10 Powerful Reasons Why You Should Start Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Today: Key Benefits of BJJ

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) has experienced a remarkable surge in popularity over the past decade, with a 650% increase in practitioners. This growth isn’t merely a trend; it’s a testament to the benefits of BJJ for those who embrace it. As someone who has experienced this transformation firsthand, I can attest that BJJ is more than just a martial art—it’s a life-altering journey.

In this article, we’ll explore ten compelling reasons why you should consider starting BJJ today. From enhancing your physical fitness to developing mental resilience, the benefits of BJJ extend far beyond the mats. By the end of this discussion, you may find yourself eager to don a gi and step into the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

1. Unparalleled Self-Defense Skills

As a black belt in karate, I approached Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with confidence in my martial arts self-defense abilities. However, BJJ quickly opened my eyes to a crucial aspect of self-defense that many traditional martial arts overlook: ground fighting skills. Statistics show that a significant percentage of real-world altercations end up on the ground, a scenario for which many trained in striking arts are ill-prepared.

This realization was humbling but invaluable. BJJ’s focus on leverage, grappling techniques, and close-quarters combat provides a unique approach to self-defense that complements striking-based martial arts. I’m learning to handle situations where my opponent has closed the distance, often neutralizing a big part of my karate striking arsenal.

Moreover, BJJ introduced me to a new perspective on the value of leverage and technique over raw strength. This principle is particularly important for BJJ for women and smaller individuals, as it effectively allows them to defend against bigger, stronger opponents. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to appreciate this aspect even more. BJJ techniques are designed to maximize efficiency and minimize the need for brute force, making it an excellent self-defense system that remains effective as we age or face physically imposing adversaries.

Combining these grappling skills with my striking background has given me an entirely new perspective on practical self-defense as I continue to improve my BJJ. This combination of ground and stand-up skills forms the foundation of modern mixed martial arts (MMA), highlighting its effectiveness.

2. Full-Body Workout That Beats the Gym

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu offers a unique and comprehensive approach to physical fitness beyond mere calorie burning or muscle building. While traditional gym workouts certainly have their place, the BJJ workout routine excels in developing functional strength and mobility that directly translate to everyday activities. A typical BJJ session engages your entire body in dynamic, purposeful movements that mimic real-world physical challenges. This focus on functional fitness is particularly beneficial as we age, helping maintain and improve our physical capabilities.

One of the key advantages of BJJ strength training is its emphasis on core strength and mobility. These aspects are crucial for maintaining good posture, preventing injuries, and performing daily tasks with ease. BJJ’s constant grappling, bridging, and shrimping movements are excellent for developing a strong, stable core and improving overall body awareness. Moreover, the varied nature of BJJ practice ensures that you’re working your body through a full range of motion, enhancing BJJ and flexibility and joint health.

Unlike the often-repetitive nature of gym workouts, BJJ keeps you mentally engaged while you exercise. You’re not just moving for the sake of movement; you’re learning and applying techniques that challenge both your body and mind. This mental engagement makes the workout more enjoyable and contributes to cognitive benefits such as improved focus and problem-solving skills.

While BJJ may not necessarily burn more calories than an intense gym session, its holistic approach to fitness offers unique benefits. The strength, flexibility, and endurance developed through BJJ directly apply to real-world movements and situations. Many practitioners, myself included, find that BJJ and weight loss go hand in hand, improving overall physical condition in noticeable ways, from better balance to increased stamina and agility.

For those looking to age gracefully with longer capability, BJJ provides an excellent foundation. The combination of strength training, cardiovascular exercise, and mobility work inherent in BJJ helps maintain physical function and independence as we age. While some still complement their BJJ training with gym work, many find that BJJ becomes the core of their fitness regimen, offering a challenging yet rewarding path to improved overall physical health and functionality.

Ready to Dive In? Check out our Ultimate Beginners Guide to BJJ!

