You may never have considered learning Jiu-Jitsu or another martial art, but these types of combat sports can have a range of unexpected benefits.
Here are some key reasons anyone may want to learn Jiu-Jitsu, from the ability to defend yourself to increasing your ability to think strategically.
1. Self-Defense
Most people don’t plan on getting into a fight during their day-to-day lives, but there’s always the chance that you might need practical self-defense skills to protect yourself. Because of that, you can think of combat sports training as something better to have and not need than need and not have.
Jiu-Jitsu is an excellent self-defense art. Unlike other combat sports, Jiu-Jitsu is known to give smaller and less athletic individuals the skills and knowledge to defend themselves against larger, stronger opponents. With live sparring a feature at most Jiu-Jitsu schools, you’ll also get plenty of practical experience.
2. It’ll keep you in shape
Jiu-Jitsu isn’t meant to be a cardio workout, but it excels in that role. During an ordinary Jiu-Jitsu training session, you’ll likely find yourself covered in sweat — a 180-pound person will probably burn up to 800 calories in an hour-long session.
The art of Jiu-Jitsu is also a great workout that covers strength, endurance, and cardio. By the time you wrap up your first day practicing Jiu-Jitsu, you’ll be able to attest that it’s a full-body workout.
3. It’s a new skill
One of the best ways to stay mentally sharp and maintain your brainpower as you age is to learn a new skill. Unless you have an extensive background in wrestling or other combat sports, taking Jiu-Jitsu classes will likely work out your brain just as much as your body.
This is especially true because Jiu-Jitsu is inherently a strategic art. You’ll be thinking of ways to take down an opponent and fend off attacks in real-time while they are doing the same thing. It’ll build mental resilience and the ability to think quickly on your feet.
4. You’ll forge new friendships
There’s a good chance that you’ll develop friendships for life during Jiu-Jitsu training. Anytime you participate in a group activity that requires one-on-one training — such as sparring — you’ll forge new relationships with the people around you.
Many Jiu-Jitsu gyms have a culture of brotherhood (or sisterhood) as well. As far as other social benefits, Jiu-Jitsu will also keep you humble. That’s because even the best Jiu-Jitsu fighters need to get used to getting tossed around on the mat. That’ll keep your ego in check better than just about anything else.
5. It beats a regular gym
Most gyms are loud environments filled with sweaty people. That might not bother some, but it’s not exactly the most appealing environment to others. While you’ll find a similar level of physical activity at Jiu-Jitsu schools, the culture is a lot different.
You’re signing up to practice fighting on a regular basis — so, undoubtedly, you’ll more likely run into like-minded people. Because Jiu-Jitsu practitioners are probably more humble (see the last point), there’s a good chance that even the casual acquaintances you meet will be great to train with.
6. It’s stress relieving
Stress is a modern-day killer, which is why activities that relieve stress are mandatory in our day and age. While Jiu-Jitsu might not sound stress-relieving, it’s actually a meditative art.
If you go into the practice with humility and the right mindset, you’ll likely get “into the zone” and find a meditation-like quality. That’s, of course, on top of the existing mental benefits of physical activity.
7. It’ll get you out of your comfort zone
If Jiu-Jitsu does anything for your own personal development, it’ll get you out of your comfort zone. As many people know, actual and significant character growth begins as soon as you step outside of that zone.
Jiu-Jitsu will be a struggle at times, but it’s a fire that can forge you into a better person. Expect significant benefits to your health, mental resilience, confidence, and humility.
Ready to learn?
If you’re reading to learn Jiu-Jitsu, look for a quality gym with world-class instructors. The best example of this in the Southern California region is The Arena, a famous Jiu Jitsu school in San Diego that features top-tier instructors, an excellent facility, and a tight community of fighters who are among the best of the best.
