The hardest part of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is getting started, so let us help you.
Starting anything new is always hard. Not least something as intimidating as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
There are many reasons why people who are interested in learning BJJ postpone or shelve the thought completely. We want to convince you otherwise! So, we’ve prepared for you a selection of the most common reasons that we’ve heard of, and what we would like you to reconsider.
Fear of the unknown
Entering a martial arts gym, being in close proximity to complete strangers, entrusting these same strangers with your safety, etc. All of these place you firmly outside of your comfort zone and many people are too intimidated to take the first step.
What we think: It is perfectly normal to be nervous, scared, and intimidated. We’ve all been through that. There’s no other way around it though. You just have to bite the bullet and get yourself through the door. The first time is always the most difficult. After your first class, you will probably kick yourself for all the time you’ve wasted worrying that you could’ve spent training instead 😉
“I’m too fat! I need to lose weight first.”
This is a big concern among those who are overweight. Many try to go on a diet and go to a normal gym to shed some pounds before starting a martial art because of a belief that they need to be in shape to start training. Most fail in this step and convince themselves that they cannot start BJJ until it is done.
What we think: You are just creating an even bigger hurdle to put in front of yourself. BJJ will help you lose whatever weight you need to lose. Just start! If you can’t last the whole class, that’s okay! Nobody will judge you for it. We have lots of respect for you for trying to make a change in your lifestyle. Even if you can only make it through half the warm-ups before you need to sit out, we understand. It’s tough.
Set your goals according to your ability. Don’t go comparing yourself to some guy of average size and fitness level. For each class you attend and each training session that you make it through, give yourself credit when you last for a few minutes longer than you did previously. Give yourself credit for when you manage to do a move that you weren’t able to previously. Give yourself all the time in the world that you may need! BJJ is an individual journey, your primary goal should be to be better than you were yesterday.
“I’m too unfit! I need to go to the (regular) gym to develop some cardio and strength first.”
What we think: Nothing is quite able to replicate what BJJ uses. The type of cardio and strength that you will need to develop is unique to the sport. Regular gym-goers don’t develop any particular advantages for BJJ. Generally speaking, people who have done activities that place a lot of emphasis on movement and control before tend to pick up BJJ faster. So people like dancers, circus artists, rock climbers, yogis etc. who have a greater understanding of their bodies do have an advantage. As for the rest of us common folk? We learn it the good old way – by attending BJJ class. BJJ-specific fitness will come when you start training BJJ! You don’t have to be afraid or embarrassed, as most of us go through the same struggles.
“I’m too old!
My bones are creaky and I don’t think I can keep up with all these young people.” Somehow once people hit their mid-thirties they become consumed by the doom and gloom of old age. Then the forties and the fifties hit, and it’s despair. We’ve heard from many worried, middle-aged prospective students concerned about their old bones.
What we think: You are never too old! Most of us started BJJ as adults… unless you are one of the lucky few whose parents somehow knew about BJJ and enrolled you as a kid. But then you wouldn’t be here reading this. BJJ is one of the few martial arts that you can continue practising into old age. It is entirely possible to temper the intensity of sparring to suit your needs. A good training partner takes into account your size and age to find a pace at which both of you can improve.
Also, you don’t have to try to keep up with the younger ones on their terms. A phrase you will hear thrown around frequently in these circles is “old (wo)man strength”. What the older people lack in speed and stamina, they make up for in strength and control. Develop a style that suits your body’s capabilities. Not everyone is meant to do cartwheel passes and flying triangles and that’s okay!
“I am a woman with past trauma. Being in close proximity with men who have power over me gives me anxiety.”
Saved this for last because we feel that this is something that needs to be addressed in slightly greater depth. It is unfortunate that this is the sad reality for many women in our community. Over the years, we have heard from many female practitioners of their struggles in the beginning in overcoming the crippling anxiety that came from being either the only or one of the only women in the class and having to partner with men much larger than them. The anxiety tends to be amplified as in BJJ you have to trust in and allow your partner to control your body and make you submit. It sounds highly uncomfortable put that way, but that’s how it feels to some. For many women, the thought of even entering a martial arts gym, with its hyper-masculine environment, is a challenge in itself. It’s intimidating, terrifying, and many don’t make it past the door. That’s okay. It really is.
What we think: Take things slow. If it’s too much to go and jump straight into a trial class, make a trip to the gym you have your eye on and just have a look around. Sit on the side and watch a class, observe the environment, see how it makes you feel. What’s most important is that the atmosphere of the gym. Is it welcoming to women, or does it treat women as an afterthought? Are there signs of overt sexism or toxic masculinity that you can detect? Are there any women training there? If there are, try speaking to them! They will be able to provide insights on how conducive the training environment is to women. If you feel ready to try it out, do it! If it doesn’t feel like the right place, look into somewhere else.
At the start of your training, if at any point of time you feel overwhelmed by anxiety, remember that it’s okay to stop to take a breather. Speak to your instructor if you are struggling, be it physically or mentally. Find a training partner that you can trust. These are just some little things that you can do to help make the transition a little easier and less daunting. Give it a go! BJJ is great for helping to develop confidence and self-esteem.