3. Sharpen Your Mind and Strategic Thinking

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is as much a mental exercise as it is physical. When I began training, I quickly realized that BJJ requires a level of strategic thinking I don’t normally encounter in other sports or activities. During sparring sessions, I’m constantly problem-solving in real-time, trying to figure out what my opponent will do next or what I need to do to escape my predicament.

This aspect of BJJ will improve your focus and concentration, contributing to the Jiu-Jitsu mental benefits. It’s fascinating how BJJ can be likened to a physical game of chess, where each move leads to a countermove. This continuous mental engagement makes the practice enjoyable and contributes to cognitive benefits extending beyond the gym.

4. Boost Your Confidence and Self-Esteem

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) makes you feel more confident about yourself, just like other martial arts. When you start BJJ, you’ll face a lot of challenges. Each time you overcome one of these challenges, you feel good about yourself.

For example, when you finally learn a new submission technique or use it successfully while practicing with a partner, you can see how much you’ve improved. This happens repeatedly in BJJ – you face a challenge, work hard, and succeed. All of this helps you believe in yourself more.

BJJ also teaches you how to set achievable goals and work towards them step by step. This skill helps you in BJJ, school, work, and your personal life.

The confidence you get from BJJ isn’t about showing off or being aggressive. Instead, it’s a quiet feeling of knowing what you can do and understanding your limits. This new confidence can help you in many parts of your life. It can make you do better at school or work, help your relationships with friends and family, and make you stronger when facing tough times.

In short, BJJ doesn’t just teach you how to defend yourself; it also helps you feel better about who you are and what you can do.

5. Join a Supportive and Diverse Community

One of the best things about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is the amazing BJJ community it creates. Walking into a BJJ gym, you’ll see people training together. There are doctors, teachers, students, and people of all ages and backgrounds, all learning and practicing on the same mats.

As you keep training, the people you practice with become more than just training partners. If you want to make new friends, an excellent place to start is where you’re all working hard and facing challenges together.

What’s really cool about the BJJ community is that it’s not just in one gym. It’s everywhere BJJ is practiced. It’s normal for BJJ gyms to welcome visitors from other places. If you travel and visit a BJJ gym in another city, you’ll likely find friendly people happy to train with you.

This is one of the things I love most about jiu-jitsu. The challenges we face, and our shared passion for BJJ bring us together. It doesn’t matter where you’re from or what you do for a living – if you practice BJJ, you’re part of this big, worldwide community.

6. Stress Relief and Mental Health Benefits

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu continues to be a significant contributor to my overall mental well-being. The intense physical activity inherent in BJJ training triggers the release of endorphins, which naturally elevate mood and reduce stress. However, the benefits extend beyond the biochemical. BJJ demands my complete focus when I’m on the mat; I have no choice but to be fully present in the moment. The day’s worries and distractions fade away on the mats, and I always leave feeling refreshed and rebalanced.

I’m not saying that BJJ is a substitute for professional mental health care, but I find that regular BJJ practice contributes significantly to my emotional resilience and overall mental health. The Jiu-Jitsu for stress relief aspect is one of the most valuable benefits I’ve experienced.

7. Develop Discipline and Perseverance

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) has been crucial in developing my discipline and perseverance. I often compare my BJJ journey to an ultra-marathon – it requires consistent, thoughtful effort over a long period. It’s not a sprint; it’s a test of endurance and commitment.

There are many times when I feel frustration with my progress creeping in. During these moments, a common saying around our school hits home: “Just keep showing up.” This simple phrase encapsulates a profound truth about BJJ and life in general – consistent effort over time yields results.

BJJ continually reinforces the importance of perseverance. It teaches you that mental barriers are meant to be overcome and that improvement comes with time and dedicated effort. The sport constantly challenges you to push beyond your comfort zone.

The discipline required to show up for training, especially when motivation is low, and the perseverance to keep going despite setbacks are qualities of immense value. While I understood this intellectually before, BJJ provides a practical arena to apply these principles.

These traits of discipline and perseverance become ingrained through regular practice, extending beyond the mats into my personal and professional life. BJJ doesn’t just teach techniques; it cultivates a mindset of resilience and determination that proves valuable in facing life’s various challenges.

