Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Be Prepared to Work!

By Curtis Adams

If you decide to get involved in Brazilian jiu jitsu training, you will not be alone. There are a large number of Brazilian jiu-jitsu academies that have opened across North America in order to supply the demand for training in this discipline. Mixed martial arts tournaments have been the perfect platform for showing how Brazilian jiu jitsu can often defeat fighters of different disciplines. Here is what you can expect in a basic class.

Brazilian jiu jitsu training, like advanced training and most types of structured physical activities, will virtually always start with some kind of a warm-up. If you are new to jiu jitsu, then the trainer will probably focus on a easier warm-up session. A lighter session will normally involve some fundamental exercises such as situps and pushups, and maybe laps around the gymnasium. Stretching also happens after your body has warmed up a bit. A more intense warm-up would be longer and really created to break a sweat and help you with conditioning for endurance.

After the warm-up, the next part of Brazilian jiu jitsu training commonly concentrates on methods. Specific moves will be chosen by the teacher and broken into sections so that students can perfect each stage. Mistakes are ironed out at this stage, and the instructor will endeavor to spend time with each student to make sure things are being done correctly. More experienced students are often paired with novice ones, so that the former can assist the latter. This is especially important in bigger classes where the instructor can't offer everybody individual training at the same time.

At the end of the lesson, there is usually time set aside for the application of Brazilian jiu jitsu training that was earlier taught, through one-on-one matches. Students are paired up and within a time limit are given the chance to try out the martial art techniques they were shown earlier in class, or in previous lessons. This sparring is a good way for students to see just how useful the techniques they are learning can be, and how to more quickly execute moves when up against an unyielding opponent.

Brazilian jiu jitsu training is not for the casual participant due to the amount of work involved and the high expectations that instructors tend to set. But if you are dedicated and make the most out of each session by warming up properly, concentrating on mastering the techniques taught, and making the most out of sparring sessions, then you will have a positive experience. This is personal training at its highest and you will find yourself with greater physical and mental strength as a result. - 31491

About the Author:

Sign Up for our Free Newsletter

Enter email address here