Intrested in BJJ

[Milwaukeedoug]

I have been reading alot about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu lately...and am very intrested. It sounds like a more applicable art in real life, as opposed to ninjitsu, drunken boxing, or anything like that.

I have found a gym in the area and plan to join..but I have a few questions Im sure you guys can answer.

1-What shape do I need to be to start in BJJ? Right now..im 240ish, about 6'1 and just turned 19 years old. I have no MA experience...aside for one boxing lesson and my skill at Tekken. Ive gained a few pounds out of laziness over the last year..and am looking to put an end to it through martial arts. Im not a super fat guy, but Im not the most healthy athlete either...I do have a gut though. Would you recommend me joining, losing the weight in the process.....or losing my weight and weightlifting again to fit in the class better? I am a pretty powerful though (probally nowhere close to the students)...which would be a plus I would think.

2-What kind of shape will BJJ get me in? Do you think I would see a noticeable change within a couple weeks? I am considering a BJJ school or a boxing/MT gym....more inclined to the BJJ because its cheaper.

3-Is BJJ just like Greco Roman wrestling? I would like a mix of both ground and standing fighting experience. Will BJJ give me the experience to fight both ways?

4-Is it fun? Are BJJ gyms fun to go to..because it seems that its participants are a bunch of badass toughguys? I really dont care for a-holes.

5-What advantages does BJJ have over the other arts? I understand that there is no best fighting method. Will BJJ give me an advantage over some ninja wannabe acting like Bruce Lee?

Thanks guys.

[lopezma]

Milwakeedoug, welcome!

BJJ is Awesome. Both boxing and BJJ will get you in shape. Start going to the gym. Don't wait to get in shape to go there. Go now! BJJ is a blast, but some schools do carry egos. Be careful with that! The best & simplest way I can put it, BJJ is wrestling with locks. No pinning. You will learn to lock up people and submit them from the top, the bottom, the side. It's Awesome! Many BJJ schools only focus on grappling, not many strikes! The advantage you will have on other styles would be that you could go to the ground and finish the job. Most traditional martial arts do not teach how to truly fight on the ground. You will definately get lean! When will you see a change in your physical body? That is difficult to answer (everybody is different) How long did it take you to get where you are at? How hard are you going to train? Will you be running when not in class? Then there is the diet, how clean are you eating? Be patient and you will see change! Since it sound like you've been only playing games and hanging around, your going to be gassed! I wish I was there, I get a kick out of seeing people exhuasted. I'm not making fun of you, I kick my butt every day! Just today we had a special day of trianing 2pm - 5 pm, and in only 3 hours of conditioning, I was on the floor. An exhuasted 210 pile of sweat. The only thing I feel is my fingers. I hope this helps, Good luck! START NOW!!!!!

[Ahoym8e]

1. just start. you'll get pretty exhausted for the first few sessions until you can hang with the rest of the guys during warmup. Forget about weightlifting if you want to learn good jiu jitsu.

2. good shape. I lost over 20 lbs in my first year and am now at 9% bodyfat (down from 16%).

3. not much like greco. most of the work is on the ground, plus you are applying aubmissions, plus you can touch the legs, etc. etc. It does share the focus of having good base (balance) and controlling the hips though...

4. depends on the school I suppose. We don't have any badass toughguys. every now and then one comes in, gets OWNED by the odd 160 lb bluebelt/experienced whitebelt (or our 142 lb female blue) and then they stay away...

5. Bruce lee was a badass and could kick most peoples rear, but bjj is not really in the same category. bjj is heavy on groundwork, while JKD (the bruce lee concept) is more about knocking you out, headbutting your nose to pulp, striking the throat, gouging the eyes, kicking your knee to cartilage spaghetti, etc.. Jiu jitsu has standup game, but most of it is geared to get the action on the ground. You will be able to dominate normal people (and ninjas) though, since you are practicing with a non-compliant opponent every class, which is an experience most people don't have.

all just my opinion of course.

[OmaPlata]

it will get you into insane shape, you will loose alot of weight too

[1bad65]

Like others said, just start. If your worried about egos check out the school(s) before signing up. Any school that won't let you watch a class is bad news. We've had guys start who barely make it through warm-ups at first, but stick with it. You will lose excess fat pretty quick, especially if you watch what you eat too. Good luck.

[theprophet]

I have lost fat doing BJJ especially in the "spare tire" region. I am also doing Muay Thai right after my BJJ class which helps out alot plus gives me a stand up game. You may want to pick up a stand up art as well, I'd find a school which offers both. Good luck.

[Milwaukeedoug]

thanks for the responses everyone!


I think I will join.

[mixwell]

I think you will like it.. All the guys in my school are really cool.. no one is out to be a badass or try to hurt you.. They usually try to help you out.. Its fun as hell too. Depends on how much you are into it.. I was really into the art itself before I started and I am still hooked on it after 4 months. just sign up and try it out.. alot of BJJ schools have a free 1 day trial class so you can see what its all about and decide from there.

Good Luck in your BJJ quest.

[Milwaukeedoug]

thanks mix!