciting matches and valuable lessons.
Not only did this event give our students a chance to test their abilities in a friendly but competitive environment, but it also served as a fundraiser for the Guardian El Dorado Hills project. Thanks to the generosity of our participants and supporters, we raised nearly $1,000 for our scholarship program, which helps provide financial assistance to youth athletes who want to train but may face financial barriers. We are incredibly grateful for this support, as it ensures that Jiu Jitsu remains accessible to all.
A Huge Thank You
This event wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible effort of our volunteers. A special thank you goes out to the coaches who spent extra time helping prepare our competitors and offering guidance throughout the event. To those who worked the score table, ensuring everything ran smoothly, and to the photographers who captured all the amazing moments, we appreciate your dedication. We also want to extend our gratitude to our on-call medic, who provided peace of mind and was ready to assist if needed. Your contributions made “Ruckus in the Hills” an unforgettable experience!
Transition to Gi Training
As we wrap up this thrilling competition, we’re shifting gears to focus on training in the gi for all Peewee, Kids, and Junior classes. With the fall season approaching, it’s the perfect time to get back to the fundamentals of traditional Jiu Jitsu. Gi training teaches patience, grip fighting, and technical precision in ways that complement the no-gi lessons learned during competition preparation.
For our Peewee students, the focus will be on familiarizing themselves with gi grips and basic techniques, laying a solid foundation for their future growth. Kids and Juniors will dive deeper into advanced concepts, such as guard passing, sweeps, and submissions with the added challenge of controlling grips and utilizing the gi.
We look forward to seeing the continued development of all our students as we embrace this new phase of training! Whether you’re coming off the excitement of “Ruckus in the Hills” or just starting your Jiu Jitsu journey, there’s so much to learn in the gi.
Embarking on a martial arts journey is a transformative experience that offers numerous physical, mental, and social benefits. At El Dorado Hills Jiu Jitsu, we pride ourselves on creating an inclusive and dynamic environment where beginners and seasoned practitioners alike can thrive. One of the unique aspects of our training is the synergistic integration of wrestling with no-gi grappling and judo with gi jiu-jitsu, providing our students with a comprehensive and effective martial arts education.
The Power of Synergy in Martial Arts
Synergy in martial arts means combining different styles and techniques to create a more powerful and versatile skill set. At El Dorado Hills Jiu Jitsu, we believe that blending wrestling, no-gi grappling, and judo with gi jiu-jitsu allows our students to experience the full spectrum of grappling arts, enhancing their overall capability and understanding.
Wrestling and No-Gi Grappling
Wrestling is a core component of our no-gi grappling curriculum. Known for its explosive takedowns, control, and positional dominance, wrestling provides a solid foundation for any grappler. By incorporating wrestling techniques, we ensure that our students develop the skills necessary to control and manipulate their opponents in a no-gi setting. This includes learning how to execute takedowns, maintain top position, and escape from disadvantageous positions.
Our no-gi grappling classes also emphasize the fluidity and speed that are characteristic of this style. Without the gi, practitioners rely more on leverage, timing, and body mechanics, making it an excellent complement to traditional gi jiu-jitsu. The combination of wrestling’s raw power and no-gi’s technical finesse creates well-rounded grapplers who can adapt to any situation on the mat.
Judo and Gi Jiu-Jitsu
Judo, with its emphasis on throws, sweeps, and submissions, is the perfect partner for gi jiu-jitsu. Training in the gi allows for a different range of techniques and strategies that are not possible in no-gi grappling. The grips and controls afforded by the gi enable practitioners to execute a variety of throws and submissions with precision and control.
At El Dorado Hills Jiu Jitsu, we incorporate judo techniques into our gi classes to enhance our students’ ability to take down opponents and transition seamlessly into ground fighting. Judo’s principles of balance, leverage, and momentum are integral to mastering gi jiu-jitsu. By training in both disciplines, our students develop a deep understanding of how to use their opponents’ movements against them, creating opportunities for effective takedowns and submissions.
A Comprehensive Martial Arts Education
Our approach to martial arts education is holistic, focusing not just on physical techniques but also on mental resilience, discipline, and respect. Whether you are a beginner starting your martial arts journey or an experienced practitioner looking to expand your skill set, our curriculum is designed to challenge and inspire you.
At El Dorado Hills Jiu Jitsu, we offer a supportive community where students of all levels can grow and thrive. Our experienced instructors are dedicated to helping you achieve your goals, whether it’s improving your fitness, learning self-defense, or competing at a high level.
Join Us Today
If you’re ready to start your martial arts journey, there’s no better place than El Dorado Hills Jiu Jitsu. Our unique blend of wrestling, no-gi grappling, and judo with gi jiu-jitsu offers a comprehensive and dynamic training experience that will help you become a well-rounded martial artist. Join us today and discover the power of synergy in martial arts!
For more information about our classes and schedule, visit our website or contact us directly. We look forward to training with you and helping you achieve your martial arts goals!
