Some people are intimidated by the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu videos they see online- the crazy throws, the precise technique, and the crushing submissions. For this reason, these individuals might automatically think, “I definitely need to get in shape before joining BJJ”. But guess what? This isn’t true!
You can join Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at virtually any fitness level and still experience amazing benefits. People of all ages, sizes, and fitness levels find that BJJ enhances their lives greatly. Whether you’re a 300-pound man with no athletic experience, or a 110-pound women who isn’t in good shape, know that you don’t need to “get fit” before training BJJ. The sport will take care of this area of your life automatically!
How Fit Can You Expect to Become By Training BJJ?
It’s often been said that a single sparring session of BJJ (which usually lasts from 5 to 15 minutes) will be more calories than an entire hour at the gym. For the most part, it’s true, and this is because you never stop moving in Jiu-Jitsu. The constant movement, combined with throwing your opponent’s weight around, will result in your becoming fit quite quickly.
In fact, if you train a minimum of 2-3 times per week (4-5 times per week is recommended for optimal results) then you should expect to see a dramatic boost in your fitness levels within a few weeks. If you’re already in shape then simply expect your fitness levels to increase even further. There’s a reason why members of the Gracie family always tend to live so long, and in such good health- it’s because they incorporate a healthy dose of Jiu-Jitsu into their lives!
Can You Supplement Jiu-Jitsu Practice With Cardio-Based Activities?
You can most definitely do this. As a matter of fact, to increase your endurance for Jiu-Jitsu, you should consider running a few miles per week on your own. This will not only keep you in shape while you’re not training, but it can also provide you with more confidence since you’ll be able to spar longer and harder without taking a break.
Activities like rock-climbing, mountain biking, paddling, or swimming are also great for supplementing your Jiu-Jitsu training sessions. To address the theme of this article, no, you don’t need to get fit to participate in Jiu-Jitsu. If anything, you should consider joining BJJ as quickly as possible so that you can start getting in shape now.