BJJ for beginners

[torrfisk]

Hi there.

I'm a European guy (English is not my mother tongue, eh.. ) who's been fascinated by BJJ for quite some time. But I've never tried it. I believe I'm going to check this system out next autumn, when a new beginner's course begins.

However, I've heard that BJJ is a very tough and demanding art. I have no experience what so ever when it comes to martial arts, will BJJ be too hard for me? I ride my mountain bike twice a week, and do kayak paddling twice a week, so my stamina is ok, although BJJ will appear to be something completely different, I guess. That's not actually not what I'm so worried about. I'm more worried about the aspects of full contact, huge fellows lying over me with all their body weight, and blabla.. Is BJJ possible for the Average Joe with an ok stamina, but no experience in training with pain (excluding lactic acid, hehe)?

I'll appreciate any answers, including personal stories!!

[Memnoch1207]

The movements will be difficult in the beginning, but over time they will become easier.

As far as the pain goes, you'll understand what the the true concept of "Tapping Out" means.

You'll feel pain, but only in the process of understanding how the technique is applied and it's effectiveness.

[cakegirl]

Torrfisk, I think you'll be fine! The fact that you kayak and ride your bike would mean that you have good fitness, and are assumedly not disabled in any way, so BJJ will be great for you!

Good luck! And make sure you keep us informed with how you go!

[torrfisk]

Thank you both for your answers! I'm going to give it a shot, a real shot! I know from former activities that Rome wasn't built in one day.

Thanks again, and train hard!

[SbgiDpekkanen]

Believe me, in my MMA school when we do BJJ, im 13, like about 5'5 and weigh 106 pounds. I go up against guys twice my size and sometimes have the pleasure of choking them out! Its all about positioning, balance, and technique, using that I believe you can beat a stronger and larger opponent.

[cakegirl]

SbgiDpekkanen's right - I'm a 5'4 woman of average strength, most (not all) of the guys I train with are taller and heavier than me, and I daresay all of the adults are way stronger than me. But I do OK!

It's about technique, not strength or weight, which is why BJJ is so hard at first - when you have no strength, all you have is strength and weight! Once you get some techniques into your arsenal, the strength advantage is neutralised.

BTW, SbgiDpekkanen, are you of Finnish origin?

[SbgiDpekkanen]

No, not really. Im actually of Ukranian origin, I just thought Dpekkanen would be a perplexing name Ah, forget it.