The Benefits of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Training
Jiu-jitsu is a Japanese martial art that combines a variety of other Japanese martial arts which were used in close combat situations against armed and armored enemies. Brazilian brothers Carlos and Hélio Gracie along with other jiu-jitsu masters integrated new techniques and innovations into the sport and this spawned Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ).
BJJ is based on the idea that smaller and weaker individuals can effectively defend themselves against opponents who are bigger, heavier, and stronger. Jiu-jitsu focuses on grappling and fighting on the ground and it incorporates elements of judo, jujutsu, and wrestling. The Gracie family is widely recognized for developing the sport throughout the 20th century and making it what it is today.
BJJ gained popularity in the United States during the 1970s before gaining global recognition when Royce Gracie won three of the first four Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC). For the record, Royce Gracie was a tad over six-feet tall and weighed 176 pounds. Ken Shamrock, Gerard Gordeau, and Dan Severn are just a few of the opponents that he beat during that time and they were all significantly larger than Royce.
Brazilian jiu-jitsu training is a must if you plan on becoming an MMA champion. However, there are many other benefits that training in BJJ has to offer. It isn’t just a combat sport. It can be a means to a healthier and happier life.
BJJ Can Be Humbling
Seeing that Brazilian jiu-jitsu is based on the idea that a physically inferior person can defend against a physically superior opponent, it only makes sense that you will be humbled by someone who is physically inferior to you somewhere along the line. The first few months of training might be a little hard on the old ego but you will learn to have a lot more respect for others no matter how they are built.
It’s also humbling when you come to the realization that there are certain things that are beyond your control and there will always be someone more skilled than you. This epiphany usually occurs just before you tap out.
A Plethora of Physical Benefits
Apart from developing fighting skills, training in BJJ also has health benefits. You just might not realize how many health benefits there are. Those who are a little on the heavy side quickly notice that they are getting leaner. Brazilian jiu-jitsu training is a fast and effective way to shed those excess pounds. It won’t happen overnight but that beer belly will eventually melt away and turn into a well-chiseled 6-pack if you take your BJJ regimen seriously. It won’t take too long before you notice that your muscle mass has increased and you have more energy.
Brazilian jiu-jitsu involves a lot of strength training. Be prepared to do your fair share of hip thrusts, split squats, and burpees. You will also get acquainted with kettle balls and other weights. These exercises will strengthen your core muscles, increase flexibility, and build endurance. BJJ training provides intense cardiovascular exercise and teach you to use your body as a single unit. There really aren’t any negatives to BJJ training from a physical health point of view.
BJJ Will Strengthen Your Mindset
While it’s obvious that Brazilian jiu-jitsu training is good for your body, you might not know how good it is for your mind and soul. It takes a lot of mental toughness and focus to learn a new skill. Understanding a technique is one thing but being able to apply it is a different story. It takes a lot of practice to finally be able to successfully execute a technique but, once you do it, the feeling of elation and sense of accomplishment is one heck of a rush.
As you start seeing the physical changes and you have mastered even the most basic of techniques, you will feel a lot better about yourself. You won’t just be more confident at the MMA gym, you will also be more confident outside of the gym.
Most people have trouble dealing with frustration in their day to day life. One thing you can be certain is that when you train BJJ, you will face immense frustration. Brazilian jiu-jitsu training builds mental toughness and turns frustration into a desire to persevere. You will most likely have to deal with losing too but this will become a source of motivation. In other words, BJJ helps you change the way you see things. It enables you to turn negative energy into positive energy and this is also immensely helpful in everyday situations.
Did you have a bad day at work? Did some jerk cut you off when you were driving to the gym? Are your kids driving you nuts? Whatever the reason, we all need to vent our frustration sometimes and training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu gives you plenty of opportunities to do it. You will be able to leave the gym after your training session in a better mood. Learning and practicing new techniques requires a great deal of focus which shifts your attention from your troubles to the task at hand.
BJJ Is For Everyone
Are you a young person who gets pushed around at school? Are you an adult that fears walking through dimly lit parking lots at night? Do you like challenges? Do you dream of becoming the next Royce Gracie? It doesn’t matter what your reason is for wanting to train in Brazilian jiu-jitsu as long as you have the desire to make some kind of positive changes in your life. The great thing about this sport is that it is all-inclusive. Males and females of all ages, sizes, and backgrounds can train in BJJ. Remember it is not too late for you to give it a try as BJJ classes welcome all age groups.
Get Started
BJJ is quite popular and there is a good chance that there is a BJJ training gym near you. Do a quick Google search to find out if it has a good reputation. If it does, get off the couch and drop in for a visit. You will be amazed by the diverse cast of characters that you see there. Talk to the staff and learn how they can help you achieve your goals. Talk to the fighters and find out how they have benefited from Brazilian jiu-jitsu and get their opinions on the trainers.
You will likely discover that they have all benefited in different ways. Watch some of the training and try to get a feel for the overall vibe of the gym. Are the students having fun? Are they getting good instructions and ongoing feedback from the coaches? Is the gym clean and does it have the proper equipment? More importantly, ask yourself if you think you are a good fit. These are just some of the factors you should be taking into consideration
You will definitely come out further ahead in the long run if you have a good BJJ coach to guide you along. Besides being properly certified and experienced, a good coach will keep you motivated and help you get your BJJ black bet. So if you have been thinking about getting into BJJ training, make the decision to go out and get it done today.