Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) is Martial Art that enables people to defend themselves against a bigger, stronger, more aggressive opponent. We offer Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes throughout the week here at Absolute MMA in West Jordan, Utah. These classes are focused on helping everyone from children to teens to adults achieve their personal goals.
What’s the history of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?
The roots of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu can be traced back to Brazil in the early 1900s thanks to the Gracie family. Using what he and his family learned through arts like Judo and Japanese Ju-Jitsu, Helio developed a style focused on using leverage and ground fighting. His system enabled smaller fighters to survive and neutralize a bigger, stronger opponent.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has since spread and is practiced by people around the world. Today, BJJ is used in a sport format and also for self-defense. Practitioners of BJJ can be found using the style to do everything from improving their overall health to training for actual combat. Many of the techniques from this grappling art can also be found in other sports such as Mixed Martial Arts and Catch Wrestling.
Absolute MMA head coach and owner, Professor Rob Handley, teaches BJJ as a 4th degree Black Belt. Professor Rob Handley received his Black Belt from Grand Master Flavio Behring Master Sylvio Behring in 2003. Grand Master Behring trained under Grand Master Helio Gracie starting at age 10 and continues to help students and instructors receive the benefits of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
10 benefits you receive from Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Now that you have a better understanding of the history of BJJ, you might be wondering why it has spread around the world. Why does BJJ continue to grow in popularity? What are some of the benefits you can experience from learning BJJ? Here are some of the top reasons why people train:
- Make new friends: There’s nothing like the BJJ community! You’ll get to experience the bond that comes from training together. BJJ is challenging both physically and mentally so you’ll quickly learn to work with your teammates to make real progress. As you learn and grow, you will be able to create lifelong memories and friendships.
- Learn self-defense: Knowing what to do in a bad situation requires intentional training over time. BJJ will give you a better understanding of how to avoid conflict and what to do if you need to deal with an attacker. Classes will cover different topics such as what to do if someone mounts you or tries to choke you. Over time, you’ll develop a skill set to help you be better prepared to handle conflict.
- Learn a new hobby: Adding to who you are as an individual can come in the form of picking up a new hobby. Some of the benefits that come with learning a new hobby include increasing your overall happiness and helping you not feel bored. You’ll feel less stressed and be more patient with yourself. You give yourself a healthy outlet to look forward to throughout the week
- Improve your full-body strength: All forms of grappling such as Jiu Jitsu require you to engage your entire body as you work for takedowns, escape submissions, and launch your offense. Doing the movements your instructor has you do will develop everything including your upper body, core, and legs. Your body will get stronger as you train consistently.
- Better cardio: Your overall physical endurance gets better over time as you learn BJJ. Since grappling arts such as BJJ involve your entire body, your cardiovascular system will get stronger. You’ll have more energy to go throughout the day whether you’re at work or taking care of tasks at home.
- Weight loss: If you’re trying to shed the extra pounds, BJJ is a great form of exercise. You’re constantly engaging multiple muscle groups in every Jiu Jitsu class. The constant movement from warmups at the start of class to rolling during open mat will help you burn calories.
- Greater flexibility and movement: One of the natural benefits of learning BJJ is you improve your flexibility and overall mobility. BJJ teaches you how to move more efficiently. Your range of motion will be better as a result of doing warmups and drilling techniques you learn in class.
- Mental focus: Consistently doing difficult things will help you be able to focus more. BJJ teaches you to be mentally present. You learn how to commit your brainpower towards whatever you’re trying to accomplish such as finishing a submission or recovering from a hard throw. This ability to focus will help you in other areas of your life such as work and family relationships.
- Critical thinking: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gives you regular opportunities to test out solutions to problems you’re dealing with on the mat. You receive instant feedback as to whether or not what you’re doing works. This style of learning can be encouraging as you encounter problems outside of your gym since learning a new skill helps you develop stronger neural connections.
- Pure fun: There’s nothing like the amount of fun you’ll have from training! While training can be physically and mentally challenging, it’s not uncommon to see everyone on the mat smiling. You’ll have a great time as you work with your friends and grow together on your Jiu Jitsu journey.
Which of the benefits above surprised you the most? All of the benefits you just read are yours to have when you train consistently. As with any skill, you’ll see growth and progress as you regularly attend class. You are one giant step closer towards your fitness/self-defense goals every time you train!
Check out our recommended gear for all things Brazilian Jiu Jitsu:
Try out a week of classes at Absolute MMA for free!
Stop wondering if Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is for you and start training! For an entire week, you can try out all of our classes at Absolute MMA. This free trial includes everything from our Muay Thai classes to our fitness classes. Sign up using this link: https://absolutemma.com/free-trial/