With the popularization of MMA, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has caught the attention of the public and has been growing ever since. More and more practitioners continue to practice Jiu Jitsu in a daily basis. Many of them will tell you one thing: Jiu Jitsu is so much more than a sport, it’s a way of life. And it truly is – it’s life changing! With all the rigors of Jiu Jitsu, through your countless rolling sessions, you will soon find out all the benefits for this sport. This article highlights 9 benefits of Jiu Jitsu.
Weight Loss
Jiu Jitsu is a great full body workout. One thing that you will realize right away after your first roll is that you sweat A LOT! You burn a ton of calories in your training sessions. It uses just about every muscle in your body! The best part is you don’t even realize it!
You are so focused on using the techniques you have just learned on your opponent or just trying to survive until the end of the round. If you’re tired of running in a treadmill or find lifting weights redundant, BJJ is definitely a great way to exercise and meet your desired goals!
Self Defense
Just like other martial arts, BJJ instills self-defense. Probably the biggest difference with BJJ compared to martial arts is that it primarily focuses on the defense aspect. Martial arts like boxing or karate have the intention of defending themselves by hitting their opponent.
BJJ does not have any striking involved, it simply has the goal of subduing the opponent by holding them down and making them submit. By being able to subdue your opponent without hurting them is probably the number one reason why BJJ is so popular as a self-defense art.
In a physical brawl, punching isn’t nearly as effective as taking your opponent to the ground and controlling their movement. This is the main reason why military and law enforcement go through training programs derived from BJJ techniques!
Confidence
One of the best resulting benefits of Jiu Jitsu would be self-confidence. By learning the techniques and grappling with countless opponents, you learn how to handle yourself in different situations. You handle yourself well not only with your partners on the mats, but in walks of life as well.
Since you are able to handle yourself both physically and mentally in training, this same mentality becomes almost second nature to your daily life. Maybe it makes you become more sociable at school or maybe it makes you stand up to a bully hurting your friend!
Fact is, by learning how to handle yourself in difficult situations, you increasingly improve your confidence! This is a primary reason that parents choose to enroll kids in BJJ classes because it not only teaches them discipline, but it teaches them how to become more confident in their daily lives.
Patience
As you roll more often, you begin to realize that relying on simple brute strength in BJJ is not enough for you to be successful. In your first few classes you more than likely go full blown 100% to try to win every match. The problem with that mentality is that you are more than likely to gas out much faster!
You are also much more likely to get injured or accidentally injuring your training partners. Once you get put into a bad position for instance, instead of trying to bench press your opponent off you, try using the techniques you have learned!
By keeping a relaxed, calm composure, you are able to think more strategically, and use your techniques to find an opening. Jiu Jitsu teaches you to be calm and patient, allowing you to roll much more fluidly and safely!
Critical Thinking
Jiu Jitsu is not just a game of physical game of dominance, it’s also a game of mental fortitude. It’s like a physical game of chess in many aspects. The more techniques you learn and the more you train, the more likely you will be able to see the opponent’s next move.
After getting accustomed to the fundamentals of the sport, you become more aware of the strategies and traps you can set for your opponents! By doing BJJ, you not only become a grappling ninja, you also become an excellent problem solver and critical thinker!
Flexibility
An immediate effect for practicing BJJ is improved flexibility. As you train more frequently, your body is put in different angles and contortions. Putting your body through these stressful situations daily increases your body’s limitations.
You increase your joint and hip mobility as you continue to work out and practice your Jiu Jitsu. As a result, your rolls on the mats become that much easier and your guard game deadly!
Endurance
Improving your strength and endurance are direct results and benefits of Jiu Jitsu. During your rolls, you are constantly pulling and tugging on each other’s sleeves and collars. You are put in difficult positions, joint locks, and strangleholds.
Through the rigors of surviving your training sessions, you put your body through a lot! By doing so, you increase your body’s strength and endurance. Your grips are tighter, your arms are stronger, and you can last much longer. By practicing consistently your physical endurance and strength are much stronger!
Humility
No matter how big or strong you think you are, during your first roll, you will get demolished! Jiu Jitsu is one of those martial arts that completely levels the playing field.
Regardless of your size and strength, an experienced BJJ player will be able to outmaneuver and tap you out!
BJJ allows a much smaller person to win against larger opponents using the proper technique and momentum.
In the situation where you are being man-handled by a 16-year-old girl, you clearly realize that this sport is something else entirely. By consistently getting smashed and submitted, you learn to leave your ego at home.
You learn to focus on something much more important – learning. Through your losses and failures, you learn how to be humble and respect the sport much more. This helps develop character in both Jiu Jitsu and your daily life.
Stress Relief
Jiu Jitsu is a great way to improve your stress levels from your daily life. Whether you are frustrated with your unreasonable boss or if you are having relationship issues, BJJ is a great way to escape all of that.
Once you step into the mats, you forget all your problems and focus entirely on your rolls. Instead of worrying about your day, your focus switches off to the technique of the day and not getting choked out!
BJJ training releases endorphins and oxytocin, allowing to combat your stress levels. These chemicals trigger euphoria and positive moods.
It’s no wonder why people get addicted to the sport!
Διαβάστε το πρωτότυπο άρθρο εδώ.