Guest post by Evolve MMA, Asia’s premier championship brand for martial arts. It has the most number of World Champions on the planet. Named as the #1 ranked martial arts organization in Asia by CNN, Yahoo! Sports, FOX Sports, Evolve MMA is the best Singapore BJJ gym.
Martial arts training is a great way to get fit and healthy, especially if you’re trying to lose weight. But there is so much more to be gained from martial arts than just shedding the pounds. There are so many benefits to training, that people all over the world turn to martial arts to take back control of their lives.
It’s a total body workout that involves all the major muscle groups, and requires critical thinking and brain power. Each martial art, however, offers a unique approach to fitness.
Of the many great martial arts disciplines is what they call the “gentle art” of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or BJJ. BJJ is a discipline that focuses on grappling, with an emphasis on ground techniques. It uses leverage and weight distribution to bring opponents to the ground, and then uses joint locks and chokeholds to subdue opponents.
But more than just for self-defense, BJJ is a way of life for its practitioners. Let’s take a quick glance at the many benefits training in BJJ offers, and how this incredible martial art can enrich your life.
If you’re looking to unlock BJJ’s many benefits, look no further. Today, Evolve Daily shares four reasons why you need to start training in BJJ as soon as possible.
1) Get in Shape!
When you think of martial arts for weight loss, boxing and Muay Thai are the first two disciplines that come to mind. Not to be outdone, however, BJJ training is just as effective as a weight loss tool, just in a different way.
While striking martial arts feature intense cardio, BJJ training is more of a resistance workout using your own body weight. BJJ stimulates every muscle in the body, which in turn burns loads of calories. You will definitely notice a huge difference in just the first few weeks of BJJ training.
The best part of this all is that you hardly even notice the amount of effort you’re putting into getting in shape because you’re just too focused on learning the craft. Oftentimes, we’re all fixated on the amount of effort we put into a workout. With BJJ, we are completely focused on learning the techniques and studying the art.
In fact, most people who have started BJJ just to get in shape end up falling in love with the sport itself. People end up sticking to it because they enjoy training.
2) Relieve Your Stress
One of the most amazing things about BJJ training is that it’s an incredible stress reliever. This is so important because stress is a real factor in all of our lives. We all experience stress in some form, whether at home, at the office, or at school. Stress leads to anxiety, and negatively affects our health. Sometimes, stress even leads to weight gain.
BJJ training is a tremendous activity that helps to relieve stress and improve the quality of life. The pure enjoyment of rolling the mats is enough to help take your mind off whatever it is you’re worried about. BJJ training is no doubt therapeutic.
Furthermore, BJJ teaches you how to breathe properly, which a lot of us have completely forgotten or don’t even know how to do. Proper breathing is so important in BJJ and in life. It helps us handle overwhelming tasks and allows us to focus on what we need to do. It helps us clear our minds of clutter and negative thoughts.
3) Learn How to Protect Yourself
Perhaps most important of all is learning BJJ for its self-defense methodologies. BJJ is one of the most effective martial arts for self-defense. Also known as Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, the art was developed by the Gracie family to protect themselves. Helio and Carlos Gracie, the brothers who developed Gracie Jiu-Jitsu were small in stature and needed a way to defend themselves. The philosophy behind the discipline is that even a smaller, less powerful individual has the ability to successfully defend himself against a bigger, stronger, and heavier opponent by using correct techniques and strategies.
When you think of self-defense, you immediately think of punching and kicking. While striking martial arts certainly do have their merits when it comes to protecting yourself, there is nothing quite like being able to control an opponent from a close distance. When you learn Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, you learn how to control the outcome of a fight.
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu for self-defense is used not only in real-life situations, but also in the military and law enforcement. Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is one of the safest, low-impact ways to nullify an aggressive target. You can end conflict quickly and easily, whilst doing minimal damage to your opponent, or putting yourself at risk.
4) Improve Problem-Solving Skills
More than other martial arts, BJJ training will make full use of your mind. It has been likened to a physical game of human chess, where each move carries significance, and both players are constantly attacking and defending.
It involves a great deal of strategy and tactics to achieve success. Despite BJJ being just as physical as any other discipline, it also relies heavily on the mental aspect of fighting. Every move is important, and you will learn how to think five steps ahead of your opponent. At the same time, your opponent is doing exactly the same, and you are constantly devising a plan in your head how to react and combat those advancements.
In that way, BJJ training teaches practitioners how to deal with every situation. It greatly improves a person’s problem-solving skills and critical thinking.
There is no other martial art quite like BJJ when it comes to bridging the gap between the physical and mental aspect of fighting.
5) You’re Going to Have Fun
As mentioned previously, BJJ training is an enjoyable experience, and most people stick to training because they are having so much fun. This then becomes the gateway to your success, whether you are studying BJJ to get fit, or to learn how to protect yourself.
Furthermore, BJJ training is for people of all ages, young or old. Whether you’re a teenager looking to take up the sport and eventually compete, or a senior citizen who wants to improve health and fitness, BJJ is a great martial art to take up. There is a unique quality to BJJ training that creates the perfect atmosphere for learning and fun.
Moreover, you’ll make new friends and build lasting relationships with the people you roll with. In BJJ, there is a heavy focus on sparring and trying out different techniques. You will no doubt get to know everyone you roll with. You’ll discover each others’ strengths and weaknesses, and understand how to improve your skills together.
So if you’re looking for a fun way to get in shape, looking for a way to protect yourself, or in search of a way to relieve stress and sharpen yourself mentally, BJJ is your answer! Give it a try today. Sign up for a trial class!
