Are you thinking about starting jiu jitsu? Did you just enroll in our 8 week beginners course? Are you a white belt on his/her new jiu jitsu journey?
If you said yes to any one of those, knowing the benefits of training jiu jitsu might make the new journey even more exciting.
Let’s take a closer look at what you can look forward to as a new jiu jiteiro.
#1 You’re Getting Stronger
Jiu Jitsu is a whole body workout, where all your muscles will be working hard without you even noticing it. Saying that, you’ll for sure notice the hard work the next day as you’ll be pleasantly sore.
The longer you train, the stronger your body will get. You’ll also break quite a sweat during the 1-2 hours of training, which helps with weight loss if that’s something you’ve been struggling with. The fun part is that you won’t even notice you’re exercising as you’ll be focused on executing the technique you’re being taught.
#2 It Helps Reduce Stress
You know those days when you feel like you just can’t get a break? You’re overwhelmed at work, you’re not spending enough time with your family/friends, money has been tight, you feel tired, [enter your major stress source] ….
….well there’s something about trying to mock strangle your friends on the mats that results in you leaving the gym smiling from ear to ear.
If you have problems that seem like they’re overshadowing everything else, you find yourself always thinking about them….
…you’ll be happy to hear that jiu jitsu will help. It doesn’t make your problems magically disappear, but you won’t be thinking about them while you train 100%.
As you’re focusing on executing the technique correctly and giving your best to be a good training partner, there will be no room to think about non-bjj related problems.
Once you start sparring, this will become even more obvious as you’ll be too busy trying to incorporate your newly acquired skills to a resistant opponent. Dozing off to think about your work and not paying attention would just end in you being submitted lightning fast.
By the time you’re done with the class, your endorphins will kick in, you’ll be feeling pleasantly tired and your mind will be empty. You’ll go home feeling happier and able to see daily problems in a new light, from a different perspective.
#3 You’ll Enhance Your Body Awareness
Depending on how physically active you were before starting jiu jitsu, it’ll have a certain effect on your body awareness.
If you’re a desk-bound person that isn’t very physically active, you’ll experience this straight away. Jiu jitsu will help you get more in tune with your body as that’ll be your main ‘operating vehicle’.
Why is that?
Jiu jitsu is all about moving your body in a way that’ll allow you to perform a certain technique as efficiently as possible. In saying that, you’ll also need to be aware of your partner’s body and limbs.
As you work on conditioning your body to perform jiu jitsu techniques properly, your body will get used to new movement patterns. With that, your mobility and flexibility will increase as well.
It’s quite rewarding to see what your body is capable of once you spend some time on the mats. You’re designed to do way more than just go from sitting to standing daily!
#4 It’ll Boost Your Confidence
Yep you read that right, jiu jitsu will actually boost your confidence. It won’t happen instantly though, it’ll take a bit of time.
As a beginner, it might be somewhat intimidating to step on the mats. You’ll probably feel nervous to some degree before each class. What you’ll soon realize is that everyone is in the same boat as you.
We were all nervous when we first started training. It’s an extremely humbling sport and there’s no room for your ego. You have to let go of your expectations and focus on the task at hand – nailing the technique being taught.
After some time spent training, you’ll see a major shift in your mentality happen. As you learn how to apply techniques in real-time sparring, you’ll gradually become more confident.
You’ll be able to see your progress when someone new will join the gym – it’ll put things into perspective. You’ll see where you started and how far you came in just a few months of training.
Just like with every new skill you’re trying to learn, the longer you train the more proficient you’ll be in grappling. Confidence will come as a direct side effect.
#5 It’s Great for Self-Defense
Jiu Jitsu is a martial art that focuses on controlling and submitting your opponent with joint locks and strangles. As you learn how to grapple, you’re also learning how to defend yourself in case of being attacked off the mats.
In the unfortunate event of someone trying to harm you in the real world, Jiu Jitsu knowledge will help you stay safe.
Saying that, it’s always a good idea to be alert and try to avoid conflict any way possible.
#6 It Enhances Your Problem-Solving Capabilities
The thing that’s so addictive in jiu jitsu is that it’s not just a physical activity. Your brain is working out as well because you’re constantly problem-solving.
Once you start live sparring you soon realize there’s more to it than just knowing how to perform a technique correctly. You have to pay attention to what your partner is doing as well and adapt.
Are they trying to set up a move, are they exposing a certain limb you could attack? Is their balance compromised and you could take advantage of that?
Paying attention to your opponent and being fully aware of your body’s positioning demands your full presence. You can’t be thinking about your work or what you’ll have for dinner later.
Being fully present and in the moment is something you can teach yourself through mindfullness and meditation. You’ll also naturally train yourself to pay attention and focus through jiu jitsu, which will come handy in your day-to day life.
#7 You’ll Make New Friends
Jiu jitsu attracts a variety of personalities. If you roll up to a jiu jitsu academy and start asking what people do for a living, you’ll hear a bunch of different things. You’ll find lawyers, accountants, plumbers, students, retired folks, professional athletes, etc. on the mats. Everyone will have one thing in common though. Their love for jiu jitsu.
There’s something about rolling around on the floor in pijamas (so called gi’s) that builds great friendships. No matter how shy you are or if you’re the biggest introvert on the planet, you’ll make new friends in no time on the mats.
Even though the article is coming to an end, the list of benefits doesn’t stop here. Everyone has their own reasons for trying out jiu jitsu and then quite possibly a different reason for sticking with it.
If you start asking people on the mats on why they’re there, chances are you’ll hear 10 more benefits not covered here.
Are you excited to experience them yourself? Come and try a free class by clicking the link below!