8. Improve Your Overall Physical Health

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) offers a comprehensive approach to physical fitness that contributes to overall health improvements in several key areas.

Firstly, BJJ significantly enhances flexibility and range of motion. The diverse techniques in BJJ require your body to move in unconventional ways, gradually increasing your overall mobility. This improved flexibility not only aids in executing BJJ techniques but also reduces the risk of injuries in daily life activities.

Another benefit is the improvement in balance and coordination. BJJ techniques often involve intricate movements and position changes, which enhance your body awareness and control over time. This improved proprioception can translate to better overall physical performance and reduced risk of falls or accidents in everyday life.

Lastly, BJJ’s emphasis on leverage and technique over brute strength promotes long-term joint health. Unlike high-impact sports, BJJ allows practitioners to train well into their later years, providing a sustainable form of physical activity that adapts to your body’s changing capabilities. This makes BJJ an excellent option for Jiu-Jitsu for older adults looking to maintain their fitness and agility.

While it’s always advisable to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new exercise regimen, BJJ’s holistic physical benefits make it an excellent option for those seeking to improve their overall health and well-being.

9. Learn Humility and Respect

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has been a profound teacher of humility and respect in my life. When I first started, I had misconceptions about my abilities and thought I’d do better, especially since I had had previous marital arts training. However, I quickly found out that wasn’t the case! I vividly remember my first few sparring sessions, where more experienced practitioners consistently outmaneuvered me, regardless of their size or strength.

BJJ has a unique way of keeping my ego in check. The act of ‘tapping out’ – signaling submission when caught in a hold or submission – is a constant reminder that there’s always more to learn and that it’s okay to acknowledge when someone has bested you. The understanding that we’re all on a journey of continuous improvement creates a supportive environment where mutual respect is paramount.

This practice of humility extends beyond the mats. I’ve found myself more open to feedback and learning opportunities in other areas of life. This culture of respect and humility in BJJ, often referred to as Jiu-Jitsu etiquette, has significantly influenced my interactions and relationships outside the gym, making me more empathetic and open-minded in my personal and professional life.

10. Compete and Challenge Yourself

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) offers unique opportunities for personal growth through both collaborative training and competitive challenges. The beauty of BJJ lies in its dual nature: you can push yourself to improve without ever stepping onto a competition mat.

In regular training sessions, BJJ practitioners work together, teaching and learning from one another. This cooperative environment fosters mutual growth and improvement. You’ll often find yourself attempting new techniques, rolling with more experienced partners, or pushing your physical endurance – all of which present valuable opportunities for self-challenge and improvement.

For those who are interested, BJJ also offers a well-developed tournament structure. Competitions are available for practitioners of all skill levels and ages, providing a platform to test skills in a more structured environment. These events can help identify areas for improvement in both technique and mental game while offering concrete goals to work towards. BJJ competition preparation can be an exciting challenge for those looking to test their skills.

Whether in training or competition, BJJ encourages a mindset of continuous improvement. Many practitioners set personal goals, such as mastering a particular sweep or improving guard retention. The sense of accomplishment when achieving these goals can be incredibly rewarding.

The challenges faced in BJJ—whether in friendly sparring or formal competitions—cultivate valuable life skills. Resilience, focus, and adaptability developed on the mats often benefit various aspects of life outside of BJJ.

Ultimately, whether you choose to compete formally or challenge yourself in regular training, BJJ provides a unique avenue for personal growth and self-discovery. The journey is yours to shape, with ample opportunities to push your limits and expand your capabilities in a supportive environment.

Conclusion to Benefits of BJJ

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a transformative journey that impacts nearly every aspect of life. It offers a unique blend of physical and mental benefits, from developing effective self-defense skills to fostering mental resilience. The full-body workout keeps you fit, while the strategic thinking sharpens your mind.

Starting BJJ could be your first step towards a healthier, more confident, and resilient you. The skills and mindset developed through this practice have the potential to influence every area of your life positively. So why wait? Embrace the challenge and begin your BJJ journey. The transformation awaits!