> These days I train aikido, but do so for the fitness, the mental challenge, and the camaraderie of the dojo. Unlike judo or BJJ, I can imagine myself training

> These days I train aikido, but do so for the fitness, the mental challenge, and the camaraderie of the dojo. Unlike judo or BJJ, I can imagine myself training into later life. These are the same reasons I train BJJ. There is nothing quite like rolling in terms of exercise. I also train with a lot of older guys (into their 60's, some 70's) who are very healthy and continue to train, drill and even roll lightly. The thing with most martial arts is that you take out what you put in. If you don't want to compete, you certainly don't have to. I do tournaments, but I do it because I think it's fun--not because I plan on being a world level competitor. There really is nothing like being able to put what you've learned to the test. That's what I have found BJJ offers me that no other martial art has--an outlet to really test what I am doing without no real risk of being hurt. You can't spar with full force in Muay Thai or Judo. But you can roll and sweat and lose and walk away better than you arrived in BJJ. And it's completely optional.