What to Expect in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Most people want to learn a martial art not so that they can kick ass but to protect them or participate in competition. One of the best styles to learn these days is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu because you are able to use your opponent’s size, weight and strength to your advantage. If you want to learn it, here are a few things you should expect about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu consists of a system of blocks, strikes, sweeps and throws. When you visit a gym, this will be explained to you by the teacher and he or she will be able to answer any other questions you might have about this martial art.

Just like other martial arts, you have to wear proper attire every time you come to class. The uniform is known as a Gi. For your first class, you don’t have to get one yet but you will have to when you decide to continue training.

If you come to class wearing shorts and pants, make sure that it does not have belt loops, baggy fabric or extra pockets because this could be dangerous fingers and toes could accidentally get caught in them and result in injury.

Should you feel like it, you can wear ear guards, knee braces, mouth guards, cup and athletic tape during class.

There are a lot of health benefits you can expect from learning Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. These include improvements in your physical strength, endurance, flexibility and speed.

But for this to happen, you have to anticipate that you will be experiencing a certain amount of pain. You will get thrown, taken down or held in a position that is very uncomfortable.

No pain, no gain is the best way to describe it but you will learn how to hold, escape and make counter moves so you can fight back even against an attacker that is holding a knife or gun.

If you enjoy Brazilian Jiu Jitsu so much, you can stay and move to another belt class. There are certain requirements that you have to meet to receive the next color. If you fail to pass them, learn where you went wrong and then take the test again.

You should also be expected to follow certain rules in the gym. You have to learn how to properly address the instructor as well as students who are more senior than you.

This won’t be a problem of course if you have had previous martial arts training in another discipline and just want to add this to your belt. Will you have to start over as a white belt? It depends and the instructor will make that decision after reviewing your skills.

For instance, if you are knowledgeable in Aikido or Judo then you will not have to start as a white belt. If you are knowledgeable in Karate or Tae Kwon Do, then you have to start from the bottom.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a lot of fun and you will feel refreshed once you come out of each class. Aside from knowing how to defend yourself, you will also gain self-confidence, self-discipline, self-control and respect for others.  So what are you waiting for? Visit your local gym and see if they are offering a class to beginners like yourself.